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.

 

32nd Sunday of Year A

9 novembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: desire, eagerness, follow God's way, initiative, looking at God, picture, recognise, réflection, see in a different way, seraching, thème, Wis.6:12-16, worthiness

What do you see on this black and white picture?
No, no, this question is NOT meant to be a psychology test.
Its aim is to illustrate the theme of our reflection on the 1st reading of this Sunday (32nd Sunday of Year A – Wis.6:12-16).
We will try to: SEE THINGS IN A DIFFERENT WAY.

Looking at the black and white illustration here, some people will say they see the profile of two identical faces.
Others will tell you that they can recognize a white vase with a large opening.
Are the people of both groups right?
They are! They simply look at the design in a different way.

What if we did the same… with God?!
You wonder in which direction this reflection is going.
You ask yourself what is involved in ‘looking at God in a different way’.

We are often told to search for God.
We are reminded to look for him till we have found him.
We are taught to follow his ways.

Today’s reading of the Book of Wisdom tells us:

“Wisdom (is) quick to anticipate those who desire her,
she makes herself known to them…
She herself walks about looking for those worthy of her…
In every thought of theirs coming to meet them.”

Here, Wisdom – in fact: God’s Spirit – is the one
who anticipates,
who is first to search for us, looks for us, comes to us.

We should NOT be put off by the words “those worthy of her”,
The previous line says clearly: “those who desire her”.
We can never be worthy of God!
What he looks for is not worthiness but eagerness to meet him.

He does not ask for our merits – he is the one who can make us pleasing to him!
What he wants is simply our desire, yes, our desire answering his!

So, how about… LOOKING AT GOD IN A DIFFERENT WAY, this week?…
Seeing him as the one who is always the first, taking the initiative –
the initiative in searching for us, coming our way and finding us…

Source: Image: marriageprepbeginnings.com

 

X-Ray Day – 8 November

8 novembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: bones, discovery, experimenting, humna body, image, médecine, safety, shadow, technologies, Wilhelm Röntgen

If the hand be held between the discharge-tube and the screen, the darker shadow of the bones is seen within the slightly dark shadow-image of the hand itself… For brevity’s sake I shall use the expression ‘rays’; and to distinguish them from others of this name I shall call them ‘X-rays’.
– Wilhelm Röntgen

In 1895 there was an incredible discovery made, one that would utterly change the way we looked at the human body, both literally and figuratively. On the back of this discovery, a million new technologies would be developed in the areas of medicine, security, and much more. The man who discovered all this? Wilhelm Röntgen, and as a result, he may just be one of the most important men in medical history. X-Ray Day celebrates his discovery and everything that’s come from it.

History of X-Ray Day
The X-Ray was discovered by accident, as part of an experiment where Wilhelm was attempting to ascertain whether or cathode rays could pass through glass. Nearby there was a chemically coated screen, and from it was emanating an odd glow, and dubbed the rays causing that glow X-Rays. Why you ask? Because he didn’t know what they were, so the ubiquitous ‘X for unknown’ was utilized. They’ve been called X-Rays ever since.

So what are x-rays really? They’re energy waves of electromagnetism that act in much the same way light rays do, but with an incredibly short wavelength. 1,000 times shorter than those of light to be precise. Once he discovered them, he began experimenting extensively with them, determining what they could and couldn’t pass through, and how they could be photographed. It was through this that he discovered that lead absorbed it almost completely, and human bone would stop it, creating a new and innovative way to see what was going on inside the human body.

X-Rays were used extensively during the Balkan War to locate shrapnel, bullets, and broken bones in soldiers in the field. X-Rays were used extensively in things like shoe-fittings until it became apparent that it wasn’t all fun and games. Now they’re used for things like security at airports, material analysis, and more, but with much more attention to safety.

Source: Text: DAYSoftheYEAR  Image: Dreamsime.com

International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict – 6 November

6 novembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: crops, damage, destruction, ecosystems, educate, exploitation, generation, prevent, technology, territories, water supplies

The United Nations’ (UN) International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict is annually held on November 6. It aims to educate people about the damaging effects of war and armed conflict on the environment.

The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict helps people understand more about war’s effects on the environment.The International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict helps people understand more about war’s effects on the environment.

Background
War and armed conflict has many damaging effects on the natural environment. For example, crops are destroyed, water supplies are poisoned and forests are burnt. New technology that is used for war means that the destruction and damage of the environment is more serious and the long-term consequences can be worse.

