Focolare Movement

Beyond profit: aiming higher, for things that last

Jul 15, 2009

The story of Tom Petrucci, one of the first entrepreneurs in California to take part in the Economy of Communion project

Two characters tell the story: Tom, who died a few years ago, and his wife Jeanne, who shared the experience with him. “My market sector was shrinking, and I decided it was time to start my own business with the money I had saved. That was when I heard about the economy of communion, and was immediately attracted by the prospect of providing not only for our own family, but for the needs of many throughout the world.” “Preparing and sharing food was a long tradition in the Petrucci family, so we decided to open a restaurant in Camarillo, California, called Petrucci’s.” Jeanne, who worked in the restaurant in recent years, describes how Tom managed the business. “He wanted things so that everyone who worked with him had the opportunity to better themselves. If someone had been hired to wash dishes or to drive, but wanted to improve, Tom always gave them the chance to do so. If anyone became an expert in their new job, and there was nowhere to progress, he made no attempt to keep them. Many of them had families to support and Tom wanted them to better themselves and enjoy success.” Tom wrote: “In our restaurant we try to work as if everything depends on us, while knowing that everything really depends on God. Jeanne and I know that we will never make huge profits, but we feel that by giving work to ten people, and ensuring the income of ten families, while at the same time making a contribution to reducing poverty, we have reached much bigger objectives, which are of an eternal kind.” “In a short moment of morning meditation we choose a key idea to put into practice during the day. At times I am bombarded with thousands of ideas about how to run the restaurant better, how to make more money, and so on, but unity with the others permits me to stay focused on “what really counts.” That moment spent together in the morning strengthens within my soul the decision that Jeanne and I took when we set out on this adventure: to love in the present moment and to try not to do our will, but the will of God. When we began we knew very little about how to run a restaurant. If it has been a success, it is because it is part of His plans.” “From the very first month we opened, we decided to give a monthly sum for the poor, however things went. This was an act of faith that helped us to give top priority to the importance of giving.”  (Tom and Jeanne Petrucci, from L’amore come piatto principale in Economia di Comunione, quarterly, Year X/n.2, novembre 2004)

___

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Subscribe to Newsletter

Thought of the day

Related post

Chiara Lubich to the young people: the joy of the early Christians

Chiara Lubich to the young people: the joy of the early Christians

In April 1984, the Jubilee of the Youth was celebrated, a few days before the conclusion of the extraordinary Jubilee of the Redemption. There were 300 thousand young people present. Chiara Lubich, foundress of the Focolare Movement, held a catechesis on joy for the young people gathered in the Basilica of Saint John Lateran on the 12th of April. Here is an excerpt of her talk.

Paolo Rovea, a life in God

Paolo Rovea, a life in God

On 3rd July 2025, Paolo Rovea, an Italian doctor and married focolarino, completed his earthly life. Following his passing, many messages arrived from all over the world, coming together to form a unique and very rich mosaic, just like Paolo himself.

Living the Gospel: the courage to stop

Living the Gospel: the courage to stop

The parable of the good Samaritan teaches us not only to draw close, touching the wounds of those around us and breaking down the walls of prejudice, but through this Word we come to understand the art of compassion and the infinite mercy with which God embraces us, cares for us and leaves us free to abandon ourselves to his love.