24 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
As previously announced on this website, the EoC International Assembly will be held in Mariapoli Ginetta in celebration of the Economy of Communion’s 20th anniversary. The project was launched by Chiara Lubich in Brazil in May 1991. Preparations for this much-awaited important event began in December 2007, when it was first announced at the end of the EoC International Congress in Castelgandolfo. program invitation EoC International Assembly The Assembly is open to people who are already involved in the project. This includes EoC protagonists, entrepreneurs, workers, researchers and students who are passionate about the EoC. For registration (by March 31, 2011), the form is available on the website: http://www.cmginetta.org.br. (see note below)1. The event will be both a celebration and a time for reflection. With the next 20 years in mind, it will be a 
chance to examine the necessary steps to continue believing in and living an Economy of Communion. It is an occasion to understand how the seeds that we sow today can grow and bear fruits for tomorrow. The four days of the Assembly will be characterized by a principal theme given each morning. Each theme will be presented by a different presentors. Among them are Alberto Ferrucci (Twenty years of EoC: A love story between heaven and earth), Vera Araujo (What idea of the person can be found at the roots of the EoC?), Genevieve Sanze (The challenges of development and poverty) and Luigino Bruni (On our way towards 2031). The talks will be followed by a panel to discuss the following topics: The entrepreneur and the enterprise, Poverty and development, Institutional aspects and Cultural dimensions. Experiences and best practices will be shared afterwards. The afternoon will be dedicated to working groups, dialogues, round-table discussions and a visit to Spartaco Business Park. Documents which will be presented and conferred in the Assembly are being prepared in these months. They include The EoC Identification Card, the new Guidelines to conducting an EoC Business and “For a new economic response of communion,” a document addressing civil society and politics. Parallel to the Assembly, an international group of scholars is organizing a research workshop entitled,“EoC Research Workshop – Economy of Communion: Towards a new economic culture. Recent Research. The last day for the electronic submission of the call for papers is April 4, 2011. 
The concluding day on May 29 will be open to the public. Those who would like to participate ONLY on this last day should register through this link: Open Day registration. A discounted rate will apply to registrations made by April 20, after which, the full registration price applies. 1-Important note for the Assembly registration. Attention! The only valid form to register for the whole period is the one protected by a password found on Mariapoli Ginetta’s website: http://www.cmginetta.org.br The reference people of the local EoC commissions have access to the reserved area where the password to access the registration form is available. The other form found in the link above, which can be accessed without a password is for those who intend to participate solely on the Open Day.
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23 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
“Islam is a challenge for the Church. What contacts does the Movement have with muslims?”, asked Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, archbishop of Montreal. “From which authors did your founder draw inspiration for the spirituality of communion?”, asked Mons Paul-André Durocher, bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall, a diocese on the border of Ontario and Quebec. These were two questions that began a lively conversation.
At the well-appointed Centre International in rue Grenet, in snowy Montreal, seven Canadian bishops met Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti. The chosen theme was the spirituality of communion, a fundamental aspect of Chiara Lubich’s charism.
A young person shares her experience
Maria Voce was introduced by Mons Luc Cyr, Bishop of Valleyfield, and she outlined key features of Focolare’s spirituality, emphasising that it is “a mature fruit of the charism of unity”, based on several important ideas: the discovery of God as Love,its initial spark; love for one’s brother or sister to the point of giving one’s life, its humus; mutual love, the heart of the Gospel, the principal commandment of the spirituality of communion; unity, something to be strived for always and everywhere; Jesus Forsaken, the model to be imitated in building up the one human family.
And the questions – on secularisation, on the younger generations – quickly followed. They provided an opportunity to hear about the fruits of the spirituality. Giancarlo Faletti, co president of the Focolare Movement, gave several examples, and spoke of the Year for Priests and about Maria Voce’s recent journey to the Holy Land. Testimonies included that of a local parish priest, a married couple, a teen girl, and the director of an Economy of Communion business. The influence of the spirituality of communion in each of these was loud and clear.
A married couple give their testimony
“An attitude of reciprocal welcome and humble acceptance enabled a deep encounter of communion between institution and charism to take place. The joy on the faces of those present underlined how successful this was”, Maria Voce commented later. On the previous day, before leaving Toronto, the Focolare president had paid a visit to Archbishop Thomas Collins. The archbishop repeatedly underlined the valuable contribution that the Movement is making to his very cosmopolitan diocese.
From the capital of Ontario (mainly English speaking) to Montreal, Quebec (French speaking) was a journey north westwards of 540 kilometers, on a motorway that passed through mist shrouded forests. In Montreal the mist had gone, and it began to snow just as Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti arrived. A better welcome could not have been organised.
