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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.

 

World Day for War Orphans – 6 January

6 janvier 2018
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: abuse, armed conflicts, child soldiers, diseases, handicaps, hunger, malnutrition, orphanage, poverty, violence, vulnérable

Civilians bear the brunt of the suffering in war. Of the big number of war victims, the most often neglected are children.

Orphans throughout the world face many challenges: Malnutrition, starvation, disease, and decreased social attention. As the most vulnerable population on planet Earth, they have no one to protect them and are most likely to suffer from hunger, disease, and many other problems.

In recent decades, the proportion of civilian casualties in armed conflicts has increased dramatically and is now estimated at more than 90 per cent. About half of the victims are children.
An estimated 20 million children have been forced to flee their homes because of conflict and human rights violations and are living as refugees in neighbouring countries or are internally displaced within their own national borders.

More than 2 million children have died as a direct result of armed conflict over the last decade.
More than three times that number, at least 6 million children, have been permanently disabled or seriously injured.
More than 1 million have been orphaned or separated from their families.
Between 8,000 and 10,000 children are killed or maimed by landmines every year.

An estimated 300,000 child soldiers – boys and girls under the age of 18 – are involved in more than 30 conflicts worldwide. Child soldiers are used as combatants, messengers, porters, cooks and to provide sexual services. Some are forcibly recruited or abducted, others are driven to join by poverty, abuse and discrimination, or to seek revenge for violence enacted against themselves and their families.

Sadly, however, they rarely receive the time, attention, and love for optimal social and personal development. Research reveals that children growing up in an orphanage experience emotional, social, and physical handicaps. Without a doubt, the best place for a child to grow up is in a stable family with a loving father and mother.

Source: Text: keepincalendar.com  Image: Unsplash (free download)

 

Feast of Epiphany, Year B

4 janvier 2018
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 'God-with-us', choice, companion, get up, God's home, Is.60:1-6, Mt.2:1-12, on the move, on the way, Prophets, steps, traveling

Have you ever tried to have a person do something that he, or she, does not feel inclined to do?
It is quite a… task, we know it.
One may use petition, supplication, cajoling or threatening, but a stubborn silent refusal may be all that is given as a reply!

I think that this is what the prophets of God’s people have sometimes met with.
No wonder that, at times, they used strong language to wake up their people.
Isaiah was no exception as he addresses the people of Jerusalem.

On this feast of Epiphany, his first word in today’s first reading (Is.60:1-6) is rather mild but insistent in tone: “ARISE, JERUSALEM!”
In today’s language, one may say: ‘GET UP!’

Why? Normally, a person gets up to do something, or to go somewhere.
This is the case for the Magi whom we meet in today’s gospel text (Epiphany, Year B – Mt.2:1-12).
They have risen, left their respective countries and set out on a journey.
They are not yet certain where their traveling will take them but they are on the move.

In this first week of a new year, this is somehow our situation as well.
We are on the move – the days go by, one by one, and take us with them.
We are not at all certain where the 31st of December will find us – neither the where nor the how are clear to us just yet.

But what is indeed clear and assured is: to what and with whom we are traveling.
Whether we are conscious of it or not, whatever our age and condition, our steps are taking us to God’s home – the place he has prepared for us – and our traveling companion is the one who has become, by his own choice, God-with-us.
 
Our steps are taking us there… if we have chosen this direction and this traveling companion.
The choice is ours… and remains so all along the way…

Source: Image: Pinterest

Note: Other texts about this feast are available at:  https://image-i-nations.com/fete-de-lepiphanie-annee-b/

https://image-i-nations.com/mages-dou-viennent/

Feast of Mary, Mother of God, 1st January, Year B

31 décembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: discover, event, God's presence, Lk.2:16-21, message, ordinary people, praising God, reaction, recognize, shepherds of the Nativity, way to follow, wisdom

At times, we think that to understand God’s words and ways we need long studies and much wisdom.
Wisdom? Yes, but not necessarily the one coming from intellectual achievement!
The wisdom of ordinary people, of ‘simple folks’, as they are sometimes referred to, is closer to genuine insight.

The gospel text of today’s feast of Mary, Mother of God (Year B, Lk.2:16-21) gives us to meet such simple people: the shepherds.
They have much from which we can learn.
Their attitude shows us to way to follow.

“They hurried away
and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.
They repeated… what they had been told about him…
They went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.”
 
Ordinary people making the experience of an extraordinary event.
Their reaction is the proper one:

  • Hastening to discover what God has in store for them.
  • Recognizing God’s presence.
  • Identifying his intervention.
  • Understanding the message there for them.
  • Sharing this message with those around them.
  • Glorifying and praising God for what has been given them to see and hear.

