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27 Feb 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
“This morning we prayed the Lord’s Prayer for peace in Venezuela and in the world” writes kindergarten teacher, C. “When we finished the prayer a child came up to me and said: “Teacher, I was home with my Mum. She was in the garden banging the pan (the cacerolazo, which is used as an instrument of protest). Then some people approached on large motorcycles. We ran because they were firing on us.” My eyes filled with tears. This couldn’t be the country where I was born and raised!” 
Indeed, Venezuela has traditionally considered itself a land of brothers and sisters. Countless immigrants have found a home in this South American nation, creating a multi-ethnic society that is open, welcoming and fraternal. “Still,” C attempted to explain to her small students, “our country is so beautiful. It’s a gigantic home where everyone is our brother and sister.” This is why the scene of violence that has taken place over the past years seems so unnatural. The distress of the people has increased together with the growing socio-economic deterioration of the country which, in recent months, has reached levels never before seen.
From Caracas they write: “On February 12, 2014, National Day of Young People, peaceful demonstrations were held by students because of the serious social and economic problems: insecurity, lack of food and medicines, repression. Unfortunately, there was no willingness to listen and the situation degenerated into violence with several deaths and numerous wounded, because of the severe beatings.”
Within such a context the local Focolare community is aware that it has something to offer toward hope for peace. “Our gaze returns to the ideal beginnings of the Movement, to Chiara Lubich and the first group people during the Second World War when everything crumbled and only God remained (. . .) The situation in which we find ourselves now must not hold us back from witnessing to our Gospel ideal. We still have hearts with which to love, forgive and begin again. With this certainty we celebrated the tenth anniversary of “La Asociación La Perla” (The Pearl Association), an alternative education project that provides concrete ways of educating children according to a “pedagogy of reciprocity”. We wondered if it was appropriate to celebrate during such times, but the community unanimously agreed that we should. We held sporting and recreational events on the streets with families in an atmosphere of hope and joy. “This was like a ray of light amidst the storm,” said one participant.”
N., who has been physically limited because of serious illness, recounts how he lives through the present situation: “I pray for all the protestors, regardless of which trench they are in, especially for those who die. I said to Jesus: “I have no physical strength, no weapons, but I pray and offer my life so that they can find you before they die.” Two nights ago there was a large demonstration in front of my house, with cacerolas, shouting and chants. They set fire in the street and smoke was filling our home. My sister took my small nephew – who is also ill – to my bedroom. I invented ways to make him smile, to relax him a bit.”
These are delicate moments we are living. Pope Francis has invited all the faithful “to pray and work for reconciliation and peace.”
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25 Feb 2014 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
While the crisis in the Ukraine, has reached the breaking point, keeping the world holding its breath; and the media spotlights are focused on many other parts of the planet such as Syria or Venezuela, we had the possibility of talking to some of our Focolare friends who are immersed in the tensions that Nigeria is going through, the most populated country of Africa with more than 160 million inhabitants. 
Nigeria is the largest Islamic-Christian co-existence in the world, according to you is this the cause of the serious acts of violence that happen in the Country?
“Unfortunately in these last few years Nigeria has been in the headlines often due to the frequent terrorist attacks and the destruction caused, both by Muslims and by Christians; just as the painful events of the past weeks have shown in the states of Borno and of Adamaza in the northeast of the Country. Seen from the outside, it may seem that what is happening is an expression of a religious conflict, but those living in the Country can testify that this is not the whole truth. The fact is, in a great part of Nigeria the cohabitation is peaceful and full of respect for one another”.
Are there pockets of violence…?
”In some regions, especially in the north, there are continuing tensions that have caused thousands of victims. There are many reasons for this: the lack of economic resources, the wounds inflicted upon the people in the past among the various ethnic groups but, above all the destructive activities of terrorist groups”.
How do you try to react in this situation?
