Direct link with Japan/4

26 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Nichiko Niwano with Maria Voce

Dear friends in Religions for Peace International and international religious communities,

On behalf of Religions for Peace/WCRP Japan, I would like to offer my heartfelt expression of gratitude for your messages of condolence, concern, and support in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake we have experienced in Japan. The prayers, the sharing of our hardships and suffering, and the expressions of solidarity that have been generously offered by the religious leaders belonging to the international network of Religions for Peace are a source of great encouragement for us. I am truly grateful for these strong ties of friendship, which offer further proof that everything exists in a state of interrelation and codependence as part of one great source of life, and for that I am all the more profoundly grateful.

We still do not have a complete picture of the damage and loss of life, and the situation remains perilous, but Religions for Peace/WCRP Japan will continue to make every possible effort to offer relief to the victims. I have already called upon all members of Religions for Peace/WCRP Japan to contribute to emergency assistance efforts, and our religious youth leaders are now collecting relief funds in public places across the country.

I am inspired and encouraged by the world’s religious leaders, who have shown the way to overcome every kind of challenge, including armed conflicts and natural disasters. As the people of Japan work to overcome the recent tragedy, I humbly ask that you will continue to offer your insights and cooperation.

Sincerely,

Nichiko Niwano

President of the Buddhist Movement Risshō Kōsei Kai / Chairman, Religions for Peace/WCRP Japan

Chiara – New York 1964/65

26 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

(more…)

Farewell to Canada, the land of generosity

25 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Even those from Quebec were in no hurry to leave. They had 250 kilometres to go, it was getting late, and the temperature was already below zero. From Ottawa too, they still had 150 kilometres to travel; those from Montreal, of course, were on home ground. Broad smiles, excited conversations, little groups of people exchanging confidences, bursts of laughter, flashes of light from cameras eager to capture this unforgettable moment: that says it all.

Over three hundred people had grasped what a one-off occasion with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti this was to be. Among them were those who had met the very first focolarini to visit Montreal some 40 years ago, returning to meet the successor of the founder Chiara Lubich, in order to revive a bond that had never really been broken. Here on March 23, the warm and generous people of the province of Quebec gave of their very best.

Ten year-old Stephanie, with her long dark hair and slightly Asian look, had the honour of asking the first of ten questions prepared for Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti. She made everyone laugh with her direct and slightly mischievous question: “Chiara was the first to live the spirituality of unity, and brought the movement to life. She was an obvious choice as president. What did you do to become president after her?” Maria Voce, obviously amused, replied to the youngster directly in French.

Before answering the next question, Maria Voce explained that because of the need to translate the session for videos that would go all over the world, she would have to speak in Italian. Everyone approved, but without realising it she began to speak in French again. This drew gales of laughter, and she stopped for a moment, smiled, and decided not to switch continually from one language to another. To everyone’s delight, she chose French.

Their joy was complete when at the end of the evening the president gave her assessment of the visit. “I am grateful to God who enabled me to make this journey to Canada. He was the one who suggested it to me.” She went on, “In this country there is an acceptance, a generosity, a welcome for a whole variety of people who arrive in great need. I can imagine the difficulties, but you demonstrate how they are overcome.”

Looking around the hall, Maria Voce added, “Your testimony is enormous. You have become a real family, of people from different cultures and ethnic origins. This is your most important gift to the Movement. Canada is a place where unity can be experienced, and as with a trampoline you can launch it elsewhere.”

This observation was also, at the same time, a challenge. “Carry on as you are, in the joy of having received this great gift from God, and offer it to others.” The loud applause indicated general approval and helped to hide the tears of emotion of many. No one wanted to leave, and not a few were heard to say, “Please ask Maria and Giancarlo to come back, often.”

Paolo Lòriga

Direct from Japan/3

25 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

© Centro Santa Chiara

On 11^th March at 2:46pm I was preparing break time snacks in the kindergarten where I work. When I felt the earth shake beneath me I gathered the children straight away and we took cover, waiting for the quake to end. Even though I’m used to earthquakes I started to feel frightened when the tremors didn’t cease. In this circumstance we all felt the desire to help each other face any possible outcome together.

