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30 Aug 2013 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
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The increasingly critical situation in Syria requires a thorough examination of all political and diplomatic instruments at the disposal of the international community for its resolution. In the first place, we believe that all remaining possibilities for negotiation should be urgently explored, along the lines of what was begun in Geneva; this approach, if successful, would have deeper effects both for internal stability, and for relations between the countries of the Middle East. In the second place, the investigation into who was responsible for the use of chemical weapons must be carried out with the rigor appropriate to the seriousness of the offense, in the most transparent manner, by independent organs with full empowerment and effective access under the UN mandate. In any case, there must be no intervention without a specific mandate of the UN. Any initiative outside this framework cannot be considered legitimate. Besides, any intervention which is not accompanied by a comprehensive strategy based on national reconciliation, transitional justice, and political and institutional reconstruction, agreed by all the agents involved internally and internationally, would be contradictory and counterproductive. It is precisely the complexity of the Syrian crisis that reinforces the necessity of a regional agreement on the resolution of disputes and tensions before they become serious conflicts. This process has to be encouraged and supported in all possible ways, in every political and diplomatic institution. The development of peaceful and constructive relations in the entire area of the Mediterranean and the Middle East that foster inter-independent paths of fair, pluralist and balanced growth for the peoples of the region demands a responsible approach to the bilateral and multilateral relations of these countries involving all governments, societies and citizens. We therefore address a strong appeal to all bodies of the international community and to all parties involved to do everything possible – with urgency and with full awareness of the consequences of their actions – to ensure a just and lasting peace.
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29 Aug 2013 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
«My company, Tecnodoor, designs and manufactures automatic and manual doors for industrial and civil use in Isera, Italy. I have belonged to the Economy of Communion (EoC) since 1994, basing the company on this new way of doing business: renewing relationships, maximizing collaboration at all levels, both internally among staff and members and outside with clientele. The current economic crisis affected us precisely at the point which is the life and stability of the company: loans. After a careful evaluation of defaults, we decided on countermeasures to bring things back into balance, trying out new strategies to recover our debts. Over the years we had done honest work, but mostly we had built faith with our customers. What were we to do now in order not to ruin these relationships, by asking them to settle their debts? One night I just couldn’t sleep, so many thoughts were running through my mind. The basic question was: how should an entrepreneur like me act who wants to remain consistent with the EoC Project, when it comes to recovering legitimate claims? I thought about what the key points were that I should never let go of. Little by little a mode of operation began to become clear to my mind: a) manage “credit recovery” not as if it were my own thing, but as an assignment I’ve been given; b) don’t break relationships, but try to strengthen them; c) listen fully to the suffering that the other company or the customer is experiencing; d) objectively explain the “suffering” of our own company and the possible consequences. 
After that sleepless night I wanted to give my reflections a try. With a heart as much as possible detached from the not so easy task, and believing that every neighbour – whether creditor, employer or supplier – was a brother or sister, I began. I listened deeply on the phone or during personal meetings. The result was that we began to receive payments in whole or by instalments. But the most important thing is that we never severed or even damaged any relationships, but strengthened everyone’s personal confidence and trust in us». By Pietro Comper Source: EoC Insert Città Nuova n.13/14 – 2013
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28 Aug 2013 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
The encounter with other charisms is fascinating to me, and doing it in the place where Chiara Luce Badano had radically lived the Gospel, has given it a sense of newness and youthfulness.” So writes Alessandro, a young religious from the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He is one of 22 young people who met in Sassello, Italy, the birthplace of the young Blessed, between August 19, 2013 and August 23, 2013. The meeting “From Light to Light – Chiara Luce for Young Consecrated Religious” was an opportunity for young men and women religious from different charisms to take part in a workshop in which they uncovered what they share in common and asked about their young calling to consecrated life. They were from 7 congregations: Friars Minor, Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, Missionaries of St. Paola Frassinetti, Franciscan Missionary Brothers and Sisters, Little Brothers of the Risen Jesus of the New Horizons and the Missionaries of Joy. “It was a powerful experience,” writes Friar Andrea. “We let ourselves be ‘swept away’ by the Spirit who was pushing us to create communion among our charisms to make the face of the Church shine with its beautiful new young face.” “It was a splendid opportunity to share as a young consecrated religious who is close to the spirituality of the Focolare,” commented Sr. Cinzia from the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor. “A very enriching experience of communion and a fine training, an occasion for reflecting on holiness in daily life to which we are all invited. I truly experienced that if we live in a relationship of love and mutual knowledge among different charisms, we draw close to God.” The workshop was structured according to the three-word slogan from the Beatification ceremony of Chiara Luce: “Life, love, light.” 
