Dear Brother,

Thank you in advance for considering this question in the name of the Blessed Trinity our God in Heaven.

My daughter received a package in the mail from my mother didn't seem right. One item in particular seemed strange, a small red bag of sorts with white beads in it in stripes that is in the form of a necklace. It seemed to be a talisman of sorts from Africa, but I can't be sure. I don't know if I remember at the back of my mind something being said about such a thing when I was a child, but it seems like an odd nonsensical item. I remember not wanting my daughter to open the package, but after some convincing allowed her to open her gift from my mother.

By way of background, my mother took my father away from the faith and they married outside the Church. Neither my sister or I were brought up as Catholics. Mum, a Christian, is hostile to Catholicism at times and at other times will be more benign so it can be quite confusing. She is often hostile and unsupportive of my own family and in relation to our faith, when accessible interfering with my parenting and my relationship with my husband. At this point I don't feel inclined to want to maintain contact or communication with her, but feel obliged as her daughter to have some communication and offer love as a daughter. It is very difficult.

What should I do with this "gift" of hers for my daughter? My daughter already touched it when opening the gift and when seeing it, I told her to please leave it alone and she did. Things are not easy at home at present. I don't know if it has anything to do with this or if I am just imagining it.

May the Father Son and Holy spirit Bless you and your work always. With regards,