Brescia, “Spot, we are recording!”

Jan 24, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

4 of the 8 planned appointments have already been covered by the project regarding the languages of publicity communication. So far in all, 600 youths have participated. After the introductory phase, developed through the analysis of both Italian and foreign spots and publicity campaigns, the project was continued with two investigative workshops: on the use of the female image in publicity (with psychologist Anna Granata and anthropologist Anna Casella) and on the influence of fashion on the behaviour of youths (with ballerina Liliana Cosi and psychologist Ezio Aceti). In the fourth round, Raffaele Cardelli, publicist and expert in communication, and member of Net-One, took the youths-400 students of the superior institutes- through a profound analysis of the studies and mechanisms that are “behind the scenes” of a spot, revealing the strategies that are put in action to convince the receivers of the communication. “We have entered the technical phase of the journey-commented one of those present-now we begin to have more elements with which to continue the work that awaits us”. “It is interesting and almost worrying to discover what lies behind a spot- continues another- I am getting to know these mechanisms so that I may have more critical sense, and be able to have an impact on our world!” With this appointment, the project “Spot, we are recording!” has reached the halfway stage: from the technical analysis, the youths will go on, in the coming months, to pin pointing a real publicity campaign centred round social issues that are of particular relevance in their city (dependencies; man-woman relations; multiculturalism) that will be analysed, in confrontation with various spokespersons, also with representatives of the institutions and the local media. Then for each of the themes a spot will be made that evokes fraternity and that will constitute the conclusive message of the project offered to the citizens by the Youths for a United World. During the meeting the Genfest 2012 was proposed to the youths, as another occasion in which to be protagonists and contribute to the realisation of a more united world.

Ottmaring, where dialogue is vital

Jan 23, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

When she referred to ecumenical dialogue, Chiara Lubich used to talk of dialogue of life, of the people. Anyway, about something that is not born only from theological reflection, but from rubbing against each other, from visiting each other every day, and that during the trials of life puts into practice the teachings of the Gospel, common to all Christians, regarding the love of our neighbour; a love that knows no ecclesial confines of any type. Referring to the general consent that is born in such a context, Chiara Lubich had said: “We know how in history other ecumenical undertakings have failed, because this consent was missing, it is essential to unity.” When the Focolare Movement began to expand in Germany, the contacts with members other churches were immediate. And later, when it appeared possible to even build a citadel on the model of Loppiano, in Italy, but inhabited by Lutherans and Catholics, the idea seemed the answer to a dream that of living together a life based on Christian love. In 1968 this idea took concrete form at Ottmaring, in the vicinity of Ausburg. The citadel comprises 30 constructions and a centre for spirituality at the service of the many visitors that come to ascertain on the spot this original ecumenical living together. Characteristic of the life in the ecumenical centre is the unity in Christ and the ecclesial diversity of the members living in a spirit of reconciliation. Around 140 inhabitants live at Ottmaring; they belong to the Focolare Movement and the Fraternity of Communitarian Life (Bruderschaft  von gemeinsamen Leben) that has its origins in the evangelical world. In both groups there are youths, adults, families and communities. All come from profoundly diverse experiences of faith and ecclesial traditions. There are also numerous nationalities represented, a diversity that is enriching. On Sunday, 22 January, the usual appointment was held at the citadel, for the Week of the unity of Christians. It is called the “ecumenical afternoon”. The Lutheran bishop Johannesdotter presented a report, in the presence of members of the evangelical and catholic communities.

Peru: the whole world in miniature

Jan 22, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

The Focolare Movement in Peru is widespread in Peru’s three geographical regions: the coastal strip, the Andes mountainous chain, and the pluvial Amazonia forest.

There are 3 centres of the Movement: 2 in Lima, 1 at Arequipa and many communities spread all over the country: at Talara, Trujillo, Chiclayo, Lima, Ica, Arequipa, and at Tacna with around 2000 members in all.

Peru is a country very rich in natural resources. It was the cradle of the Inca and pre-Inca civilisation that left great cultural and archaeological richness like the ruins of Machu Picchu, considered to be one of the New Seven Wonders of the World.

Initially the arrival of the Spanish, and later the immigration of Africans and Asians have made Peru a multicultural country, a sum of traditions, ancient religions and culture. As said by the Mario Vargas Llosa, the Peruvian Nobel laureate in literature: “If we delve a little we will discover that Peru is the whole world in miniature.”