On the day dedicated to “life” Fr. Theo Jansen showed how the life of Christ, which enlivens the Church, has blossomed in the various charisms and how it now pushes for communion and mutual love. In the work sessions we explored how the charisms respond to Jesus’ mission: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly” (Jn. 10:10). In front of the disadvantages and problems of youth, and the economic crisis, two illuminating experiences were offered: Matteo Zini from New Horizons showed how the charism of joy, as abundant life, leads to Resurrection and to the underworld of the streets (drugs, alcohol, prostitution, and criminality. . . ); and Livio Bertola, a businessman from the EoC showed how the Gospel also renews the world of economy. In the evening everyone vented their talents: a cute talent show, with games, comedy and song. On the day dedicated to “love” Fr. Andrea Patane spoke of the discovery of love and it implications, as it was intuited and lived by Chiara Lubich and her companions; Fr. Jacopo Papi related the experience of Chiara Luce to that of young consecrated religious; and Fr. Donato Cauzzo, Secretary of the Prefect of the Congregation for Religious, highlighted the power of the Spirit which pushes the charisms to live in communion so that the face of Christ shine even more. 
On the day dedicated to “light” there was the testimony of Silvia who had lived the Gen experience together with Chiara Luce: the experience of Lorenza from the New Families group; the experience of Giuliano, the bar man at the coffee bar and great friend of Chiara Luce; and a moment of intense prayer at the tomb of the young Blessed. Friar Andrea, from the Franciscan Missionary Brothers, offered a summary of the 5 days together: “It was a moment of Heaven that was much more than expected. How the Lord and Chiara Luce have transformed us during these days! And lively was the communion among us, in spite of the diversity of our callings!” They left with this desire for communion, to carry to many the “torch” that Chiara Luce wanted to hand on to the youth. Their next appointment is for Loppiano 2014.
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27 Aug 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
On the 17th Day for Peace, 70 Christians and Jews met for two days of dialogue and study at the Focolare’s permanent Mariapolis in Argentina (August 8, 2013 – August 19, 2013).
This year’s theme: “Love of neighbour in the Jewish and Christian traditions.” The programme opened with the testimonies of 6 Jews and 3 Christians who had attended an interreligious gathering organized by the Focolare at Castelgandolfo, Italy, last May. Their experiences highlighted the important steps being taken towards greater mutual understanding.
What is the secret of the success and continuity of this Day for Peace? The participants answer: “It offers a space for sincere sharing that is governed by fraternal affection and mutual respect, in which you are certain of the trust, listening and acceptance by the others.”
There were many salient moments. The first everyone remembers was the encounter with Pope Francis that aroused great emotion.
Focolarina theologian Lidia Erbetta, and Rabbi Silvina Chemen from the Beth El community, then presented a study on chapter 4 of the Book of Genesis. This chapter presents the well-known story of Cain and Abel and that fateful question: “Where is your brother?” Erbetta and Chemen proposed a group dynamic along the lines of the hevruta; that is, a study among equals, according to the tradition of the Talmud for the examination of Biblical texts. But this hevruta was not between only two people but six members of a communion and study group, and was followed by reflections from the presenters.
The same scheme was followed on the second day, this time with Francesco Canzani from the Focolare, and Rabbi Ernesto Yattah, who examined the Gospel text of Mark 12:29-33: the Gospel text in which Jesus recalls that what counts most is to love God and neighbour.
