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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.

 

26th Sunday of Year A

28 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: attitude, behaviour, believing, change one's mind, events, Jesus, judging, Mt.21:28-32, opportunity, parable, relationships, situations, thinking

« What is your opinion? » 

These are not my words but those of Jesus himself in the gospel of this Sunday (26th of Year A – Mt.21:28-32).
He was speaking to the people who had come to hear him, but he is now addressing also each one of us today.

I imagine that when Jesus started speaking to the crowds in this way, they must have been wondering what was to follow.
They might have guessed – as we do – that, in fact, Jesus did not only want to know what they thought.
What he wanted them to be aware of was how they, themselves, would act in a given situation.

This is the case with this gospel text.
He uses strong language to reproach them their attitude.

What is it exactly that Jesus condemns?

  • They saw, but they did not believe.
  • They heard, but they did not change their way.

“You refused to think better of it,” says Jesus.
In other words: You did not change your mind… and your behaviour.
An indictment that many would deserve nowadays as well.
Perhaps even some of us, at some time… in some circumstances…

Changing, accepting to correct, to amend, to improve our ways – our ways

  • of thinking,
  • of judging situations,
  • of reacting to events,
  • of relating to people.

A time to change our minds… and our ways – this is God’s gift today.
An opportunity to identify with the first son of Jesus’ parable.

Source: Image: viewsfromthetreehouse.com

 

 

International day of the deaf – 30 September 2023

23 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Abbe Charles Michel de L’Épée 18th cent., alphabet, attitudes, communication, culture, Gestuno, gestures, language, study

International day of the deaf. This day is celebrated worldwide on the initiative of the UN on the last Sunday of September, in honor of the establishment in 1951 of the International Federation of the deaf.

The beginning of the formation and development of societies deaf people in many countries has been made possible thanks to the meetings and associations of graduates of schools for the deaf.

The founder of facial communication method and a supporter of the language is considered to be the French of the Abbe Charles Michel de L’ÉPÉE, founded in the 18th century the world’s first Institute for the deaf in Paris. Since the beginning of the 19th century graduates of this institution, was built in the tradition of the birthday celebration de L’ÉPÉE. On the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of the great Frenchman, was invited many deaf people from different countries, and it became the first international meeting of the communities that initiated the contact.

On the planet about two and a half thousand tongues but there is one form of communication — language attitudes and gestures. In 50-ies of the world Federation of the deaf in order to maintain the international deaf events, we developed a special system of gestures, which he called Gestuno. In the first dictionary Gestuno, published in 1965, recorded 300 gestures, the third edition is already 1500.

Unlike Gestuno, the international language of gestures developed in a natural way, in the course of the study which noted the use of natural and iconic gestures, a large number of iterations, use drawings and labels, lexical and grammatical elements of national sign languages. Freer deaf and dumb man speaks the national language, the easier it is given to international communication.

A huge contribution to the development of sign language was made the General Secretary of the world Union of the Deaf Magicians, Simon Carmel. Carmel a long time exploring the life and culture of deaf people in different countries and is fluent in sign language. He is also the author of a book titled ‘international manual alphabet of the Deaf”, which describes 43 dactylic alphabet used in 59 countries around the world.

Source: Text & Image: Russian Events and Holidays

 

25th Sunday of Year A

22 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Asking, assistance, blessings, expectations, friend, giving, help, hope, image of God, Mt.20 :1-16, neighbour, relative, The Father

EXPECTATIONS – we all have them and plenty of them, do we not ?
And they fill our lives with more than a touch of hope and anticipation!

Expectations of…
– recovery after sickness,
– success in a coming exam
– a promotion at work,
– the partner we dream of to start a new life!

When we are in need, some expectation may arise of receiving help from a relative, a friend, or a neighbour.
Just recall for a moment the last time you went to someone with a request for his or her assistance.
You may have been hoping for help, or… fearing that help would not be forthcoming.
But did you expect that you would be given much more than what you asked for?

Among us, people, this is not usually the case.
But, with God, it is!
In fact, this is a characteristic of God : He gives more than we would ask for.
He is a generous God who delights in showering on us his gifts and blessings.

This is what today’s gospel text (25th Sunday of Year A – Mt.20 :1-16) is meant to remind us of.
In the parable that Jesus tells the people around him, he gives us a wonderful and true picture of what his Father – and our Father – is :

  • a bounteous God,
  • a God who enjoys giving lavishly,
  • a God who does not know how to measure what he wants to bless us with.

I wonder how many people treasure this image of God…
Perhaps many of us think that we have to ask, and beg, and repeat our requests for help, never too sure that we will be heard.