The Cordillera of the Andes, with its high mountains that cross through the whole country, and reach to a height of 6800 metres, is the natural cornice and symbol of the values of the Peruvian people: strong, hardworking, hospitable, with a strong solidarity and a very rich inwardness.

The family remains a constant value and life is considered and welcomed as a gift of God, especially in the love and sacrifice of the women.

In this context, the Movement for New Families of the Focolari sustains and accompanies the life of families in their joys and sorrows. The programme Support from a Distance reaches around 300 children, spread in the poorest places of the Andes.

The children are very numerous, and youths and children account for 59% of the population of the country. Many of them have been attracted by the ideal of a united world, and are protagonists of the most varied initiatives towards this reality.

A little history- Three youths from Arequipa, in 1972, participated at a meeting of the Movement in Argentina. They returned very happy with the way of evangelical life that they had experienced, and within a few months they had transmitted the ideal of unity to other persons. In 1981, a family from Lima, after coming into contact with the Movement in Bogota’-Colombia-communicated the spirituality of the Focolari to many other families. In 1982 the first Peruvian Mariapolis were held in the city of Arequipa, and subsequently, in Lima and Trujillo.

To the great joy of all, in 1989 the first female focolare was inaugurated in Lima, and in 1995, the male one was also inaugurated. In 2001 a new residence was opened at Arequipa, in the south of the country.

“The Peruvian people have an ancestral dignity” commented Bruna Tomasi, one of the first companions of Chiara Lubich-during her visit in May of 2011. “It seems that even in the religious tradition of the Inca, there are traces of the Golden Rule”, she affirmed.

In order to acknowledge the contribution offered by the spirituality of the Focolari in Peru, in 2009 the Pontifical Catholic University of Lima conferred on Chiara Lubich the posthumous title of Honorary Professor. And on 31 March 2011, she was remembered through a conference on the Economy of Communion.

Bulgaria: Towards Genfest

Jan 18, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

‘A big hello from Bulgaria!! We want to tell you how our preparations for Genfest are going. When we heard that the title was “Let’s bridge” we asked ourselves what can we do, here in Sofia, to build bridges? We remembered the refugees coming in especially from Arabic countries. Mostly they are Muslims, some haven’t been here long, others have been here for years. Sadly, though, a lot of them have very few contacts outside their own group. A friend of ours, a girl who fled Iraq and is now working in the committee for women refugees, told us they wanted to get to know our culture better and even to find out about the traditional Bulgarian ‘Tree Festival’. We met together on 10 December. There were 30 people, 20 of them refugees, for the most part from Iraq, but also from the Lebanon, Libya and Afghanistan. The programme presented our Christmas traditions, including traditional food. We began with a game to introduce ourselves: a ball of wool was unravelled from one person to another and whoever held it had to say something about themselves: name, place of birth… just enough to break the ice and start building a relationship among everyone. Then there were moments for reflection, a children’s fable illustrated by folk customs from various lands at this time of year. The refugees felt loved and were moved by everything that had been done for them and they kept on saying thank you. At the end one girl wrote: ‘Even though in Iraq eggs are painted for New Year and in Bulgaria we do it for Easter, and even though there other differences of customs and festivals, we all felt that there is something that works with the same strength and the same light everywhere in the world: love. Our love for one another, for someone you’ve know for years, with all their shortcomings, and for someone who you’ve just met, who you don’t know yet, but in whose eyes, despite everything, you can see Jesus.’ The meeting finished with delicious dishes from all over the world, with storytelling, smiles and thanks. Let’s hope we managed to make these people we care about feel welcome and at home.’ From Youth for a United World, Bulgaria

Semarang

Jan 15, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

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Jakarta

Jan 15, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

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Penang

Jan 15, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

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Kuala Lumpur

Jan 15, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

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Johor Bharu

Jan 15, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

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Singapore

Jan 15, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

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Medan

Jan 15, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

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Yoyakarta

Jan 14, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

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Education projects to support youth