On November 5, 2001, the UN General Assembly declared November 6 of each year as the International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict (resolution 56/4). The assembly considered that that any environmental damage in times of armed conflict impairs ecosystems and natural resources long after the period of conflict. This damage can often extend beyond the limits of national territories and today’s generation. The assembly also recalled the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which emphasized the necessity of working to protect the environment.

Source: Text: timeandate.com   Image: Pinterest

 

31st Sunday of Year A

3 novembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: 1 Th. 2:13, artist painter, awareness, belief, consent, création, Eph.2:10, God the Potter, God's work, Is.64:8, Jer.18: 6, masterpiece, sculptor, willingness, work of art

«God’s word is indeed at work in you who believe. »

 Did you know it?
Are you aware of it?
Do you believe it?…

It is the message we are given in the 2nd reading of this Sunday (31st Sunday Year A – 1 Th. 2:13).
Yes, God is at work in YOU; it is Paul who says it plainly as he writes to the first Christians of Thessalonica.
And, of course, his message is valid for us today.

I like to picture God as a POTTER – the Bible presents him in this way, working the clay (Jer.18: 6) (Is.64:8).
He molds us, fashions us, slowly, patiently to create in us the image that God had in mind from all eternity.

Or, I picture God as a SCULPTOR who carves and shapes a rough piece of wood or marble.
Again slowly, carefully he chips away, corrects this or that feature and… there comes a beautiful piece of art.

Or again, I see God as the artist PAINTER who works with imagination and creativity.
He softens a colour here, he deepens the shade there, adds a stroke or removes a spot and the final product is, indeed, a masterpiece!

As we go about day in, day out, busy with all kinds of activities, often occupied and preoccupied, we are not always aware that God also is busy – busy with us, for us and… for the glory of the Father.
And, one day, we will be given to see the outcome of God’s work in us.

He will bring about this astonishing realisation.
But he needs one essential element that he cannot provide: our consent!
Our willingness to let him do, with the rough material that we are, the creation that we cannot imagine!

Believe it or not: “We are God’s work of art”, Paul assures us of it as he writes to the first Christians of Ephesus (Eph.2:10).
If only… we allow him to make us so…

Source: Images: shortcourses.swtafe.vic.edu.au   aikidonorwalk.com  shutterstock.com

All Souls’ Day – 2nd November

1 novembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: achievement, afraid, death, eventuality, faithful, happy, Italian painter Raphael, Jesus' words, masterpiece, Mt.24:46, new life, painting, shore, transfiguration

November 2nd returns every year, of course.
And every year, too, it brings back to our minds the recollection that, one day,… we will leave this abode of ours.
We will cross to… the other shore and start, yes, a new life.

Some are much afraid of this happening.
Some say they don’t care.
Others do their best not to think of the eventuality.

Yet… the eventuality, nay the reality of this happening, will not go away.
How will we live this experience of… passage, of transformation?

It is said that the Italian artist Raphael’s last word was simply: “Happy”.
The very word of yesterday’s gospel message as we celebrated the Feast of all Saints.

It is reported that, as he was dying of fever (malaria) and exhaustion, Raphael kept working at the face of Christ in his painting of The Transfiguration.
A fitting way of being faithful to Jesus words:
“Blessed is that servant whose master returns and finds him doing his work” (Mt.24:46).

Will we deserve this blessing ourselves?
Our occupation need not be a work of art or an exceptional achievement.
The only ‘masterpiece’ that the Lord expects from each one of us is faithfulness in using to the full the talents he has given to us – only this but… all of this!

Note: Another reflection on a different theme is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/commemoration-fideles-defunts-2-novembre-annee-a/

 Source: Images: Pinterest   Wikipedia
 

 

 

 

All Saints Day, 1st November, Year A

31 octobre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Ex.33:11, face of God, Moses, Num.12:8, Ps.24:6, saints, saints-in-the-making, see God

November 1st marks the feast of All Saints’ Day.
What are we celebrating on this day and what really makes for… a SAINT?

Theologians and religious teachers have their own definitions and explanations.
Personally, I find in the Response to the Psalm for this feast a description which I find meaningful.
Those who can ascend the mountain of the Lord are:
“Those who search the face of the Lord.” (Ps.24:6)

SAINTS are people who, in their lives, have been searching for the face of God and who now see him face to face.

We must admit that we cannot really imagine what this is: seeing God face to face.
And yet, it has a long tradition as we read about it in the book of Exodus where we are told:
“The Lord spoke to Moses face to face” (Ex.33:11).
 
