hello

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 Day of University Sport – 20 September

20 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: culture, education, science, sport, students, university

Connecting students around the world

Organised annually since 2016, the International Day of University Sport (IDUS) is celebrated on 20 September and was officially proclaimed by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO).

This day aims at creating links between universities and their local communities focused around sport, physical activity and healthy living.

Through this event, FISU aims to involve the multiple university sports stakeholders and member organisations in IDUS activities, not only as a way to promote its sports events but also to create a debate on university sport and to promote FISU values. IDUS is a platform to exchange ideas, best practices, challenges and opportunities within and through university sport worldwide.

 

Source: Text & Image: https://www.fisu.net/education/international-day-of-university-sport  

World Clean-up Day – 17 September

17 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: charismatic leader, civic movement, clean-up, imagination, metropolis, opportunity, planet
A goal that crosses borders and defies religious and cultural differences. World Cleanup Day is one of the biggest civic movements of our time, uniting 191 countries across the world for a cleaner planet. On that day volunteers and partners worldwide again came together, despite the special requirements and many restrictions of Covid-19, to rid our planet of trash – cleaning up litter and mismanaged waste from our beaches, rivers, forests, and streets.

The humble beginning

‍This world-changing idea began in the small northern European country of Estonia, in 2008. 50,000 people united to clean up the entire country in just five hours. On that day, a global bottom-up civic movement was born and spread like wildfire around the globe. This captured the imaginations of people worldwide, who were inspired to follow suit with the same ambitious ‘one country, one-day’ formula.

The simple idea has grown into a global movement with millions of volunteers and charismatic leaders. The simple act of cleaning has become a force that binds together people and groups that would otherwise never dream of working towards the same goal. Civil society, governments and global corporations, women in Saudi Arabia, people defying war in Yemen and Syria, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Christians, men and women, children.

Why?

‍Nearly every human on this planet has a place they call a Home. Be it a mansion, a street, a hut or a flat in a metropolis. Then there are the cities, countries, and regions we call home. And the planet we call home. When 50,000 Estonians cleaned their home in 5 hours, the world got wind of it. The simplicity of the idea and the ‘let’s do it’ attitude took off and the rest, as they say, is history. Anyone can pick up trash. In 2018, a 101-year old man volunteered to clean in Curaçao. In Estonia, a group of mothers carrying their babies went out to clean. In Scotland, a dogs association came out with the dogs. But World Cleanup Day has become so much more than the simple act of picking up trash. Daycares, schools, companies, government officials – the old, the young, the rich, the poor, the able and less able – everyone contributed. Because they could. Because they wanted to be involved in making their home a better place. Because they were given an opportunity to help. Because they belong to a community.
Source: Text & Images: worldcleanupday.org

25th Sunday of Year C – 2022

16 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: astuteness, children of light, crafty steward, dishonest manager, God's way, Luke 16:1-13

Looking at a scene, different people will appraise the situation in different ways.
This thought came to me after reading the gospel text of this Sunday (Luke 16:1-13).

Some comments refer to it as the parable of: ‘The Dishonest Manager’,
while others give it the title: ‘The Crafty Steward’.

The two expressions refer, in fact, to two aspects of Jesus’ story.
The text says:

“The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness.”

And Jesus adds:
“The children of this world are more astute… than the children of light.”

So, the message may be that of learning astuteness according to God…
This could be the way of becoming truly “Children of light… »

Thinking about it, we could say that:
Being a Christian is really this: taking on God’s ways! 

  • God’s way of thinking,
  • God’s way of seeing the world,
  • God’s way of judging situations,
  • God’s way of speaking,
  • God’s way of interacting among ourselves
  • God’s way of responding to the needs of people,
  • God’s way in reacting to the different situations we find ourselves in…

GOD’S WAY… the secret!

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/25e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Image: Dust Off the Bible

World Suicide Prevention Day – 10 September

10 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, commitment, prévention, strategy, suicide

World Suicide Prevention Day (WSPD) is an awareness day observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003. The International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP) collaborates with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Federation for Mental Health (WFMH) to host World Suicide Prevention Day. In 2011 an estimated 40 countries held awareness events to mark the occasion. According to WHO’s Mental Health Atlas released in 2014, no low-income country reported having a national suicide prevention strategy, while less than 10% of lower-middle income countries, and almost a third of upper-middle and high-income countries had.