Jan 14, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

In 2011, 250 young people have been helped at every level of their education, from elementary schools up to specialised post university courses, in 14 countries around the world: Bosnia, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, Lebanon, Philippines, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. Allowing young people to study and train professionally is without doubt an investment for the future. The experience of Action for a United World and the Economy of Communion project show that it is already possible to live the communion of goods, and there is mutual giving and receiving. They write for example from Cebu, in the Philippines: “Every Saturday, some students go to our social centre to do tutoring to others that are younger: the students at university help those of the secondary school, and the students at the secondary school help those at the primary school that are in difficulty. In their free time they also help with the various social programmes of the centre, cleaning the premises, feeding the smaller ones, distributing scholastic materials at the beginning of the year.” And from Brazil: “I am 20 years old, and I have 3 brothers, one of them has a physical disability. This makes us live more united as a family and helps us grow in facing life with simplicity and openness towards the needs of others. At the beginning of this year I understood that I could live the Gospel in a more radical way, both at university and during my free time, and this would make a difference in my life. How could I put this decision into practice? I got the idea of dedicating myself to voluntary work, because in this way I would be able to participate in the reciprocity typical of the Economy of Communion, through which I receive my scholarship, and “in exchange” give my free time to other persons in need. So I began to work in a home for the elderly that has more than 50 inmates. I carry out activities with them to improve their quality of life. I set myself the objective not to look at them as “aged” in general, but to get to know each one with her life history, her family, to understand what they really desire.” “I attend the nursing school at the University of Para’. The profession I have chosen is an opportunity to be of service to others. Sometimes I find myself in situations where I risk contagion, but I try to intervene always in favour of those who are in need. Once I was given the responsibility to care for a person who had committed crimes. For me this was simply a person who needed care. My attitude drew the attention of my colleagues who reflected on the behaviour that is required from our profession.” «“I am aware that the objectives of the Economy of Communion, besides helping persons in difficulties, is also “the formation of new men and women”, so I try to be a sign of communion between my student friends, by circulating between us the knowledge and experience of each one of us. I do not own my books, and I try to leave in a good state the learning material that has been given to me for my use. But others do not have the possibility of buying, not even the hand outs, so I share this material with them. This is what I can do so that others can study. I feel that the achievements made by my study do not belong only to me, but to all those who collaborate in the project.”

School: myself in the first place?

Jan 13, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

“I was studying for a history test in class and I could not concentrate; there were many pages and I was thinking that it would be difficult to succeed in covering them all. To make the situation worse, I get an sms from some friends who ask me for help with a mathematics test. I reread the message, think about all the history pages and almost answer that I cannot help them. After some seconds however something within me tells me that I am losing an opportunity to love friends who are in difficulty. Instinctively I had put myself in the first place, without thinking about how important it is to help the others. I close my book, and hurry to the house of one of them where they were gathered. I involve myself and help them until late in the evening. When I return home, there is no more time to study history, now how would I carry out the test? I trust everything to God, believing that He would find a solution. On the morrow, some companions ask the teacher whether she can postpone the test; evidently I was not the only one who had not studied. The teacher, who is usually intransigent, decides to postpone the test. Simply luck? I do not believe so! I think rather that God in His providence has rewarded the act of trust done the previous evening.” (S. G. –Italy)

