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Greetings to each and everyone of you.


This section for English-speaking viewers –
and all those enjoying the culture –

has developed over the months and is now offering materials of all kinds:

texts, images, poems, videos, etc.

It will continue to provide you with rich contents week after week.

 

International Octopus Day – 8 October

8 octobre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: fossils, legs, mollusks, océan, octopus, skeleton

On October 8th, World Octopus Day celebrates one of the earth’s oldest creatures.

The animal is best known for its eight legs and ink-squirting abilities.

However, there is so much more to know about this fantastic creature.

Octopus fossils date back over 300 million years.
This means that the octopus is older than the dinosaur!

Here are some other cool facts about these cephalopods:

  • 300 species of octopuses
  • 500 million neurons in their brains and arms
  • Octopuses come in all colors, shapes, and sizes
  • A rare type of octopus has tentacles that glow in the dark
  • Some octopuses live in shallow waters while others live 2.6 miles below the surface of the ocean
  • The largest octopus on record weighed 156 pounds
  • Their mantle changes color so that it blends into its surroundings
  • An octopus can swim nearly 25 miles per hour for short distances
  • They mainly eat mollusks, crustaceans, and even smaller species of octopus
  • Some species of octopus lives in every ocean in the world and along every coast of the U.S.
  • The female octopus lays up to 400,000 eggs
  • Large octopus only live up to 5 years

Many people are enamored by the octopus and for a good reason. There is simply no other creature on earth, quite like the octopus. Some consider them the most intelligent being on the planet.

Besides being super smart, the octopus is likened to Houdini. Since the octopus doesn’t have an internal skeleton or a protective shell, it squeezes through narrow openings.  Lacking any bone structure, an octopus has even been known to escape from a jar with a closed lid. They indeed are unique and unusual animals!

 

Source: Text & Image: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/international-octopus-day-october-8/

28th Sunday of Year C – 2022

7 octobre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
2 Comments
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 2 Timothy 2:8-13, Ezekiel 34:15-16, God faithful, Isaiah 49:15, Matthew 28:20, Matthew 6:30, Psalm 32:8, relationships

We engage in different types of relationships: with relatives and friends, neighbors and colleagues.
From different people, we expect different things while we appreciate the qualities of each one.
But from all of them, we usually expect one attitude above all others, it is that of FAITHFULNESS.
We want to be able to rely on them in good and bad times alike.

Today’s 2nd reading (2 Timothy 2:8-13) ends with an amazing – and very comforting – statement.
It says:

“We may be unfaithful but he (God) is always faithful.”
 
God’s faithfulness does NOT depend on ours… some of us may need to convince ourselves of this.

Rules and regulations, commandments and observances – all of these are signposts to show us the way.
But our being faithful to them is NOT a condition for God’s love and compassion to reach us.

 

“Does a woman forget her baby at the breast? Even if these forget, I will never forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15)
            God is faithful…
“I will watch over you.” (Psalm 32:8)
            God is faithful…
“I myself will show them where to rest… I shall look for the lost one… bandage the wounded.” (Ezekiel 34:15-16)
            God is faithful…
“If God clothes the flowers in the field… will he not much more look after you?” (Matthew 6:30)
            God is faithful…
“I am with you always, yes, to the end of time.” (Matthew 28:20)
            God is faithful…

It is said that there is nothing God cannot do.
Personally, I believe that God CANNOT forget his promises.
God CANNOT fail to carry out what he said he would do
God CANNOT be untrue to his word.

Even in the depths of our own unfaithfulness, we can always rely on this FAITHFUL GOD.
 
 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/28e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Image: Haiku Deck

World Cerebral Palsy Day – 6 October

6 octobre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: adults, cerebral palsy, Children, disabilities, epilepsy

About World Cerebral Palsy Day

Cerebral palsy is one of the least understood disabilities and people with cerebral palsy are often out of sight, out of mind and out of options in communities around the world. This needs to change.

World Cerebral Palsy Day on 6 October was created by the Cerebral Palsy Alliance in 2012 and now brings together people living with cerebral palsy, their families, allies, supporters and organisations across more than 100 countries. All with the aim to ensure a future in which children and adults with cerebral palsy have the same rights, access and opportunities as anyone else in our society.

About Cerebral Palsy

There are more than 17 million people across the world living with cerebral palsy. Another 350 million people are closely connected to a child or adult with cerebral palsy. It is the most common physical disability in childhood. Cerebral palsy is a permanent disability that affects movement. Its impact can range from a weakness in one hand, to almost a complete lack of voluntary movement.

It is a complex disability:

  • 1 in 4 children with cerebral palsy cannot talk
  • 1 in 4 cannot walk
  • 1 in 2 have an intellectual disability
  • 1 in 4 have epilepsy.