This Sunday may be the ideal moment to correct our image of God !

Source: Image: Youtube

International Day of Peace – 27 September

21 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: acceptance, bigotry, bridges, communities, dignity, discrimination, fear, hope, human rights, humanity, migrants, neighbours, partnership, peace, refugees, respect, safety, societies, support, UN

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. The General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, both within and among all nations and peoples.

The theme for 2017 is “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All.”

The theme honours the spirit of TOGETHER, a global initiative that promotes respect, safety and dignity for everyone forced to flee their homes in search of a better life. TOGETHER unites the organizations of the United Nations System, the 193 Member States of the United Nations, the private sector, civil society, academic institutions and individual citizens in a global partnership in support of diversity, non-discrimination and acceptance of refugees and migrants. It was initiated during the United Nations Summit for Refugees and Migrants on 19 September 2016.

“In times of insecurity, communities that look different become convenient scapegoats,” said United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. “We must resist cynical efforts to divide communities and portray neighbours as ‘the other’. Discrimination diminishes us all. It prevents people — and societies — from achieving their full potential.” He added, “Together, let us stand up against bigotry and for human rights. Together, let us build bridges. Together, let us transform fear into hope.”

This year, the International Day of Peace will focus on engaging and mobilizing people throughout the world to show support for refugees and migrants. Its messages will be shared with communities hosting refugees and migrants as well as people concerned that refugees and migrants may bring physical and economic insecurity to their lives.

The Day will highlight solidarity with refugees and migrants and showcase the shared benefits of migration to economies and nations, while also acknowledging legitimate concerns of host communities. Ultimately, it will be about bringing people together and reminding them of their common humanity.

Source: Text & Image: UN

World Alzheimer’s day – 27 September

21 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, challenges, cure, dementia, disease, families, organizations, Remember, support, thief

”Alzheimer’s disease is the cleverest thief, because she not only steals from you, but she steals the very thing you need to remember what’s been stolen.”
~Jarod Kintz

Millions of families struggle with challenges due to Alzheimer’s disease. The world lights up purple on World Alzheimer’s day, a day dedicated towards raising awareness about Alzheimer’s and dementia. Every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia/Alzheimer’s, according to the Alzheimer Disease International (ADI). So because of this, organizations around the world come together on this day to support finding a cure for this sorrowful disease.

Source: Text: DAYSoftheYEAR Image: UN               

World Ozone Day – 16th September

16 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: awareness, educators, Montreal Protocol, ozone layer, solutions, students, UN

This special day is held on September 16th to mark the day back in 1987 when the Montreal Protocol was signed. As a result, a number of special events such as talks and seminars are held in the Canadian city of Montreal on this day.

World Ozone Day has been celebrated since 1994 and was established by the United Nations General Assembly. The day is mainly intended to spread awareness of the depletion of the Ozone Layer and search for solutions to preserve it. People from all over the world are expected to gather in Montreal on September 16th to join the talks and seminars.

World Ozone Day is also celebrated all around the world. Educators usually set aside this day to teach their students about the Ozone layer and many schools organize special events and activities to raise awareness. This is one event that everyone can experience and enjoy together.

Source: Text: DAYSoftheYEAR; Image: UN

24th Sunday of the Year A

14 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: evil, fake news, forgiveness, ignorance, Jesus parable, Lc.23:34, love, Mt 18:21-35, promotion, rumours, Si.27:30 – 28:7, wicked

The parable of Jesus in the gospel of this Sunday (24th Sunday of Year A – Mt 18:21-35) is well-known but, I must admit, I never get used to its… demanding message!
Simply put, the last verse says that if we do not forgive others, God will not forgive us either.
This makes me more than a little… uncomfortable!

I wonder if there is any one among us who does not find it hard, very hard at times, to forgive someone who has hurt us.

To forgive:

  • Someone who has spread false rumours against us – ‘fake news’ is a current practice!
  • Someone who has deprived us of a promotion which was truly deserved.
  • Someone who has ‘stolen’ the love that was rightly ours from a spouse of many years…

And the list could go on, every example more painful than the previous one.
The deed may have been wicked, the outcome devastating, and the wound may seem incurable.

