I SURRENDER ALL TO YOu I look forward to my personal retreats at POONDI MADHA BASILICA and this last time I went was no exception.  To reach the Basilica in India is no easy task the roads are narrow in many places but the picturesque view of the river and dam site is breath taking.  The banana leaves in their richness of color shimmer in the sunlight and on occasion one can see a peacock.  Poondi is a classic retreat place the rooms have only bed, bathroom, ceiling fan, one chair and small table.  The distractions and comforts one might need are null and void after all one is there to reconnect with Our Lord uninterrupted by the noise, entertainment, and problems of one’s personal life or the world itself.  Even the food is plain and basic with few choices from the restaurant on campus.  There are no other options.  This time at Poondi is truly a time of prayer, mass, adoration, and confession.   As for myself although I have a d...

The unknown causes concern, tension and worry, which can lead to panic, vigilantism, and separatism. Ebola is on its way down this slippery slope as was the first encounter with Aids. The world as a whole fails to help Africa readily until the disaster reaching their front door is eminent. Africa is a prime example of slow help especially since most of it hold no interest that is worth the risk or fight. The value of a black African life has little or no value in the eyes of most of the world especially in those who hold sway over African Government whom themselves are black. Ebola has been around as near as I can tell since 1976 with major out breaks in 2002 and 2003 and now here we are in 2014 no closer to understanding this disease that now plagues West Africa. The case to argue is why and the reasons may hinge in part on what I already mentioned. I cannot understand why the UN and other Western Countries will not set up temporary shelter as seen for refugees for clinics to...