It was evening when parents arrived to pick up their children. Many of them had been forced to come by foot and cried tears of joy when they saw their children safe and sound. When all the children had left for home I breathed a sigh of relief and turned on the kindergarten’s T.V. to watch the news. It was then that I heard about the tsunami. Amongst the areas hit was my home town Miyako.

For six days I tried calling my family without any response. The more news reports I heard, the more I realised just how serious the situation was and the more I felt the spiritual and physical pain of the victims. It was the first time that I felt such a stabbing pain.

But at the same time I felt a strong call from God from within: “Do you really love Me? Do you really believe in My love?” “Yes Lord”, I replied, “I believe on Your love. I believe in Your love. You know I do”. And I understood that the moment had arrived to live the virtues of faith, hope and love with courage; I had to love everyone, to live reciprocal love in its fullness.”

© Centro Santa Chiara

The deep faith that everything God allows is surely part of a plan of love was confirmed in me. So I entrusted Him with all my worries about my family and decided to do His Will moment by moment. I tried to create a peaceful atmosphere at work: by supporting for my colleague who always arrived tired after a 3 hour journey due to train delays; by lending warm clothes to colleagues who were cold because of energy saving; and above all by dedicating myself to the children who, due to risk of further quakes, weren’t allowed play outside. Once again I felt peace within!

Meanwhile, I kept trying to contact my family without success. “When the tsunami hit my brother-in-law would have been at work in the city’s big warehouse, my nephew would have been at school near the port”, I thought to myself, getting carried away with worry. But in moments of anxiety I always received an email or a phone call from friends that comforted me. My colleagues were also close to me in my suffering and this filled me with gratitude.

On 17^th March the Gospel read: “Ask and you will receive”. It was the 250^th anniversary of the end of the persecution of Christians in Nagasaki. I asked Our Lady to let me know where my family was and, after mass, with peace in my heart I went home. Shortly afterwards, the phone rang. It was my father. “We are all well and the house is intact”, he said with a calm voice.

This experience thought me so much. I learned above all to share and embrace other’s sufferings and to spread the love and light received by God to all around me”.

A Brief Interlude

25 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

“An hour’s delay!” my friend George exclaims. Unfortunately the message on the departure lounge’s screen was clear. Statistics boast 97% on-time arrivals but on this occasion we were part of the other 3%! Luckily we had calculated plenty of time for reaching Manchester, our final destination.

A queue of people start looking for seats. The children are the noisiest and tension starts to rise in the waiting area.

To maximise my time I take out my laptop to sort my mail. From behind I hear a child cry… not so much cry but scream, breaking my concentration. Unfortunately I don’t have ear plugs. How annoying! The wailing begins to get on my nerves.

But then it occurs to me: could this be my chance to live the Word of Life and see the Will of God in every situation, event and person? I can try not to get annoyed, to be patient and to love.

This thought gave me great peace and strangely enough the child’s waling stopped bothering me.

All of a sudden I see the whole scenario in a new way: my eyes are opened to people’s concerns about how to get home, to the stress and tiredness that caused the child to cry in the first place. Maybe I can do something to help.

I have an idea: I can turn off my laptop, take a pen and paper from my case and go over to the crying child.

The little boy was all worked up in his father’s arms.

“Can I draw you a picture?” I say and the wailing stops suddenly. Two big dark eyes look at me in surprise.

“Look, I’ll draw you an animal. As soon as you guess what animal it is, tell me.”

My pen moves slowly across the paper.

“Elephant!” I hear a voice shout from behind. It’s his four year-old sister. “Phant” echoes the little boy.

“Exactly! Let’s try the next one”.

“A butterfly!”; “A train!”

Then all of a sudden the two of them run off to look out the window.

I exchange a few words with the Moroccan father and return to my seat. “Mission accomplished”.

“You should have seen the faces on the people when you went over to the family,” replies George, “It was as if they were asking themselves: what will happen next!”