What else could be expected from us today?…

Source: Images: ecryptographer.com   thelutheranschools.org

Feast of the Holy Family, Year B

28 décembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Child Jesus, creativity, distance, expérience, imagination, intergenerational, Lk.2:22-40, Mary and Joseph, message, misunderstanding, praise God, Simeon and Anna, wisdom

‘Intergenerational’ – this is the ‘in-word’ nowadays!
People use it in all kinds of situations:

  • reports about prevailing trends in society speak about it;
  • architects and builders offer us new ‘intergenerational’ houses;
  • even people of our liturgical team invite us to ‘intergenerational celebrations’.

It is interesting to note that today’s gospel text on the Feast of Holy Family (Year B – Lk.2:22-40) shows us an ‘intergenerational scene’.
We meet first a young couple following the Jewish custom of presenting their first-born to the Temple.
And there, in the Temple, we see an old prophetic figure – that of Simeon – followed by an equally old feminine prophetic presence – that of Anna.

The elderly people praise God for the gift of this Child.
They also have a message for the younger man and woman: Mary and Joseph.
These two will listen to the words of this message and keep them.

Their attitude makes us wonder… how great it would be it the same happened in our world today.
Sad to say, when speaking of different generations, what is often stated is: refusal to listen to one another, misunderstanding, distance…

Perhaps today’s celebration could be seen as an invitation to pause and think…
Think of the experience and wisdom older people have to offer.
Think also of the imagination and creativity the younger people can contribute.
And think how all of these: experience, wisdom, imagination and creativity, could make life so much richer and interesting!

Source: Images: lds.org   joeskillen.com   heartlight.org
 

John, the beloved disciple

27 décembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: crucified, forgave his executioners, Jesus risen, John the Baptist, multiplication of the loaves, serving one another, the bread - his body, The Father, the wine - his blood, washing the feet of the disciples
Yes, he was the special friend of the Master.
He listened to him, learned from him.
He followed him, faithfully till the end.
He tells us about his special relationship
with Jesus of Nazareth.

Feast of Christmas, Year B

24 décembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: child born, friends, greatness, Jesus, man, marvel, Mary and Joseph, One Solitary Life, progress, property, visitors

When a baby is born, people look at the child and wonder…
They wonder at the marvel of a new life, yes.
But they also wonder about what this new-born will be… what he will become.

No doubt, the people who visited Mary and Joseph to see the new-born Child must have asked themselves such a question.
Centuries later, this is what has been written about this ordinary-looking baby and most extraordinary human being.

ONE SOLITARY LIFE
Here is a man who was born in an obscure village
the child of a peasant woman.
He grew up in another obscure village.
He worked in a carpenter shop until he was thirty,
and then for three years he was an itinerant preacher.
He never wrote a book.
He never held an office.
He never owned a home.
He never had a family.
He never went to college.
He never set foot inside a big city.
He never traveled two hundred miles from the place where he was born.
He never did one of the things that usually accompany greatness.
He had no credentials but Himself.
While still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him.
His friends ran away.
One of them denied him.
He was turned over to his enemies.
He went through the mockery of a trial.
He was nailed to a cross between two thieves.
His executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had on earth while He was dying –
and that was his coat.
When He was dead, He was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave through the pity of a friend.

Nineteen wide centuries have come and gone
and today He is the centerpiece of the human race
and the leader of the column of progress.

I am far within the mark when I say that
all the armies that ever marched,
and all the navies that ever were built,
and all the parliaments that ever sat,
and all the kings that ever reign,
put together have not affected the life of man upon this earth
as powerfully as has that ONE SOLITARY LIFE.                                   James A Francis, D.D.

Source: Images: chabad.org   Sharefaith  thegardian.com

4th Sunday of Advent, Year B

21 décembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: annunciation, commitment, God's plan, Lk.1:26-38, question, remark, request, response, suggestion

The gospel of this 4th Sunday of Advent (Year B) presents us with the scene of the Annunciation to Mary (Lk.1:26-38).
Of course, we know it well, we could tell the ‘story’ easily and in all its details.
We are so used to the text that nothing should surprise us anymore, and yet…

As I reflect on it, there is one aspect that strikes me: Mary said: ‘Yes’.
Or rather, no, she did not say: ‘Yes’, but she said: “Let this be done unto me…”
We cannot imagine that she could not, that she would not, have said this!
How could one refuse something to God?…

From this scene of this annunciation in the gospel, I move on to many other scenes of ‘annunciation’.
What could be described as ‘personal annunciations’.
And I recall the answer given…

Those annunciations were not brought by an angelic messenger, of course.
They were not conveyed either in a celestial language or a prophetic statement.
Yet, they were real messages from God.

  • A remark by a friend… the remark was so appropriate to the situation of the moment…
  • A question by a neighbour… so much in line with one’s reflection at the time…
  • A suggestion by a colleague… surprising at the moment, but attuned to the circumstances…
  • An interpellation by a relative… it caught us unawares but fitted our experience of the day…
  • A request from a stranger… inopportune but justified…

Yes, they were true ‘annunciations’ and the response then was…?
We may have first spoken, vocally or in a soft whisper, the words of Mary: “How can this happen?…”
 
There was the perception that this was a moment of commitment.
It was a unique occasion of acceptance to enter God’s plan.
Then, was the following response similar to Mary’s?…
“Let this be done unto me…”

This is really the only fitting response to God.
Perhaps not the easiest, or the most spontaneous.
But, can we refuse something , anything, to… God?

