Focolare Worldwide - Movimento dei Focolari

Bolivia, a path for Latin America

20 Dec 2014 | Focolare Worldwide

Poverty in Central America and South of the Continent, the youth, digital culture, the role of women, original cultures, afro-descent culture, social movements, the new perspectives of the continent. Some of the themes discussed during the 2nd Seminar on Trinitarian Anthropology, promoted by the Latin-Americal Episcopal Council (CELAM), held last October in Cochabamba (Bolivia).

Entitled “A Trinitarian Anthropology from and for our peoples. Diversity and plurality,” the symposium was developed by a team of expert Latin American theologians (Jesuits, conventuals, priests of the clergy and lay people) and the presence of Italian theologian Piero Coda, dean of the Sophia University Institute (IUS), international ateneo of the Focolare, with headquarters at the town of Loppiano (Florence). To note, the active participation of 4 IUS students from, Colombia and Argentina.. In fact, the ateneo is taking its first steps to establish itself also in Latin America.

The first day featured a press conference online with journalists to present the first book of the team that had worked on the project during last year’s seminar, at the Argentian Focolare’s “Mariápolis Lia”. There were journalists from Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Chile, Ecuador, Perù, Bolivia and Argentina.

A singular event was the visit to the Missionology Institute, directed by Dr. Roberto Tomichá,an aborigine Franciscan, and member of the central team of Trinitarian Anthropology. The symposium participants visited the study centre which was created following indigenous categories and values.

On that occasion the Director expressed his conviction the the key to the “fundaments for the theology of indigenous peoples” lies in Trinitarian anthropology.”

In order to allow this itinerary of common reflections of philosophies and life to develop, the decision was made to appoint the new Latin American branch of Sophia, as its representative to the CELAM.

This agreement was made by the various universities to which the various participants belonged.

Since the pariticpating theologians are all renowned at Latin American and world levels, they took all by surprise when they relayed their impressions which underlined “ the profound liberty and fertile creatività experienced in the work groups, in the methodology established and the horizons open towards the future.” The next appointment is set for 2015 in Argentina.

The spiritual journey of a family

18 Dec 2014 | Focolare Worldwide

Salvatore vividly recalls, “When I was about fourteen, I had my first encounter with Jesus. I remember it as vividly as if it happened yesterday. I had met the Focolare Movement, people who had found fulfillment in life and who were able to get this young lad interested in what they were on about. I liked hanging around with them and together with my brother, we’d find every excuse to go to their place. It was that special aura around them, the ‘presence’ of Jesus in their midst, that attracted me. The fruit of that period? The desire to meet Jesus in the Eucharist every day.” When he was 20 he fell in love with Adriana. “I decided to declare my feelings, certain that they would be reciprocated. But the response I got was a harsh disappointment. I could not imagine my future without her. I was tempted to withdraw into myself. But I learned not to stop, and to have an open mind and heart. I persevered in loving. After a few years, I found myself with Adriana at my side, and it was then that our lifelong adventure began.” Some years into the marriage, and with three adolescent kids, Adriana and Salvatore were immersed in a busy life, amid family, their jobs, and volunteer work. Above all, a difficult period began for Adriana. “Slowly and silently, a sense of aridity was growing in me, characterised by a lack of self-confidence. I experienced bitterness in losing people I loved, and at a certain point, there were even times when I wished I could die. But somehow, everything around me was pushing me to move on. I worked for long hours behind a teller’s window with a throng of people in line, and trying to love each one, after which I was at home, cooking, cleaning, staying with my kids, and helping them out. My relationship with God was reduced to a bleak light which was quickly fading. One day I took stock of this absence of God in me, and I was overcome by fear which shook me deeply. I prayed to ask him to reveal himself! It was almost as if I was challenging him. It was during my early morning walks, that I found a relationship with God again, and this helped me re-establish my inner peace.” And the kids? It was an experience of detachment. Salvatore recounts the experience with his firstborn. “Ever since he was a teenager, he wanted to be a musician. He learned to play the guitar and though he never wanted to go to the conservatory, he got involved in our city – Naples – with musical groups, activities, and musicians of a certain level; He had frequent engagements with them, even if he was only 20. The prospects, however, were scarce. At 24, he decided to give his life a new turn and left for London. It was such a disappointment for us. He did not speak a word of English, and he was going to this immense and unknown city, without knowing where to stay and how to make a living. On the day of his departure, I accompanied him to the airport, and watched him disappear at the departure gates. My heart was torn between contrasting sensations. I felt fear for his life, the pain of losing him, yet I was aware of the need to respect his choices in life. That image of the plane taking off seemed to summarise what God was asking of me: to let go of the flesh of my flesh, to allow him to be different from me. God was saying, “Before he became your son, he was MY son, so do you think I will not take care of him?” My son now lives in London, working as a musician. “Two years ago, we went to visit him. The opportunity came as he was performing in a concert in a theatre which is considered the temple of modern dance, filled to the brim by 2,000 people! He was there with with his successful band which had taken him on tour around the world.” And at what stage are we in now? “Well, we’re experiencing a newly found freedom, even in our recent choice to leave our home in Naples for a few years and to transfer to another city, Rome, to be at the service of the international centre of the Focolare Movement.” (A. and S. L. – Italy)