In the Book of Numbers, God himself affirms:
“My servant Moses is at home in my house;
I speak with him face to face” (Num.12:8)
 
What strikes me in this text is that Moses is still a member of the People of God… on earth!
He has not yet passed to… the other shore, to what we now call ‘eternal life’.
Moses is living on this earth as we all do.

The logical conclusion is that already NOW we can see God!
Face to face?
Certainly not in the way which this will be possible when we have entered the world of the living-for-ever.
And yet… for those truly searching for him, God does reveal himself, shows something of himself already now.
And I believe that he does so in a very… personalised way, adjusting himself to each one’s personality…

While we celebrate the lives of so many who have now reached the place we are all making for, we can already celebrate this special gift of God to all of us, ‘saints-in-the-making’, searching for the face of God.

 Source: Image: elisabethhagan.com

 

 

 

World Stroke Day – 29 October

29 octobre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, cholesterol, diabetes, encourage, high blood pressure, illnesses, preventing, risk, signs, survivors, treating, warning

World Stroke Day raises people’s awareness on stroke and what can be done to combat it. It is observed on October 29 each year.

What Do People Do?
Many organizations across the world honor stroke survivors, their families, and caregivers on World Stroke Day. The day also honors people who have made scientific advances in treating stroke related illnesses. Activities include fun runs, awareness workshops, and free stroke screening tests. Awards are presented to recognize people who work towards treating and preventing stroke.

Background
Stroke is a non-communicable disease that attacks millions of people worldwide every year. The World Stroke campaign aims to encourage people to understand stroke risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol. The campaign also promotes healthy living and ways to recognize the warning signs of stroke and how to take action.

Source: Text: timeanddate.com Image: longevitylive.com

Stroke affects
Stroke affects everyone – we all have reason to prevent it.  (World Stroke Organization)

International Day of Creole Languages ​​and Culture – October 28

28 octobre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: culture, Haïti, language, poems

Among the countries using the Creole language, of course, is the Haitian republic and we do not resist the pleasure of making you discover the Haitian portal Tanbou (see below) and its poems in Creole.

There are even countries for which the Creole language, like the French or the English, is recognized as an official language.

Poetry in Creole

Powem pa Edner Holy Love

Pwezi an Kreyòl

Powèm pa Edner Saint-Amour

Deus ex machina
Pawòl monte fè pil sou pil
Aksyon menm zerobare nil.
Yo chita tann avèk espwa
Yo kwè nan: Deus ex machina.

Pawòl monte ap fè bann
Aksyon pran rout desann.
Yo chita tann avèk espwa
Yo kwè nan: Deus ex machina.

Pawòl monte bit sou bit
Aksyon pran rout chire pit.
Yo chita ap tann avèk espwa
Yo kwè nan: Deus ex machina.

Pou viv moun dwe aji
Nan dlo moun naje pou soti.
Aide-toi le ciel t’aidera
Lavi chita nan men debouya.

Aksyon se motè yon peyi
Lalwa se volan yon peyi
Pou viv moun dwe aji
Nan dlo moun naje pou soti.

(20 fevriye 2004)

Source: Text & Image: NationalPedia

 

World Occupational Therapy Day – 27 October

27 octobre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, goals, impact, influence, inform, inspire, mission, profession

What is World Occupational Therapy Day?
The World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) is the international voice of the occupational therapy profession which globally comprises of 92 national occupational therapy professional organisations. World Occupational Therapy Day is the opportunity to heighten the visibility of the profession’s development work and to promote the activities of WFOT locally, nationally, and internationally.

When is it? Annually on October 27th
The aim is that the WFOT World Occupational Therapy Day will be integrated with other national celebrations and promotions of the mission and goals of occupational therapy. Many countries hold occupational therapy week or month in October. If this does not fit with your country or time frame then individual events can be scheduled to suit any local time frames. This will help to increase the awareness of occupational therapists and society of the truly global impact of occupational therapy.

Source: Text & Image: WFOT

World Day for Audiovisual Heritage – 27 October

27 octobre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, discover, documents, importance, préservation, Remember, share, UNESCO

The World Day for Audiovisual Heritage is a commemoration of the adoption, in 1980 by the 21st General Conference, of the Recommendation for the Safeguarding and Preservation of Moving Images.

The World Day provides an occasion to raise general awareness of the need to take urgent measures and to acknowledge the importance of audiovisual documents.  » Discover, remember and share  » is the theme of this year’s celebration of the World Day for Audiovisual Heritage (27 October).

Source: Text: UNESCO   Image: www.datadiary.com