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11 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
Net-working at the meeting for priests and seminarians in Loppiano, Fr. Justin Nary, 42, from the Central African Republic, spoke in subdued tones about his country which was in the news headlines more than a year ago, following the bloody civil war between Muslims, Christians and Animists. It is a conflict almost forgotten and no longer gathers so much attention, but which continues up to today, triggering serious consequences in the daily lives of the population. “For over three years, I was a parish priest in a big city which was living in the fear of an imminent ethnic-religious conflict, like other cities in the whole country. When it all started, I realised with pain that even among ourselves, we priests, pastors and imams did not even know one another. I felt I had to do something because the lives of our people were at stake». This was how Fr. Justin involved the religious leaders of the other faiths, and held regular meetings where they could share their experiences and together find a way to guide the faithful towards a peaceful lifestyle. The coup d’etat by a minority Muslim group quickly made the situation plunge and the massacres of the non-Muslim population began. But this was not all: a faction of rebels composed of Christians, atheists and military men belonging to the local traditions again overturned the situation, took power and implemented a fierce revenge towards the Muslims. Those who could, left the city, but about 2,000 Muslims ran to take refuge in the parish and Fr. Justin opened the doors to them. After a short time, the rebels who had learned of this went to the parish to kill everyone, if Fr. Justin were to oppose their ultimatum. 
Fr. Justin continued: “I had done all that was possible to try to seek for help from the army, the authorities, but in vain. And while I was saying Mass, I understood that God was asking me to give Him the most precious thing I had, my own life. I then decided to remain with my Muslim and non-Muslim people, up to the end, conscious that I was running the risk of being massacred. Seeing my determination, also my priest-brothers who had come to take me away, decided to do the very same thing.” Just a few hours before the expiry of the ultimatum, Fr. Justin’s cell phone suddenly rang: it was the chief of the African Union Army who was ensuring him of his help by sending the army which arrived exactly 17 minutes before the rebels, and thus saved everybody’s lives. “After a failed raid attempt, most of the refugees managed to emigrate to the Cameroon – Fr. Justin concluded – while about 800 of them still remained in the parish. What gave me the strength in difficult moments was to ask myself what the friend of the Focolare and Chiara Lubich would have done in my place. I remembered the meetings with the Muslim friends, how much she loved them, and it was immediately clear: she would have given her life for them.”
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10 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
It has been a really warm summer with regard to the initiatives undertaken by the Economy of Communion and Civil Economy organisations. The latest in order of time was the recently concluded workshop in Arny, France. This was an international Summer School of the Economy of Communion (EoC) held from 26 to 31 August. Forty young people from Europe, Asia and Africa participated. The lessons, held by four EoC “experts” – Professors Luigino Bruni, Benedetto Gui, Vittorio Pelligra and Anouk Grevin – focused on themes related to social business, employment, development, poverty, reciprocity, and happiness in light of the new paradigms underpinned by the Economy of Communion. Hope and communion in economy were the keywords of this workshop, one of the participants explained: «The challenge we are facing is not held on a battlefield, but on the university chairs, and the desks of multinationals, or as leaders of a company, this is where we are called to build a more righteous world.» The next EoC appointment will be the Workshop programmed at the Business Park Lionello Bonfanti (Loppiano – Italy) from 1 to 3 October. 
“Regenerating Institutions, Common Good, Employment” was instead the title of the 5th Summer School of the Civic Economy (SEC) held in Taranto (Italy) last July. Forty-five young people took part, in search of a people-oriented, environmental-friendly economy and employment, an entrepreneurial style which takes into account civic economy that can create a homo oeconomicus model – in the words of the economist, Stefano Zamagni – and which is based also on relationships, incentives, and trust, oriented more toward the common good than the quest for individual satisfaction. These are concepts which the entire world is focusing on more and more, and which resounded in the words repeated several times by Pope Francis on the tyranny of money as highlighted by this financial crisis, characterized by the rejection of ethics and solidarity, and by the negation of the primacy of man. 
To conclude the experience, the young participants declared that they were more than convinced that carrying out a business through the principles of a Civic Economy would mean undertaking a courageous path to contribute to bringing relief to difficult situations of the southern part of the country. The next appointment for the followers of Civil Economy will be in Siracusa (Italy) from 11 to 14 September, with the workshop “Civil entrepreneuring: nature, incentives and perspectives for the development of a new welfare state.”