Korea – A Pearl for the Whole of Asia

Jan 8, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

From the heart of Europe it takes about twelve hours to reach the farthest peninsula of the Eurasian landmass: Korea, ‘the Land of the Morning Calm’ as it is called. This country is one of the few in the world still divided between North and South. South Korea, with its 48 million inhabitants – 12 million of them living in Seoul, the capital – has had the presence of the Movement since the ’60s. After the opening of the first focolare in 1969, the Movement spread swiftly throughout the country, and was welcomed by people of every age and social group. Now there are five centres in Seoul, two in Daegu and a Centre for meetings and formation in Kyeonggido. We offer here a few brief notes to give an idea of the life of the Movement in Korea today. Interreligious Dialogue is typical of a country under the cultural influence of major religions, such as Buddhism and Confucianism, that also has a strong Christian presence. We need only indicate the latest significant event: Han Mi-Sook, a focolarina and a member of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea’s Committee for Promoting Christian Unity and Interreligious Dialogue (http://english.cbck.or.kr), accompanied the Ven. Ja Seung, president of the ‘Jogye Order’ of Korean Buddhism and Dr Gun Duk Choi, president of the Confucian Association, to last October’s Assisi meeting. They were active in their participation. The president of the Confucian Association and his colleagues later visited Loppiano, the Focolare’s international little town near Florence, and the Movement’s Centre in Rome. He said, ‘I hope you realize your dream “May they all be one.”’ Social Initiative. Heaengbok Maeul, ‘The Village of Happiness’, is a monthly project that has been active for eight years. It helps foreign workers, refugees from North Korea (more than 20,000) and many others in need. Among its services, the project offers a range of medical services, food and clothing, hairdressing and lessons in Korean. ‘To begin with,’ the volunteers with the project say, ‘people were wary, but now they feel loved, and bit by bit they open up and they even bring their own food to be shared.’ Politics and economy. The Movement for Unity in Politics (MUP) in Korea began in 2004. It was the initiative of a group of Members of Parliament who, since 2008, have been meeting once a month in the ‘Political Forum for Unity’. The group conducts research and is recognized by the Korean Parliament. Its activity extends to a ‘Social Forum’ open to journalists, lawyers, civil servants, doctors and economists, which meets in Parliament every two months with about 30 people each time. Among the activities promoted by the MUP in 2010 there was the campaign for ‘a purer form of language’. About a hundred students of journalism from several universities monitored the language used by politicians and Members of Parliament in their political activity, interviews and speeches. Their research was a stimulus to politicians to be more attentive in how they spoke and concluded with the giving of a prize. The Movement for Unity in Politics has also worked to set up two schools for young politicians and interested students. The courses have ten lessons and so far have been attended by 58 people. Maria Voce’s Visit. In January 2010 the President of the Focolare Movement together with Giancarlo Faletti, the Movement’s Co-President, met about 1,700 members of the Movement. They spent two days together in a festive atmosphere to get to know one another, share the latest news, and to deepen their understanding and living of the spirituality of unity. Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti also met several bishops and, in Parliament, various politicians who are part of the Movement for Unity in Politics. The Korean community experienced a renewal of Chiara Lubich’s hope for them, expressed in 1982, when she asked the members of the Movement to be ‘locomotives’, that is, a driving force, for the whole of Asia: a daily challenge and commitment.

Kyeonggido, Mariapoli Centre “Mary Mother of God”

Jan 8, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

The community of the movement in Korea is continuously growing, and felt the need to have a place where they could be formed in the culture of unity and fraternity, where they could meet and exchange experiences of the living the Gospel. Thus, apart from “Providence” which arrived in abundance, all committed themselves in various fund raising activities and they could acquire land measuring 9779sm on which to build the Mariapoli centre in accordance with their requirements. The most actively committed were the Gen4, the children who live the spirituality of the Movement, who faithfully filled up their moneyboxes, also making sacrifices. The Mariapoli centre “Mary Mother of God”, that is situated at an hour’s distance from Seoul, the capital, was inaugurated in 1994, to the joy of all. Aldo Fons Stedile was present. He was sent by Chiara Lubich. He is one of the first focolarini and one of her closest collaborators. From that moment onwards, the centre has been functioning in full swing, and serves above all for the formation of the members of the Focolari. Every year, around 7000 persons participate in the various courses and meetings, to delve into the spirituality of unity. The third Sunday of the month is the liveliest and heavily participated day as the centre is open to all children, boys and girls. Around 200 children are accompanied every month by their parents: the house is full of songs, laughter and their typical vivacity. For the parents an appropriate meeting is held contemporaneously, and often it is the children that encourage their interest in the life lived according to the spirituality of unity.