“The members of the Focolare Movement, together with many men and women of good will, try to be builders of peace in our daily life: to recognize in every person we meet above all a brother and sister who must be respected, encouraged and helped. We strive to have this attitude wherever we are; in our families, in our place of work, on the street, at the market or in school; starting with small acts, such as a greeting, or showing interest in what the other has in his heart, etc…”.
In front of dangerous situations, wherein one must protect one’s life or that of the other…?
”We try not to stop in front of the different ethnic or religious factions, so as to be ready to help whoever is in need. We have seen how these actions, small or big, can help to slow down and, at times, to even stop the spiral of violence. Slowly they can promote a new mentality, which is to change the atmosphere of hate and revenge into an attitude of respect and fraternity”.
You have recently opened a new center in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria…
”Yes, exactly one month ago. It was a decision made together with the local Church so as to be close to the community in the north of the Country, which is more exposed to the conflicts. In this way we can support and encourage all those who are living for peace and fraternity, inspite of everything”.
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23 Feb 2014 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
Contact between the Focolare and members of the Jewish community in various countries began in 1970’s.
In 1995 representatives from the Jewish community in Rome, Italy gave Chiara Lubich a symbolic olive tree in recognition of her efforts for peace between Christians and Jews. The tree was planted in the garden of the Focolare Movement’s headquarters in Rocca di Papa, Italy.
In 1996 the first international convention between Christians and Jews, promoted by the Movement was held in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. The convention focused on the topic, love of God and neighbour. It was a great surprise to discover the consonance between authentic rabbinic tradition and the spirituality of the Movement. The highpoint of the meeting was the pact of mercy, which had been proposed by Norma Lebitt, a Jew from New York, for reconciliation between Christians and Jews of different traditions.
But a more important event took place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, when Chiara Lubich visited the country in 1998. She presented the spirituality of unity highlighting common points with the spiritual patrimony of Judaism. One highpoint was when she referred to the Holocaust: “That unspeakable pain of the Holocaust as well as more recent bloody persecutions cannot but bear fruit. We would like to share them with you so that they will no longer be an abyss that separates us, but a bridge that unites us; that they might become a seed of unity.” From then on a Day of Peace has been celebrated at Mariapolis Lia in the province of Buenos Aires.
Another meaningful moment was the meeting with Jewish friends in Jerusalem, 1999. Chiara could not attend the event, but asked Natalia Dallapiccola and Enzo Fondi to go in her place and read the presentation she had prepared. At that time Natalia and Enzo were overseeing the interreligious dialogue of the Movement. The audience, which included rabbis, greatly appreciated her answer to a question regarding the reason for suffering. Chiara quoted a passage from the Talmud: “Whoever does not experience the hiding of God’s face, is not one of the Hebrew people” (see Talmud: Mas Chagigah 5,b).
Four international symposiums were held between 2005 and 2011: two in Castel Gandolfo, Italy, and the third in Jerusalem, 2009. The words that were used most often by Christians, Jews and members of the local Arab Focolare community to describe this event were: a miracle and hope. Everyone was eager to embrace the challenge of unity; the gathering was entitled Walking Together Towards Jerusalem. Particularly moving was the Pact of Mutual Love that was solemnly recited at the Steps on Mount Zion which, according to a tradition Jesus walked as he prayed for unity. The Pact was recited again at the Eastern Wall, known as the Wailing Wall.
In 2011 the symposium moved to Buenos Aires. Christians and Jews from various currents – orthodox, conservative and reformed – met at Mariapolis Lia to discuss Identity and Dialogue, a Continuing Journey. The programme was enriching with presentations in several academic fields including philosophy, anthropology, psychology, pedagogy, law and communications. These days together were important not only for the rich content, but also for the mutual listening and sharing of several experiences. One Jewish person commented: “During these days of respectful dialogue different currents in Judaism were able to come together in harmony.”
Further progress was made in 2013, in Castelgandolfo, Italy, at an international gathering where everyone tried to more deeply understand the tradition of the other.
