1 Dec 2017 | Non categorizzato
He was a graphic artist, who left his mark. He had a preference for masters such as Michelangelo and Gaudì, and was precociously talented in free hand. He created his own personal style based on his knowledge of the grand masters from the past. Emmanuel, who was known to everyone as Noel, worked closely with the young people from his city, bringing his brightness, inventiveness and creativity the preparations of the 2018 Genfest that will bring together 10,000 young people from around the world. On September 2nd he fell asleep and never woke up, due to sleep apnea. More than an grown up, he was considered a peer by the teenagers and young people from the Focolare Movement in the Philippines who are now counting on his help to carry on. Grace, Paul, Lela, Paula, Edith and other friends of his write. “He gave of himself without holding back and without expecting anything back. Always on the move from when he was a small child. At the age of two he attended his first Mariapolis and climbed the walls even during the meetings.” He was generous by nature. At the age of six he had given away a pair of shoes that had just been bought for him to a clothing drive for the victims of a wildfire that had devastated a certain region. When he was asked why he did that, he replied: “I saw Jesus in those people.” During his early school years Noel met a lot of difficulty. When a doctor discovered the medical cause – a problem with his eyesight – Noel candidly confessed that he had never told his parents because he didn’t want to worry them. His family moved to another location, and Noel and his brother placed a poster on the front door, “Friends Wanted.” Then they went knocking on the doors of their neighbours, trying not to be too pushy. As an adult Noel was very esteemed by his colleagues and employers. He was simple-hearted and sociable, but also trustworthy and precise, respectful of work hours. He was forgiven when, because of a disorder he suffered from during the night hours, if he sometimes suddenly fell off to sleep and spilled his coffee on the keyboard of the computer. He was always available for the projects of the Focolare youth. Any time they needed a drawing or a project, he was always willing to place his talent at their disposal. He was the drummer for a Gen band from the time he was a boy. He certainly wasn’t the best drummer on the square and, when he was there, the band never worried too much about being perfect, but only about playing with their hearts. Agnes, from the band, recalls how, for him, the “togetherness” was what mattered and not so much making an appearance. He put the same attention into his relationships with people. Noel arrived in Loppiano, Italy, for the Gen School in 2004. He was one of the few that had a driver’s license and became the driver for everyone, even at night when needed after a long day of work. He became a point of reference for many young people when he went back to his own country. Whether or not he realized it, he encouraged them and motivated them not to give up, but to persevere, to hope and follow God. “When it comes to love,” he would often say, “you need to give everything, especially when you’re able to give it.” Noel was always at his mother’s side, protective of his sisters and close to his brother even when he left the country. He never wanted to see unhappy people around him. A friend, teacher and gentle giant. A person who’s left his mark. That’s Noel for us. He was 38 years old, but he didn’t want to get old. Now he’ll be forever young.”
30 Nov 2017 | Non categorizzato
From 9th to 11th November 2017 in Vienna (Austria), the annual conference of ecumenical network Together for Europe (TfE) took place, with 130 participants from 44 Movements, Communities and Associations. Meetings, exchange of ideas, and moments of prayer, characterised the Conference’s program Fr Heinrich Walter (Schoenstatt Movement), Gérard Testard (Efesia, France), Gerhard Pross (YMCA Esslingen) spoke of the eighteen-year history of Together for Europe and its future challenges. “We say Yes to a Europe to which God has entrusted a vocation in the course of history: the togetherness of heaven and earth, of faith and shaping of the world: for heaven and earth meet in the crucified one.” Pál Tóth (Focolare Movement, Hungary), an expert in Communication Science, pointed out some differences between the Eastern/Central European countries and the West of Europe and put forward a daring proposal: “Together for Europe can increasingly become a platform for dialogue, or rather a school of inter-European dialogue.” One of the suggestions which emerged was to dedicate 9th May, when many countries celebrate Europe Day, as an event in which to spread the message of ‘togetherness’ through local actions. www.together4europe.org twitter.com/together4europe
30 Nov 2017 | Focolare Worldwide
The blessing of Pope Francis unexpectedly reaches the citizens of Mariapolis Victoria, a small oasis of peace in the city of Man, Ivory Coast as it celebrates its Silver Anniversary. It arrived with a thank you for the work of evangelisation that has been carried out in that place.” Francis invited them to “persevere with courage in the service of unity and concord among people,” and to continue “along the path of an ever-more universal fraternity. This place is dotted with episodes of fraternity, beginning from the civil war of 2002-2003 when the locals decided to stay. Also the European focolarini, even though the local authorities urged foreigners to leave the country. It was a witness of loving their own to the end, of opening their doors to protect people, and 3,500 Muslims and Christians passed through those doors in those months. These were people who risked their lives, like Salvatore, Rino, Charles, put against the wall, ready to be shot: “All you can do now is pray!” they told them. But they managed to pull it off. Now the city and the country has turned the page, even if there isn’t complete political reconcilliation. 