“Skip a Meal” to raise money for Africa

Jan 4, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

“Skip a meal and give the money for the Horn of Africa.” During the past four months the Youths for a United World of Costa Rica have thus launched in their country the Skip a Meal campaign in order to collect funds for this African region, where over 12 million persons live in a dramatic situation caused by the exceptional drought. The young people have organised two cultural events at which famous musicians and personalities from their country participated. Both events were a combination of music, poetry, personal experiences and audio-visual creations that brought the participants closer to the reality of the soul of Africa. Skip a meal was mainly inspired by the desire to collaborate to build a more united world; above all, they wanted to love the others in a concrete way by sending a monetary help from the proceeds of the tickets sold for the artistic events. “It was really an unusual experience: the excitement, the enthusiasm, the commitment, the love for this face of Jesus crucified and abandoned and the certainty of His presence amongst us were the ingredients essential to the preparation, during which we became aware of a magnificent reality: not only we were helping Africa, but Africa was helping us.” Through collaboration with various companies and organisations we were given food, infrastructures, and space on the mass media that allowed us to spread the initiative and involve youths and adults who identify themselves with this cause. All this became an occasion to divulge the idea of a united world. We have also started to build a direct relationship with the Youths for a United World of Kenya, who writes to us: “Thanks a lot for Skip a meal; we are enthusiastic knowing that Cost Rica is united with us to face these difficult challenges that signify also a sorrow for humanity.” Skip a Meal is not a beneficent activity, but an experience of reciprocal enrichment, of sharing, and the opportunity to enter in the African culture. We realise that sharing our competencies with the “Other” we can transcend space and overcome the differences, the geographical, ethnic and cultural separation. Skip a Meal makes us realise that two completely different cultures can unite, understand each other and help each other: “I am because we are.” (Ubuntu philosophy). We are all part of this worldwide net of unity that is being woven. It is up to us to continue to work to build a new humanity. Youth for a United World – Costa Rica Links: Twitter: skipamealer Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/skipamealCR Correo electronic: skipamealer@gmail.com Videos Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1J2_22DADNM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q5ucQQqxLJ0 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGm3S4Hp6_c

An exceptional Christmas in a Milan prison

Dec 28, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

“They are young; they’re like a current: everybody sees their good number, but it is the wave that pushes them.  Whoever rides on the wave, travels far, without effort.” This is the beginning of the letter from Father Pietro Raimondi, chaplain of the San Vittore prison in Milan, where a group of young people of the Focolare Movement, on Christmas Eve, brought a breeze of warmth, living together with the inmates a “silent miracle of light”. The whole story begins with the youth having started to animate the Sunday Mass in the prison: a moving experience that left its mark. A few months before Christmas, they wanted to launch the initiative “Good inside and good outside”, with the challenge to succeed in collecting sufficient boxes of panettone (Christmas cake) for each cell of the prison. “The cell is the only home of the inmate,” write the Youth for a United World, “and therefore in every cell – that is in every home of the big city that is the prison of San Vittore – we want to bring about the atmosphere of Christmas.” “It is they who come out with the ideas, the proposals, the best intuitions,” continues the chaplain. And whoever tells me that they are inconstant, and changing, I say that this is typical of liquid. But I add that liquid has a magic property: you cannot compress it. The pressure they exercise is enormous, they move mountains. They are young and they put pressure always inventing something new. Who listens to them is lucky and walks on water.” “Today we took the boxes of panettone to San Vittore!” Now it is one of the young people who speaks. “We were a nice team: some of us unloaded from the vans, some filled the bags, some took them to the metal detector… there was work for all! Then four of us had the beautiful gift of being the ones to distribute the panettoni in the cells. It is impossible to describe the emotion when we stepped over the threshold of the cells, and gave the panettone to each inmate, and saw their joy and gratitude. For the first time after a long time they could see not only guards and their cell companions. And  so we experienced a different Christmas… a much more real one.” “The generosity of adults often sediments in routine,” Father Pietro writes. He has seen many Christmases at San Vittore. “Even the donation of the panettone to the inmates risks being transformed into an institutional gesture. Always the same person makes the donation, with the same van, belonging to the same firm. And the mechanical gesture of distribution kills the momentum of the original initiative.” “But these young people say to you “Well, why don’t we?” First they set a challenge to themselves and then to the whole world. They say, “We will not buy not even one box of panettone and we will not seek those who make a large donation. We will talk about the dark world  behind the perimeter walls. We will talk in the streets, in the schools, to friends and in families. We will talk about those who we do not care whether they are good or bad, guilty or innocent, but who certainly need a gesture of love.” Those gestures that are not an aid to fill a void, but something over and above. And the response has been beyond all expectations. They aimed at distributing 450 panettoni, one for each cell. Soon they became 500, then 1000, and then 1400 and then they lost count. Today in prison, there were 1553 men and 96 women, without counting the personnel and operators. And it appears that everyone received a gift…” .

