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 for Tolerance – 16 November

16 novembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: ages, civilizations, commitment, cooperation, cultures, differences, diversity, message, understanding, UNESCO

Background
In 1996 the UN General Assembly invited member states to observe the International Day for Tolerance on November 16, with activities directed towards both educational establishments and the wider public (resolution 51/95 of 12 December). This action came in the wake of the United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995, proclaimed by the assembly in 1993 (resolution 48/126). The year was declared on the General Conference of UNESCO’s initiative. On November 16, 1995, the UNESCO member states adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the year.

The 2005 World Summit Outcome document outlines the commitment of Heads of State and Government to advance human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere, as well as to encourage tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures, civilizations and peoples.

Symbols
UNESCO’s logo, which features a temple including the UNESCO acronym (for United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) within itself and the words “United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization” underneath the temple, is used for online or print promotional material associated with the International Day for Tolerance. The use of the complete name in English, in association with one or several other languages provides an explanation of the acronym of the organization. The six official languages of UNESCO are Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

Images of people of all backgrounds, cultures and ages, which are assembled into a collage, are also used for the International Day for Tolerance to get the message across to people about understanding tolerance regardless of differences.

Source: Text and Image: timeanddate.com

 

33rd Sunday of Year A

16 novembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: appreciation, compliment, doubt, efforts, faithful servant, fear of God, fear of judgement, God happy, good intentions, message, Mt.25:14-30, Saint John Marie Vianney

Do you like receiving compliments?
Most people do.
Very rare are those who are not happy when congratulated for something.
We usually enjoy the appreciation shown for what we have done.

And what if the appreciation comes from… God?
Yes, God does rejoice in what we do to please him.
You smile?… You doubt?…

The parable of Jesus in today’s gospel (33rd Sunday of Year A – Mt.25:14-30) says as much.
We often focus our attention on the reprimand given to the third servant.
We rush to the conclusion of the story thinking that this is where the ‘message’ will be found.

But personally, I find a message – and as important as the concluding one – in the words of the master to the first and the second servants:
“Well done, good and faithful servant…”
A statement that is a real compliment showing genuine appreciation!

It was probably unexpected and rather surprising coming from a master known to be:
“a hard man, reaping where he had not sown and gathering where he had not scattered.”
But the man knew how to recognize goodness and faithfulness when he saw them.

And God knows that also.
God is obviously NOT a harsh master demanding from us what we are unable to give.
In fact, our offerings to him are already his gifts to us!
Whatever we do to please him, he is the one enabling us to do it.
Yes, he is genuinely happy when he sees our good intentions.
He delights in our efforts to carry out what we discover is pleasing to him.

How far this picture of God is from that of a demanding and exacting master.
How remote from our misguided imagining which pictures him constantly checking on us to see where we may go wrong.
Yet, sad to say but… it can take a lifetime to correct our wrong ideas of God…

Saint John Marie Vianney – known as the Curé D’Ars – used to say that God is much more eager to forgive a sinner than a mother would be to take her child out of a fire!
And we fear his judgement, we are afraid of punishment!…

At the end of a day, when we have tried to do our best, it may be good to hear again – this time addressed to us – the words of the parable: “Well done, good and faithful servant…”

Source: Image: Pinterest

World Recycling Day – 15 November

15 novembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, commitment, environment, landfill, recycled materials, social media, waste

America Recycles Day
 Each year on November 15, millions of people across the United States take part in America Recycles Day, a day which was created to raise awareness about recycling and the purchasing of recycled products.

How to observe
Recycle, buy recycled goods and help teach others the benefits of recycling and continue to do so each day! Use #AmericaRecyclesDay to post on social media.

History
America Recycles Day was started in 1997 by the National Recycling Coalition and is declared each year by Presidential Proclamation, encouraging Americans to commit to recycling.  Since 2009, this day has been a program of Keep America Beautiful.  There are thousands of events that are held across the United States to raise awareness about the importance of recycling and offering personal pledges that can be signed, committing to recycling and buying products made from recycled materials.

Source: Text & Image: America Recycles Day

In Canada, not only do we join in the World Recycling Day but we have a whole week dedicated to this.

Canadians generate a lot of waste. On average, every Canadian will generate 720 kg (1,587 lbs.) of waste that goes to landfill, which is equal weight to a full grown female giraffe. In the spirit of Waste Reduction Week in Canada here are ten easy take-action tips that will reduce our reliance on landfills and help you adopt more environmentally conscious choices.

Source: Text & Image wrw.com

World Diabetes Day – 14 November

14 novembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, Care, education, epidemic, health, issues, risk, treatment, UN

World Diabetes Day is the world’s largest diabetes awareness campaign reaching a global audience of over 1 billion people in more than 160 countries. The campaign draws attention to issues of paramount importance to the diabetes world and keeps diabetes firmly in the public and political spotlight.

World Diabetes Day was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225.

1 in 10 women are living with diabetes. Many do not have access to education, treatment and care.
1 in 7 births is affected by gestational diabetes.

 The World Diabetes Day campaign aims to:
Be the platform to promote IDF advocacy efforts throughout the year.
Be the global driver to promote the importance of taking coordinated and concerted actions to confront diabetes as a critical global health issue.

The campaign is represented by a blue circle logo that was adopted in 2007 after the passage of the UN Resolution on diabetes. The blue circle is the global symbol for diabetes awareness. It signifies the unity of the global diabetes community in response to the diabetes epidemic.

The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organization of over 230 national diabetes associations in 170 countries and territories. It represents the interests of the growing number of people with diabetes and those at risk. The Federation has been leading the global diabetes community since 1950.

Source Text & Image: Int. Diabetes Fed.@IntDiabetesFed   2nd Image: VectorStock

 

 

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
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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