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Apr 24, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Focolare president Maria Voce and co-president Giancarlo Faletti have concluded their visit to Brazil. 
During the 55-year presence of the Movement in this South American country the spirituality of unity has penetrated several areas of society through numerous social projects; the Economy of Communion (EoC) which began in Brazil; the Movement for Unity in Politics (MUP); the ecclesial world, ecumenism; interreligious dialogue and dialogue with contemporary culture.
Klaus Bruschke, Director of Cidade Nova Press states: “Brazil is going through a moment of speedy transformations not devoid of contradictions. It is the world’s eighth economy, yet the twelfth on the list of countries with the most inequality, although in recent years 40 million Brazilians have emerged from a level of misery. Chiara Lubich pointed to the priority of working for social justice in this land through love for the most underprivileged, in harmony with the Latin American Church and now Pope Francis.” Bruschke went on to say: “In Recife, the Island of Santa Teresinha is one of the poorest quarters in Brazil where the Movement has been carrying out social projects from the moment it arrived. As she stood in front of the wall that separates this slum from the shopping centre on the other side, Maria Voce remarked that the wealth didn’t lie on the other side of that wall, in the shopping centre, but on this side among the community on the island, because the [real] wealth is communion.” In Mariapolis Ginetta Calliari, near Sao Paulo, Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti linked up with numerous Focolare communities around the world via internet, and shared about their visit to Brazil.
What is your impression as you leave Brazil? If you had to give a title to your experience, what would it be? “Brazil has enchanted me, and if I had to give a title to this trip, I would use one of Chiara’s own phrases: “embroidered in gold”, because all the wonderful fruits that have been brought about by Chiara here in Brazil are woven into my heart. I think of the many social projects that are carried out mostly by young people, the Economy of Communion businesses. . . . but also of all the new communities, ecclesial movements and people who took their inspiration from Chiara’s charism, who live the Word of Life, who love Jesus forsaken, or who answer to Chiara’s plea: “Give me everyone who is lonely”. They’ve brought about beautiful works, which we had the opportunity of seeing during this visit. We admired in them the abundant fruits of the spirituality of unity whose root lies in the Focolare Movement, in the spiritual family of Chiara. But the root is glad for the fruits that were born beyond it, and it offers thanks to God. And the fruits are grateful to the root, because they feel the nourishment that comes from there and they want to continue to be nourished. Therefore, it’s a great act of mutual love that shows up these embroideries of light that are spread throughout Brazil.”
The establishment of the Chiara Lubich Chair in Recife shows that many are able to share in the spirituality of unity . . .
Giancarlo Faletti: “During this Easter season in which we hear the words of Jesus’ testament resounding: ‘that all may be one’ (Jn 15:17), I have the strong feeling that through the charism of unity, the paradigm of universal brotherhood is being applied to many academic disciplines, even in large universities. Therefore, it has been a very dynamic experience that is linked to the testament of Jesus.”
During this visit you’ve listened to many stories, known and shared in the life of many local communities. Where would you go from here?
Maria Voce: “I really think we should continue to embroider these embroideries of light that I mentioned earlier. We should do it within the humility of the present moment, carrying out whatever God may indicate to us, moment by moment, never losing sight of the final design which is universal brotherhood, the design of a united world. Therefore I feel that each of these beautiful projects that I’ve seen are part of this universal design and that together they could offer a model to the world, an example of a unity that is born from the variety of God’s gifts in Brazil and in the world, so as to never lose sight of God’s dream: to make all peoples into one family.”
Klaus Bruschke’s final comment: “These days have given us a strong push to convey this message of unity that overcomes inequalities and embraces diversity – a richness that expresses the very richness of God.”
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Apr 23, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
We have still impressed on our minds the tragic pictures of the Haiyan or Yolanda (‘the bird of storms’) Typhoon that was unleashed on several Pacific countries, especially the Philippines, in November 2013. It was one of the most powerful cyclones ever recorded and from all over the world countries and organizations reacted in solidarity sending help to the victims of the disaster. 
Focolare communities, especially in the surrounding countries, also gave their contribution. An example of this comes from the immense archipelago that makes up Indonesia (245 million inhabitants), a country that is not exactly swimming in richness. In the city of Yogyakarta, on the island of Java, young people and adults of the Focolare got organized to do something. They didn’t have any money, but – they said to each other- “there is always something to give.” And so they organized a collection of superfluous things from their own homes, to set up a ‘Bazaar’. “We set up a committee to coordinate the work,” they tell us, “The Focolare Centre became the collection point for all the donations, so there was a constant coming and going of people sorting the items and putting them into different categories, all done with great joy and enthusiasm.”