Egypt: “I Belong” Project

Dec 27, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

We are reporting  the experience of Hanaa Keisar, told in occasion of the conferment of “ Mother Teresa of Calcutta prize”, in memory of Chiara Lubich, on the 10^th of December 2011 “As you know, a new chapter in the history of Egypt  had begun this year, with the unexpected  fall of the dictatorial regime. At nearly a year from the initial signs of hope and freedom as a breeze of fresh air, we find ourselves in a delicate phase where along with the great economic crisis and fear of the future, insecurity and discouragement reign among all. But in spite of this difficult situation, we have seen with astonishment the intervention of God who, in a discrete way, is helping us sew a hidden tapestry, weaved with real brotherly relationships. While the newspapers and television were transmitting to you the bloody attacks on churches in various parts of the country, and the acts of violence against the crowds during the peaceful manifestations in Tahrir Square, at the same exact time, in one of the districts of Great Cairo,   Christians and Muslims were working together,– all animated by the Ideal of unity that Chiara has transmitted to us – in a project, even if a small one, but is a symbol of unity: the project “I belong”. In front of the mistrust, disinterest and indifference of many Egyptians, the goal of the project is to give back to the people the sense of belonging to their country, encouraging  them to discover its cultural treasures, starting by cleaning the dirty and neglected angles of the city. Thus, an initiative was born – promoted by the Egyptian artist Elhamy Naguib – to paint murals that express brotherhood, peace and harmony that help make people responsible in civic engagements. So, we launched ourselves together with 40 young people and adults, for 2 days,  painting the wall of a school in a poor district, with the theme “We have the right to dream!”. We were 8 months away from the 25^th January revolution. Even if everything was legal, the next day we got news from the municipality to erase the painting, without any explanations. We felt as our small flame was dying.

East Coast – Bronx, New York

Dec 25, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Please note: The geolocalisation feature on this website – which displays cities and towns where Focolare centres are present – is only meant to be a guide. The markers on the map do not necessarily point to a specific address and they must not be relied on for navigational purposes.

Granada

Dec 24, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

  Please note: The geolocalisation feature on this website – which displays cities and towns where Focolare centres are present – is only meant to be a guide. The markers on the map do not necessarily point to a specific address and they must not be relied on for navigational purposes.

Seville

Dec 24, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Southwest – Houston, Texas

Dec 24, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Please note: The geolocalisation feature on this website – which displays cities and towns where Focolare centres are present – is only meant to be a guide. The markers on the map do not necessarily point to a specific address and they must not be relied on for navigational purposes.

East Coast – Atlanta, Georgia

Dec 24, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Please note: The geolocalisation feature on this website – which displays cities and towns where Focolare centres are present – is only meant to be a guide. The markers on the map do not necessarily point to a specific address and they must not be relied on for navigational purposes.

Pag-asa Social Center

Dec 20, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Pag-asa Social Center is a social expression of the Focolare Movement in the Philippines. It is an NGO duly recognized by the Department of Social Welfare and Development. “Pag-asa” is the Tagalog word for “Hope”. Total no. of beneficiaries: 473 Current total no. of students in daycare: 32 Total no. of scholars: 424

Africa, “Now It’s Up To Us”