D. R. (Denmark)

[:it]Egitto, la speranza di Piazza Tahrir[:de]Ägypten: die Hoffnung vom Platz Tahrir[:es]Egipto, la esperanza de la Plaza Tahir[:fr]Egypte, l’espérance de la Place Tahrir[:pt]Egito, a esperança da Praça Tahir[:zh]埃及：解放廣場的希望

25 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

International Economy of Communion Assembly

24 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

As previously announced on this website, the EoC International Assembly will be held in Mariapoli Ginetta in celebration of the Economy of Communion’s 20^th anniversary. The project was launched by Chiara Lubich in Brazil in May 1991. Preparations for this much-awaited important event began in December 2007, when it was first announced at the end of the EoC International Congress in Castelgandolfo. program invitation EoC International Assembly The Assembly is open to people who are already involved in the project. This includes EoC protagonists, entrepreneurs, workers, researchers and students who are passionate about the EoC. For registration (by March 31, 2011), the form is available on the website:     http://www.cmginetta.org.br. (see note below)1. The event will be both a celebration and a time for reflection. With the next 20 years in mind, it will be a chance to examine the necessary steps to continue believing in and living an Economy of Communion. It is an occasion to understand how the seeds that we sow today can grow and bear fruits for tomorrow. The four days of the Assembly will be characterized by a principal theme given each morning. Each theme will be presented by a different presentors. Among them are Alberto Ferrucci (Twenty years of EoC: A love story between heaven and earth), Vera Araujo (What idea of the person can be found at the roots of the EoC?), Genevieve Sanze (The challenges of development and poverty) and Luigino Bruni (On our way towards 2031). The talks will be followed by a panel to discuss the following topics: The entrepreneur and the enterprise, Poverty and development, Institutional aspects and Cultural dimensions. Experiences and best practices will be shared afterwards. The afternoon will be dedicated to working groups, dialogues, round-table discussions and a visit to Spartaco Business Park. Documents which will be presented and conferred in the Assembly are being prepared in these months. They include The EoC Identification Card, the new Guidelines to conducting an EoC Business and “For a new economic response of communion,” a document addressing civil society and politics. Parallel to the Assembly, an international group of scholars is organizing a research workshop entitled,“EoC Research Workshop – Economy of Communion: Towards a new economic culture. Recent Research. The last day for the electronic submission of the call for papers is April 4,  2011. The concluding day on May 29 will be open to the public. Those who would like to participate ONLY on this last day should register through this link: Open Day registration. A discounted rate will apply to registrations made by April 20, after which, the full registration price applies. 1-Important note for the Assembly registration. Attention! The only valid form to register for the whole period is the one protected by a password found on Mariapoli Ginetta’s website: http://www.cmginetta.org.br The reference people of the local EoC commissions have access to the reserved area where the password to access the registration form is available. The other form found in the link above, which can be accessed without a password is for those who intend to participate solely on the Open Day.

Montreal, Maria Voce meets Canadian bishops

23 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

“Islam is a challenge for the Church. What contacts does the Movement have with muslims?”, asked Cardinal Jean-Claude Turcotte, archbishop of Montreal. “From which authors did your founder draw inspiration for the spirituality of communion?”, asked Mons Paul-André Durocher, bishop of Alexandria-Cornwall, a diocese on the border of Ontario and Quebec. These were two questions that began a lively conversation.

At the well-appointed Centre International in rue Grenet, in snowy Montreal, seven Canadian bishops met Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti. The chosen theme was the spirituality of communion, a fundamental aspect of Chiara Lubich’s charism.

A young person shares her experience

Maria Voce was introduced by Mons Luc Cyr, Bishop of Valleyfield, and she outlined key features of Focolare’s spirituality, emphasising that it is “a mature fruit of the charism of unity”, based on several important ideas: the discovery of God as Love,its initial spark; love for one’s brother or sister to the point of giving one’s life, its humus; mutual love, the heart of the Gospel, the principal commandment of the spirituality of communion; unity, something to be strived for always and everywhere; Jesus Forsaken, the model to be imitated in building up the one human family.