![A space for solidarity in Central Africa]()
9 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
Her parish community helped her raise funds for her plane ticket to Italy. She represents many young people in Brazil who were not able to attend but, like her are very involved serving the local Church at the parish level with the spirituality of unity. Natalia is from Portugal. She became acquainted with the spirituality of unity through her parish priest who is with her and five other young women at the meeting in Benevento. They are here because of an experience of communion that began several years ago and has spread to 3 other parishes, drawing in dozens of other young people. There is also a group of 7 Slovakian young people, along with their pastor. Their 50-member parish youth group had to choose who would attend the meeting because there was not enough money for all of them to attend. There are 14 Slovenians. Among them is Lucka, a very young pianist with a promising future. He one day realised that music was not the most important thing. He placed God first in his life and everything changed, his relationships with colleagues, family and, above all, himself. Now he is much happier. 
Italy was represented by people from north to south. The people from Gaeta were especially lively. Their group began ten years ago and soon spread to neighbouring cities. There were also people from Vallo Torinese, following on the trail of Servant of God, Maria Orsola Bussone, a young woman of the Focolare Movement who was very involved in parish life. Not everyone at the gathering was involved only at the parish level, a large number were also involved at the diocesan level. It was a beautiful week in late August with the Focolare’s Parish Movement and Diocesan Movement, at the Mariapolis Centre in Benevento. The programme included moments of reflection, prayer, recreation, relaxation, hiking and social involvement in the local Caritas projects around the city of Benevento. The local television reported on the event, which then led to several local residents going up to visit the Mariapolis Centre to know more. A conclusione, una domanda pratica: come fare a declinare l’esperienza vissuta a Benevento nella quotidianità e nella pianificazione delle attività delle parrocchie e diocesi? Molte sono state le proposte: periodici collegamenti telematici, più momenti da vivere insieme, calare l’operato nelle “periferie esistenziali”, aiutare il proprio territorio con iniziative ambientali, l’impegno per la pace e molto altro.The concluded with a final question: How to take the experience they had lived in Benevento to the daily life and activities of the parish and diocese? There were many proposals: regular telephone link-ups, more moments together like the one held in Benevento, involvement in local environmental projects, focusing work in the “existential peripheries,” assisting local environmental projects and promoting world peace. The responsibility now rests in the creativity of all, together with the local parish or diocesan community belong to. They now return to those communities as companions on the journey of making the parish more alive and humanity more fraternal.
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9 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
“It was bound to happen to us. In today’s Italy with its crisis, and where the media records a rise of thefts in the streets, in homes and in cars, our case goes to add itself to the list of thousands of people who find that their homes or cars have been burgled with such mastery. Upon returning from a beautiful outing in an aquatic park with our little girls, we noticed that someone in the parking lot had sneaked into our car. A quick check and our summary of losses was done: key lock was forced, the house keys were gone including all the documents. Furthermore, the thieves – evidently professionals – to make sure that we would notice the theft as late as possible, had forced the left door and left the sat-navigator in the dashboard drawer, after they had moved it to take the documents that were below. We immediately followed the usual procedure: called the police first of all, then called the neighbours to keep their eyes open for strange movements around our house, and the next day, started changing all the door locks of the house, which was quite an economically painful process which we were able to face, however, thanks to an unexpected extra help we had received just the day before: an unexpected reimbursement from the school where my wife, Sonia works. The sum spent for the substitution of the door locks practically amounted to the same sum deposited on our account. Of course the girls also took part in all this hustle and bustle, and so we decided to discuss it with them. Remembering a phrase of the Our Father,“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us,” the discussion naturally focused on the theme of forgiveness. We said to one another that this was our occasion to forgive not only with words, but with our hearts and without keeping any grudges. Also the Word of Life of the month was a big help. We recited a prayer together for “our” thieves, leaving the girls free to participate or not. The girls immediately accepted. We prayed that these people be converted. It was a strong and intense moment of unity for the family, and a good dialogue then arose regarding justice and the sense of forgiveness. For us, as parents, it was the occasion to be credible witnesses. A few days later, after noon, while the girls were praying for peace, one of them asked us: “Can we still pray for the thieves?” Source: New City online
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8 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
The General Statutes of the Movement calls for a three-day retreat preceeding the elections of the President, Co-President and General Council members, so that the electors united in the name of Jesus […] might be more docile to the graces of the Holy Spirit in deciding what is best for the Work of Mary. That is quite a challenge considering the great variety of Assembly members: focolarini, families, young people, priests and religious. Several bishops are also invited to represent the Bishop Friends of the Focolare. There is also a sizeable representation of members from other Christian Churches. Metta, a Buddhist, and Racim, a Muslim, will represent the faithful of other religions. A group of people with no religious affiliation who arrived a few days ago, represent the universal reach of the charism of unity. 