The Bazaar was fixed for the 3rd and 4th of March, in a Parish Hall 20 km from Yogyakarta. But in the meantime the Sinabung and Kelud volcanoes erupted, “and the victims were our fellow nationals,” Tegar recalls, “We asked ourselves if anyone would still support our initiative for victims who were further away in the Philippines.” They didn’t give up, and though not ignoring the new emergency, they went ahead with the intention of helping those brothers and sisters who were even more needy. “I was chosen to coordinate the event,” Endang tells us, “I myself was the victim of an earlier earthquake and I knew what that meant and how much sadness you experience. So I took on this responsibility, and even though I didn’t have any money, I could give my time and energy. A few days before the Bazaar took place, I was at a meeting and understood the meaning of the phrase that you often hear in the Focolare Movement – when we meet in the name of Jesus, he is present among us. We experienced, in fact, that if we get together and work in his name, he optimizes our work.”
Also for William “it was an incredible experience. I really threw myself into this project. We aimed above all at the people of the village who came to mass on Saturday or Sunday. There were about twenty of us helping out. Someone directed the visitors, others served the ‘clients’ as little by little they came to look and to buy. There was even someone who organized our tea break! It was a beautiful experience: to experience that when you love the others God gives you back happiness in the depth of your heart.” Altogether 5,115,700 Rupiah (452 US$) were collected, a significant sum considering that about half the population lives on 2 dollars a day. “Everyone was happy not just because we managed to collect a good sum of money,” William is keen to point out, “But for the love and the contribution that each one gave to help the victims of Hurricane Haiyan.”
“I think that through this Bazaar”, Wulan concludes, “We managed to give a little happiness not only to the people who will receive the money but also to those who contributed with their ‘purchases’. I am sure that this love will not stop here but will expand to many other places as well.”
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Apr 18, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Maria Voce with Nelson Giovannelli
During an open discussion with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti, the young people discovered that the spirituality which was at the root of their recovery was the spirituality of unity that is shared by the founders of Fazenda. Many issues were covered during their dialogue: scars of the past; sexuality and chastity; and the significance of the charism of the Fazenda – understood as a gift from God given to one or more people for the good of humankind – and its relationship to the experience of Chiara Lubich. This was truly the novelty of the meeting: “A charism, which is the fruit of the charism of unity,” said Giancarlo Faletti. “This shows God’s life in action, his presence in our history. Coming here today with all of you we’ve had a great experience of God’s ‘productivity’!” Maria Voce added: “Considering the charism of unity even after meeting other charisms that have blossomed from it, I see it as a tree with many branches and each branch is laden with fruit. And each fruit is the magnification of some specific detail.” 
She went on to say: “When I think of the Fazenda, the problem of drug addiction comes to mind. That is Jesus who took upon himself the drama of drugs and cried out the Abandonment [of the Father]. The Fazenda focuses only on this detail, but it’s such a large detail that has evolved into a great and marvelous work. Another work focuses on the shortage of child education. That is the ignorance, which Jesus forsaken took upon himself. And a work was born that, which is offering a new educational approach based on the charism of unity. Even though the root is hidden and you can only see the branches and fruits, the root is rejoicing! And the fruits are thankful to the root.” Frei Hans reaffirmed this as he expressed his hope for more intense mutual collaboration, and that rehabilitation workers be nourished with the spirituality of unity. Maria Voce concluded saying: “It seems that all the charisms we’re coming to know and many others we still don’t know or are still to be born, fit in with the charism of unity because they’re linked by reciprocal love that shows up the particular greatness of each one. And they all contribute together to the fulfillment of the Lord’s prayer ‘that all may be one’.” So I say: “Hurrah Fazenda Esperanca!” Follow the journey on the Mariapolis Journal– Login required Website: www.focolares.org.br/sitenacional
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Apr 17, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
The Mariapolis stands out for the green vegetation in which it is immersed and the harmony of its buildings. Its over 200 inhabitants come from all over Brazil and from several different countries: Italy, Congo, Portugal, Holland, Germany, Peru and Ecuador. Since the beginning of the sixties Chiara Lubich dreamt of setting up model towns like this, not only with houses, schools and churches, but also with factories, examples of how to live together in communion, governed by reciprocal love. And it was here that the first Business Park was started fulfilling this “dream”. It was here in fact in 1991 that Chiara launched a project that proposed a new approach to economics, the Economy of Communion; and founded the Business Park, which is a prototype of a renewed economy, right here in the vicinity of this little town. In a prophetic way she outlined its role: “A small town like this,” she wrote in her diary, “In Brazil, where the division between rich and poor is a massive social scourge, could become a beacon and a sign of hope.” 