However, the main characteristic of this fruitful dialogue is not the many meetings, but life together and the ongoing exchange of vision and experience, which has been unfolding in many cities across Europe, Israel and the Americas.
On March 20, 2014, there will be an event at the Urbania University of Rome, dedicated to Chiara Lubich and Religions: Together for the Unity of the Human Family. The gathering will highlight her efforts for interreligious dialogue, six years after her death. The event also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s declaration on the relation of the Church to non-Christian religions, Nostra Aetate. Leaders from the Muslim world are also expected to attend.
read: Buenos Aires, 20 April 1998. Chiara Lubich to the members of B’nai B’rith and other members of the Jewish community
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22 Feb 2014 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
“Move for something greater” is the title of a project of Gen Rosso that began on January 30, 2014 and will end on March 1, 2014. The project engages students from several Philippine cities in concrete gestures of sharing and solidarity, following the hurricane of last November. The arrival of the international music group has been in preparation stages for months, involving several public and private schools. 
Gen Rosso was met at its arrival in Manila, by the Philippine Minister of Education who expressed his great esteem for the project as well as his wish for future collaboration. The international performing arts group held several workshops in Manila (February 1-2, 2014) in which 210 teenagers took part and were enthusiastic to express their talents. Music, dance, choreography and lines from the musical Streetlight were channels for creating tuning in and communicating with the youths. Several of them came from marginalised regions of the metropolis. “They especially,” the band artists write, “were won over by the force of the project. They left with huge smiles on their faces and a singular sense of satisfaction.” 
Work in the workshops resulted in a presentation of two concerts in the Ynares Palasport of Manila; local young people performed together with band artists in performing the musical. Each show drew a crowd of 2,200 people, among these a group of forty Muslim youths. One of them commented on the “conviction, courage and inspiration” that was conveyed by the performance. Some impressions from the students who performed: “You’ve healed the wounds in our heart. How beautiful to return home and be able to live for others!” “Thank you for making us feel like part of a family!” “With this concert I found the desire to live again.” “I learned to be surer of myself and to have trust.” “Thank you for these days together with Gen Rosso. I have found a relationship with my father again.” Second stop: Masbate, an island to the southeast of Manila, nestled amidst tropical nature (February 7-8, 2014). “This tour,” they confide “is giving us unforgettable emotions. We’re on an island that lives on fishing and rice fields. The Fazenda, where we shall be staying, is located in the midst of the fields an hour away from the city, and the road is swarming with sidecars (tricycles). Even amidst a thousand difficulties, the people live happily. . . .” The project in Masbate was held in collaboration with the Fazenda da Esperanca, along with students from several schools on the island. Enthusiasm among the 200 students who took part in the workshop during the week really reached the stars! These teenagers have firsthand experience of many of the situations presented in the Streetlight musical. . . . It was necessary to schedule a third performance because of the many requests, with an audience of 1600 young people.”
