Nairobi: Meeting of Bishop Friends of the Focolare

4 Jun 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

“An opportunity to live brotherhood among us bishops, to deepen relationships of true friendship: this is the reason for the meeting”. This is how Archbishop Boniface Lele of Mobasa, Kenya introduced the meeting. Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala, Archbishop Emeritus of Kampala, Uganda, echoed his words saying: “To rediscover our task at the service of society, let us try to understand together God’s design on us. During these days we can feel how much He calls us precisely to unity, which is the charism of Chiara Lubich.” The first thing the bishops did when they arrived at the Focolare little town “Piero”, was to make the commitment to practise “the art of Christian loving” among themselves in order to have the presence of the Risen One in their midst. “It will be the Risen Jesus who will enlighten and who will give us the gifts of the Spirit,” said Cardinal Miloslav Vlk, convenor of the meeting. This same lifestyle is shared by more than 1000 bishops throughout the world, which is inspired by the “spirituality of communion”. Bishop Salutaris Libena, auxilliary bishop of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, immediately affirms: “I’ve come to learn to serve, to love concretely. This is a way of life which fills the heart, which gives supernatural joy.” Bishop Salesius Mugambi, Bishop of Meru, Kenya remarks: “In a serene and joyful atmosphere, we reflected and delved more deeply into the spirituality of communion. We listened to updatings, shared joys and sorrows, but also enjoyed moments of relaxation.” These sentiments were shared by Archbishop Damiao Franklin of Luanda, Angola: “These were days spent in sincerity toward God and toward our brothers.” There were several moments for the sharing of experiences, both personal and pastoral, with a look at some of the challenges that the African continent must face: conflicts and violence, poverty, corruption; all challenges in which the members of the Movement are immersed, and which they want to respond to by living the spirituality of communion, which leads them to be workers of peace and unity in the environments in which they live.   South African Bishop Patrick Mvemve of Klerksdorp, shared about his first contact with the Focolare during the period of the apartheid, as a young priest: “Having met two priests who truly lived the Gospel with facts, without giving a lot of speeches, I became curious. And so one day they spoke to me of Jesus crucified and abandoned. In that moment I was “healed” of my prejudices and became an apostle of unity. Another topic that was discussed was “the educational emergency”. The experiences of forming priests in the “spirituality of communion” was recognized by the bishops as “one of the valid contributions being made to the Church of today. At the conclusion of the meeting, the bishops wanted to formulate a “pact” of mutual love, declaring their desire to continue taking care of each other once they had returned to their diocese. Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Umtata, South Africa, summarizes the experience they had: “I leave enthusiastic with a life programme. I pray the Holy Spirit will guide me to put it into practice in the daily reality of every day.” Meetings for Bishop Friends of the Focolare take place in various geographic locations around the world, which are inspired by the “spirituality of communion” proposed by John Paul II and practiced by the Focolare Movement since its began. Following the gathering in Kenya, similar events will take place in Madagascar and in Cameroon, in the Philippines, the Middle East and Europe. [nggallery id=49]

Jews and Christians Desiring Unity

2 Jun 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

On 22 May, the Focolare’s little town in Mexico – “El Diamante” – was awaiting the appointment with Christians and Jews united in a sign of living dialogue among people who desire to rediscover their common roots. They are our “big brothers”, said John Paul II using an expression which has now become famous. And “What might happen,” asked Chiara Lubich, “as we deepen the brotherly relationship between us, Jews and Christians, who share the patrimony of the Bible, in what we call the Old Testament?” Today the relationship continues to develop in the Focolare Movement, upon this basis and the dialogue between Christians and Jews continues. The day at Acatzingo is an example. Following a brief introduction, focused on the discovery of God Love as the basis of our brotherhood, along with moments from the history of the Focolare in its dialogue with the Jewish world, Liviu Bleier, president of the new B’nai B’rith of Mexico, stressed that “the best religion is the one that is the closest to God” and he expressed his appreciation and joy for this occasion of mutual exchange. The group, composed of 23 people belonging to the Jewish faith from Mexico City and friends of the Focolare, visited the workshops and the school linked to the Mariapolis Centre, located in a rural setting, with the aim of training people in loving and forgiving, a culture of life and of giving. The inhabitants of the Mariapolis, youths, adults and children, presented an overview of a Christian witness in daily life, which was much appreciated by the guests. The ceremony around the olive tree – a symbol of peace, and a symbol common to Christians and Jews alike – was a moment of importance which brought out dimensions of the brotherhood among all: “Thank you for the way in which you welcomed us – said one of the attendees – for the spirit of brotherhood, as if you knew us for a long time. It makes me realize that we must be humble and at the service of others, to change ourselves and the world. ” The next appointment is set for 21 – 24 August in Buenos Aires, for another Jewish-Christian symposium, following the one last year in Jerusalem.

