Jan 26, 2023 | Non categorizzato
One of the greatest sufferings for human beings is to feel worthless when faced with the realities of life, to accept that at times we cannot do anything. To be an instrument in God’s hands means to make ourselves available, rediscover our own value in letting someone else do something, and learn the art of entrusting ourselves to others. A bit of prudence As head of a department in my company, one day I noticed that my typically peaceful colleague had an aggressive attitude. When I invited him to talk, he confided in me his problems with his wife, who had turned out to be violent to the point of laying hands on him. She continually demanded more and more money from him. This was what was behind his working overtime. Since then, my colleague started phoning me outside work when things were going badly, certain that he would find a listening ear. However, when I realised that I had become a kind of safe haven for him, I felt the need to talk to my husband about it, out of Christian prudence. After helping me to understand that for that man I might not just be a friend, but the ideal of a woman, my husband put forth an idea that turned out to be a winner. We invited over the colleague’s family using the excuse of a birthday. After trusting in God, and thanks to the atmosphere created by our children’s games and prizes, the relationship established with the other couple gave hope for a change in their situation. (G.T., Portugal) Goodbye bicycle For some time now I have had to put my beloved bicycle, my companion on so many journeys, to rest in the garage. The fact is that, because of my bifocals, I am now forced to walk. To be honest, it has cost me a bit personally. The bike was very useful, because I could put my shopping and other things in the basket, which I now have to carry by hand. Luckily I live in a small town where everything I need is close by. That said, I have discovered an advantage of going without two wheels, beyond that of avoiding falls, which are so disastrous when one has reached a certain age. Walking gives me the opportunity to meet many people, have a chat… and there is always something sad or joyful to share. In short, everything is an expression of God’s love, if we are willing to do his will. Better to try to go to heaven without a bicycle than to go faster… and where then? (Marianna, Italy)
Edited by Maria Grazia Berretta.
From “Il Vangelo del Giorno”, Città Nuova, year IX, no.1, January–February 2023
Jan 25, 2023 | Non categorizzato
As the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity concludes, here’s an experience of synodality, dialogue and bonding with brothers from various churches in Bari, Italy. It was a step forward to get to know each other and to walk together. For some years my husband Giulio and I have been following ecumenical dialogue with other movements within our diocese and on behalf of the Focolare Movement. Some time ago we received a letter from Cardinal Kock, Prefect of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, and Cardinal Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, on the need to involve brothers and sisters of other churches at the synodal tables. These are moments in small groups, organised to articulate reflections and proposals on the way forward for our diocesan church, for the occasion of the synod launched in October 2021. I seized the opportunity and went to see Father Alfredo, our bishop’s delegate for ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, inviting him to consider this proposal. Later he contacted me to invite me to participate in a course for table facilitators in the diocese, which was very interesting. The next step was to start visualising our meeting with our Christian brothers and sisters, and then gradually make it come to life. We looked for a suitable room and involved friends from other movements in the preparation. Each of them knew people from other churches, who in turn became facilitators themselves. We set the dates, and in the morning we went together with my family to prepare the room to make it welcoming. We set six tables with coloured tablecloths, posters, coloured markers, as well as chocolates, drinks, glasses, etc. We didn’t know how many people would come, so we wanted to make sure and put six chairs per table. In the early afternoon our guests arrived. In the end there were 38 people from 9 different churches, and we had to add 2 chairs. It was a wonderful experience. We entered as strangers and left as family, with the desire to get to know each other more so that we could pray together and live fraternal charity. There was great enthusiasm at the discovery of being able to be together, with the joy of being one people of God.
Rita and Giulio Seller
Jan 24, 2023 | Non categorizzato
Building unity beyond age-old prejudices, distrust and rifts. Generating, day after day, a dialogue that has become a way of life. This is the daily life of the Focolare community in Great Britain, whose members belong to various Christian Churches. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJWtzhL2tew&list=PL9YsVtizqrYsxCVExqFc_vvuzCKyNbr43&index=2
Jan 21, 2023 | Non categorizzato
On 19th January, 2023, the first “Communion in Action, A Lifestyle of Sharing” Report of the Focolare Movement was presented at the “Focolare Meeting Point” premises in Rome. It is an overview of the activities and initiatives promoted by the Movement in the world in the two-year period 2020-2021. The first report of this kind published by the Focolare Movement was presented to an audience from the diplomatic, political and religious worlds and to journalists from the Italian media.
Margaret Karram
From left:: Dott.sa Geneviève Sanze, Prof. Luigino Bruni, Prof. Andrea Riccardi, Sr. Marilena Argentieri.
Carlos Mana
Watch the video of the presentation here https://youtu.be/HcJ5poGmq8A
Jan 20, 2023 | Non categorizzato
The continental stage of the Synod has begun. The Focolare Movement contributed with a worldwide reflection and study. We interviewed Francisco Canzani, Councillor of the International Focolare Centre for the aspect of “wisdom and study” and Coordinator of the Synod Commission to learn more about this contribution. What is your assessment of the work done in the Focolare Movement for the Synod? Very positive. Over 15,000 members of the Movement participated in the first stage of our synodal journey. They represent 520 communities around the world. We received 21 regional summaries that demonstrate the depth of reflection and the interest shown by Focolare in all cultures. Alongside this work within the Movement, which was in response to the Secretariat of the Synod, which specifically asked us for a contribution, many members of the Movement took part in the processes in their dioceses and parishes. The involvement of people of different Christian Churches and of faithful of different religions in the process of reflection was particularly relevant. We also received two important contributions from dialogue groups between Christians and people without religious convictions that the Movement hosts. How can this experience help us to acquire the practice of synodality within the Movement?
Synod path team Focolare Movement
Carlos Mana
Contribution of the Focolare Movement to the Secretariat of the Synod – Download PDF https://youtu.be/VMP7jQpoVC8
Jan 18, 2023 | Non categorizzato
The first annual prize of the Chiara Badano Foundation is underway Do you like helping others? Do you have an idea about a solidarity project and can’t wait to get going? Well, there’s an initiative in which you might be interested. On 29th October, 2022, during the anniversary of the birth of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano, the Foundation that keeps her memory alive established the Solidarity Prize. It is an annual event to promote solidarity projects around the world. Since childhood, Chiara Luce demonstrated her passion for the most needy, the weakest, the marginalized of society, the elderly and in particular children. This is why the Chiara Badano Foundation decided to establish this award. The objective is to support and encourage projects to promote positive actions aimed at the weakest sections of the population (the elderly, people with disabilities, immigrants…) and actions aimed at combating exploitation and violence against women and children, new poverty and for the protection of the planet. Each year the prize will identify an innovative project of social importance, with the aim of disseminating its contents to make it available to everyone. The idea is to support the project with a financial contribution of 2,000 euro, to promote it through effective communication on social media and open it up to new forms of support. Organizations and groups, even informal ones, can apply for the prize. They should be composed mostly of young people under 30 years of age, who have a project that promotes and furthers the culture and practice of solidarity. The deadline for submission of projects (20th January 2023) has been extended to 20th February. For more info read the announcement. The Chiara Badano Foundation also promotes the Art Prize, an initiative to give young people the opportunity to express through artistic talents, how much Chiara Luce’s lifestyle has fascinated and inspired them. The call for tenders for the sixth edition will be launched in March 2023. www.chiarabadano.org
Lorenzo Russo