On its first event in 2003, the 1999 WHO’s global suicide prevention initiative is mentioned with regards to the main strategy for its implementation, requiring:

  1. « The organisation of global, regional and national multi-sectoral activities to increase awareness about suicidal behaviours and how to effectively prevent them. »
  2. « The strengthening of countries’s capabilities to develop and evaluate national policies and plans for suicide prevention. »

 

Source: Text: Wikipedia    Image: freepik.com

24th Sunday of Year C – 2022

9 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: enjoy, Father, freedom, illusion, Luke 15:11-32, situation, son

A gospel text – THE gospel text so well known! (Luke 15:11-32).
Too well known, perhaps… to the point that we fail to recognize the real identity of the people –
those presented in Jesus’ parable.

A son like… many other…
Cherished by a loving father…
Unaware of all that the father’s love does lavish on him…
Dreaming of other places where freedom should be found…
Clinging to the illusion that no bonds or boundaries is liberty…
Wanting to enjoy life in his own way…
Suddenly aware of all that has been lost…
Making the experience of need, real need…
Realizing that what he had was the answer to this need…

 

 

 

 

 

 

A son like many… of us…
We may try not to notice our situation as it is…
We may use different means to deceive ourselves…
We may say that all is well while knowing it is not…
We may cling to the illusion that being free is all that matters…
We may pretend that we do not need anybody…
We may protest any intervention of those near to us seeing it as interference…
We may claim that we do not need ‘a god’ and all that it means…
We may have gone far… far away indeed… far from our true selves…

Shall we, at long last, “come to our senses” as the young man in the parable did?
Shall we have the courage to “leave this place” of pseudo-freedom and start on the way to return ‘home’?
Shall we dare to acknowledge to ourselves, and to our Father, that we have not been what he and we want most?

Then, the festive spirit that will be ours can hardly be described – it needs to be experienced!

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/24e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Images: freebibleimages.org

23rd Sunday of Year C – 2022

2 septembre 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: attached, detached, discern, estimate, foresee, Luke 14:25-33, plan, see, Wisdom 9:13-18, wise

We could say that the 1st reading of this Sunday (Wisdom 9:13-18) and the gospel (Luke 14:25-33) show us how to become wise.
They teach us to SEE and to FORESEE.

The first text tells us to
“discern what the Lord wills.”

While the gospel warns us that we should look ahead and plan for what we want to achieve –
whatever be our aim, we must prepare for what is ahead:
“sit down and estimate… consider” what is involved in our venture.

Of course, this concerns more than our daily activities – the construction of a building, or waging a war, are only two examples.
The words of Jesus go on to make it clear that he speaks of our lives as followers of his.

To ‘take up our cross’ will mean different things at different moments of our lives.
But it will involve being detached of certain things and people,
and being attached, committed, wholeheartedly to Christ and the way of life shown in the gospel.

That’s all – ALL of ourselves given to ALL that Christ asks of us!

 

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/23e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Image: gotquestions.org

 

22nd Sunday of Year C – 2022

26 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
2 Comments
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: attentive ear, Ben Sira 3:28-29, Ecclesiasticus 3:28-29, noises, sounds, words

The texts for the Sunday celebration are rich and varied – they offer plenty to think about.
Sometimes there is so much given to our reflection that some expressions escape our attention…
It happens that some words, at the end of a text, may go unnoticed as we have already moved to the next paragraph.

The 1st reading of this Sunday (Si 3:17-18,20,28-29) has a thought that should NOT escape our notice.
It is found at the very end of the reading and says:

“An attentive ear is the desire of the wise.”
 
God knows – indeed – that words, sounds, noises of all kinds, keep our ears busy the whole day long.
Specialists can count the decibels involved in a whisper or a thunderclap, but… can they measure their impact on us?…

Do we have this wise desire of being attentive to what we hear?