كلمة حياة شهر يونيو 2011

1 Jun 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

(ومُرْضي وكامل”. (رومية 12، 2

نقرأ هذه الآية في الجزء الثاني من رسالة القدّيس بولس إلى أهل رومية. فيها يصف القدّيس بولس سلوك الإنسان المسيحي على أنه تعبير عن الحياة الجديدة، والمحبّة الحقيقيّة، والفرح الحقيقي، والحرية الحقيقيّة التي وهبنا إياها المسيح. إنها الحياة المسيحيّة، إنه

طريقة جديدة تجعلنا، بنور وقوّة الروح القدس، نواجه الواجبات والمشاكل المختلفة التي قد تعترضنا. في هذه الآية، المرتبطة بشكل وثيق بالآية السابقة، يعلن الرسول عن الهدف والسلوك الأصيل اللذَيْن يجب أن تتّسم بهما كل تصرّفاتنا، وهما أن نجعل من حياتنا تمجيداً لله، وفعل محبّة دائم على مرّ الزمن، باحثين باستمرار عن إرادته وعمّا هو مرضي ومقبول لديه. ولا تتشبّهوا بهذا الدهر بل تغيّروا بتجديد عقولكم، لكي تميّزوا ما هو مشيئة الله، أي ما هو صالح ومُرْضي وكامل”. من المؤكّد أنه علينا أن نعرف قبل كل شيء ما هي إرادة الله، لنتمكّن من تحقيقها. ولكن القدّيس بولس لا يخفي علينا صعوبة هذا الأمر، إذ لا نستطيع أن نعرف جيّداً مشيئة الله من دون نور خاص يساعدنا على تمييز ما يريده منّا الرب في كل موقف، فنتجنّب الأوهام والأخطاء التي قد نقع فيها بسهولة. إنها موهبة من مواهب الروح القدس، تُدعى “التمييز”، والتي لا بدّ منها لبناء عقليّة مسيحيّة حقيقيّة عند كل واحد منّا. ولا تتشبّهوا بهذا الدهر بل تغيّروا بتجديد عقولكم، لكي تميّزوا ما هو مشيئة الله، أي ما هو صالح ومُرْضي وكامل”. ولكن ما العمل لإكتساب هذه الموهبة المهمّة إلى هذا الحد وتنميتها؟ مطلوب منّا من دون شك معرفة جيّدة للعقيدة المسيحيّة. ولكنّها وحدها لا تكفي؟ كما يقترح علينا الرسول بولس، إنها مسألة حياة وسخاء وإندفاع لعيْش كلمة يسوع، تاركين جانباً مخاوفنا وشكوكنا وحساباتنا الضيّقة. إنها مسألة إستعداد وإسراع في إتمام مشيئة الله. إنها الدرب التي تسمح لنا باكتساب نور الروح القدس وببناء العقليّة الجديدة التي تطلبها منّا هذه الآية. ولا تتشبّهوا بهذا الدهر بل تغيّروا بتجديد عقولكم، لكي تميّزوا ما هو مشيئة الله، أي ما هو صالح ومُرْضي وكامل”. كيف نعيش إذًا كلمة الحياة لهذا الشهر؟ فلنسعَ لنستحق نحن أيضاً النور اللازم لإتمام مشيئة الله علينا بطريقة جيّدة. ولنقترح على أنفسنا أن نتعمّق بمعرفة أفضل لإرادته علينا، كما تعبّر عنها كلمته وتعاليم الكنيسة وواجبات كلٍّ منا وإلتزاماتنا إلخ… ولكن، سنركّز أكثر من ذلك كله على طريقة العيْش، لأنه كما سبق وقلنا، من الحياة والحب يشعّ النور الحقيقي. فيسوع يتجلّى للإنسان الذي يحبّه إذ يعيش عمليّاً وصاياه (يو21,14). هكذا بإتمام مشيئة الله، سوف ننجح في أن نقدّم له أجمل هدية. هديّة مرضيّة لديه ليس فقط بسبب المحبّة التي تحملها، بل أيضاً بفضل النور وثمار تجدُّد الحياة المسيحيّة، التي سوف تولد من حولنا.

