Mary, Transparency of God

7 May 2014 | Cultura

 Author: Chiara Lubich

What is it that Christians of many different Churches find so attractive about the young Jewish girl who gave birth to Jesus? This book does more than hint at an answer. Chiara Lubich’s gospel-based intuitions are a source of new insights for Christians of all traditions. Not only do we see the beauty of a human being who gave birth to God made flesh, not only do we taste the essential poetry of this unique event in history and enter more fully into all it implies, but we are made able to translate this vision into our daily lives. Mary becomes less a person we admire, an object of veneration, and more a source of inspiration, an example on which we can model our lives.

Available from New City Press (Philippines)

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Silence Transformed Into Life

30 Apr 2014 | Cultura

In this moving collection of writings from his final year in this world, we hear John Paul II’s voice again as he calls us to build a society that recognizes universal human rights, to listen to our neighbours cry for help, to build bridges and to share in one another’s gifts. Read more

Available from New City Press (NY)

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A Season of Rebirth

8 Apr 2014 | Cultura

Author: Marc Foley

The reflections contained here invite us to ponder our lives and to open our listening hearts to the voice of God, so that our Lent can truly be a Lent in its deepest sense a spring that buds forth new life. Drawing upon classic and current literature, Marc Foley accompanies us in this Scriptural-personal Lenten journey. He does it in a way that invites us to both explore the human condition and embrace the grace the Lord again offers us in order to transform who we are and how we are living. What more than this can you ask of a Lenten guide?

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Called to be community — A guide to living a spirituality of communion

11 Mar 2014 | Cultura

Strengthen the spiritual life of the parish Living City Magazine of the Focolare announces the release of Called to be community — A guide to living a spirituality of communion as a new resource for those involved in adult catechesis to deepen the Gospel life of their parishes and local communities. The 88-page manual is rich in content and gives guidelines on how to implement the Gospel in daily life, thus forming the kind of “living parish communities” that were envisioned by the Second Vatican Council. It offers participants the means to deepen their faith and the opportunity to put the Gospel into practice — together! Called to be community has been specifically prepared for small groups in parishes and other pastoral environments or home places where Christians can be of “one heart and one mind” in living out a spirituality of communion — a spirituality that belongs to the whole Church. In the words of Pope John Paul II: “We need to promote a spirituality of communion, making it the guiding principle of education wherever individuals and Christians are formed.” This guide will lead one to discover God who is love, and ways to respond to his love through love of one’s neighbor. It outlines the essential points of a spirituality of communion, and offers practical exercises to make them an integral part of life. Called to be community can be a great tool for those responsible for adult catechesis in the parish and even for those who are not yet part of parish life. Its simplicity and accessibility to everyone makes this program an invaluable resource to make the parish a school of communion and contribute to the fulfillment of Jesus utmost desire, “May they all be one, as you, Father, are in me and I in you” (Jn 17:21). $11.95 per copy (88 pages), discount on bulk orders. Leader’s manual (16 pages), $2.95.   To order copies, or for more information please contact Living City: Living City 202 Comforter Blvd, Hyde Park, New York 12538 tel. 845-229-0496 fax 845-229-1770 email: livingcity.ed@livingcitymagazine.com www.livingcitymagazine.com   (more…)

Jesus in the Midst

24 Jan 2014 | Cultura

Chiara Lubich’s explanations of the presence of Jesus in the Midst (cf. Mt. 18:20) are collected in this book.

Beside being theologically valid, her profound thoughts deal with an experience that is crucial to the life of the Focolare Movement; it is, in fact, the hidden source of its strength.

From the Foreword by Bsp. Klaus Hemmerle

Available from New City Philippines

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Chiara Lubich

1 Jan 2014 | Cultura

The New York Times called Chiara Lubich “one of the most influential women in the Catholic Church.” This biography transports readers inside the story of a young woman, born to a poor family in Trent, who felt called to dedicate her life to God. Against the backdrop of WWII’s devastation, Lubich shared her passion first with a group of young women her age. Torno presents a forthright account of Chiara Lubich and her friends’ collective mystical experience and their resulting life, both profoundly spiritual and deeply human, which always aimed at fulfilling Jesus’ prayer “that all may be one.” By the 1960’s, her inspiration had reached every corner of Italy and spread throughout Europe, behind the Iron Curtain, and around the world. Wherever she went – from the jungles of the Cameroon, to the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, to the skyscrapers of New York, to the Buddhist monasteries of Chiang Mai, Thailand – she shared her choice of God and the lifestyle it generated. This biography brings to life those people Chiara met along the way – from everyday folk to political leaders to popes – and describes how her charism affected each one. He reveals the challenges that arose as a vast movementgrew up around Lubich as well as her joy at seeing authentic gospel life spread around the world. Together, they achieved what Chiara defined as “…the great attraction of modern times: to penetrate to the highest contemplation while mingling with everyone.” Also available as an eBook. Orders:  New City Press (NY) (more…)