Dec 20, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Now it’s up to us.” “It will be a great feast and an historic event as well.” “An important step in the formation of the new generations in Africa.” This is how some youths of the Focolare Movement describe the upcoming Pan-African Gen Congress which is scheduled to take place in a Focolare town in Kenya, known as Mariapolis Piero (27-31 December 2011.) At The Roots. “Pope Benedict XVI’s recent Apostolic Letter ‘Porta Fidei’ and the upcoming Synod of bishops on the New Evangelization,” the youths continue to explain, “were a strong call for us. We feel it vitally important to respond to the challenge already offered to us by John Paul II in the Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation ‘Ecclesia in Africa,’ that is, the need for inculturation and the priority he gave to this for a real rooting of the Gospel in Africa.” It is the first time that the Gen Movement promotes such an event on the African continent with youths arriving from 15 Sub-Saharan African countries, who are very involved in the Focolare as Gen. Some 200 youths between the ages of 19 and 30, will find themselves in a festive but also reflective climate in which they will enter more deeply into the heritage of Chiara Lubich, her spirituality of unity, the life of the Gospel. “Over here where we are, ask the Gen from Africa, “where the youths are more and more quickly being absorbed by the materialistic mentality, is it still possible to make powerful and radical choices?” The Objective.The over-all project, which includes the Pan-African Congress, will last for a year and include an on-site formation process and day meetings for proclaiming the Gospel life involving the greates number of youths. Then there will be a concluding seminar at the international headquarters of the Focolare, which will culminate at an audience with the Holy Father, a visit to the sites of the first Christian martyrs in Rome and an immersion into the heart of Catholicism. Finally there will be an on-site evaluation and local congresses for the enrichment of local the Christian communities with experiences of life and proposals for new projects.   The Challenge. Gathering 200 youths from countries so far away from each other could seem like an impossible task. As James says: “Most of us are students and those who work have low pay jobs.” The Gen have been working since last year, gathering the monies necessary for travel expenses so that – through a great communion of goods – every geographic region can be represented at the Congress. Africae munus, which the Pope personally delivered to the peoples of Africa during his recent visit to Benin. There he invited the youths not to be discouraged and not to give up their ideals. “The future is in the hands of those who are able to find strong reasons to live and hope (. . .) it’s in your hands” (Benedict XVI, n.63 Apostolic Exhortation Africae munus). Focolare president Maria Voce also sent a message to the Gen in Africa: “If you always keep the presence of Jesus among you during the days of your congress, then you will see an explosion of new joy and new life among the Gen who will attend. Forward then, with courage and enthusiasm! Have love as the basis of all that you do, and then every small thing that you do will have profound meaning and will become another stone for the building and growth of the Gen Movement in Africa.” [nggallery id=80]

Dec 17, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Micro Credit in Burundi

Dec 16, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Those who wish to participate, even with a “one off” contribution can use the current account at: Associazione Azione per un Mondo Unito, presso Banca Popolare Etica, filiale di Roma. Code IBAN: IT16GO501803200000000120434 Code SWIFT/BIC CCRTIT2184D Cause: “Micro credit projects in Burundi”. Further information can be accessed in project form.

Consecrated Life: spirituality of communion, way to sanctity

Dec 15, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Radicalità, comunione e spiritualità.Radicalism, communion, and spirituality. This is what the young religious desire for their future consecrated life. This emerged from a survey carried out on the eve of the V Meeting on Consecrated Life held in Rome, on the 3^rd December, on the initiative of the male and female consecrated religious of the Focolare Movement, in collaboration with the Institute of Theology Claretianum. Two points constituted the core of the survey: one positive and the other negative on Consecrated Life: “I would like the consecrated life I live to be more… I would like the consecrated life I live to be less…” Regarding the negative dimension, it emerged that they reject formality and denounce activism. Based on the results of the survey, the title of the meeting was-“Saints together”-and it proposed the spirituality of communion as the way to common sanctity. The interventions in the hall were various: the archbishop Joao Braz of Aviz, prefect of the Congregation for the Institutes of consecrated life and Societies on Apostolic Life, the Rector of the Pontifical University Urbaniana, Father Fabio Ciardi of the Missionaries Oblates of Mary Immaculate who was entrusted with the theme: “ The spirituality of communion, way to sanctity.” This was followed by a series of lived experiences related by male and female religious. And at the end Lucia Abignente from the Chiara Lubich Centre, presented a short historical “excursus” of the thoughts of Chiara Lubich on the sanctity of the people and she introduced two short films. The second part of the meeting was introduced by an exceptional witness, Chiara Luce Badano, proclaimed blessed on the 25^th September, of the past year. She was presented by the Gen, the youths of the Focolare Movement. Born in 1971 Chiara Luce is a contemporary person: “ through her life- explains Tiziana Longhitano sfp– she told us that sanctity is possible even today, that it is possible also for us. Chiara Luce seems to us to be the expression of a shared way. She did not become a saint alone; her parents accompanied her.  Other friends also took part in her way, and they  became  involved in the reciprocity of Trinitarian Love.” “You are a true sign of God to the world and to us consecrated persons- said one of the participants at the end of the meeting-. Your witness infects youths and all those that have the opportunity to know you.”

Climate, technology and people. An interview with EcoOne.