The heroic faith of the first pioneers and their supporters, helped that prophesy become a reality. With its six companies, the Business Park is a focal point for academics and economists and has attracted the attention of high level politicians: from Hon Franco Montoro, a Councillor of the Republic and ex-Governor of San Paolo, to Dr Marco Maciel, the Vice President of the Republic; to a group of politicians from different parties, members of a multi-party commission for the battle against and elimination of poverty. Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti are here on the last leg of their trip to Brazil. During their visit to the Park, a businesswoman present recalled Ginetta Calliari, one of the first young people to follow Chiara, and to whom much is owed for the spread of the movement in Brazil and the development of the Economy of Communion. Maria Voce underlined the key to its success: “It is communion, which comes first and is the proviso for productivity.” This communion governs relationships at all levels – between the managers and workers within the company, between the companies in the Business Park itself and with other similar Business Parks throughout the world. In an attempt to help solve some of the social problems in the area, since the end of the seventies some direct action has been taken in two areas around the Mariapolis: in Jardim Margarida, which is right in front of it, and in Bairro do Carmo a neighbourhood with mainly people of African descent. Two community centres cater for children and adolescents during out of school hours, keeping them away from the risks of violence and drugs that try to ensnare them. The results are surprising. The changes in behaviour, brought about by the pedagogy inspired by the “art of loving” which is a characteristic of the different activities – from sport to I.T. – also influences the local schools and has awakened a growing interest in the municipal institutions giving rise to many forms of collaboration. 
Actions aren’t enough to bring about change however, ideas must also be spread through the media. This awareness has been there for over 50 years, when the Publishing House and Cidade Nova magazine were set up and whose Head Office is at present in the Mariapolis. The Publishing house has not been unaffected by the crisis in the world of publishing brought about by the digital revolution. The President and Co-President gave it a new impulse. “Brazil is developing very quickly,” Giancarlo Faletti observed, “We need cultural media that knows how to straddle history, that is not bowed down by it, but knows how to interpret and enlighten it with the charism of unity.” Follow the journey on the Mariapolis Journal– Login required Website: www.focolares.org.br/
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Apr 15, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Luiza Erundina and Maria Voce – (C) CSC Caris Mendes
Two hundred members of the MUP in Brazil, including federal deputies, mayors, city councilors and young people testified to the innovation that the practice of fraternity is bringing to their lives and work environments.
Is fraternity compatible with the political battle? For federal deputy Luiza Erundina the answer was “no” when she was young and struggling against the dictatorship. It became “yes” when she met Chiara Lubich who launched the Movement for Unity in Politics (MUP).
For Mayor of Sorocaba, Antonio Carlos Pannunzio the most important thing is the revival of the understanding that we are first of all members of the one human family, all children of one Father. “We can disagree with our political colleagues, but this doesn’t mean we turn them into our enemies.”
And if the wall of emnity rises, it is not impossible to bring it down. “I was a bitter opponent of Luiza Erundina, when she was mayor of Sao Paulo and I was a councilor,” says federal deputy Walter Feldman. “Now we talk with each other every day. Dialogue becomes possible when contraries meet to arrive at a synthesis: the common good.”
“ You need to be among the people in order to be in tune, to heal the division among politicians and society. Change begins with personal behaviour,” said federal deputy Luis Carlos Hauly referring to the example of Mandela and Gandhi.
Pedro Paulo Fiorelli is a young man who is attending the Civitas School for citizenship training, so that one day he will be a better politician. The basic lesson is: politics is not for winning elections, but an art for the transformation of society, with a preference for the forgotten members of society.
Maria Voce remarked: “This enlightened political action that places the value of proximity and relationship at the centre, beginning from the least and their needs that cry out a longing for fraternity, is more than necessary.” Giancarlo Faletti referred to these politicians as “experts in humanity,” “prophets of a new world,” “prophets of hope”.
The meeting ended with a very significant gesture, the naming of a street in Porto Alegre after Chiara Lubich. Then someone sang a song based on the words of the Focolare founder, in which she described politics as the “Love of loves”. That song was adopted as the anthem of the Movement for Unity in Politics in Brazil.
The next event will be international: a worldwide convention in March 2015. It was announced in a message from the international president of the MUP, to present “the rich political thought of Chiara Lubich, which prophetically prefigured a world united by reciprocal love, not only among individuals but among peoples.”
Read more about Maria Voce ‘s visit at Area Riservata – Notiziario Mariapoli Website: www.focolares.org.br/sitenacional
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Apr 14, 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
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“Everything in Brazil tells of the resurrection – the flowers, fruits, colours and fragrances – and it is natural here to wish everyone Happy Easter!
During Holy Week, I’ll visit the National Shrine of Brazil dedicated to our Lady of Aparacida. I’ll take to Her all your sorrows, joys and desires – especially those of Her Brazilian sons and daughters who have made Her family grow throughout the world.”
In the joy of the Risen Lord,
Maria Emmaus Voce |
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| Maria Voce is scheduled to attend 9:00 Mass (local time – UTC -3) at Aparecida Shrine on April 15, 2014. The Mass can be viewed live on Aparecida TV at: http://www.a12.com/tv-aparecida/institucional/detalhes/tv-ao-vivo |