The three-day retreat was deemed necessary by many, so that the choices to be made might be the result of a collective discernment. During the retreat one point of Focolare spirituality was presented: “The Eucharist Mystery of Communion” which will be offered this year for reflection by all the members of the Focolare. It is potentially an awkward point considering the ecumenical and interreligious membership of the Movement, yet it has already become a topic of deep and positive dialogue and discussion among all. The presentation of the theme was preceeded by a reading of the High Priestly Prayer (Jn 17) by a group of men and women focolarini from several different Churches. Some of them then offered their thoughts. Heike, a Lutheran explained: “For Luther, the Eucharist was a mystery, so the title already puts me at ease. Something still remains that divides us, but I believe there is still more than 90% that we can live together.” Cathy, an Anglican, admitted: “Not being able to share at the same table gives me the opportunity to recognise and accept the suffering of division, and so to love more.” Metta, a Buddhist from Thailand, feels like a member of the Focolare family. “How can I live this point of the spirituality?” he asked himself. I realised that I have to purify myself every day, to be nothingness in order to be able to welcome my brothers and sisters.” Algerian Muslim, Racim, recounted how Chiara’s words on the Eucharist remind her of one Hadit of the Prophet in which it is said that God enters into the heart and into the body of every person. 
Present and future challenges will be discussed in over thirty work groups, comprised of people from around the world of every age and calling. There will also be other opportunities for participation and dialogue during the plenary sessions where stories, testimonies and the daily challenges from different national and cultural contexts will be discussed. Jean Paul from Burundy, studies in Algeria. He shared about the daily challenge of living in a Christian minority in a land that is 90% Muslim. He also expressed his satisfaction for the recognition given to young people who are taking part in the Assembly. 
One important moment of the first week was the Presidency’s report. Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti presented a recap of the path of the Movement from 2008 to the present. Many things were mentioned ranging from the impact and spreading of Chiara Lubich’s thought in many fields to the official request to the Catholic Church for the opening of her process of Beatification; the distribution of Focolare members by geographic region; the sufferings, which echo the evils of society; dialogue with other Churches, religions and cultures; the youth; prospects for the six years that lie ahead, which will be examined by the Assembly. One plenary session was dedicated to a facilitated discussion by the Abba School Centre for Studies, on the current cultural landscape. They talked about the globalisation of technnology and the environment, human relations, the question of God – all issues that were offered in the more than 3,000 suggestions from Focolare members from around the world. Many members of the Assembly responded: Eddie, from Hong Kong spoke about the search for ways to bring God to the East, highlighting the necessity of concrete facts from daily living. This week the work groups will continue their discussions on cultural challenges and openness to society, catechesis, the life of local Focolare communities in diverse cultural contexts, families and the new generations, interreligious dialogue, dialogue with the modern culture, relations with the Catholic Church and other Churches. This week the President and Co-President will be elected.
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7 Sep 2014 | Non categorizzato
«It was important for me to participate in the Mariapolis here in Scotland (the annual meeting of the Focolare Movement), before the referendum for independence – one of the participants wrote – I managed to listen to various points of view. I hope and pray that we can stay united in love.» It is not mentioned too often, but as far as Great Britain is concerned, the 18th of September appointment is really important: the referendum for the independence of Scotland is in fact the issue focused on by the public opinion of the over 63 million inhabitants of the United Kingdom. The “water mark” is rising, with the risk of a serious social rift. This is why the theme of mutual love appeared to the 500 participants of the Perthshire Mariapolis (Scotland) last August, as a sign of hope for their personal lives, and also for the social and political challenges the population will soon have to face. And the mix of cultures, peoples and conditions typical of society today, were represented more than ever in the Mariapolis: while standing in line at the self service for meals, you could easily run into a Cheshire magistrate, a Copto-Egyptian refugee, an agnostic eco-activist or a Scottish bishop… The daily meditation themes on evangelical love and the numberless stories and testimonials shared with openness and sincerity brought about a continual dialogue between the participants of all ages and conditions: the youth and families, children and adults, and people from different countries of the world. «One of the best things about the Mariapolis is the opportunity to be with all types of people, regardless of their ages» – said Sam (21). Also the ecumenical aspect was important thanks to the four Catholic Bishops and a Bishop of the Episcopal Church. 
«Listening to the strong testimonials of some Christians in Syria, or in the Republic of Central Africa, – said another participant – made us one, and gave us the certainty that mutual love is the trump card to play even in the most difficult situations. This is why none of us will easily forget the exchange of ideas on the next referendum, during meals. We parted with a decision which seemed more like a solemn pact: the shared commitment to be builders of peace and unity in our cities so that God could use us to build a new society here on earth.».