Dec 13, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

A two week-long United Nations conference on climate change. What is your assesment? A modest last minute compromise was reached in Durban. The conference lasted a day longer than was foreseen and didn’t produce a new binding agreement, but postponed its drafting to 2015 and its enforcement to 2020. This confirms the general tendency of recent international negotiations on climate change: deadlock. We are witnessing on a global scale, a typical scene of sibling fighting. Everyone is waiting for the other sibling to take the first step to resolve their differences. The Kyoto protocol for reducing greenhouse gases that was extended until 2015, is insufficient because of its limited objectives and because highly-polluting countries do not adhere to it. Some of the big “historic” polluters would like the so-called emerging countries to be the ones to reduce emissions. Neverthelss I remain optimistic. I believe that humankind will find a solution. Some countries have already understood the strategic importance of renewable energies. The European Union fits into this context with its ‘20 20 20’ (reduction of greenhouse gas by 20%; reduction in energy consumption by 20% through the use of renewable energy.)   Isn’t there a risk of these decisions being to the disadvantage of emerging countries? The risk is there. In fact, some rightly oppose the reduction of greenhouse gases while remaining to stand on the side of emerging countries where a large portion of the population is still without water and electricity. It would involve supporting renewable clean energy. It makes you wonder why the rich countries do not surrender their patents. Why do they export polluting industries? Among those who hold this position there is also the Catholic Church. In Durban there were representatives of a 190 countries who seek large accords among States. But on the micro level, can’t something also be done? Yes, of course. Personal involvement, consumer and voting choice and simpler lifestyle are all important actions that can be taken. Moreover, EcoOne is trying to also develop a debate on the level of the relationship between human beings and nature. . . Could you explain that a bit more? What are EcoOne’s proposals for a more sustainable life? EcoOne’s proposal stems from the thought of Chiara Lubich. What has Chiara taught us? Not so much the latest techniques for saving energy, but an outlook toward nature that is new. She made us gather the presence of God beneath things. She made us understand universal brotherhood, which means brotherhood with other peoples within our generation and among generations as a response to questions such as: ‘What kind of planet will we leave to our children? What kind of air will they breathe?’ By reflecting on a man-nature relationship in this renewed way, we find a possibility for overcoming an excessive anthropocentrism; that is, of considering man as absolute dominator and destroyer of nature in order to make money, of no longer thinking of nature as the center, up to the point that human beings become a “disturbance” in the cosmos. We believe that the answer lies rather in the gift of ourselves, in the human person as a gift along  with our fellow men and women and with nature, of which we are not the masters but the custodians, the administrators, because God has entrusted it to us.   Luca Fiorani, researcher at the ENEA and professor of Ecology and Environment at LUMSA, is the international coordinator of EcoOne, a cultural project promoted by teachers, researchers and professionals working in the field of Environmental Science, who are united by the desire to enrich their scientific knowledge with a humanistic and sapiential understanding of environmental problems. In 2010, together with Antonello Pasini, he published for Città Nuova, Il pianeta che scotta, capire il dibattito sui camgiamenti climatici (The hot planet, understanding the climate change debate.)  

Christians and Hindus in Dialogue

Dec 12, 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Lonavla is famous for its pleasant climate on the Deccan Plateau, two hours from Mumbai. Sixty scholars have gathered there for the Fourth Christian-Hindu Symposium, which was first held in 2002 at Castelgandolfo, Italy a year after the visit of Chiara Lubich to India where she encountered members of the Ghandian academic community of this Asian nation. It was an absolute first. The Focolare Movement, already active in the field of interreligious dialogue for ten years, had never had the opportunity of addressing academic and theological topics among followers of different religions and traditions. Since 2002 academic projects with Buddhists, Jews and Muslims have taken place in Rome, Italy and other parts of the world. The discovery and growing appreciation for the value of dialogue in the academic field between followers of different faiths, although it should never become the main or exclusive priority, has become increasingly important for a true knowledge of the spirituality, rituals and ethics of the other. The title of the event offers a vital insight into what will be explored intellectually. Among the Christians – in addition to representatives from the Focolare Movement in India – there will also be members of the Focolare’s Abba School (a Focolare center for studies) and from the Focolare’s Center for Interreligious Dialogue. On the Hindu side, the attendees will include Gandhians who are involved in social and practical issues, as well as university professors who are affiliated with various prestigious universities.