(Fr. Shay's columns are published in The Manila Times, in publications in Ireland, the UK, Hong Kong, and on-line.) http://www.preda.org/main/archives/2010/r10030301.html

It's great to get good news about the wonders and benefits of nature for once after all the natural disasters experienced in the past few months around the world. Scientists at the Texas A&M University have discovered cancer retardants in the delicious mango fruit. The extract of mango, a naturally sweet tropical fruit can prevent, if not stop, the growth of cancer cells especially breast and colon cancer. The scientists Dr. Susanne Talcott and husband and co-researcher Dr. Steve Talcott released the scientific data recently saying the mango extracts "demonstrated some cancer-fighting abilities when tested on lung, leukemia and prostrate cancer cells".

When tested on breast and colon cancer cells, they had an even more robust anti-cancer effect, they said "In fact, the mango extracts caused the breast cancer and colon cancer cells to undergo apoptosis or programmed cancer cell death", they said. The results of the studies have been posted on the Philippine Cancer Society's web site.

2.18 pm: March 5th 2010 Second Reading Debate on Bill to create an Anti-Slavery Day.

House of Lords

Lord Alton of Liverpool: My Lords, it is with great pleasure that I add my voice to those supporting the terms of my noble and learned friend’s Bill to inaugurate an anti-slavery day. I commend my noble friend Lady Young of Hornsey for the way in which she has moved the Second Reading debate today. Like others, I should also like to pay tribute to Mr Anthony Steen MP, and to the all-party group for its tireless efforts on this issue. At one time Mr Steen and I were neighbours as Members of Parliament in Liverpool before he became the Member of Parliament for Totnes, and we remain friends to this day. My noble friend kindly mentioned the Jubilee Campaign during the course of her remarks, an organisation that I helped to found some years ago. I am grateful to her for that.

Debate: Thursday January 7th 2010 - House of Lords

12.40 pm

Lord Alton of Liverpool: It gives me great pleasure to join others in congratulating my noble friend Baroness Cox for once again raising the long-standing suffering of the people of Sudan in your Lordships’ House. I will speak on two issues—the situation in southern Sudan, following the speeches of others who have contributed to the debate today, and the situation in Darfur. I remind the House of my non-financial interest as Honorary Secretary of the Associate Parliamentary Group for Sudan.

Just before Christmas, I received a text message, the best gift one could imagine from Mina and Sheila, Preda Foundation jail rescue workers – “Two more children released from jail, bringing them home”. A few days later, another Christmas gift – “good news, cases against Jonathan and Darryl dismissed! Hurray! - Joan”.

Joan, a Preda paralegal worker has succeeded in getting dozens of charges against children dismissed with the help of compassionate judges. Joan is living out her dream and fulfilling her ideals in life as an advocate for children’s rights. She is a very dedicated and effective paralegal officer. Together with her court work, she is studying evening college courses striving for higher qualification.

When I was growing up in Ireland, everyone in our family gave each other little gifts at Christmas. We saved up our pocket money and went shopping thinking of what we could afford and what gift would please our parents and our brothers and sisters. It made us think about them and about each other and not about ourselves. It was a way a family bonded and we were taught that giving was more joyous that receiving.

As a small boy, I felt that receiving is the best part and waited with great excitement for the special moment after returning from morning mass when we all gathered around the Christmas tree and the gifts were shared out.