And the questions – on secularisation, on the younger generations – quickly followed. They provided an opportunity to hear about the fruits of the spirituality. Giancarlo Faletti, co president of the Focolare Movement, gave several examples, and spoke of the Year for Priests and about Maria Voce’s recent journey to the Holy Land. Testimonies included that of a local parish priest, a married couple, a teen girl, and the director of an Economy of Communion business. The influence of the spirituality of communion in each of these was loud and clear.

A married couple give their testimony

“An attitude of reciprocal welcome and humble acceptance enabled a deep encounter of communion between institution and charism to take place. The joy on the faces of those present underlined how successful this was”, Maria Voce commented later.  On the previous day, before leaving Toronto, the Focolare president had paid a visit to Archbishop Thomas Collins. The archbishop repeatedly underlined the valuable contribution that the Movement is making to his very cosmopolitan diocese.

From the capital of Ontario (mainly English speaking) to Montreal, Quebec (French speaking) was a journey north westwards of 540 kilometers, on a motorway that passed through mist shrouded forests. In Montreal the mist had gone, and it began to snow just as Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti arrived. A better welcome could not have been organised.

Paolo Lòriga

[nggallery id=21]

The World in My Arms

23 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Commemorations held in every language and by representatives of every religious creed. Tributes paid by Christians, Jews and Muslims, from Venezuela to Burundi, from Australia to Vietnam. All around the world people from different backgrounds- from Apostolic Nuncios to children, young people and families- gave thanks for the charism passed on by Chiara. In a family atmosphere they all renewed their commitment to bringing her dream ahead, to witnessing the fulfilment of Jesus’ prayer to the Father: “Mat they all be one”. In Caracas the Apostolic Nuncio commented, “The song, this hymn of joy and gratitude in Chiara’s heart on her lips since that 14^th March 2008, will last for all of eternity”. During the mass concelebrated by 4 bishops and 12 priests, attended by members of various ecclesial movements, the Nuncio indicated the path to follow. “If in a city like Caracas, the fire that Jesus brought to earth was lit and if, thanks to the good will of all citizens, it resisted the world’s chill, in a short time our city would be set ablaze by the love of God.” Peru, San Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua- just some of the Latin American countries that held commemoration events. “The homilies at all the masses spoke of ‘sainthood’ and of ‘a charism for the whole Church’- a sign that by now the spirituality is well-known and appreciated”, remarked Martita and Gustavo from San Salvador. This need to celebrate Chiara’s life went beyond the boundaries of the Catholic Church. In Tucuman, northern Argentina, Christians from various churches met with Jews and Muslims for an interreligious meeting dedicated to Chiara. “I didn’t meet her in person but I’ve seen the fruits of her work”, said Rabbi Salomon Nusbaumm referring to the Focolare’s founder, “And good fruit is a sign of a good tree. May God welcome Chiara with all the righteous”. The Focolare’s local community in Quito (Ecuador) wrote, “The tragedy in Japan and the risk of a tsunami here were like reminders from the Eternal Father to focus on the essential”. In San José (Costa Rica) the local community organised a “town fair” with stalls exhibiting the ‘fruits’ of Chiara’s charism with music and performance to attract passers-by. There were open days held all around Brazil for Chiara’s anniversary: from Mariapolis Ginetta (near San Paolo) to Porto Alegre and Mariapolis Santa Maria (near Recife). “In 35 cities with the participation of a total of 4,273 people, we commemorated the third year of Chiara’s arrival in Paradise”, they wrote. Across the ocean in Cebu (Philippians) Archbishop José Palma participated at the commemoration event, attending the daylong program in its entirety. Referring to Chiara Luce Badano’s recent beatification, he expressed his wish that in two years time a beatification process for Chiara Lubich may begin. Chiara’s life was also celebrated in Bangkok, Vietnam and Myanmar. In India there were events in Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Goa. “The Nuncio began the mass at his residence by asking for a grace for everyone: to be like Chiara, witnesses of love, with strength and courage, so as to give light to everyone as she did”, wrote the local Focolare directors from Mumbai. News arrived from as far away as Medan (Indonesia): “The atmosphere was beautiful; you could feel that Chiara was alive. The joy experienced by everyone was tangible- there was a true sense of gratitude for being her sons and daughters, part of this extraordinary family.” From New Caledonia to New Zealand, in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, Chiara’s anniversary was a “moment of God”, they wrote from the Focolare Centre in Australia. Concluding this worldwide tour, we arrive in Africa. The message that arrived from Bujumbura in Burundi reads, “Chiara was with us, she was at the centre of the celebration. It was touching to see such a large number of people present, many of whom had known Chiara but lost touch with the Movement through the years. The 800 participants at the event in Mariapolis Piero (Kenya) were above all young people. The words on everyone’s lips were “joy, renewal, a sainthood open to everyone”. They wrote, “We want to continue to bring ahead Chiara’s mission: that in our arms we can bring this piece of the world to God”. Across Congo, Chiara’s 3^rd anniversary was celebrated by many: Kinshasa (700), Kikwit (2000), Lubumbashi, (400), Goma (200) e Bukavu (100). The common characteristic of these events was Chiara’s strong presence and a true desire to change and sanctify everyday environments. The mayor of Nzinda expressed his gratitude for the invitation to the event held there: “I discovered a treasure in the life and work of the Movement. It’s essential to the fulfilment of universal brotherhood which can eliminate injustice and anti-values present in Congolese society”.