كيارا لوبيك (أغسطس 1993)

The Grain of Wheat Gang

31 May 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Tininha Cavalcanti

Tininha with Chiara Lubich

Gen4 Congresses in Philippines!

30 May 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

This year saw important novelties in the Gen4 world. There were two major events for the Philippine Gen4. The first was in Cebu – a Philippine island surrounded by 167 smaller islands – where sixty-eight Gen4 gathered with Gen4 from other islands. The second was in Tagaytay near Manila, where the Focolare’s little town in Asia stands. Seventy-five Gen4 gathered together there for their conferences with Christian Heisendorff from the World Gen Center in Rome, Italy. There was great attention to the main topic: The Golden Thread of God’s Love in the Old Testament, from Abraham to Moses. And then the life of Chiara Lubich – from whom the Gen4 were also born – as a loving response to the will of God. A fascinating story: her “great adventure”, as Chiara herself described it to the Gen4 in 1988, when at the Holy House of Loreto she understood her calling. It was a luminous discovery for all the children present: Doing the will of God truly makes life an adventure! The games, skits, songs and, especially the modern and traditional dances – in this atmosphere of mutual love helped to create a beautiful atmosphere. The children no longer wanted to leave! The Gen4 came from families of diverse social backgrounds, some in very difficult situations – but we are truly a family and seeing their need urged our hearts to search for new ways to provide them with at least the necessities of life, through the adoption at a distance programme and other projects developed by the Focolare Movement. The words of the children: “I was happy during this congress. I learned many things. I learned to love.” “A child struck me. It hurt very much and I cried, but then the child apologized and so I accepted and forgave. I was no longer angry and we are already friends again.” “Jesus, thank you for letting me go to Tagaytay. Thank you also for the blessings you gave to us, for my new friends. Thank you for my family and friends. Thanks also for the girl who lent me her slippers. And even if the other one bothered me so much, I love her just the same. . .”. Gen4 Centre

Economy of Communion: the future is here

30 May 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Economy for the Future. Seventeen youths from different parts of the world read their in their own languages, their message to the world, which they had written together – “From San Paolo to the World” – a real work plan.: “May the economy of 2031 be one of communion, for all of us”. It shows what they believe in, what the dare to hope for, but it is also the result of the journey they have already taken up together. The seventeen hundred attendees at the meeting “The Prophecy Makes History. Twenty Years For the Economy of Communion” listened with deep attention and interest to the convictions and requests made by the youths who have lost patience with the capitalistic reasonings. “We youths of San Paolo in May 2011, with our roots in May 1991, but more than ever responsible for the economy and the world in 2031, believe that the EoC came on earth in this Brazilian land twenty years ago, also to increase and make our hope come true.” Their openly-proclaimed ideality was the seal on the reflections of the experts and the testimonies of entrepreneurs that marked this meeting, which was the closing act of the assembly, with 650 participants from 37 countries during the previous four days. What a happy choice it was to hold this great appointment of the EoC in Brazil. The assembly took place within the framework of Mariapolis Ginetta, 50 kilometres south of San Paolo, precisely in the place where Chiara Lubich shared her intuitions for the first time, intuitions which grew and increased in her after having seen the sorrowful circle of favelas encircling the great skyscrapers of the great metropolises of San Paolo. Not less significant was the decision to link the gathering of 29 May in the Simon Bolivar Auditorium in the America Latina Memorial, a centre, which was the idea of the great architect Niemeyer. It is meant to favor closer relationships between the peoples of the continent, through art. The EoC has “the potential to change economic life from within, not only of the businesses, but also the families, the finance instituties, and economic politics,” pointed out Maria Voce, president of the Focolare, during her closing address. Remember to keep an underlying condition in mind: “The EoC will have new momentum if it sets its horizons on a united world and it will be able to move the hearts, actions, and enthusiasm of those who are drawn to bet their lives on great ideals.” Then she had no doubt that “a new season of creativity will come, one in which everyone of you will be a protagonist in this great appointment with history.

Luigino Bruni