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13 Sep 2013 | Non categorizzato
Following the success of the first presentation and study of the Economy of Communion project, the Focolare Movement proposed a second edition of the event for anyone interseted in learning more.
The gathering took place in the Focolare’s permanent Mariapolis in Puebla, Mexico. More than a hundred people attended from the United States, Argentina, Costa Rica, Brazil, Italy and several regions of the Mexican Republic. There were a large number of young people, students and business owners, whose liveliness brought the hope of a promising future for the EoC’s development in Mexico.
This second edition of the congress, held on August 24th and 25th, the contribution of several specialists and business owners whose businesses belong to the EoC were presented.
The meeting entitled “Persons and Communion for the Establishment of a New Economy”, also featured the presence of John Mundell, member of the international commission of the EoC, who has successfully implemented the the EoC model in his own business, Mundell & Associates Inc.
This North American business owner highlighted the more than hundred businesses in the world that belong tot he EoC economic model, with a strong presence in Europe and worthwhile development in Latin America and Africa. During his presentation he gave the first launch to the The Company Cube in its Spanish version. It is a fun tool that helps to live the lifestyle of the EoC in one’s own daily life.
Argentine business owners Monica Salazar (Nogales Maderas), German Jorge (Dimaco S.A.) and Francisco Cervino (Sushi Soul), presented how they adhere to the dictates of this economic model. Then several business owners and young people from Mexico shared the challenges and concerns they daily face in their work environments, and they showed how the EoC is a key way for contributing to a more just economic order in the world.
The main aim of the Economy of Communion (EoC) is that of helping to create a more fraternal and supportive society, with businesses as the cornerstones of this endeavor. As they are consolidated, these businesses create jobs and make free decisions to put the profits in common in support of people in poverty, and the spreading of a culture of giving and communion, through the promotion of educational and cultural projects and initiatives.
Christopher Jimènez
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13 Sep 2013 | Non categorizzato
Pope Francis receives Maria Voce in private audience. ©Osservatore Romano
More details about the meeting to follow.
12 Sep 2013 | Non categorizzato
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11 Sep 2013 | Non categorizzato
Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti have had many meetings over these past two weeks: the meeting with the Focolare community of the Middle East, noteworthy people of various Christian Churches, a Muslim-Christian interreligious gathering, an audience with King Abdullah II in which he declared the Focolare president a “Friend of Jordan.” Finally, to conclude the visit, there was an evening with the family both Jordanian and Iraqi.
It was a moment of deep sharing between the members of the Focolare in Amman and the large delegation that arrived from Iraq. The evening was enriched by sharing that revealed a profound life, often a conquest due to the suffering especially in Iraq. Father Eimad from Bassora recounted how in spite of the small number of Christians in the mostly Muslim environment, it was possible to build friendly relationships with leaders of the Muslim community, a relationship is founded on mutual appreciation and respect.
Maria Voce expressed words of gratitude to the people from Iraq: “Meeting you for the first time at the airport gave me so much joy. I want to thank you, knowing all that you’ve been through because of the war and also because of the painful decision you’ve had to take – whether to move or to stay on in your homeland. I’d like to thank you for your choice and for all that you do to support the Church and its Christians.”
Omar, who is Muslim, underscored the primary importance of one’s relationship with God. If you want dialogue, then it’s necessary to build it on a solid foundation he said: “We must begin from ourselves. From when I’ve known the Focolare, I’ve begun to pray better and more. This is what has helped me to go forward in my relationships with everyone I meet.”
Particularly touching was the testimony of Bishop Salomone Warduni, Chaldean Auxiliary Bishop of Baghdad: “It’s such a great pleasure to be here with you. We’ve seen how the Movement has grown and how it is today in Jordan and in Iraq. Without it I would never have been able to do what I’ve done in the seminary nor as bishop.”
The description of the encounter with the King, the Princess Alia and the Prince El Hassan bin Talal was a proud and happy moment for all.
Recalling Chiara Lubich’s dream, which Chiara defined as a “crazy” dream – to bring the world to God in her arms – Voce concluded: Well, then, bring Iraq and Jordan to God. This is where man was born, where civilization was born. We could say that humanity began here and Chiara’s dream has global dimensions, the dimensions of humanity. And what you achieve through your mutual love will have consequences for humanity. Near to Amman is Mount Nebo where Moses stood and peered into the Promised Land. Well, now we’re here to build this Promised Land together!”
Giancarlo Faletti also offered some final words: “These have been such beautiful days, so I urge you to guard and protect this life, but always looking beyond to the people out there. Until there will not be one person who doesn’t know God’s love. We are not here to dream sweet dreams. We have received, so now let us give.”
