Keeping in Touch...

Being able to keep in touch with those we love and also to renew friendships via email or whatsApp is such a wonderful gift to have and to use as much as we can, especially at this time of Covid 19.

Perhaps the World is moving at such a quick pace and so we can lose time, precious time being involved with so many things and perhaps not always of great value in our lives.

Now that we are under threat of a Virus which can and is killing people, we are made aware of how precious time is.

To have time with those we love and care about is so important. We can do a lot of things, yet we cannot manufacture TIME!

So, today and each coming day, let's be precious with out time and allocate it to what is most important in our lives, to those we love.

FATIMA

Last year, June 2019, I got the opportunity to visit Portugal.

I had a strong desire to go to Fatima, yet it didn't seem possible at the time.

My friends, Veronica and Paul had chosen Portugal as their holiday break and invited me to join them for a week. I jumped at the chance.

Where they were staying was on the outskirts of Lisbon, the Capital. By trial and error we found our way to the Metro and had a wonderful day enjoying the sights. Lisbon is a beautiful City and not expensive either.

My next adventure was to travel solo to Fatima, first via Metro and then to find Coach depot and book myself onto the coach going to Fatima. 

Most of the two hour trip was spent chatting with an Indian lady.  She was on holiday with her husband and we had a good discussion about religion as she was Muslem, yet interested in the Christian faith. We chatted about Fatima and the story of our Lady appearing there. In her faith they use prayer beads, so I gifted her my rosary beads and we parted company as she was travelling further to the coast.

My next adventure was to find my Hotel. It seemed practical to get a taxi and within minutes I was deposited outside the Santa Antonia Hotel, situated just within walking distance of Fatima Cathedral! 

That evening after Mass,  I took part in the Procession of Light around the open square with hundreds of people, mostly families and some tourists too. What an delight to watch as each one of us carried our candles, forming a moving line of Light in the darkness and praying the rosary in different languages.  

Just the memory of it puts a longing on me to return again to Fatima!

True Devotion to Mary...

Today, 1st May 2020, the SOL Community will renew our True Devotion to Mary, a yearly commitment to Our Lady.
It can seem strange to go through Mary to God and yet it makes such sense too.
What better way to know someone than through their Mother.
In the Imitation of Christ we are guided to follow the life of Jesus and imitate his teachings and ways.
Well, I believe we honor Jesus in a wonderful way by making this commitment and saying, 'I am all Thine, my Queen and my Mother and all that I have is Thine'.
Mary, guide me and teach me how to love.