Paris: “The Court of the Gentiles” is launched

23 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Franz Kronreif and Claretta Dal Rì are in Paris representing the Focolare Movement a week before another much awaited event: “Humanism, dialogue, fraternity– Chiara Lubich’s legacy”.

Sorbonne University, the Academie Française and UNESCO are hosts of the international convention that officially inaugurates “The Court of the Gentiles”. The idea for this permanent centre for exchange between members of the world’s religions and those with no religious affiliation came directly from Benedict XVI.

Dialogue between believers and non-believers was launched by the Vatican within the Pontifical Council for Culture.

The centre’s name took it’s inspiration from the space in the ancient Temple of Jerusalem where non-Jews, members of other religions and agnostics gathered.

The new centre is already up and running and has had its first meeting organised by the University of Bologna for dialogue among lay people. The “Court of Gentiles” is not a place for institutional debates, nor is it an attempt to create a common doctrine: it’s a space for dialogue.

Paris, emblem of secularisation, hosts the event. This new Vatican initiative aims at fostering an open exchange between believers and non-believers on issues relating to faith. “Dialogue implies exchange on rigorous issues; it must respect identity and avoid syncretism and vague corcordisms”, Mons. Gianfranco Ravasi, president of the Pontifical Council for Culture, explains.

Many well-known intellectuals and public figures have already shown support for this project characterised by respect, openness to everyone and a spirit of full freedom.  Representing the Focolare for the inauguration in Paris are Claretta Dal Rì and Franz Kronreif, directors at the Movement’s international centre for dialogue with people of no religious affiliation.

This Parisian event takes place in the midst of preparations for another important meeting for believers and non-believers united by the ideal of universal brotherhood: “Humanism, dialogue, fraternity– Chiara Lubich’s legacy” will take place in Castel Gandolfo from 1^st– 3^rd April with international participation.

For further information: www.incamminodialogando.blogspot.com

http://incamminodialogando.blogspot.com/2011/03/evitare-il-fondamentalismo-e-il.html

An unforgettable day for the whole of Canada

22 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

In Canada, one of the biggest countries in the world, distances are measured in flying hours. Vancouver and Toronto are five hours apart, the same as from Rome to Mecca. That’s one reason why the meeting on Sunday March 20 will be remembered for a long time. It was a gathering of representatives of Focolare communities from all over Canada, coming from the great metropolises as well as cities like Whitehorse, in the sparsely populated territories close to the glaciers of Alaska.

That explains the air of excitement at Michael Power High School, where people from the community in West Coast Vancouver were meeting those from Toronto and Montreal in the East for the first time. This was a first for everyone, ever since the movement first came to Canada, and the reason was the presence of Maria Voce the president.

An inspiring parade of what each city had to offer was evidence of the mature fruits of the movement here over several decades, and helped to demonstrate just how rooted it is in this country. It brings people together – something very clear from the afternoon’s musical interludes – from very diverse backgrounds and from many fields of activity.

