... A Message from the Co-Assistant Shrine Director's Desk for the Month of August

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... A Message from the Co-Assistant Shrine Director's Desk for the Month of August

My dear brothers, sisters, boys and girls,  

“God stands in us and His love is perfected in us”

1 John 4:12

Few years back a lady had come to me for sharing her life. Her husband was a businessperson and they had two kids. He was making great profit in business, taking many risks. Once he got an offer to make big money by buying shares in a multinational company. This however forced him to invest a lot. She advised him against this project because the company in question was suspect. His friends tried discouraging him but he was determined to rush ahead because of the rich bonuses offered. Soon it became clearer that the company was fake and all is investments lost. He had pledged his other holdings in a bank

to get money for this venture. Therefore, practically he lost everything he had. Because of the shock and the guilt, he had

a stroke and was bed-ridden. The family had to move into a small rented house vacating their large luxurious house. The wife was describing to me her dilemma at that moment. She hated him for the costly blunder, which the family was now suffering for. She could not say anything to him, as he was

sick. She felt anxious and angry. She even thought of leaving him and walking away with the children for the sake of their

education. At this time, there was a weekend retreat in her parish church. When she entered the church, she heard the preacher proclaiming, “Wives, love your husbands.” It

occurred to her that love means whole-heartedly sharing the plight of the beloved. If she abandoned him it would be a grievous failure in her fidelity towards him. However sinful

and foolish he was in his greedy and irresponsible endeavor, she realized she could not hold it against him. She took up a teaching job and worked hard to earn enough for the education of the children and the treatment of her husband. However difficult her life had become she was a happy person because she said, “All I live for is love.” I realized this was indeed the Holy Spirit who gave her this courage and mission in life. As

at Cana, the catastrophe in the family became the occasion

for God’s glory to be manifested. The irresponsible decision of her husband had turned out to be an opportunity for her to experience and live in the power of God’s love. The culture today tells that people give up easily on each other and on themselves. They take to the blame-game, finding comfort in finding fault with the other. That’s why relationships are so easily strained and become a burdensome.

Hearts become empty, unable to feel any love. If only we listen to the gentle invitation of Mother Mary “Do whatever He tells you” (Jn 2:5) and turn to Jesus, our hearts will be filled with the new wine of the Holy Spirit. Then will our lives and relationships become a celebration.

 Let us pray for each other, Lord Jesus, we thank you for the

great love you pour into our hearts by giving us the gift

of the family. We bring to you all the families of this world,

especially those shattered by failure, sin, sickness and tragedy.

 Holy Spirit directs them into Your light.

                                                                 Rev. Fr. Tom Puthusseril, M.S, Director’s Co-Associate

This year is our jubilee year! The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette was founded by Fr. René Sauvé, M.S. on December 7, 1953 and The Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette began their missionary work 60 years ago!   Come be with us in our jubilee year’s festivities!    

                            Peace!  Rev. Brother Bob/Shrine Director