Paolo Lòriga
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23 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
Commemorations held in every language and by representatives of every religious creed. Tributes paid by Christians, Jews and Muslims, from Venezuela to Burundi, from Australia to Vietnam. All around the world people from different backgrounds- from Apostolic Nuncios to children, young people and families- gave thanks for the charism passed on by Chiara. In a family atmosphere they all renewed their commitment to bringing her dream ahead, to witnessing the fulfilment of Jesus’ prayer to the Father: “Mat they all be one”. In Caracas the Apostolic Nuncio commented, “The song, this hymn of joy and gratitude in Chiara’s heart on her lips since that 14th March 2008, will last for all of eternity”. During the mass concelebrated by 4 bishops and 12 priests, attended by members of various ecclesial movements, the Nuncio indicated the path to follow. “If in a city like Caracas, the fire that Jesus brought to earth was lit and if, thanks to the good will of all citizens, it resisted the world’s chill, in a short time our city would be set ablaze by the love of God.” Peru, San Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua- just some of the Latin American countries that held commemoration events. “The homilies at all the masses spoke of ‘sainthood’ and of ‘a charism for the whole Church’- a sign that by now the spirituality is well-known and appreciated”, remarked Martita and Gustavo from San Salvador. This need to celebrate Chiara’s life went beyond the boundaries of the Catholic Church. In Tucuman, northern Argentina, Christians from various churches met with Jews and Muslims for an interreligious meeting dedicated to Chiara. “I didn’t meet her in person but I’ve seen the fruits of her work”, said Rabbi Salomon Nusbaumm referring to the Focolare’s founder, “And good fruit is a sign of a good tree. May God welcome Chiara with all the righteous”. The Focolare’s local community in Quito (Ecuador) wrote, “The tragedy in Japan and the risk of a tsunami here were like reminders from the Eternal Father to focus on the essential”. In San José (Costa Rica) the local community organised a “town fair” with stalls exhibiting the ‘fruits’ of Chiara’s charism with music and performance to attract passers-by. There were open days held all around Brazil for Chiara’s anniversary: from Mariapolis Ginetta (near San Paolo) to Porto Alegre and Mariapolis Santa Maria (near Recife). “In 35 cities with the participation of a total of 4,273 people, we commemorated the third year of Chiara’s arrival in Paradise”, they wrote. Across the ocean in Cebu (Philippians) Archbishop José Palma participated at the commemoration event, attending the daylong program in its entirety. Referring to Chiara Luce Badano’s recent beatification, he expressed his wish that in two years time a beatification process for Chiara Lubich may begin. Chiara’s life was also celebrated in Bangkok, Vietnam and Myanmar. In India there were events in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Goa. “The Nuncio began the mass at his residence by asking for a grace for everyone: to be like Chiara, witnesses of love, with strength and courage, so as to give light to everyone as she did”, wrote the local Focolare directors from Mumbai. News arrived from as far away as Medan (Indonesia): “The atmosphere was beautiful; you could feel that Chiara was alive. The joy experienced by everyone was tangible- there was a true sense of gratitude for being her sons and daughters, part of this extraordinary family.” From New Caledonia to New Zealand, in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, Chiara’s anniversary was a “moment of God”, they wrote from the Focolare Centre in Australia. Concluding this worldwide tour, we arrive in Africa. The message that arrived from Bujumbura in Burundi reads, “Chiara was with us, she was at the centre of the celebration. It was touching to see such a large number of people present, many of whom had known Chiara but lost touch with the Movement through the years. The 800 participants at the event in Mariapolis Piero (Kenya) were above all young people. The words on everyone’s lips were “joy, renewal, a sainthood open to everyone”. They wrote, “We want to continue to bring ahead Chiara’s mission: that in our arms we can bring this piece of the world to God”. Across Congo, Chiara’s 3rd anniversary was celebrated by many: Kinshasa (700), Kikwit (2000), Lubumbashi, (400), Goma (200) e Bukavu (100). The common characteristic of these events was Chiara’s strong presence and a true desire to change and sanctify everyday environments. The mayor of Nzinda expressed his gratitude for the invitation to the event held there: “I discovered a treasure in the life and work of the Movement. It’s essential to the fulfilment of universal brotherhood which can eliminate injustice and anti-values present in Congolese society”.
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23 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
Franz Kronreif and Claretta Dal Rì are in Paris representing the Focolare Movement a week before another much awaited event: “Humanism, dialogue, fraternity– Chiara Lubich’s legacy”.
Sorbonne University, the Academie Française and UNESCO are hosts of the international convention that officially inaugurates “The Court of the Gentiles”. The idea for this permanent centre for exchange between members of the world’s religions and those with no religious affiliation came directly from Benedict XVI.
Dialogue between believers and non-believers was launched by the Vatican within the Pontifical Council for Culture.
The centre’s name took it’s inspiration from the space in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem where non-Jews, members of other religions and agnostics gathered.
The new centre is already up and running and has had its first meeting organised by the University of Bologna for dialogue among lay people. The “Court of Gentiles” is not a place for institutional debates, nor is it an attempt to create a common doctrine: it’s a space for dialogue.
Paris, emblem of secularisation, hosts the event. This new Vatican initiative aims at fostering an open exchange between believers and non-believers on issues relating to faith. “Dialogue implies exchange on rigorous issues; it must respect identity and avoid syncretism and vague corcordisms”, Mons. Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, explains.
Many well-known intellectuals and public figures have already shown support for this project characterised by respect, openness to everyone and a spirit of full freedom. Representing the Focolare for the inauguration in Paris are Claretta Dal Rì and Franz Kronreif, directors at the Movement’s international centre for dialogue with people of no religious affiliation.
This Parisian event takes place in the midst of preparations for another important meeting for believers and non-believers united by the ideal of universal brotherhood: “Humanism, dialogue, fraternity– Chiara Lubich’s legacy” will take place in Castel Gandolfo from 1st– 3rd April with international participation.
For further information: www.incamminodialogando.blogspot.com
http://incamminodialogando.blogspot.com/2011/03/evitare-il-fondamentalismo-e-il.html
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22 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
In Canada, one of the biggest countries in the world, distances are measured in flying hours. Vancouver and Toronto are five hours apart, the same as from Rome to Mecca. That’s one reason why the meeting on Sunday March 20 will be remembered for a long time. It was a gathering of representatives of Focolare communities from all over Canada, coming from the great metropolises as well as cities like Whitehorse, in the sparsely populated territories close to the glaciers of Alaska.
That explains the air of excitement at Michael Power High School, where people from the community in West Coast Vancouver were meeting those from Toronto and Montreal in the East for the first time. This was a first for everyone, ever since the movement first came to Canada, and the reason was the presence of Maria Voce the president.
An inspiring parade of what each city had to offer was evidence of the mature fruits of the movement here over several decades, and helped to demonstrate just how rooted it is in this country. It brings people together – something very clear from the afternoon’s musical interludes – from very diverse backgrounds and from many fields of activity.
Many immigrants courageously starting again from scratch have discovered a wider family, the spiritual family of Focolare. At the same time a remarkable solidarity has developed (also through French as a common language) with the distant Caribbean island of Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. Many social projects on the island are supported by the movement’s communities in Canada.
The central part of the day was the meeting with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti. Eighty minutes of questions and answers, touching many themes: interfaith dialogue, our relationship with young people, the life of the movement after the founder, the communion of goods. And all of this against a background of a society profoundly influenced by a secular culture.
“Even though the movement was born in a context with a strong religious tradition, it was sent by the Holy Spirit as a response for our times”, copresident Giancarlo Faletti reminded us. “Secularism has made us feel less secure, but that is an invitation to respond to it, to become active heralds of the Gospel, as bearers of something new and revolutionary.”
The mass, celebrated for the third anniversary of Chiara Lubich’s death, and presided by Bishop William McGrattan, was the grand finale for the day. “In this commemoration of Chiara,” Maria Voce reminded everyone, “we are celebrating the steps towards a united world taken here today in Canada.”
from our correspondent Paolo Lòriga
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20 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide
It was fascinating to see the surprise on the faces of the young people of the Movement. Most of the fifty or so of their peers who had come for their first encounter with the spirituality of unity had formed an orderly line so they could speak with Maria Voce. They sought her out after hearing her responses to their questions. This was not just a show of good manners, they were moved by the desire to say something personal to this white haired lady, of the same generation of their grandmothers, about the things she had touched inside them.
“Thank you for having given me the meaning of suffering,” said a student of Philippine origin. And Cheryl, with her blonde hair and blue eyes, added: “You explained in such a simple way how I can overcome suffering with love, that I had to say, “I can do it.” “The life you challenged us to live is radical, but we feel greatly encouraged”, said an African Canadian girl. Alma and Len expressed their surprise at these affirmations, “We have never seen anything like this. It’s not part of Canadian culture to go and speak about personal feelings like that.”
About one hundred young people came to St Joseph’s College Hall, from as far away as Vancouver on the Pacific coast and from Calgary, a four hour flight away. But it was worth it. The theme of the meeting was a presentation of the life of Chiara Luce Badano, recently proclaimed blessed. Its title was uncompromising: “Heroes of today, saints of tomorrow. Can you do it?” A demanding challenge for anywhere in the world, but here in Canada a particularly strong one, a struggle against the odds.
Secularisation here has caused a drop in church going from 80 per cent to 10 per cent in a matter of decades. Here a woman can obtain an abortion at any stage of pregnancy; in 2005 same sex marriage became legal; religion and its external symbols are increasingly disappearing from the public arena; in the media there is intolerance towards religion and believers; the fundamental rights of religious freedom and even of conscience are questioned in court.
Nevertheless Maria Voce, when asked whether it is possible to change the world, did not hold back. “If you do not change the world, no one else will,” she said plainly, “Society would have us think that happiness lies in having more. I have the impression that young people have a lot of things, but they are not happy because they haven’t discovered that what brings happiness is love.”
The president had lit a fire. “At today’s gathering you have experienced the gospel of love. Never by satisfied with anything less. Don’t turn back. Don’t risk closing the door on God.” She went on, “He trusts you. You have had this experience today. Take it to others. The future of Canada depends on you. And never feel alone, because the young people of other countries are your supporters. Together it is possible to change the world.”
The message had been delivered. And those standing in line wanted to express their adherence to it, to this woman that they had only met an hour ago. With an embrace or a kiss on both cheeks, this was an unforgettable moment. And the group photo with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti, co-president was an opportunity for a cosmopolitan explosion of joy.
Our correspondent – Paolo Lòriga
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