A Peace Garden for the City of Trieste

15 Dec 2014 | Focolare Worldwide

“Let this cube be the sign that reminds us that peace is a precious possession, to be cultivated always, with the commitment of everyone.” These were the words of the Deputy Mayor of Trieste, Fabiana Martini, during the inauguration of the “Cube of Peace” garden on November 21, 2014. The steel frame and polycarbonate structure, 60 cm per side, is located in the Muzio de Tommasini Public Garden. Each of the six sides has a motto: We help each other; Forgive others; Be the first to love; Listen to others; Share with others; and Welcome everyone.” Promoted by the Town of Trieste and built by the Focolare’s Action for a United World (AMU) on the hundredth anniversary of World War I, the initiative resulted from a project already launched in other Italian cities such as Trent and Rovigo, but also in more distant lands like Hungary and Pakistan. The aim is to foster peace education, engaging children and teenagers, but also schools, educators, families and adults of all ages who wish to be involved in this important and timely effort. The crowded ceremony was conducted by Roberto Mosca from the United World Project, and enlivened by music and songs from many children, teenagers and young people. Students from every class level and type of school also contributed, along with Municipal Councillors of Public Works, Andrea Dapretto, and Education Councillor Antonella Grim, who stressed the viability of the project, as well as the significance and value of building true relations of peace. Whoever passes by the “peace garden” with the “cube of peace” at its centre, will be able to almost playfully, spin the cube and begin to build a personal but very important journey of peace. This educational toy was inspired by the Art of Loving proposed by foundress of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich, and it aims at putting into practice the phrase from one of its six sides that comes up with each day’s spin. The cube is part of a broader educational project that has involved many educators, classrooms, especially at the nursery and elementary levels, in a daily journey of raising awareness about peace and solidarity. Source: Town of Trieste Press Office

Living the Gospel. There’s always something that can be given

15 Dec 2014 | Focolare Worldwide

20141215-01 Plenty to do When we young people heard that there was a colony of 1000 people in the desert, who were stricken with leprosy, we went to explore their situation. We saw that they were in need of everything, even medical care. We contacted Caritas, now we are a group of Christians and Muslims who go to visit there on our days off from work. Two medical students did some research on caring for lepers. Others got involved in other services, such as painting their dwellings. Another young person, a journalist, wrote articles in several magazines and newspapers in order to inform and sensitise as many people as possible about the problem. We came to realise that those patients were especially in need of someone who would listen to them: for them, this was even more important than medicines. This experience that there is always something that anyone can do, to give something that will be to the advantage of others. S. H. – Egypt 20141215-02 The little cart A poor man had knocked on our door several times, asking for money. I thought it would be better to teach him how to fish, rather than give him a fish. So I started to build him a small cart to sell sweets and coffee. I made the window with a metal table we had in the house and, with the proceeds from the sale of paper, I bought the wheels. We ended up with a really nice cart. Then we went to Bogota, in the area that the poor fellow frequented, to deliver it to him. When he saw it he was amazed, so happy that he asked to take a picture with us. He got to work right away and now has a more dignified life. O. M. – Colombia 20141215-03 I found a friend! I was driving to the doctor. It was raining and I was in a hurry. I had just passed a man who was walking with difficulty by the side of the road. Then I thought again and, put the car in reverse. I invited him to get in. He was also on his way to the doctor. . . my very doctor! When I told him that, he exclaimed: “Today I met an angel!” In fact, my name is Angelo and when I told him he had quite a good laugh. When we left the doctor’s I accompanied Antonio – that was his name – to do some shopping and then to his home where I met his wife, Antonietta. As they shared a bit about themselves, I was offered a liqueur and a biscuit made by his wife. Before saying goodbye, we exchanged telephone numbers and promised that we would meet again. Antonio: “Today I found a friend.” And Antoinetta immediately handed me a dozen fresh eggs, saying: “They’re still warm, just taken from our chickens.” It felt like time had stood still. Truly, there is more joy in giving than receiving! Angelo D. N. – Italy

India: Udisha is so much more

12 Dec 2014 | Focolare Worldwide

“It is not a simple tuition class, or a mere opportunity to work. Udisha is much more, a real and true point of reference for children, families and entire communities.” This is what Susanna Svaluto Moreolo wrote, a young Italian Volunteer, the first one from Italy to lend her services to the project of the Focolare Movement in Goregaon, one of the slum areas of Mumbai, 400,000 inhabitants, 40 minutes by train from the city centre.