Many immigrants courageously starting again from scratch have discovered a wider family, the spiritual family of Focolare. At the same time a remarkable solidarity has developed (also through French as a common language) with the distant Caribbean island of Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world. Many social projects on the island are supported by the movement’s communities in Canada.

The central part of the day was the meeting with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti. Eighty minutes of questions and answers, touching many themes: interfaith dialogue, our relationship with young people, the life of the movement after the founder, the communion of goods. And all of this against a background of a society profoundly influenced by a secular culture.

“Even though the movement was born in a context with a strong religious tradition, it was sent by the Holy Spirit as a response for our times”, copresident Giancarlo Faletti reminded us. “Secularism has made us feel less secure, but that is an invitation to respond to it, to become active heralds of the Gospel, as bearers of something new and revolutionary.”

The mass, celebrated for the third anniversary of Chiara Lubich’s death, and presided by Bishop William McGrattan, was the grand finale for the day. “In this commemoration of Chiara,” Maria Voce reminded everyone, “we are celebrating the steps towards a united world taken here today in Canada.”

from our correspondent Paolo Lòriga

[nggallery id=21]

With the young people in Toronto

20 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

It was fascinating to see the surprise on the faces of the young people of the Movement. Most of the fifty or so of their peers who had come for their first encounter with the spirituality of unity had formed an orderly line so they could speak with Maria Voce. They sought her out after hearing her responses to their questions. This was not just a show of good manners, they were moved by the desire to say something personal to this white haired lady, of the same generation of their grandmothers, about the things she had touched inside them.

“Thank you for having given me the meaning of suffering,” said a student of Philippine origin. And Cheryl, with her blonde hair and blue eyes, added: “You explained in such a simple way how I can overcome suffering with love, that I had to say, “I can do it.” “The life you challenged us to live is radical, but we feel greatly encouraged”, said an African Canadian girl. Alma and Len expressed their surprise at these affirmations, “We have never seen anything like this. It’s not part of Canadian culture to go and speak about personal feelings like that.”

About one hundred young people came to St Joseph’s College Hall, from as far away as Vancouver on the Pacific coast and from Calgary, a four hour flight away. But it was worth it. The theme of the meeting was a presentation of the life of Chiara Luce Badano, recently proclaimed blessed. Its  title was uncompromising: “Heroes of today, saints of tomorrow. Can you do it?” A demanding challenge for anywhere in the world, but here in Canada a particularly strong one, a struggle against the odds.

Secularisation here has caused a drop in church going from 80 per cent to 10 per cent in a matter of decades. Here a woman can obtain an abortion at any stage of pregnancy; in 2005 same sex marriage became legal; religion and its external symbols are increasingly disappearing from the public arena; in the media there is intolerance towards religion and believers; the fundamental rights of religious freedom and even of conscience are questioned in court.

Nevertheless Maria Voce, when asked whether it is possible to change the world, did not hold back. “If you do not change the world, no one else will,” she said plainly, “Society would have us think that happiness lies in having more. I have the impression that young people have a lot of things, but they are not happy because they haven’t discovered that what brings happiness is love.”

The president had lit a fire. “At today’s gathering you have experienced the gospel of love. Never by satisfied with anything less. Don’t turn back. Don’t risk closing the door on God.” She went on, “He trusts you. You have had this experience today. Take it to others. The future of Canada depends on you. And never feel alone, because the young people of other countries are your supporters. Together it is possible to change the world.”

The message had been delivered. And those standing in line wanted to express their adherence to it, to this woman that they had only met an hour ago. With an embrace or a kiss on both cheeks, this was an unforgettable moment. And the group photo with Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti, co-president was an opportunity for a cosmopolitan explosion of joy.