Source: Image: catholicos.blogspot.com

International Human Solidarity Day – 20 December

20 décembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, development, globalization, inequality, international peace, Millenium Goals, poverty, promotion, security, sharing, UN, value

The United Nations’ (UN) International Human Solidarity Day is annually held on December 20 to celebrate unity in diversity. It also aims to remind people on the importance of solidarity in working towards eradicating poverty.

Background
Solidarity refers to a union of interests, purposes or sympathies among members of a group. In the Millennium Declaration world leaders agreed that solidarity was a value that was important to international relations in the 21st century. In light of globalization and growing inequality, the UN realized that strong international solidarity and cooperation was needed to achieve its Millennium Development Goals. The UN was founded on the idea unity and harmony via the concept of collective security that relies on its members’ solidarity to unite for international peace and security.

On December 22, 2005, the UN General Assembly proclaimed that International Solidarity Day would take place on December 20 each year. The event aimed to raise people’s awareness of the importance of advancing the international development agenda and promoting global understanding of the value of human solidarity. The assembly felt that the promotion of a culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing was important in combating poverty.

Symbols
The UN emblem may be found in material promoting International Human Solidarity Day. The emblem consists of a projection of the globe centered on the North Pole. It depicts all continents except Antarctica and four concentric circles representing degrees of latitude. The projection is surrounded by images of olive branches, representing peace. The emblem is often blue, although it is printed in white on a blue background on the UN flag.

Source: Text: timeanddate.com   Image: SlideShare

 

 

International Migrants Day – 18 December

18 décembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: communication, experiences, freedom, globalization, human rights, information, protection, UN

Migration has been a courageous expression of the individual’s will to overcome adversity and to live a better life. Today, globalization, together with advances in communications and transportation, has greatly increased the number of people who have the desire and the capacity to move to other places. This new era has created challenges and opportunities for societies throughout the world. It also has served to underscore the clear linkage between migration and development, as well as the opportunities it provides for co-development, that is, the concerted improvement of economic and social conditions at both origin and destination. So, now let’s jump right into the past of what is International Migrant’s Day!

History of International Migrant’s Day
International Migrants Day is an international day overseen on the 18th of December as International Migrant’s Day, which was appointed by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 4th 2000, after having taken into account the large and increasing number of migrants in the world. On December 18th 1990, the General Assembly adopted the international convention on the protection of the rights of migrant workers and members of their families. International Migrants Day is observed throughout many countries, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations through the spread of information on human rights and fundamental political freedoms of migrants, and through sharing of experiences and the design of actions to ensure the protection of migrants.

Migration, in the case of human beings is the act of moving from one place to another. Mainly moving from a country of origin to a new country to start new lives as permanent residents in their new home. Now, Nomadic movements are normally not regarded as migrations as there is no intention to settle in the new place and because the movement is generally seasonal. Only a few nomadic peoples have retained this form of lifestyle in modern times. Also, the temporary movement of people for the purpose of travel, tourism, pilgrimages, or the commute is not regarded as migration, in the absence of an intention to live and settle in the visited places.

Source: Text & Image: DAYSoftheYEAR

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B

14 décembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 'good news', captives, commandments, ewgulations, focus, hungry, Is.61:1-2, Lc.1:46-50, Lc.1:53-54, Mercy, prescriptions, religion, rituals, worship

In all religions, whatever be the name and description of a given set of beliefs,
there are principles and prescriptions,
rites, and rituals, and regulations,
commandments and observances.

Whichever way they are formulated, there are admonitions saying:
“Thou shalt” and “Thou shalt not.”
The language used indicates clearly the ‘should’, the ‘must’, the ‘have to’
that guide the believers of a certain group.
And the behaviour of the faithful is meant to translate these into concrete actions.

This is the whole area of what WE are expected to do for God.
It is sometimes described at length and with much insistence.
Yet, this is only one side of the coin, only one aspect of religion.
There is the whole area of what GOD does for us.

This aspect is presented to us in a beautiful and inspiring way
in some of the texts of this 3rd Sunday of Advent, Year B.
God’s messenger acting in his name,

“brings good news to the poor,
binds up hearts that are broken,
proclaims liberty to captives,
proclaims a year of favour from the Lord.”  (1st reading: Is.61:1-2,10-11)

“His mercy reaches from age to age,
the hungry he has filled with good things,
he comes to the help of his servant,
he remembers to show mercy.”   (Response: Lk.1:46-50,53-54)

Why do we concentrate so much on what we should do for God?
This season of Advent is a good time to change our focus and, at long last,
to consider and marvel at all that God does for us, day after day!

Source: Image: 123RF Stock Photos