By Roberto Catalano
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6 Sep 2013 | Non categorizzato
There is much talk about the Christian duty of giving witness to Christ in civil society. In practical terms this would imply that the world should understand who Christ is by the way this Christian acts, giving honour to God through Christ: by seeing the way a Christian speaks, operates, writes, suffers and rejoices, Such a witness could seem so difficult that it would border on utopian. And yet since it is asked of us by Christ himself, it must be possible. He holds that it is possible and requires us to be perfect here on earth as our Father in Heaven: no less!
In our times there is a need for Christian witness especially in the social, economic and political spheres, for these are the places where God is most commonly denied and the Gospel most easily betrayed by materialistic ideologies, horrendous selfishness and populist abuse. It’s up to the Christian to purify these environments by dealing with purity of life and self-sacrifice. In fact, the surest way to heal the social malaise lies in healing our awareness of the social good and then affirming it by word and action – on our face, at home, at work, in positions of authority and administration, among big and small. Whatever we may be doing, even eating or drinking, may we do it all to the glory of God. Then the skeptical, the incredulous and the doubting might convert when they see Christ in us.
The fascination and salutary action of a St. Francis of Assisi derive from the fact that the wounds of Christ are recognizable in him. A similarly huge task has been given us: a divine task. I am asked to be Christ alive also when I am standing at the lectern, writing a newspaper article, assisting a cancer patient in hospital. We must be Christ in relation to every brother/sister at every moment, even if they are repellent to us. We love our brother/sister and they open for us a gateway to God. In this way the divine life is incarnated in human structures, in politics, economy, art and work. And since each one of us lives his time with his own wants and needs and problems, in this way he brings the spirit of Christ, the inspiration of the Gospel into the solutions to the crises of our time, transforming it into a period of purification, a means for being free again.
Igino Giordani in: Parole di vita, Società Editrice Internazionale, 1954
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5 Sep 2013 | Non categorizzato
Photos on Flickr
The main objective of “Learning Fratenity”, held at Castel Gandolfo, Rome from 6th to 8th September, is to share good practices and initiatives implemented in different cultural contexts to obtain from them shared pedagogical lines of conduct leading to fraternity and peace. The 650 educators from 35 countries attending this conference will participate in lectures, in the sharing of good practices and in workshops. Stands will also be set up.
This conference assumes particular significance at a time when Pope Francis voices “the cry for peace” uttered by “ the one big family of humanity”. The promoters of this conference say this in a letter they wrote to the Pope.
Those involved in the daily task of educating, no matter at what level – families, schools, group leaders, academics, the youngsters themselves – will be the protagonists of this meeting.
The three experts, who will speak about “Education and Globalization” and its connotations in Latin America, Africa and Europe are: Nieves Tapia, coordinator of the National Programme of Education in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology in Argentina; Justus Mbae Gitari, Professor of Pedagogy at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in Nairobi; Giuseppe Milan, Professor of Intercultural and Social Pedagogy at the University of Padua.
Paula Luengo Kanacri, from Chile, a researcher at CIRMPA, La Sapienza University, Rome and Teresa Boi, an Italian teacher and educator will lecture on “Education and Relation”.
A range of subjects will be dealt with during the workshops: from the culture of legality to parent-child relationship; from the prevention of bullying to new media communication; from social integration to opening the school to the city, from sports to dance.
Good practices carried out in cultural contexts of 20 different countries, amongst them Congo, Pakistan, Colombia and Eygpt will be presented through the setting up of stands.
The school “Café con Leche” started under a tree in one of the poorest areas in the city of Santo Domingo. Presently it caters for 500 children, who learn to discover themselves and others through the diversity and richness of ethnic groups.
The project “Peace begins with me” was started in Eygpt, and today it involves another 40 countries with more than 1500 students, teachers and heads of 82 schools, that promote the International Festival for Peace.
In Italy, “Project Peace” has been pursuing initiatives for 23 years, arousing interest in 100,000 young people in 400 schools, networking with others from Eastern European countries through annual humanitarian trips, solidarity shown to countries struck by war or disasters, interaction with foreigners and with persons who have different abilities.
On Saturday September 7, a live streaming transmission is scheduled. (http://live.focolare.org). Ideally, the programme will be linked with the day of fasting and prayer launched by Pope Francis for peace in Syria and in the world.
This conference-workshop is being promoted by New Humanity (an NGO with a general consultative status at ECOSOC of UNO) together with 4 other educational agencies of the Focolare Movement: the Umanita` Nuova Movement, EDU (Education and Unity), AMU ( the NGO – Action for a United World) and Teens4Unity.
This event is honoured by the patronage of Italian National Commission for UNESCO.