Cerebral palsy is a lifelong disability and there is no known cure.

 

Source: Text: https://worldcpday.org/   Image: iStock

World Teachers’ Day – 5 October

5 octobre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: career, comfort zone, development, education, Job, students, teachers

World Teachers’ Day on October 5th honors teachers and teacher organizations making vital contributions to the education and development of our future leaders.

#WorldTeacherDay

If you think back to your school years, you are bound to think of at least one teacher who made a difference in your life. Maybe they helped set you on the right career path. One may have encouraged you to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Or maybe they helped you when you felt unaccepted by your peers. Even though a teacher’s job is to teach, they wear many hats. They are also counselors and friends. To some students, they may even be guardian angels.

While teaching is indeed a noble career, it is a challenging one, as well. It seems that more than ever, teachers are having a difficult time. Some of the things they contend within the classroom each day are disruptive environments, lack of resources, and limited time. For teachers who have many students, it can be difficult to provide individualized attention.

As teachers prepare students for the future, it’s more important than ever to recognize the difficult job they do.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-teachers-day-october-5/

27th Sunday of Year C – 2022

30 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
2 Comments
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 2 Timothy 1:13-14, 2 Timothy 1:6-8, adjust, approaching God, approaching people, fear, friends, Holy Spirit

Most of us are in contact with many people every day.
We approach some of them spontaneously, considering them as friends.
Others, we keep our distance from them, we are not sure how we will be received.
There are some, we know that we will always be welcomed when knocking at their door.
Others, we would not go to them at any time, we feel we must choose the right moment.

What about God?
Do we approach him, spontaneously, without any hesitation?
Are we convinced that any moment is a good moment to ‘get in touch’ with him?
Or are we in doubt that we will be welcomed?
Are we afraid to go to him just as we are?

In today’s 2nd reading, we meet the apostle Paul writing to his friend Timothy (2 Timothy 1:6-8,13-14).
Some of his words can help us to ‘adjust’ our way of looking on to God – enabling us to come to him in a way that is ‘just’.

  • Just seeing him really as our Father.
  • Just accepting that we are his beloved children.
  • Just trusting him, truly.

Paul writes:
“God did not give us a spirit of fear
but power, and love, and self-control.”
 
It is sad to see how many people fear God, how may do not dare to come to him with the simplicity of a child.
They may think that they are sinners and are not worthy to approach him.
They forget that Jesus came precisely for sinners – he said it openly (

).

God never asked us to be worthy, he asks us to be confident in his mercy – that’s all!

Some of us have yet to REALize this basic and wonderful reality!
May it become REAL indeed!

The last line of the reading tells us how this is possible…
“…with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.”
 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/27e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Image: Oak Grove Church of Christ

 

World Day of Migrants and Refugees – 25 September 2022

25 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: building the future, challenge, Concern, conflicts, migrants, persécution, refugees, vulnérable

This year, the World Day of Migrants and Refugees will be celebrated on 25 September. Catholics worldwide are called upon to remember those displaced by conflict and persecution.

ADDITIONAL INFO

The last Sunday of September of every year is the Vatican’s World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

The World Day of Migrants and Refugees (WDMR) is always an occasion to express concern for many different vulnerable people on the move; to pray for the challenges and increase awareness about the opportunities that migration offers.

Pope Francis chose “Building the Future with Migrants and Refugees” as the theme for the 108th World Day of Migrants and Refugees.

 

Source: Text: https://www.icmc.net/calendar/world-day-of-migrants-and-refugees-2022/   Image: migrants-refugees.va

 

World Day Against Software Patents – 24 September

24 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: developers, inventor, Open Source Software, pioneer, software freedom, software patents
World Day Against Software Patents is held on September 24. Brussels, 2nd September 2008 — A global coalition of more than 80 software companies, associations and developers has declared the 24th of September to be the “World Day Against Software Patents”. This event in the third decade of the month September is annual. Help us Help us 
The first software patent was granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on April 23, 1968 on an application filed on April 9, 1965, Martin A. Goetz, a pioneer in the development of the commercial software industry, was the inventor of the first software patent ever granted, U.S. Patent No. 3,380,029.
A global coalition of more than 80 software companies, associations and developers has declared the 24th of September to be the « World Day Against Software Patents ». The Hindu, a national daily dedicated one page of its Bangalore edition to software patents and software freedom. Deepa Kurup contributed written two articles titled « Will patenting take the byte out of IT here? » and « How would it be if you read only one type of book? » which reflects some of the concerns of the Free/Libre/Open Source Software community.
Source: Text: https://webplus.info    Image: Journée mondiale

26th Sunday of Year C – 2022

23 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: blind, handicaped person, Luke 16:19-31, parable, poor, refugee, reversal of situation

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s gospel text probably appears to many of us as somehow strange, awkward even (Luke 16:19-31).
We may feel uncomfortable at the wording, and more still at the scenes described.
It all seems rather remote from our own experience.

