Solidarity: Thailand, Turkey, Italy
Given the situation of great emergency in some zones in the world, particularly in Thailand, following the great floods, in Turkey owing to the violent earthquake, and in the North and Centre of Italy because of the inundations, we made contact as soon as possible with the members of the Focolari in the respective zones. From Bangkok: “We are living in a situation of suspension. Many parts of the city are already inundated. Many have already gone out of the city also because drinking water and food are scarce and there is no electricity. We know that many of our families have their house inundated. In the north, where they have been under water for more than a month, we know catholic schools that need help to repair the structures, once the flood is over. The youths of the Movement have undertaken several initiatives to collect money for the basic necessities. They went to distribute it in the largest camp for those hit by the floods.” From Istanbul: “The zone that has been hit is amongst the most (if not the most) poor in Turkey, and it is already an effort also to just send the children to school that is obligatory, besides providing the books and various materials, and the school uniform. Without mentioning the basic necessities that the people need in ordinary life; imagine after an earthquake!” From Piedmont, Liguria, and Tuscany: many from the Focolari have given aid together with all the volonteers. The Consorzio Tassano, a firm of the Economy of Communion, went to the place, owners and workers together, to unite themselves to the wave of solidarity and the enormous efforts to reduce the damages. Now, after the first aids that have already arrived, a worldwide action has been initiated to gather funds by all the youths of the Movement and whoever wishes to participate, to confront the necessities of the persons who live in these zones. It is possible to send the sum that is collected by bank draft, to these accounts: Current Account of the central secretariat of Youths for a united world (GMU) Specify the cause of the transaction. The Account name: PIA ASSOCIAZIONE MASCHILE OPERA DI MARIA Via Frascati 306, Rocca di Papa, 00040 Roma, Italia Address of the bank: INTESA SAN PAOLO FILIALE DI GROTTAFERRATA VIA DELLE SORGENTI, 128 00046 GROTTAFERRATA (ROMA) ITALY IBAN CODE FOR NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IBAN IT04 M030 6939 1401 0000 0640 100 BIC BCITITMM For information: www.mondounito.net
Thousands attended the annual Gathering of Catholic Dutch Youth, which is held every 6 November by the Catholic Bishops Conference in collaboration with various Movements. It had the style of a rock concert with its fast rhythm, loud music, enjoyment, but also serious reflection. The Catholic identity, which is a minority in Holland, was powerfully emphasized. Between one religious song and another, a priest was interviewed and then it was Maria Voce’s turn. A small group of Gen went on stage with her and asked her some questions. Their questions were concerned more with unity than diversity: “Before belonging to this Church or to that Church, what comes first is that we are all children of God, and therefore brothers and sisters.” Maria Voce recalled when she first met the Movement and how it struck her: “This isn’t an organization, but a life: If you live the Gospel, you belong to the group.” More songs were followed by an interview with the bishop who has been serving the Dutch youth for twelve years and is now handing this post over to one of his auxiliary bishops (who also interviewed). Then there was a video about World Youth Day and a half-hour of Radio Maria, which has begun transmitting in Holland. This was followed by Mass, workshops, and visiting stands. Many expressed emotion, but there were also many who are seriously engaged in offering a living testimony of that “fire” that was day’s theme, which today was being rekindled or lit for the first time. The presenter would repeat it: “Let’s make fire!” That afternoon Maria Voce met at Marienkroon with Focolare members from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland. “We had always dreamed that Chiara Lubich would visit our lands, but she didn’t manage it. Now this is an historical moment for us.” With these words they offered their warm welcome to Maria Voce (and the Nordic people are said to be cold!). They told of their difficulties and conquests especially in the field of ecumenism. Maria Voce thanked them for their fidelity and encouraged them saying: “We must arrive at becoming a universal family. But let us always remember that we don’t make dialogue between religions but between people. For example, at the recent meeting among religions in Assisi, I experienced a great joy, because nearly everyone there, from different religions, knew the Movement and offered me their testimonies and their appreciation. Certainly we will always run into differences that will never be overcome, but we can always accept each other completely, loving one another as we are. And I must testify to the fact that in 2011 I was surprised to find people from other religions no longer standing on the outside, in dialogue with us, but standing together with us giving witness to the ideal of unity.” Everything ended with songs, photos, greetings and a promise to meet again soon, perhaps in one of the Nordic countries! The final moment of the day, was the encounter with the inhabitants of Marienkroon, especially the pioneers of the little town whose willingness to leave everything made Marienkroon possible. People who never held a microphone in their hand were now standing on stage and sharing very personal things: “I work in this little town for the people who come here and say: ‘How beautiful it is here.’ And so that they can find God, because God is beautiful.” Marienkroon: a unique little town, a town built with hearts. By Giulio Meazzini
The prefabricated structure set up on a lawn at the 
4 November: The first day of Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti in the little town of Marienkroon began at a meeting with some Catholic bishops from Holland and Iceland. They had a frank and open discussion how to give testimony to the faith in today’s secularized society. In the years following the Second Vatican Council, in the Netherlands, a so-called “polarization” entered the field, increasing incomprehension between “conservative” and “progressive” Catholics. The situation only began to improve in the 1990’s, thanks also to the collaboration between young people from different movements and youth directors in the diocese. With regard to ecumenism the situation has changed for the better compared to the 1960’s when Catholics and Protestants had almost no contact at all. Now a process of reconciliation is underway that will hopefully soon lead to a day of reconciliation. Together for Europe is partnering in this endeavor. In spite of this, due to the sexual abuse scandals, there has been an increase in apathy and indifference toward religion. “This challenges us to work together, because no one movement is able to change things on its own,” affirmed Maria Voce. “Each Movement responds with the particular gift it has received. For us, it is unity, which we should help to bring among the movements.” According to Bishop De Jong, the Focolare town could include a school run by the Focolare, which is founded on love of neighbor and open to all, which could help form the youths of today’s Netherlands who are only given the atmosphere of a secularized culture to breathe. Maria Voce responded by saying that more than only one school, there would be need for teachers in every school who incarnate the Gospel in their own lives. But the feasibility of such a proposal will have to be examined by the Movement in the Netherlands. In the afternoon there was a meeting with representatives from different sections of the Movement and its communities in Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland and Holland, which gave Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti an up-to-date picture of the situation in these countries. Cultures and peoples who are different from each other, yet “each rejoices for what the others are doing as if it were its own. Each time I reach a new country and the airplane begins its descent,” the president continued, “I get a lump in my throat as I think of the brothers and sisters who are there waiting to celebrate our arrival. We are such lucky people to be able to experience this gift of God which is the family of the Movement in every country of the world.” Finally, after dinner, there was a face-to-face discussion with 25 Gen concerning the upcoming “Catholic Youth Day,” which is being promoted by the Bishops Conference in cooperation with the youths of the Focolare and other Movements. The future of the Focolare lies here among these youths who are being summoned all over the Netherlands to tell the story of Chiara Luce Badano, the first young person of the Movement to reach the glory of the altars. By Giulio Meazzini 
The Focolare town in Holland is located a half hour’s drive away from Eindhoven Airport and is called 
They toured the complex which often welcomes groups of school children and associations who are interested in the place and the life that dwells within these walls. The cultural events that regularly take place on the grounds are deeply appreciated by the people of the area. Each year a large book fair is held, a week-long vacation for teenagers from the region, a plant auction and various spiritual gatherings. Marienkroon draws people of all kinds: young people and adults, Christians, people belonging to other religions or without any religious affiliation. After searching for ten years, in 2001 the Focolare Movement purchased the property from the Cistercians at the symbolic cost of 1 euro. Two Cistercian fathers still live here, together with Cardinal Simonis. All three are close friends of the Movement. Many projects are foreseen for the coming years in order to modernize this Focolare town, to make it functional and corresponding to the prophetic words of 
I have a very positive impression. It especially makes me think of John Paul II and