FAITH The precious jewel of our heart and soul is faith. It is the entity that drives our heart and soul to experience a journey of truth, action that strengthen us to a lively faith and unwavering trust. Our faith is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ and His demonstration of faith in the years He was here on earth. Our faith is an action of our belief and the strength there of. The action of our faith is driven in what we believe. We never move in faith on what others believe. Example: Several years ago my friend was talking about his difficulties to me and after he was done sharing I said,” I will pray a rosary for your intentions.” He thought about my words and said “I do not believe in the rosary.” My answer was “I pray the rosary through my faith not your belief” which he understood. One of the missions in this life of ours is to help the suffering. The criteria are simple they are suffering and need help. Our actions stem from our faith, through t...

Pope francis  Love, Compassion, mercy I love Pope Francis and since day one of his pontificate he sings my songs.  His love of the suffering and deep commitment to their  well-being  unfortunately falls on the deaf ears of all Catholic nations.  It is so easy to come up with excuses why the bob wires and virtual casting out of humanity that are in grave danger.  It is shameful and I for one cannot understand the teachings of Christ being portrayed in this way without the same He has given us.  It is upsetting to me to read the hatred spewed and vengeance.  Why is this for many of us have not experience this kind of suffering with rejection in its highest form.  These refugees did not want to leave their homes, possessions, family life and take a perilous journey to find hope and a new life.   The Holy Father speaks of this situation in many of his homilies however, the majority have turned their backs on this crisis...

MY eldest is 50 My eldest son Johnny turns 50 today.  He is the pride of this mother’s heart and blessed I cannot be more.  His life is one that brings me joy and happiness.  He is giving, kind and generous who is always there for family and friends and does it without complaint or annoyance these attributes I speak of are second nature, his heart beat his breath.   He has a heart of forgiveness and readily takes back into his life those close to him that have hurt him with acceptance at the purest level holding no condemnation against them.  He is a hard worker and all that he has attain in his personal life he did it.  What he has he shares; hording nothing to self. His antics as a child have given me stories to tell and I share with you.  When Johnny was two he wanted to be a nudist; he would be in the backyard playing and all of a sudden I would hear the next store neighbor’s kids yelling Mrs. Jensen! Mrs. Jensen, Johnny took...

Ten days I have been back home in the states for ten days now with the 14 th looming as I start to ready my journey back to India.  It has been a jammed pack going here and there visiting relatives and friends.  Actually, these last days I still have to visit my mother and a second visit to a friend.  I am enjoying their company, catching up on four years of gossip, good and bad news.  Much has changed in family and friends dynamics some shocking and some expected however, more than not sad.  Decisions made are not always wise and border on selfish causing much unrest, struggles and pain. I am staying with my son and family and I am queen for the time here; pampering feels good.  It does a mother’s heart good to see my son successful, with a very loving and supportive wife.  They both work hard, had times of struggle but now reap in abundance their sacrifice.  Their home is peaceful.  Those I have seen cook me the many dishe...

Blessed four days Anytime I end a Lent I am bless to be given knowledge in our Lord’s direction for my life.  I find I can be off kilter in my direction in part because of impatience and my prideful resolve I know or at least I think I know His plan which is generally wrong.  Thankfully I do not mess up His Divine will as to shatter it but detour here and there.  Our Lord knows how to reign me in and I am fined tuned into hearing Him when I fast and block out the world as I did in these last four days before Easter.  Prayer is the center of my life during the noises of the world but it is in the quiet I hear Our Lord divorced of glaring injustices, sadness, and heart-breaking stories about the abuse of children.  There is religious intolerance and persecution not to mention hatred all which crowds the heart and mind. My time at POONDI MADHA BASILICA was truly miraculous in many ways one I will share is meeting children who bought a quiet innoc...

PRAISE UPDATE REPORT (The Vulnerable) On December 1, 2014 I posted a blog on the plight of an elderly man whose land was stolen from him by goons.  Original blog at http://wwwlindamaryliotinocom.blogspot.in/2014/12/the-vulnerable.html I am happy to report Praise God for his love and mercy the elderly man not only got his property deed that was stolen from him, he also did not have to pay back the money or give back the goat the goons gave him for the land.  Seemingly, the reason for the so called generosity of the goons stems from not wanting to go before a judge and fight a thievery case on their part.  All who read original blog and said a little prayer for this man I thank you on his behalf, justice prevailed in the mercy and love of God. MY COMMENTARY: Although this is a settled case and quickly so I might add this is by far the norm in such cases in India.  Although many cases of this nature are against the poor I know of two cases...

JMJ WORLD WAR III…The suffering! The continuing coverage of the #wars going throughout the world as #Pope Francis coined this is as WORLD WAR III piecemealed must not ever forget the sufferings of those caught up in these wars. The worst thing that can happen to them now that they are displaced in the world is to be #FORGOTTEN. The news media as they cover these wars easily shift from one news breaking moment to the next leaving behind the suffering and how are they doing. These flash news stories that sensationalize the escaping plight of the suffering drops after they are conditionally free. However, do we realize the overwhelming changes they will endure perhaps for generations to come? The suffering are placed in refugee camps and understandably so but can we comprehend a life now with no country, no homes, loss of families, traditions, religious freedoms, and a whole way of life lived for generations. Do we understand children born will only know the life of living in refuge...

Mario’s first #lungi…#HOORAH! This is a traditional dress of India worn by men and in some regions woman. It is popular in Tamil Nadu and is usually given to a young man when he is 18 although the ages vary according to #family #customs. I guess this might be look at as a “right of passage” as the young man moves into his adult life. On a personal note Mario is doing extremely well in his #Engineering class as he is in the top three of his class. He is respected by his professors’ and is look to head up programs and give special presentations. No matter the odds put forth Mario rises above them and moves forward with dignity and self assurance of who he is and what he can accomplish in his life. His plans and goals are clear cut and unwavering. No matter what monkey wrenches are thrown his way he will overcome when the dust settles and world revolves. He is the pride of his #father and a good #friend to me… © Linda Mary Liotino ME A SERVANT OF CHRIST MISSION 2014