Horn of Africa Emergency Aid
We’ve heard from the Focolare community in Kenya about their immediate commitment to respond to the appeal of Benedetto XVI to skip a meal and donate the price of that meal to help Somalia. Giovanna Vasquez and Flavio de Oliviera write: “Dear Everyone, as you will have come to know from radio and television news, the Horn of Africa is undergoing a devastating human disaster. Our brothers and sisters have come to the bottom of the well, they are dying for lack of food and water due to the drought that is affecting the region.” There are many organizations working on site while, on behalf of the Pope, the Pontifical Council Cor Unum has sent its first aid money in the amount of 50,000 euros. It arrived through the Bishop of Djibouti and Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu, Msgr. Giorgio Bertin. In their letter Giovanna and Flavio from the Focolare Movement in Kenya continue by mentioning one of the main points of Focolare spirituality; that is, recognizing the face of the crucified Jesus in every human suffering. “Standing before the face of Jesus forsaken in this great suffering, we asked what we could do to heal at least a bit of this pain, and the idea came of launching a campaign that we’d like to call: “skip a meal”. It would involve depriving yourself of at least one meal during the month of August and, by donating the price of the meal, you could put into practice the words of Jesus: ‘I was hungry and you gave me food. . . (cf Mt 25:35). In living for universal brotherhood, we salute you!” Any sums of money which we are able to collect through your generosity will be placed at the disposal of the interested diocese which are already directly involved in providing aid to the populations affected by the drought. You can make bank transfers to one of the following accounts, specifying the reason: “Emergenza Corno d’Africa”. Other assistance can be given through: International Secreteriat of Youth for a United World Account Name: Pia Associazione Maschile Opera di Maria Intesa San Paolo – Filiale di Grottaferrata (Roma) codice IBAN IT04 M030 6939 1401 0000 0640 100 codice BIC BCITITMM Cause: Emergenza Corno d’Africa AMU – Action for a United World Account Name: Associazione “Azione per un Mondo Unito – Onlus” c/c bancario n. 120434 presso Banca Popolare Etica – Filiale di Roma codice IBAN: IT16 G050 1803 2000 0000 0120 434 codice SWIFT/BIC: CCRTIT2184D Cause: Emergenza Corno d’Africa New Families New Families Projects ONLUS Presso “Banca Prossima” IBAN: IT55K0335901600100000001060
Novi svet Magazine’s interview with Maria Voce
You have visited all the continents over the past few years, meeting with different cultures and social situations. You have had a close-up look at the Focolare communities spread throughout the world. In light of these rich experiences, could you tell us what you see as the main vocation of the Movement in the world? “It is a vocation to unity, a vocation to contribute at all latitudes, in different contexts and in different ways toward the realization of Jesus’ prayer to the Father: ut omnes unum sint (that all be one). This is the goal that each of us is called to, the imperative which is impressed upon each one of us who shares in the charism of unity (…).” Before arriving in Slovenia, you visited Russia, the Czech Republic and Hungary, three significant countries of the “ex-Soviet-bloc”. What was it that urged you to take these trips? “It is the same thing that urged me to visit Asia, Africa, North America and other European countries: the commitment to stay focused on relationships. My travels allow me to enter into a listening attitude and to grasp the problems and the riches of the peoples I meet, to appreciate their growth and to see where there is potential for development. What are the ones I’ve found in these lands that for years have been built upon a Communist ideology? Chiara Lubich always saw a special calling to unity in this area of the world, precisely in response to the forced unity that characterized these countries. In 1989, just after the crumbling of the Berlin Wall, Chiara saw those historic events as a great step toward unity. Within the process, however, the positive values that were present in that society up until then should be safeguarded: the yearning for unity, a global vision of the world, attention for the poorest classes, exaltation of the human person’s propensity to be social. Grand ideals, but often blatantly contradicted by the facts. She seemed to understand that the charism of unity, which the Holy Spirit had given to her, had a contribution to make in returning those ideas to their original source and rooting them there: in God. (…) Unity could really become the distinguishing mark of this region in particular. For if it is lived in God, the greater the diversity, the more extraordinary the experience of unity that is derived. I had an anticipation of it last summer during my voyage in Croazia, in which I met a group of the Movement’s members who came from different geographic and cultural regions: a single people comprised of many peoples, united in the name of God and living for unity (…).” 
