Imagination gives color to solidarity
Among the numerous initiatives started up by the Focolare Movement in the tsunami-stricken countries as well as in other parts of the world, those being carried out by the youth have become a competition in who can show the most solidarity. Here are some flashes: – Milan (Italy): A considerable number of youth participated in the torchlight procession organized by the Associazione Arcobaleno (“Rainbow Association”), a foreigners’ reception center, managed by Focolare people. Also present on the occasion were nationals of the Sri Lanka community living in this capital of Italy’s Lombardy region, many of whom had victims of the disaster in their own families. The procession ended in the Cathedral square, where members of the community, both Buddhist and Christian, shared their experiences. Especially touching was that of an Italian worker of the Associazione Arcobaleno, who publicly thanked the Ceylonese people for their generosity. The worker’s daughter and son-in-law, who were spending their honeymoon in one of the Ceylonese tourist spots when the tsunami took place, were saved miraculously by local residents, together with about 20 other tourists. – Germany: The Schoenstatt Movement and some communities of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church joined Focolare efforts to send their aid contributions through the Focolare Movement’s contacts in the stricken areas. – Time-Out: Everyday at noon, Focolare members all over the world pause for a minute of silence and prayer for peace. This initiative began in 1990 when the first Gulf War erupted. Today, the victims of the Southeast Asian disaster have become the primary intention of this prayer. – Prayer vigils: Many prayer vigils coupled with fund-raising efforts were held. Among the latest was that of January 18 in Grottaferrata, Rome, which coincided with the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian unity where the Movement participates in many ecumenical activities. As in all parts of the world, Focolare youth took the Christmas and New Year celebrations as occasions to raise funds for tsunami victims. Here are a few examples from Italy: – Loppiano: the proceeds of the traditional New Year’s Celebration were given to tsunami victims (€2.100) – Ancona: “Old Fairy’s Stocking” was the name given to the project of the ‘Youth for a United World’, who raised funds through the sale of traditional holiday items in the parishes on January 6. – Tours were organized in Anagni (in the province of Frosinone) and bingos held for young and old in St. Anastasia (a locality in the region of Naples).
Youth who want to spend their energies in their own community In Argentina, the first school of formation in politics for the youth, promoted by the Political Movement for Unity, has been launched in 9 cities. Thanks to the internet, the project operates simultaneously in Buenos Aires, Cordoba, Rosario, José C. Paz, Avellaneda, La Plata, Mar del Plata, Bahia Blanca, and Neuquen. 140 young people have been attending these courses in political formation since last May; they expect from politics the fulfillment of a dream: a united world, while exploring the concrete facts that could make it happen. They are youth who want to spend their energies in their own community. How the courses are run The school’s objective is to offer the instruments that render possible collective and innovative action in the social and political fields, by means of courses that are held in the participants’ respective cities. The course consists of discussions, differentiated projects concerned with local action, and seminars for all the students, twice a year. The students gather in their respective cities guided by an instructor, and interact virtually with the other professors and communities.
The large-scale event entitled “Together for Europe”, held last May in Stuttgart (Germany) was not only a milestone in the journey towards communion involving over 150 movements and groups of the Catholic and Evangelical-Lutheran, Anglican and Orthodox Churches; it also gave visibility to the wealth of the Christian faith in the different Churches. In these past months, the occasions to meet and work together were not lacking, as preparations for a new appointment on a global level are underway. This week offers an occasion to open a window onto the Orthodox, Anglican, and Evangelical-Lutheran worlds, by starting from three realities – spread throughout the world – which were highlighted on May 8, 2004 in Stuttgart, namely, the Orthodox fraternity called Syndesmos; the Alpha Course, which was started by an Anglican parish; and the YMCA, a youth association which originated in Europe and is very active in Germany and in many other countries around the world. – The Syndesmos (“bonds of unity”) fraternity which started in 1953, gathers together 121 Orthodox theological schools and youth movements, in 43 nations. Its specific aim is to develop communication between Orthodox youth movements and theological schools in different parts of the world, and promote a deeper understanding among them. It also encourages one��s commitment to live out the Gospel in our day and age. – Alpha Course, was born in the 1970’s is being given in 152 countries and its materials are translated in 47 languages. It is open to people of all backgrounds, with a special interest in the youth and in those who do not profess a particular faith. The ten-week course, based on the Gospel, introduces people to the basics of the Christian faith. – YMCA, a Christian association for the youth, was born in London in 1844 and is now spread all over the world. Its aim is to promote social change by giving the youth a Christian formation through sports and other educational activities, as well as acts of service to persons in need, particularly refugees and migrants.
Since my father was a Jew and my mother was a non-churchgoer, I was not educated in the Christian faith. I learned about faith in Jesus only when I was 18 years old, and from then on, I want to talk about him to people like me. This is what Alpha offers. It is mainly for people who do not frequent the Church, those who do not consider themselves Christians. The Alpha Course is founded on the Gospel. It runs over 10 weeks and includes a meal together, a talk and small group discussions. What has happened over the past 11 years has touched us positively. The Alpha Course is running in 152 countries and in 30,000 parishes. It has been translated into 47 languages and reaches out to all social categories. In the United Kingdom, there are 160 existing prisons; of 70,000 detainees housed in 124 (=80%) of these prisons, over 30,000 have attended an Alpha Course. It has also aroused particular interest among the youth. The Course is used by many Churches, reuniting Christians in their common mission of evangelization. It is supported by the leaders of the major Christian Churches. During the Course, which is focused on the person of Christ, we teach that which unites us as Christians. We have understood that what unites us is infinitely greater than what divides us. (Nicky Gumbel – London) 
Ivan grew up in Zagreb (Croatia). During the Balkan war, he and his family made it to escape to Germany. However, the violence of the war produced profoundly negative effects on Ivan that led him to aggressiveness and dependence on drugs and alcohol. There were those who thought he could never be rehabilitated. He was invited to the CVJM (German YMCA) Center. For the first time he heard someone speak of God’s love for each person. There he learned that Jesus is forgiving and brings back peace among men.