The Day of Peace concluded with a blessing at the olive tree that had been brought from Nazareth 15 years ago by Jewish friend, Ignazio Salzberg. This tree has become a symbol of Jewish-Christian dialogue at Mariapolis Lia.
This year again many spoke of the enthusiasm created by the meeting, the fruit of mutual and respectful dialogue, and the desire to go on living it in each individual’s daily social context.
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26 Aug 2013 | Focolare Worldwide
Africa, the Middle East was the cradle of great civilizations and 3 monotheistic religions. For thousands of years these lands held a very noticeable influence on Asia Minor and the European Mediterranean. Egyptians, Assyrians, Babylonians, Hittites, Phoenicians, Persians, Greeks, Arabs and Turks have let an indelible mark through their culture, art and religions. Judaism, Christianity and Islam were begun in this region, and it was here in Jerusalem that their holy city is found.
November 27, 1999 in Jordan is a day that will forever remain an unforgettable day for the members of the Focolare in these lands. Founder Chiara Lubich visited the Middle East and met some thousand members of the Focolare in Amman. They came from more than 20 countries (from the Middle East and beyond), some travelling over 20 hours by bus, others in airplanes, and overcoming impossible obstacles. A thousand people representing the more than 25,000 people who belong to the Movement in those lands. On that occasion, Chiara said to the crowd: “It’s wonderful to be with you. We are many peoples, but in this hall we are one.”
Two days later, on November 29, during the 7th Assembly of the World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP), which was held in Amman, during her speech, Chiara Lubich presented the “Art of Loving” including the aspect of loving everyone without distinction, taking the initiative in loving, putting yourself in the other person’s shoes and remembering that every human being has made in the image and likeness o God. She offered as an effective way of building peace among individuals and peoples.
On August 28, 2013, the current president and co-president of the Focolare, Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti, are expected to meet with the Focolare community in Jordan. Their visit will last through September 1, 2013 and is seen as an important and delicate encounter, considering the latest painful events in that region, especially in Egypt.
At the WCRP Assembly in 1999, Chiara Lubich had stated: “We are here today because we believe that in spite of everything,, peace is still possible. In fact it is the only path for a future that is worthy of the highest human values.” Perhaps these words are the key or understanding the upcoming visit of the Focolare president in Jordan.
![Appeal for Syria]()
25 Aug 2013 | Focolare Worldwide, Senza categoria
“We are pleased and grateful for this honour,” commented Gerhard Pross, spokesperson of the German project committee. “For us this provides a further boost that the spirit of “Together for Europe” – communion and Christian values – might shine more in society and in the Churches.” Past award winners have included ex-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl; Polish Archbishop Emeritus Alfons Nossol; and the Community of St. Egidio. 
“Together for Europe” began in Ottmaring, Germany on the day of the signing of the historic “Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification” (October 31, 1999). On that same day several Catholic and Evangelical Movements and New Communities were gathered at the Ecumenical Centre of Ottmaring to begin living the Gospel together. Gradually, “Together for Europe” emerged as “a free encounter between Christian movements – Catholics, Evangelicals, members of the Reformed Church, Anglicans and Orthodox. While remaining autonomous they act together on set occasions, offering the contribution of their particular charism and spirituality.” Their principle objective is to work together at “incrementing Europe’s Christian soul”. The St Ulrich Award was instituted in 1993 by the European St. Ulrich Foundation in Dillingen, the birthplace of the saint, on the thousandth anniversary of his beatification. There is a strong push in this city and the surrounding region to work for peace and for the building of a Europe founded on Christian values. The award is conferred every two years on individuals, projects or institutions involved in the political, religious, cultural, scientific, economic or social sphere for the unity of Europe in accordance with the spirit of St Ulrich. In the reasons set out for the 2014 Award it is stated that: “the Together for Europe network is committed to the promotion of a culture of communion and to a supportive community in Europe founded upon Christian values. It favours the development of freedom and humanitarian efforts which have been undermined by the financial and economic crises in Europe”. Endowed with 10,000 Euro, the Award will be given to the “Together for Europe” International Guidance Committee in May 2014 in Dillingen.