Every time I hear, or read, this gospel text, I feel inclined to tell the Lord: “You don’t really mean this, Lord!…”
But I know well that he does…

This time, having read the gospel, I went to the text of the 1st reading (Si.27:30 – 28:7)
and… the last verse caught my attention (in the French text):

“Ne garde pas de rancune envers le prochain…
et sois indulgent pour qui ne sait pas. »

The English translation of the Jerusalem Bible simply says:
“Do not bear your neighbour ill-will…
and overlook the offence.” (Si.28:7-8)  

(The American Bible translation has: “Overlook a mistake”).
Neither of them gave the meaning I had found in the French words…
I kept searching and…

In the King James version I found this interesting translation:
“Bear no malice to thy neighbour… and wink at ignorance.”

These words immediately brought back to my mind the words Jesus spoke on the cross:
“Forgive them, Father, they do not know what they are doing” (Lc.23:34).

So often, it is so…
People do not realize, they can be foolish, but not really evil.
If they truly saw and understood, if they were aware of what their words and actions do to others, then… perhaps they would not do what they do…

When I feel like telling the Lord: “You don’t really mean this, Lord!…”, it seems to me that I hear:
“Of course, not… not on your own… but my Spirit is with you to enable you to do it…”
Personally, this is the only way I can stop protesting and … start pardoning – poorly, awkwardly perhaps, but sincerely.

Source: Image: LDS

World Day Against Terrorism – 11 September

11 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: Counter-terrorism, decision-making, impact, leadership, UN

The United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism was established through the adoption of General Assembly resolution 71/291 on 15 June 2017. Mr. Vladimir Ivanovich Voronkov was appointed as Under-Secretary-General of the Office on 21 June 2017.

As suggested by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in his report (A/71/858) on the Capability of the United Nations to Assist Member States in implementing the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, the Counter-Terrorism Implementation Task Force and the UN Counter-Terrorism Centre, initially established in the Department of Political Affairs were moved into a new Office of Counter-Terrorism headed by an Under-Secretary–General.

The new Under-Secretary-General will provide strategic leadership to United Nations counter-terrorism efforts, participate in the decision-making process of the United Nations and ensure that the cross-cutting origins and impact of terrorism are reflected in the work of the United Nations.

Source: Text & Image: UN

World First Aid Day – 9 September

10 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: âge, dangers, Domestic accidents, First Aid, injury, prévention, risk, safety, sex income, training

Let’s celebrate First Day Initiatives all around the World !

Domestic Accidents, we are all concerned about that.

Domestic accidents affect all populations, regardless of age, sex, income, or geographic region. Falls are the most common home accidents, and cause serious injury at any time of life, but the risk increases with age.

First aid training teaches people about the dangers and causes of home accidents and what to do in case of an injury. First aid training is an effective way to raise awareness in the home and within the broader community about safety issues and prevention in a domestic setting.

Source: Text & Image: Global First Aid Reference Center

 

World Suicide Prevention Day – 10 September

10 septembre 2017
Nicole Gregoire
Aucun commentaire
Catégories: Anglophones et anglophiles
Mots-clés: advocates, family member, friend, inspiration, prévention, stories, stranger, suicide attempts, support, value of life, vulnerable people

Every year, more than 800,000 people die by suicide and up to 25 times as many make a suicide attempt. Behind these statistics are the individual stories of those who have, for many different reasons, questioned the value of their own lives.

Each one of these individuals is part of a community. Some may be well linked in to this community, and have a network of family, friends and work colleagues or school mates. Others may be less well connected, and some may be quite isolated. Regardless of the circumstances, communities have an important role to play in supporting those who are vulnerable.

This sentiment is reflected in the theme of the 2017 World Suicide Prevention Day: As members of communities, it is our responsibility to look out for those who may be struggling, check in with them, and encourage them to tell their story in their own way and at their own pace. Offering a gentle word of support and listening in a non-judgemental way can make all the difference.

Taking a minute can change a life
People who have lived through a suicide attempt have much to teach us about how the words and actions of others are important. They often talk movingly about reaching the point where they could see no alternative but to take their own life, and about the days, hours and minutes leading up to this. They often describe realising that they did not want to die but instead wanted someone to intervene and stop them. Many say that they actively sought someone who would sense their despair and ask them whether they were okay.

Sometimes they say that they made a pact with themselves that if someone did ask if they were okay, they would tell them everything and allow them to intervene. Sadly, they often reflect that no one asked.

The individuals telling these stories are inspirational. Many of them recount reaching the point where they did try to take their own lives, and tell about coming through it. Many of them are now working as advocates for suicide prevention. Almost universally, they say that if someone had taken a minute, the trajectory that they were on could have been interrupted.

Life is precious and sometimes precarious. Taking a minute to reach out to someone – a complete stranger or close family member or friend – can change the course of their life.

Source: Text: IASP  Image: ZME Science