  • The quiet invitation to pause a while and listen…
  • The gentle call for compassion…
  • The subtle request for help…
  • The softly spoken words of regret…
  • The discrete inspiration from the depths of ourselves…
  • The challenging invitation to a commitment…
  • ‘The sound of silence’ as the well-known song has it… *

 

 All of them – and more – can translate God’s voice unmistakenly.
They can transmit his message… always personalised!…

‘An attentive ear’ – something God cannot refuse if only we ask for it…
And how astonishing may be what we… finally come to hear!

 

* Simon and Garfunkel

Note: Another reflection is available on a different theme in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/22e-dimanche-de-lannee-c-2022/

 

Source: Images: unsplash.com

 

International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief – 22 August

22 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: belief, human rights, persécution, religion, victims, violence

On August 22nd, International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief recognizes the importance of assisting victims of religious persecution.

When reading recent headlines, one can’t ignore that religious persecution is increasing. One in three people suffers from religious persecution. Of all the religions, Christians are the most persecuted. Christians face persecution in 143 countries. According to the BBC, Christian persecution in some countries is at near genocide levels. In Iraq, there are now less than 120,000 Christians. In comparison, in 2003, 1.5 million Christians lived in Iraq.

Worldwide, Muslims and Jews also face worldwide persecution. Muslims confront persecution in 140 countries, while Jews face persecution in 87 countries.

Many nations also place restrictions on those with certain beliefs. Countries with the most religious restrictions include China, Iran, Russia, Egypt, and Indonesia.

The Universal Declaration for Human Rights serves as the foundation for the UN’s stance on religious persecution and violence. Since freedom of religion or belief is essential to the Declaration, the UN strongly condemns the continuing acts of violence against religious groups. The UN’s position is another reason why they implemented International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief.

To commemorate this day the United Nations vows to reaffirm their unwavering support for the victims of violence based on religion and belief. They will demonstrate this support by doing everything in their power to prevent future attacks and hold those that are responsible accountable.

 

Source: Text & Image: nationalday.com

International Day of Remembrance and Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism – 21 August

21 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: re-habilitate, recover, reintegrate, remembrance, terrorism, tribute, victims

Acts of terrorism propagating a wide-range of hateful ideologies continue to injure, harm and kill thousands of innocent people each year.

Despite international condemnation of terrorism, victims often struggle to have their voices heard, their needs supported and their rights upheld. Victims often feel forgotten and neglected once the immediate aftermath of a terrorist attack fades, with profound consequences for them. Few Member States have the resources or the capacity to fulfil the medium and long-term needs of victims to enable them to fully recover, rehabilitate and re-integrate into society. Most victims can only recover and cope with their trauma through long-term multi-dimensional support, including physical, psychological, social and financial.

« On this International Day and every day, let us make sure that victims and survivors are always heard and never forgotten. And let us do everything we can to prevent more victims in the future. »   Antonio Guterres

 

Source: Text & Image: UN

World Mosquito Day – 20 August

20 août 2022
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, malaria, mosquitoes, protection curable, safety, tropical areas

World Mosquito Day was created in order to honor the discovery made of the link between humans, malaria, and mosquitoes. This is something that has changed the health industry considerably, ensuring that humans can be protected.

Malaria is a disease that mosquitoes carry, which is caused by a parasite. It is curable and preventable, yet sadly, it still threatens the lives of millions of people across the globe. It is important to note that not all mosquitoes transmit malaria; only infected female anopheles are able to transmit this to humans.

You may be wondering how malaria is transmitted by a mosquito. It is as simple as a bite. If a mosquito bites you and it has been carrying malaria, the parasite is going to be released into your bloodstream, which can infect your entire body. Mosquitos are typically most active at night and dusk, and so they do not usually bite during the day. However, it is important to make sure that your body is protected at all times.

The latest statistics show that approximately 435,000 people die of malaria every year. Not only this, but there is believed to be approximately 219 million cases of malaria every year across the world. These are pretty big statistics, right? A lot of people do not realize just how serious the problem is, especially those that live in areas that are not at risk.

Malaria can be found in over 100 countries. It is a condition that typically impacts the world’s tropical areas. Nevertheless, roughly 70 percent of the malaria burden around the world is concentrated in 11 countries. One being India, and the rest being on the African continent.

 

Source: Text: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/   Image: PosterMyWall