Udisha, in urdu “the ray of light that brings a new dawn” takes in more than 100 children, teens (from 4 to 22 years old) and many mothers every year: there are 60 of them inserted in the micro-credit project. It is a project born from and based on the spirituality of unity, according to the conviction of Chiara Lubich that the greatest power for social transformation lies in the Gospel lived. Concretely it involves activities after school, counseling, occupational therapy for children and teens; contributions are made to pay for school fees; production and sale of bags for the activities of micro-credit; days of conviviality and meetings organized for the parents, and financial support for the families.

«What impressed me – continued Susanna, a student – is the awareness, above all on the part of the teens, of the opportunity that this project offers them as students and as persons and, consequently, their commitment and active participation in the project itself. The teens find in Udisha a real and true second home, people in whom to confide in and on whom they know that they can rely on for help. Most importantly, in this regard, is the presence of a counselor who provides psycho-educative support for the teens and parents.

The volunteer workers carry out their daily life in Udisha, and the impression one has is that the project takes on the «central role for those who are part of it. One can grasp this from the way the children work in groups among them and on how the older ones are responsible for the younger ones, from the mothers who come to Udisha at least three times a day to accompany the children, bring them their lunch and take them back, and then to return once again to work in the project of bag-making that involves them directly. The fact that among the teachers of the tuition class after school there are also the young girls who in tha past were the beneficiaries of the project and continue to be a part of it as volunteers, is quite significant.”

An experience wherein each one can put at the service of the others that which he or she does the best, in Susanna’s case for example, it was dance: “I had the chance to teach dancing both to the teens and to the mothers, preparing them for a performance on the occasion of the feast of the independence. This involved me in a special way because it allowed me to discuss with these women, who agreed with enthusiasm to the activity, making me understand the importance of creating moments of relaxation, that allows them to pass the time and to escape, even just for awhile, from their daily routine.”

An impression before leaving the Indian subcontinent? “I believe that the experience in Udisha represents a very beautiful opportunity because it allows one to fully life the Indian reality: the hospitality, the dignity, the food, the religious aspect and the reciprocal respect for the different religions and cultures, the rituals, the weekends spent with the Hindu families of Udisha… with regards to the fear of all these aspects that I had before leaving, this experience made me forget then all.”

A more humane and fraternal Latin America

10 Dec 2014 | Focolare Worldwide

20141210-02 «64 years after the institution of the International Human Rights Day [10 December] and of the appeal to “all peoples of the world” launched by the United Nations General Assembly,” we, the members of UNIRedes, wish to make public our constitution on the network, in order to foster authentic partnership relations, and build a more just and fraternal world, in pursuit of total respect for human rights.» These were the opening lines of the “Manifesto” signed on the occasion of the International Day of Human Rights, by over 50 social organisations, initiatives and movements of 12 Latin American and Caribbean countries involved in UNIRedes.

What do they have in common? Commitment to social change through a culture based on brotherhood, as a social expression of Chiara Lubich’s charism of unity. They work on various fronts: the political, social, economic, intergenerational and cultural fields. Their main characteristics are: promotion of cooperation and participation of the various players involved.

The “Manifesto” expressed furthermore, the «Commitment to cultivate and spread in our environments, a culture that respects and protects the dignity, liberty and rights of every human being, and operate continually to stir up in our territory, a firm and convinced awareness of the value of each human being; spreading this vision to as many people as possible, also includes sharing with them experiences, good practices, material for the education and qualification of our members, deficiencies. for reciprocal support without geographic or idiomatic barriers, and grow in the awareness that we are all part of one family.»

In short, UNIRedes wishes to make public its willingness to cooperate and “support all those who want to work together, and therefore make justice and fraternity more visible and concrete, and as the force which can bridge the lack of dignity many people are subjected to.» This is why they are launching «a public appeal to the government institutions and organisations of civil society, and to those individuals who support initiatives and social actions, to merge and share forces, in order to build a world in which the rights of each person are not violated but protected and guaranteed.» Unite therefore, the efforts of people who have been committed for years in the existential outskirts of society in Latin America to construct a more fraternal world.

For further information: www.sumafraternidad.org (http://www.sumafraternidad.org/web/ )

Contacts: info@sumafraternidad.org (AR) / uniredes@focolares.org.br (BR)

Organisations that are members of UNIRedes:

mapa-UNIRedes2014 Apadis (Asociación de Padres de Ayuda al Discapacitado) – AR