With tears in their eyes they admit: “We leave tears of joy and deep friendships in Masbate. . . . Once again we’ve experienced that in places such as these that are so far and difficult to reach, we receive much more than we give.” The adventure continued in Davos (February 14-15, 2014) and will conclude in Manila on March 5, 2014. Ver video 1 Vedi video 2
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20 Feb 2014 | Focolare Worldwide
Twelve students (representatives of two Italian high schools) left for Africa accompanied by 3 teachers, 2 animators, two shareholders of Unicoop of Florence, a representative of the Focolare Movement and a cameraman. Their goal: to spend a week of sharing with the African youth of their age-group, from January 16 to 24. The venue chosen: Fontem, in the Northwest of English-speaking Cameroun. Today, this Camerunese city has 40 thousand inhabitants. The Focolare Movement has helped in its growth, together with others, starting from the ‘60s. But let us allow Stefano, one of the youth, to share his experience which was published in their school bulletin:
“…A trip to discover a different reality, at times difficult to digest, because of the poverty that we met, but it was a school of life, for all the things that we were able to learn… We discovered a different culture, that thinks differently… We started off with the idea of going there to give medicines, pens, papers, notebooks, to share about ourselves, about Europe, only to discover instead that … there are still people who would sell even what little they had just to make you feel at home; people who have never seen you and yet welcome you like kings; they are not racists as many of us are; that in a few days they have grown fond of you in a way that you would never know how to do with anyone. The meeting with the teens of the College had a great impact on us: we were welcomed with songs and dances, to our great surprise they took our hands and embraced us. After a few moments of disorientation we were brought to a different dimension, we were no longer afraid to interact with them in their way, which had already become ours. They melted our hearts with their dances and songs, we danced with them, alughed and built such a strong bond among us that was almost too hard to believe. This way of interacting also brought about a beautiful chemistry even among us Italians. Aside from the joyful moments, we also had to take in strong images, especially when we visited the village of Besalì where poverty is widespread. Along the roadside we saw malnourished children with bloated stomachs, people who were living in extreme poverty… But even there the people welcomed us with warmth. The schools of Besalì, built and sustained by the Unicoop of Florence, are a very far cry from Italian school buildings … 
Great people made us understand better what we were experiencing, starting from Doctor Tim, a focolarino originally form Trent, who has been living in Fontem for 27 years; he is a very important person for the whole community, he takes care of many people who, without him and the many volunteers at the hospital, would have found themselves facing great difficulties. We were impressed by the greatness of heart of Pia, a focolarina volunteer worker who has been living on Fontem for 47 years, who has become an icon of the Focolare Movement; she is capable of transmitting incredible energy. As the days passed a bond was created among everyone. The last day was magical. They forewarned us: “You will cry and they will cry”. In our hearts we told ourselves that this will not happen, and instead it really happened. After exchanging gifts, the greetings on the evening before we left, were really moving: everyone embracing, silent, in the total darkness along the road that lined the forest; a deafening silence punctuated only by the sound of muffled sobs, of the efforts of trying to hold back that incredible surge of emotions. Still not fully aware of what we had experienced, we are grateful for those who had made this experience possible: a trip that someone described as “The journey of life’”.
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19 Feb 2014 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
“Cultivating and caring for creation is an instruction of God which he gave not only at the beginning of history, but has also given to each one of us; it is part of his plan; it means taking responsibility to make the world increase, transforming it so that it may be a garden, an inhabitable place for us all (. . .) Human and environmental ecology go hand in hand.” These words from Pope Francis on June 5, 2013 bear witness to very current environmental issues.
These are not far-off concepts at the Am Spiegeln Centre in Vienna – . In fact, the centre of the Focolare Movement in Austria was originally planned around the human person and the natural environment. Located at the foothills of the Vienna woods, ten minutes away from the Schonbrunn Palace, the summer residence of the Hasburgs and surrounded by greenery, the Mariapolis Centre is a favourite destination for conferences and conventions. But it is also much sought after as a place of rest, summer holidays and tourism, thanks to its proximity to the splendid capital. Thousands of visitors (families, children, young adults and groups) have been welcomed by the centre over the years.
The award was conferred on the Mariapolis Centre on January 16, 2014, by the Austrian Minister of the Environment, and the Chamber of Commerce. The Austrian Seal for Respect of the Environment recognizes efforts to modify physical infrastructures in order to preserve water and energy by installing appropriate systems, and sorting waste for the purpose of reuse. By using a new logistic for the collection of waste, a substantial amount of it can be recycled. In addition, there is modest use of detergents, a reduction in packaging materials and ongoing employee training. The award also recognizes using food and other resources from the local region.
The centre administrators added: “It is also important to involve our guests by providing them with good information about using the structure. This is in contrast with a throw-away culture of waste, and favours the wellbeing of both our guests and the local environment.”
In conclusion: “For us, this award highlights the witness of Gospel living that we try to offer here each day. And this translates into living in harmony with and protecting God’s creation. If you’d like to try it for yourselves, we’re waiting for you at Am Spiegeln!”
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