Our correspondent – Paolo Lòriga

[nggallery id=19]

Italy: with the warmth of its people

19 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Brotherhood, the importance of dialogue, care for the least fortunate, the urgent need of legality. Chiara’s third anniversary, was the chance for the Italian Focolare communities to approach topics close to all Italian’s hearts in the light of the Spirituality of Communion. In Brescia, for example, the founder of the Focolare Movement was commemorated with a round table discussion entitled “Chiara Lubich, a life for unity. The challenge of brotherhood”. In Milan, Archbishop Cardinal Dionigi Tettamanzi celebrated mass in the Basilica of Sant’Amrogio. All of the major cities in the Lombardy region remembered Chiara in this third anniversary of her departure for Heaven. Rome paid tribute to Lubich by highlighting the pathways to dialogue opened by her Charism. “Chiara Lubich, a woman in dialogue. Inspiration for dialogue between religions and within the arena of contemporary culture”- this was the title of a meeting held in the prestigious “Palazzo della Cancelleria”, or Palace of the Chancellery. Two female speakers gave talks at the event: Lisa Palmieri form the American Jewish Committee and Shahrzad Houshmand professor of Islamic Studies at the Gregorian University. Concerts, masses, book launches, thematic meetings, even a guided tour to discover “Chiara’s Rome” given by Oreste Paliotti. The Italian capital thus paid tribute to Chiara with a full programme in venues throughout the city. “This programme of events marking three years of Chiara’s passing”; the promoters of the events explained, “aims at underlining and highlighting the life of the Focolare’s Roman community, widespread in the most diverse environments of each municipality and neighbourhood in the city” (romaamor.it). In the central Italian regions of Abruzzo and Sardinia the events organised for the occasion were numerous and widespread. In Lazio there were 18 events in remembrance of Chiara: from Poggio Mirteto and Tuscania right up to the Roman coast there were masses, community meetings, book launches, thematic roundtable discussions throughout the provinces as well as in its town centres.

Arrival in Toronto

18 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

A festive representation of the Focolare’s local community welcomed Maria Voce and co-president Giancarlo Faletti to Toronto at its International Airport on 16^th March. Amidst the waving of the Canadian flag with its red maple leaf, Maria Voce was presented with an elegant bouquet of white and yellow flowers and many warm embraces.

A quick glance at the members of the welcoming committee was enough to confirm that the local Focolare community is a faithful representation of Canada’s multiethnic, multicultural society. A hospitable nation that homes numerous immigrants from over 150 countries, in 1976 it amended its law that limited non-European immigration.

The terrible tragedy in Japan is therefore very much felt by the local population where there is a significant and particularly integrated diaspora from the Land of the Rising Sun. This experience of solidarity is repeated in Canada every time an immigrant communities’ country is struck by hardship. The welcome given on March 16^th is typical of the Canadian population with its 34 million inhabitants, 90% of whom live in a concentrated strip of land- only 160 km long- running along the immense U.S. border. This is despite the fact that the country boasts 10 million km², making it the second largest country after Europe.

The cohabitation and integration of peoples, races, cultures and diverse religions that characterises Canada make it a source of interest and study for an ever increasing number of countries affected by migratory fluxes due to poverty, war and oppressive regimes.

Toronto, with its 5 million inhabitants from over 100 ethnic groups, thus lends itself as a perfect starting point for a first meeting with Canada. On the warm sunny day that followed, Focolare president Maria Voce visited the city before heading to an undisputedly fascinating wonder of nature only 140 km from Toronto: Niagara Falls.

“If I were to define this nation after what I’ve experienced so far, I would say that it’s peaceful”, commented the lady who followed Chiara Lubich as president of the Movement after she passed away on 14^th March 2008. “Its open spaces, that stretch as far as the eye can see, the friendliness of its people, the diversity of its population all make it a country that deeply expresses peace”.

Canada’s 13 million Catholics make up just over 43% of the population. However the country is experiencing a persisting secularisation process which tends to banish religion and all its symbols from the public sphere resulting in intolerance from the mass media and making the Church-State relationship difficult.

On this backdrop of radical transformation the Focolare movement and the Charism of Unity is present. Silvana Veronese, one of Chiara’s first companions, and Giò Vernuccio stopped off in Toronto for the first time in 1961 where they met a small group of people. But it wasn’t until 1964 that a Focolare community truly kicked off and in 1967 a women’s focolare was founded followed by a men’s focolare two years later.

A well known story to the Canadian Focolare Community that looks forward to meeting Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti over the next number of days.