Really?
What about ‘translating’ this parable of Jesus into a panorama familiar to us.

A poor man near the church begs for money,
       – a hurried parishioner enters the building without looking at him…
A distressed woman has lost her way and asks for help,
       – the rich passer-by hurries to the waiting car…
A refugee recently arrived in the country looks for the social center,
      – the family on holiday, unconcerned, runs to catch the bus…
A handicapped person is unable to move up the sidewalk,
      – the person behind makes a detour not bothering…
A blind is waiting, afraid to cross the street,
      – those around do not bother to offer assistance…

If, no, when there is a reversal of those situations, what will happen?
When those in need become rewarded and blessed, what will become of the others –
The others who…

  • did not pay attention,
  • did not bother,
  • did not get involved,
  • did not give help?…

Perhaps… yes, perhaps Jesus’ parable should make us feel uncomfortable…

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/26e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Image: unsplash.com   depositphotos.com

World Rhino Day – 22 September

22 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: conservation, ecotourism, endangered species, environment, habitat lost, poaching, rhinocéros
RHINOCEROS: AFRICA’S ARMOURED GIANT SPECIES:
 CRITICALLY ENDANGERED (AROUND 5200 REMAIN) DICEROS BICORNIS

 Affected by: Illegal wildlife trade

The rhinoceros is Africa’s armoured giant – like a tank on legs – and has been on our planet for millions of years. But right now they need our help. Poaching of rhinos for their horns and habitat loss are huge threats to both white and black rhinos.

The ‘southern’ subspecies of white rhinos is a conservation success story and had been helped back from under 100 in 1895 to over 20,000 individuals. However recently white rhino numbers have been declining due to a surge in poaching, with 15,942 remaining in the wild today. Sadly there are no individuals from the ‘northern’ subspecies of white rhinos left in the wild, and only a handful in captivity.

For the black rhino (slightly smaller, with a more pointed top lip) the worst period was between 1970 and 1992, when around 96% of them were lost to wide-scale poaching. Only 6,195 are left in the wild today.

Poaching of rhinos for rhino horn is still a huge threat, and the poachers have got increasingly better equipped. Help us make sure we don’t lose these incredibly precious creatures.

WHY AFRICAN RHINOS ARE SO IMPORTANT

It’s not just because they’re a precious link to our planet’s ancient past…  rhinos also play a crucial  role  in their environment. 

White rhinos are big grazers, eating lots of vegetation, which helps shape the African landscape. Other animals benefit, and it keeps a healthy balance within the environment.

Local people depend on the natural resources from these environments for food, fuel and income too. Ecotourism can be a vital sustainable source of funds for local communities. As one of Africa’s wildlife ‘big five’, rhinos are a popular sight for tourists.

By helping protect the rhino we’re helping protect its environment for the benefit of both people and wildlife for generations to come.

 

https://www.wwf.org.uk/learn/wildlife/african-rhinos    Images: GKToday      unsplash.com

International Day of Peace – 21 September 2022

21 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: compassion, conflicts, discrimination, empathy, hatred, non-violence, peace, racism

2022 Theme: End racism. Build peace.

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.

But achieving true peace entails much more than laying down arms.  It requires the building of societies where all members feel that they can flourish. It involves creating a world in which people are treated equally, regardless of their race.

As Secretary-General António Guterres has said:

“Racism continues to poison institutions, social structures, and everyday life in every society. It continues to be a driver of persistent inequality. And it continues to deny people their fundamental human rights. It destabilizes societies, undermines democracies, erodes the legitimacy of governments, and… the linkages between racism and gender inequality are unmistakable.”

As conflicts continue to erupt across the globe, causing people to flee, we have seen race-based discrimination at borders. As COVID-19 keeps attacking our communities, we have seen how certain racial groups have been hit much harder than others. As economies suffer, we have seen hate speech and violence directed at racial minorities.

We all have a role to play in fostering peace. And tackling racism is a crucial way to contribute.

We can work to dismantle the structures that entrench racism in our midst. We can support movements for equality and human rights everywhere. We can speak out against hate speech – both offline and online. We can promote anti-racism through education and reparatory justice.

The 2022 theme for the International Day of Peace is “End racism. Build peace.” We invite you to join the efforts of the United Nations as we work towards a world free of racism and racial discrimination. A world where compassion and empathy overcome suspicion and hatred. A world that we can truly be proud of.

 

Source: Text: UN   Image: unmiss.unmissions.org