The Poem of the Month (November, 2011): THE WORLD OF 'I'

Design (Toronto: Nov. 30, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

The World of 'I'

By Jerome D'Costa

The world is basically of ‘I,’

First, it is ‘I am,’ then it is ‘You are.'

The world gives too much emphasis on ‘I,’

Regarding resources, food, health, clothing,

Housing, education and rights.

The ‘I’ attitude is breeding selfishness, greed,

Pride, arrogance and self-gratification,

Depriving innumerable others, even ruining others,

Who are voiceless, vulnerable and marginalized.

The world of “I’ brings in corruption, scandal,

Domination, repression, persecution, deprival,

War, famine, disease, and man-made global warming.

The world can be a wonderful place to live,

If, instead of narcissism, there were selfless love,

Sacrifice, cooperation, tolerance and sharing.

Then the world of ‘I’ would turn to be the world of ‘we.’

The Photo Meditation of the Month (November, 2011): WINDOW CLEANERS

A window washer on a scaffold at the Bay Street, Toronto

Photo (Toronto: June 16, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Call them window cleaners, call them window washers -- they are of the same profession and work. They can be seen on scaffolds hanging from high-rise buildings and skyscrappers all over the world.

These men take bold risks in this cleaning business. They stand on scaffolds hanging down with strong ropes from top of the building. They have a pulley system to go up or down according to their need.

When I see them scrubbing, brushing and rinsing glass windows several stories high, I shudder but, at the same time, I marvel at their fait accompli.

Sometimes there is a news on how some ropes give way and the cleaners with their scaffolds fall to the ground with deadly consequences. Can you imagine how their families suffer?

In spite of such a danger and risk, window washers take their job seriously. Risking their lives, they are giving a service to humanity. Such risk takers are making our lives easy. We definitely need to appreciate their work and give them proper respect.

Father Sebastian Tudu Named New Bishop of Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Bishop-elect Sebastian Tudu

Photo courtesy: The Pratibeshi (Nov. 6, 2011)

Pope Benedict XVI, on October 29, appointed Father Sebastian Tudu the new bishop of the Diocese of Dinajpur, Bangladesh. Bishop-elect Tudu will succeed Bishop Moses Costa, CSC, who in last May was transferred to the Diocese of Chittagong. 

Bishop-elect Sebastian Tudu, at the time of the announcement, was the Vice Rector and professor of the Holy Spirit Major Seminary in Dhaka. He will be the first Santal (one of the several ethnic groups) Bishop of Bangladesh. He will be consecrated as a bishop on January 27, 2012.

According to the Pratibeshi, the national Catholic weekly of Bangladesh, Bishop-elect Tudu was born on June 17, 1967 at Changura Village under Mariampur Catholic Church of Dinajpur District. 

He studied at Mariampur Catholic school, St. Philip’s High School of Dinajpur, Dinajpur Govt. College, Notre Dame College of Dhaka and Holy Spirit Major Seminary. He has a Ph.D. in Theology from the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome, Italy. 

He became a priest on December 30, 1999. As an assistant parish priest, he had served at Dhanjuri and Ruhea parishes. 

The Diocese of Dinajpur, with an area of 12,638,991 sq. km., has a population of more than 16,000,000 people and among them more than 42,000 are Roman Catholics who belong to the Bangali (Bengalee), Santal, Oraon, Mahali, Mundari, Malo and Mal Pahari ethnic groups. 

Quotation of the Week (November 27 - December 3, 2011)

Sunset at the Sauble Beach, Ontario

Photo (Sauble Beach: August 4, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

Toronto Holds Its 106th Annual Santa Claus Parade - 3

More of the Santa Claus Parade:

The float of Mrs. Santa Claus

Mr. Santa Claus' float as seen from the front

The upper portion of Mr. Santa Claus' float

Photos (Toronto: Nov. 20, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

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Toronto Holds Its 106th Annual Santa Claus Parade - 2

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Photos (Toronto: Nov. 20, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

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Toronto Holds Its 106th Annual Santa Claus Parade - 1

The 106^th annual Santa Claus Parade in Toronto, Ontario, was held yesterday with more than a half-a-million spectators attending. There were floats, bands, clowns, and participants. It’s claimed to be the world’s oldest annual Santa Claus parade, first organized on December 2, 1905 by the Eaton’s Department Stores with a lonely float. 

Present Mayor Rob Ford walked down the parade route distributing candies to children.  Toronto Metropolitan Police Chief Bill Blair was also present. 

The main object of the parade, as the winter sets in, is to entertain and amuse children before the important feast of Christmas on December 25. 

Floats are made based on characters in children’s stories and TV programmes. For the first time this year there was a float in the parade headed by Mrs. Santa Claus. Mr. Santa Claus is the one who usually has the last float of the parade.

You can have an idea of the parade from the following photos:

Mayor Rob Ford distributes candies to children

Photos (Toronto: Nov. 20, 2011) © Jerome D'Costa

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