Service and Sacrifice

The 20th century saw millions of young men enter the armed forces to serve their countries during the World Wars. For patriotic Allies, the call came soon after the Nazi invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939. Millions more from the United States joined them after the bombing of Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941. With faith and courage veterans today recount their stories of service and sacrifice. The Industrial revolution as well as these events dragged thousands of the working classes who contributed their services in factories, mills, rail workshops shipyards and ammunition stores, all labouring and sacrificing their time energy and strength under great pressure for their country.

After Peace had been established the armed forces dedicated their lives defending the countries to keep them safe, but what about those who worked hard behind the scenes to make the wars a success? Many of the workers were still toiling under great stress and strain to meet the constant demand made by consumer countries. The pressure of a 16-hour day was draining their energies, the workers now wanted an 8-hour workday. There were protests, and several workers were killed in the confrontation and many were left wounded. After several years of resistance,constant struggles of working people, and the demand for fairness the United States finally recognised an 8-hour workday. This was a significant victory, and the event came to be known as Labour Day. It was to champion the cause of the labour class emancipation. It is an annual holiday to celebrate the achievements of workers, the accomplishments of the labour movement and the benefits of having a union at work. It acknowledged the workers’ struggles and their subsequent empowerment. Specifically, the eighthour day movement advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. It was in 1886 in the United States, when workers announced a general strike against a draining 16-hour workday. Americans celebrate Labour Day with parades, picnics and parties – festivities very similar to those outlined by the first proposal for a holiday. It suggested to exhibit “the strength and esprit de corps” of trade and labour organizations. partners and supporters.

by: Dr Jeanette Pinto

Labour Day also known as May Day is celebrated in more that 80 countries, including India, Cuba and China. In India Labour Day was celebrated for the first time in 1923. It was organised by the Labour Kisan Party of Hindustan on May 1, 1923 in (then Madras) now Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Labour Day here is celebrated under different titles including “Kamgar din” or “Antarrashriya Shramik Diwas’ in Hindi, “Uzhaopalar Naal’ in Tamil and “Kamgar Diwas in Marathi.

Tens of thousands marked May Day calling it Workers’ Day or International Workers’ Day. It is the day that commemorates the struggles and gains made by workers and the labour movement and it is observed by many countries. Events are organised wherein speeches rallies and honours are awarded to leaders among the working class. Tens of thousands mark May Day as Happy Labour Day! We pay tribute to all of them their hard work, contributions, achievements and for making our world a better place to live and work in. Also compliments to all employees, customers, activists,

To celebrate Labour Day, we thank God for the blessing of work. Let’s pray to complete each day and ask for rest when we are weary. Does not the Bible say that six days you shall labour and do all your work,but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. Work is a key to full joy in the plan of God. If our motive is to serve God where we are, then our labour “in the Lord is not in vain,”if we are righteous, we will return to live with our Heavenly Father, and we will have work to do as we become like him, our work will become like His work.

It would be fitting to remember dear St. Joseph the earthly father of Jesus, and a person of solid conviction. He was a carpenter by profession who hailed from Bethlehem before he married Mary, Mother of Jesus, and settled in Nazareth. He was a simple man of powerful silent witness, humble and obedient to God’s plan. He listened to God and then made his life one of service and sacrifice to Jesus and Mary. St. Joseph is the patron saint of the Universal Church, as well as of craftsmen, engineers and working people among others.

Just try answers for these

1. If Poison expires; is it more poisonous or is it no longer poisonous?

2. Which letter is silent in the word "Scent," the S or the C?

3. Do Twins ever realize that one of them was really "Unplanned"?

4. Why is the letter W, in English, called double U? Shouldn't it be called double V?

5. Maybe Oxygen is slowly killing you and It just takes 75-100 years to fully work.

6. Every time you clean something, you just make something else dirty.

7. The word "SWIMS" upside-down is still "SWIMS" an attorney was working late one night in his office when, suddenly, Satan appeared before him. The Devil made him an offer. “I will make it so you win every case that you try for the rest of your life. Your clients will worship you, your colleagues will be in awe, and you will make enormous amounts of money. But, in return, you must give me your soul, your wife’s soul, the souls of your children, your parents, grandparents, and those of all the your friends.” The lawyer thought about it for a moment, then asked, “But what’s the catch?” *****

8. 100 years ago everyone owned a Horse and only the rich had Cars. Today everyone has Cars and only the rich own Horses.

9. If you replace "W" with "T" in "What, Where and When", you get the answer to each of them.

Well Try this now Vagaries of English Language! Enjoy.!!!

•Wonder why the word "Funeral" starts with FUN?

•Why isn't a Fireman called a Waterman?

•How come Lipstick doesn't do what it says?

•Why are goods sent by *Ship* called CARGO, and those sent by *Truck* SHIPMENT?

•Why do Doctors "Practice" Medicine? Are they having practice at the cost of the patients?

•Why is it called "Rush Hour" when traffic moves at its slowest then?

•How come Noses run and Feet smell?

•Why do they call it a TV 'set' when there is only one?

•What are you vacating when you go on a "Vacation"?

A 50-year-old lawyer who had been practicing since he was 25 passed away and arrived at the Pearly Gates for judgment. The lawyer said to St. Peter, “There must be some mistake! I’m only 50 years old, that’s far too young to die.” St. Peter frowned and consulted his book. “That’s funny, when we add up your billing records, you should be at least 83 by now!” *****

Speaking Ill of the Dead …

One day the phone rang at a law office and when the receptionist answered a man asked to speak to Mr. Dewey. “I’m sorry, sir,” the receptionist said. “Mr. Dewey passed away yesterday.” “Oh, is that right? Goodbye.” But everyday for the next two weeks the same man called back and the same exchange occurred. Finally, the receptionist said, “Sir, I have told you repeatedly that Mr. Dewey died, why do you keep calling and asking for him?” “Oh,” the man replied, “I just like to hear it.”