But Mariapolis Victoria is not only an oasis of peace in times of war. It is a social laboratory. During the three-day celebration in honour of the 25th anniversary, the focus was on facts and deeds. Visits to the activities of the town were on top of the schedule: the Medical Social Centre – renovated and enlarged, with emergency services and impatient hospital, a dental clinic, a physiotherapist – the nutrition centre where the wounds of infant malnutrition are cured, and mothers are taught nutritional care; the computer centre and more and more specialized courses – along with other entrepreneurial activities like carpentry and printing. A football tournament was held during the preparations for the 25th anniversary in the name of fraternity and fair play. On Sunday, November 19th the prizes were finally given to the winners, not only for the goals they gained, but also for the points they earned for fair play. 
The placing of stele in “Universal Brotherhood Square was also quite symbolic, along with a large Cube of Peace that expresses the personal identity of the Mariapolis where love and respect for the other person tends to transfer onto every aspect of life in the little town. Official celebrations were also held at St Mary Queen of Africa Parish, which has been entrusted to the the Focolare Movement since 1970. Present with Apostolic Nunzio Joseph Spiteri and Bishop of Man, Gaspar Bebi Gneba, there were also numerous civil authorities: Vice-Prefect of Man, Madame Djerehe Claude and ex-Minister Mabri Toikeusse, who is also president of the regional chamber of the King of the Traditional Chiefs of the Tonpki, Gué Pascal. They expressed their recognition of the Ivorian authority for the help to people during the crisis and generally for the Focolare’s efforts in favour of the vulnerable populations. Also the Italian Ambassador, Stefano Lo Savio, wanted to attend and deliver a very warm message. Now we are looking ahead with three words to guide our steps: welcome, formation and attentiveness to the poor. Maria Chiara De Lorenzo
29 Nov 2017 | Non categorizzato, Spiritualità, Word of
for ages 4-8 | for ages 9-17 | Print | Audio
A young woman is in her house in Palestine — a distant, little known corner of the powerful Roman Empire. Suddenly she receives an unexpected, rather disturbing visitor: a messenger from God, asking something of her and awaits her reply. “Rejoice!’’ the angel says to Mary. Then he reveals God’s abounding love for her, inviting her to collaborate in fulfilling God’s plans for humanity. With a sense of wonder and joy, Mary accepts the gift of this personal meeting with the Lord. She gives herself entirely to this yet-unknown plan because of her complete trust in God’s love. With her generous and wholehearted “Here am I”, Mary decisively puts herself at the service of God and people, giving a shining example of how to accept God’s will. “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word (Lk 1:38).” Meditating on this Gospel passage, Chiara Lubich wrote in 1981: “To fulfil his plans, God needs people who surrender themselves to him as humbly and as readily as a servant. “Mary is the true representative of humanity, whose destiny she took on. With this attitude, she gives God all the space he needs for his creative action. “However, the term ‘servant of the Lord’ is not only an expression of humility, but also a title of nobility, given to the great servants in salvation history, like Abraham, Moses, David and the prophets.” “Therefore, by using these words, Mary also affirms her greatness.’’ “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word (Lk 1:38).” We, too, can discover God’s presence in our lives and listen to the word he says to us, asking us to fulfil part of his design of love, part of his design of love for history, here and now. Our weakness and sense of inadequacy may hinder us. So let us believe the angel’s words, “for nothing will be impossible with God” (Lk 1:37), and trust in God’s power more than in our own strength. This experience will free us from our limitations and from presuming that we’re self-sufficient. We will find new energy and talents we did not know we had, enabling us to love in our own way. “Right at the start of our marriage,” shared one couple, “we opened our house to the families of children in our city’s hospitals. More than 100 families came to our house, and we continually tried to create a family atmosphere for them. “We often received providence, which helped us cover our expenses, but we needed first to be open to welcoming people. “Not long ago, we received some money and decided to put it on one side, being sure it would be useful for somebody. In fact, soon afterwards another request arrived. “It is all a game of love with God, and our part is just to be ready and play along.” “Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word (Lk 1:38).” Chiara’s words about accepting the Word of God as Mary did can help us live this phrase of the Gospel. “Being completely available, knowing that it is not merely human word … As it is the Word of God, it contains a presence of Christ. “So you can receive Christ, in his Word, within you. Then put it into practice actively and readily, moment by moment. “If you do this, the world will once again see Christ walking through the streets of our cities. Christ in you, clothed like everyone else. Christ at work in offices, schools and the most varied places; Christ amongst all.’’ Now that we are preparing for Christmas, let us find some time, as Mary did, to spend “one on one’’ with the Lord, perhaps by reading a page of the Gospel. Let us try to recognize his voice in our conscience, which will be enlightened by his Word. We will become more sensitive to the needs of the brothers and sisters we will meet. Let us ask ourselves, how can I be a presence of Jesus today? How can I contribute, where I am, to making all people one family? Saying ‘‘Here am I’’ to God will allow him to sow peace around us and increase the joy in our hearts. Letizia Magri
