Argentina: Annual Course For Young People at Mariapolis Lia

Mar 19, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

On this sunny afternoon in the end of the austral summer, the atmosphere at Mariapolis Lia was serenely festive. This was the fourth anniversary of Chiara Lubich’s birth to Heaven and this year the focus was on the relationship of the Movement’s founder with youth. It was also the opportune moment for the academic opening of the Gen School’s annual course on the Culture of Unity, for the youths who had arrived from seventeen different countries. Eighty young people from the American continent and a few Europeans have interrupted their studies for a year and gone to the Argentine pampa to be part of this training course in becoming builders of brotherhood in their home environments. “All the moments of the day, from workshops to sport, from moments of study to the liturgy, from welcoming visitors to the Mariapolis – all of it is part of the training,” explains Adriana Otero who specializes in microbiology and the environment and is in charge of the Gen School. “In practice,” adds Omar Diaz, Education graduate and in charge of the Gen School for the young men, “as Chiara had suggested, the daily life of this school revolves around four daily “communions” – the Eucharist, the moment by moment living of the Word, the neighbor and Jesus in the midst of the community, a presence that becomes palpable when there is mutual love.” Most of the students have just finished high school and are having their first work experience here. They live in small groups of seven to ten young people, with all that community life implies: preparing meals, caring for the house, being attentive to one another’s needs. . . all flavoured, naturally, with that typical flavour that internationality brings. “It’s beautiful to then see how each year they arrive as adolescents, but leave as adults with their minds and souls expanded toward all of humanity,” explains Silvana Verdun, a Bolivian psychologist and instructor at the school. What are the expectations of these young people? Luce, a seventeen year-old from Argentina, wants to grow more as a person, and he thinks that living with other guys from different places will prove to be an enriching opportunity. Andres, a nineteen year-old from Venezuela hopes to learn to grow more integrally. Thomas, a twenty one year-old is looking forward to deepening his relationship with God and with his brothers and sisters. They have a whole year to be lived. A journey filled with straight paths, curves, climbs and chasms. A path, although well defined, will still present many surprises. It is a goal they shall reach together by their daily efforts to translate into life, into concrete facts, all that they will discover day by day.

Cinema At The Bar

Jan 31, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Punta Alta is a vibrant city in southern Argentina, whose citizens are known for their initiative. It is the location of the Puerto Belgrano Naval Base, the largest port in the country, which saw its moment of glory a century ago as thousands of youths did their military service there while in the navy. Here in this city of 60,000 open and generous people, there is now a group for “dialogue among people of diverse convictions, friends of the Focolare. In order to open the experience of communication and dialogue to others, a cineforum series has been organized. They did not opt for a theater or for the dark silence of a cinema theater. . . they went to Bar Centrale, the most famous bar in Punta Alta, which has been around for nearly 100 years with its typical little tables and grand lounge, pool tables and a small stage where, in the 1930’s small orchestras and dancers performed. The admission fee is one non-perishable food item that is donated to a local Community Center. “Invitations are made personally by email or by not so large but very visible posters, which have been prepared by the bar owner and hung in the windows of neighboring shops. Group size varies between 30 and 50 people,” explains Hector Correa, the passionate cinema expert of the group. Among the participants were students, adults, some young women Marine recruits in uniform, and also the regular clients of the bar were there willingly joining in with the gathering. When all was ready, the projection was preceded by a brief introduction which explained the meaning of the gathering and the motivation of the group that had organized the event. “Then,” Hector explains, “ my brother Luis and I” presented the film. And at the end we ran the debate, which always has a lot of participation and turns out to be very interesting for everyone. We don’t delve so much into the technical or aesthetic details of the film, but try to offer details about the thoughts and ideas of the film author, the presenation of characters and the historical context of the story. This makes the participants be more interested in the film’s content.” “ “Putting the emphasis on reality and stories that have concepts and conceptions of the world within them, which often do not correspond to our ideas,” explains Sisi Deramo, “is an exercize that obliges you to first of all listen attentively to what the other is trying to express, and then to try to make yourself understood within the framework of a cordial and fruitful dialogue, so that the coming together of diverse opinions can enrich everyone and nourish the common understanding.” I asked Kiki Deramo which films had been chosen. “We chose films which we could then discuss: Cinema Paradiso, The Postman, The Truman Show, The Wall, directed by Alan Parker and Dead Poets Society. I don’t think we made the wrong choices.” “It was a very interesting and useful experience for everyone. Let’s hope we can do it again this year,” says Sisi. By Carlos Mana

Chacabuco (Buenos Aires)

Apr 30, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide