4 Oct 2017 | Non categorizzato
World Trade Centre Metro in Manila, Philippines, 6-8 July 2018. The meeting is for thousands of young people from all over the world, motivated by an idea, almost a fixation, which shapes their lives and all their social projects: building a just and united world. The Genfest 2018, Beyond all borders, is an invitation to let the barriers, borders, and limits which stand in the way of this goal, crumble. The Genfest began in 1973 with an idea from Chiara Lubich, founder of the Focolare Movement, and in more than 40 years it has gathered together tens of thousands of young people. The Genfest of 2018 will be the eleventh edition, and the first to be outside of Europe. In its long history, each Genfest has been an important step and has seen many projects come to life: among these is the idea for the World Youth Days, begun in 1985; in the same year, the birth of the Youth for a United World (YFUW); the World Unity Week, active since 1996, to showcase the initiatives which promote unity, at all levels, in the world; and finally, since 2012, the United World Project, a permanent observatory of all good practices on a planetary level. This Genfest will just precede the Synod on young people, which will be held in October 2018. Meeting with the organizers, present at this time at Castelgandolfo (Rome) for the meeting of the delegates of the Focolare Movement from all over the world, we have gathered some “first-hand” news. Ding Dalisay represents the Philippines at this assembly: “To our great joy, we have received the support of the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines, who encourages us to work to bring the Genfest to as many young people as possible. For some time now the youth of the Philippines have been touring in caravans to present the Genfest in parishes, universities, and other places. We have great hope that many young people will come.” Carlo Gentile, delegate of the Philippines along with Ding: “It will be the first Genfest in Asia, so it will be a very important multicultural event. Chiara Lubich called the Genfest a “cascade of God.” We can expect a wonderful event that has been prepared for all the youth from Asia, but also the whole world; a profound experience, immersed in the Asian culture. A worldwide mobilization has already begun. There are many contacts with other Movements, for example with the youth of the Rissho Kosei-kai, a Japanese Buddhist lay association, with six million followers, and with the Youth World Peace Forum, which will celebrate its own annual meeting in Manila during the same time period as the Genfest. In some parts of the world, smaller Genfest activities are being planned with local initiatives. A committee of 30 young people, representatives of different geographical areas of the world, with the coordination of the international secretariat of the Youth for a United World, is already at work. Kiara Cariaso and Diego Lopez explain: “We are working to bring young people from all over the world to the Genfest in Manila. There are already many activities, not only in the Philippines, because it will be a planetary event which we build together.” “In fact,” continues Diego, “we are gathering ideas that come from young people from all countries, we work together, and we send them to the Philippines.” They explain: “The 2018 Genfest will take place is three phases: the first, preceding the rally, with the possibility for many youth from various parts of the world to get to know the Asian cultures. It will be a unique intercultural, interreligious, and social experience, which will take place in different Asian countries. Following this, the central event in Manila, from 6 to 8 July, in which we want youth from every part of the world to be able to participate, so that each person’s situation will be made present, but at the same time each person will bring back to their own community their experience and the commitment they made in Manila. Finally, a “post Genfest,” especially for the Asian young people, which will allow them to testify to a “United Asia for a United World.” This will be a great experience for 800 young people in the Focolare small town of Tagaytay.” Offical site: y4uw.org/genfest
3 Oct 2017 | Non categorizzato
The international Gen Verde Music Group set up at Statdthagen, Germany, on September 9th to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Lutheran Reform. Gen Verde writes: “A thousand people, in spite of the pouring rain that continued until just before the concert began.” “The crowd filled the entire main square of the pretty city of Stadthagen, in Lower Saxony. Our concert, On the Other Side, brought a note of fraternity and internationality. Already in the days leading up to the concert, we shared some beautiful moments with the Lutheran Bishop, Dr Manzke, who had invited us and his collaborators. On the day of the concert a group of young people and their pastors helped us to set up the stage, drenched by the rain. but happy.” “We are left in our heart with those people in the square under a sea of umbrellas, cold and listening and rejoicing, singing and finally dancing along with us! Thank you, Stadthagen, together we experienced moments as a true family.”
3 Oct 2017 | Non categorizzato
Detached wires “In the first months of our marriage, dialogue between my husband and me was often interrupted due to the diversity of our opinions. A times, after rather harsh verbal clashes we would reach a total silence also for days. Returning from work for lunch the short break was occupied by the news on TV which Gaetano listened to with passion. One day, confiding in God’s help, I decided to send him a clear message: I returned home early from school and prepared a delicious lunch. The table was prettier than ever with flowers and a lit candle. Then I pulled out all the wires of the TV. Upon arriving Gaetano was amazed and asked me if there was some anniversary to celebrate. We sat down at the table and as always, he tried to turn on the TV but immediately saw that it had nothing to do with a fault. Laughing he hugged me, begging forgiveness, and together we promised to correct one another always out of love. That was an important moment of growth in our relationship.” (Giulia – Italy) In the kitchen «During my shift in the kitchen, I couldn’t stand my co-friars who would taste all that I was cooking upon passing by. Every time I became increasingly defensive so they would not touch anything. One day, upon reading the phrase of the Gospel about the speck in the other’s eye and not seeing the log in your own, I realized that the judgment I had of my co-friars was hindering me from loving them. Since then every time someone passed in the kitchen, I would invite him to taste my cooking and ask his advice on whether, for example, I had to add more salt and so on. Since then the atmosphere in the monastery has changed.” (Fr. Krzysztof – Poland) To love means taking risks «Some time ago an illiterate 15-year-old boy, already initiated in the activity of theft, started to frequent our home. Many had advised us to be careful in letting him in and to consider if it would not be better to help him but keep him at a distance. We were, however, convinced that Jesus was in him and that we had to love concretely, also to the point of taking a risk. Often that boy remained with us, went out with us and played with our children. After various months, the stealing instinct returned and he stole some money from us. After the first denials he admitted the fact and crying, begged for forgiveness, promising to return what he stole. But above all he became serene knowing that he could continue to count on our friendship and that if he ever needed money, all he had to do was ask. Now he no longer steals and has also found a job.” (D. L. – Italy) Difficult colleague “It seemed that a colleague had started picking on me, and whatever I did, he would go against it. For as long it had to do with small counteraction, I bore up with it. But at times, in the face of important commitments, he would go against everyone. Work had become unbearable. What could I do? The priest I spoke to advised me firstly to free myself from grudges and negative thoughts and try to see my colleague with new eyes. I tried it. Incredibly, at the next work meeting, he had become another person altogether! And evidently it not only depended on him.” (F. L. – Serbia)
1 Oct 2017 | Non categorizzato
The International Day of Older Persons is celebrated on 1 October every year, as established by the United Nations in 1990. The objective is to heighten awareness of the issues regarding the elderly and show appreciation for their contribution to society. According to the World Health Organization, in 2050 the world population of people over 60 will reach 2 billion. The phenomenon of longevity will, however, involve most of the countries worldwide with strong repercussions on economic and social life. The elderly represent not only a cost, especially in terms of assistance, but they also contribute greatly to society. It is not surprising, therefore, that the day after (for the Catholic church it is the feast of the Guardian Angels), many countries will honor all grandparents. Without them, authentic “guardian angels” of the family, it would be really difficult for couples to reconcile work and care for their children.
29 Sep 2017 | Non categorizzato
A day-long gathering at Maria Orsola Centre, titled “A Fifty year story of passion for the Church”. Alongside the presentations of a few experiences and artistic interludes, Cardinal Joao De Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life, once bishop of Brasilia, will give a talk titled From the Peripheries of the World to the Vatican, and Archbishop Giuseppe Petrocchi, bishop of Aquila will talk about The Calling of the Parish Movement in the light of Juvenescit Ecclesia. Press Releases