IThese years we are witnessing growing polarization in Slovene society that undermines the relationship between the Church and the secular world. It sometimes erupts in a certain intolerance. How can this wound be healed and how can we help to restore true values to the world we live in? “I think that we must above all believe and bring forth all that is good and profound in every human soul. Believers and non-believers alike, hold to certain values that are within them. It’s a matter of highlighting what is positive in each person and find ways to build bridges with everyone. The charism of unity that we strive to practice has a force and light within it that goes beyond each one of us. (…). Then I believe that these values can be offered through personal witness and the witness of the community: the value of life, of the human being, of the family. . . These are values that God places within us and which should shine forth from our life, and be quite compelling. Finally, I believe in the importance of offering your own opinion, but freely, with detachment, with respect for others. In other words, as a gift of love.” Entire interview by Irena Santoro – Source: Novi Svet
Maria Voce in Slovenia
It is a land rich in history, faith, and suffering. Therefore it is sensitive to Gospel values like those that are highlighted in Focolare spirituality. This is witnessed to by the fact that a priest who attended the Mariapolis at Fiera di Primiero in 1958 was able, with the help of others, to silently spread its message on such a vast scale. The Focolari in Slovenia – Small communities were begun, whose life overflowed with the opening of the first focolare in a basement in 1966. A second focolare was opened in 1974. 
The fervent life was teeming in families, among youths, in parishes and the Movement grew to become a “small people”. The Communist Regime, of course, controlled the activities of its citizens, including the members of the Movement, but the life was never hindered and in 1986 the first Mariapolis-holidays were held in Bohinj, a bright spot in the lives of many people. For some it was their first encounter with God, and for others it was a return to Him after many years. In the 1970’s there was an unforgettable event: Gen Rosso’s tour. They held four performances at the indoor stadium which was packed with crowds. The highlight of the evening was the Slovenian song, “Maria” to the Mother of Jesus. It was the first time since 1945 that a religious song had been sung outside of a church building and broadcasted on television. The collapse of the Berlin Wall opened a new phase. Freedom meant that you could speak of the Movement, gather for meetings, organize musical tours for Gen Verde and Gen Rosso, republish the Focolare’s Novi Svet (New City) magazine, with a new look and a circulation of 2,300 copies. 
Today, Maria Voce will find a very developed Movement as it collaborates more and more actively with the local Catholic Church; enters into dialogue with other Christian churches; and opens toward society thanks also to some Economy of Communion businesses. The name of the Mariapolis Centre in Planina is “Spes”, “Hope”. There couldn’t be a better word for the trip of Maria Voce to a land in which hope has been proven and lived with such intensity in the past decades. Mario Dal Bello
August 2011
These words are part of a passage through which the author wants to demonstrate the infinite superiority of Jesus’ sacrifice compared to the sacrifices made according to the old Law. Those sacrifices offered to God were animals or things external to the human being, but what Jesus did was different. His intense love led him during his life on earth to offer the Father his very own will, all of himself.
“Behold, I come to do your will.”
These words provide the key to understanding the life of Jesus. They help us to grasp its deepest aspect and the golden thread that runs through all the events of his life on earth: from his childhood, the years of his private life, the temptations, his choices, his public life, all the way to his death on the cross. In every instance, in every situation, Jesus sought only one thing: to fulfill the will of the Father. And he accomplished it in a most radical way; that is, he never did anything outside of what was expressed in that will, and he refused even the most striking suggestions that were not in full agreement with it.
“Behold, I come to do your will.”
These words help us understand the great lesson that the whole of Jesus’ life offered. That is, that the most important thing to do is to fulfill not our own will, but the will of the Father. It means being able to say “no” to ourselves in order to say “yes” to him. True love of God does not consist in beautiful words, ideas and feelings, but in effective obedience to his commandments. The sacrifice of praise that he expects from us is to lovingly offer him the most intimate thing we possess: our will.
“Behold, I come to do your will.”
How can we put this passage into practice? This is also a sentence that emphasizes the fact that the Gospel goes against the current in so far as it goes against a very basic human tendency: to fulfill our own will, to follow our own instincts and feelings. This sentence is also one of the most annoying for modern men and women. We live in an age that exalts the ego and celebrates individualism. Freedom is seen as an aim in itself, and self-satisfaction as the fulfillment of the person. Whatever gives pleasure is considered the guideline for making one’s decisions and the secret to happiness. But we all know well the disastrous consequences that the pursuit of this culture leads to. A culture based on satisfying one’s own will stands in complete opposition to that of Jesus, which is totally oriented towards fulfilling the will of the Father and produces the wonderful effects that he promises. Let us try to live this passage by choosing the will of the Father, making it the guide and motivating force of our whole life, as Jesus did. We will thus set out on a divine adventure, for which we will be eternally grateful to God. Through it we will reach sanctity and enkindle the love of God in many hearts. Chiara Lubich