By our correspondent Paolo Lòriga

[nggallery id=20]

[:it]L’America Latina ricorda Chiara[:de]Lateinamerika im Gedenken an Chiara Lubich[:es]América Latina recuerda a Chiara[:pt]A América Latina recorda Chiara[:zh]南美洲紀念盧嘉勒的活動

18 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

[:it]Linea diretta col Giappone/2[:de]Nachrichten aus Japan/2[:es]En directo desde Japón/2 [:fr]En ligne directe avec le Japon. /2[:pt]Diretamente do Japão/2[:zh]日本直接的報導（二）

16 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

Increased Interest in the Economy of Communion: Nuremberg and Madrid

16 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

February saw a growth of interest in the Economy of Communion (EoC) in two European cities. On 19^th February, in Madrid, there was an evening for students and business people, focused on the opportunities the EoC can offer to Spanish society in this time of economic and moral crisis.

Luigino Bruni, Professor of Economics at the Bicocca University in Milan, repeated in Madrid from a lecture given in July 2010, “If we look at how the EoC industries work, we see that fraternity is truly lived out, there is no hiding behind a hierarchy, if you are open to the other …whilst you suffer more, you receive more blessings”, One member of the audience appreciated and understood the novelty that comes from choosing to follow EoC lines, they said: “This is a very, very courageous idea”.

The discussions went on at length including over supper which closed the event. Another entrepreneur present, who had come for the first time, declared: “…I have understood that being an entrepreneur within the EoC means choosing a new style of life…”. Read report

On 26^th February, in Nuremburg, there was the conclusion of the Congress of Christian Executives, in which the Economy of Communion was one of the 300 exhibitors.

The title of ths Congress-fair, the only one of its kind in Germany, was “Fostering company growth through advocacy of Christian values”:3,800 participants and wide media coverage.

On the afternoon of 25^th February there was a session dedicated to the Economy of Communion, which highlighted the importance for a Christian of the “culture of giving” in respect to: working with clients, fraternal relationships between two directors, and also in the most difficult times for the business: “ What I heard this evening is what I’ve been looking for all my life” commented one business leader, whilst another participant said: “You have put into crisis my principle of profit, which I held as indispensible”.

Hopefully these brief extracts have given you a foretaste of the upcoming congress dedicated to the 20^th anniversary of EoC which will be held in the Meeting Centre in Ottmaring, Bavaria, Germany from 24 – 26^th June 2011.  Read report

[:it]Linea diretta col Giappone/1[:de]Direkt aus Japan/1[:es]En directo desde Japón/1[:fr]En direct du Japon[:pt]Diretamente do Japão/1[:zh]日本的直接報導（一）

15 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

With Japan in our hearts

15 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

To all our dearest members of the Focolare Movement in Japan,

Here at the Centre, together with all our people in the Movement throughout the world, we are following with great trepidation the serious situation in your beloved country.

Our hearts are there with you all in this moment of great suffering and suspense caused by the immense trial that has hit Japan…

The circumstances that you are going through made us think straight away of that “everything was crumbling” that characterised the story of our Ideal. We know, however, that that general destruction was the background on which a new light for humanity arose.

Therefore we do not want to stop looking up high, we do not want to stop believing that God-Love allows everything for a greater good. With this certainty, let’s keep hope alive and let’s transmit it to every neighbour that passes us by.

The witness of serenity and dignity, with which you and all the Japanese population deal with these circumstances, comforts us and helps us understand the value of your culture.

I vividly remember my visit to your beautiful community last year; knowing you all in person gave me such a joy. Now sharing this deep suffering with you makes the reality of being a family- “Chiara’s family”- even stronger. During these days in which we celebrate the third anniversary of Chiara’s departure for Heaven, we remember her all over the world. She is alive among us more than ever and therefore she is beside you in a special way to protect and help you.

Count on my prayers and on the prayers of everyone in the Movement. Lets ask God together to bring all the victims of this catastrophe to Heaven, to support the survivors, protecting them from other danger.

I send my love to each one of you,

Maria Voce (Emmaus)

Holy Land: Courage and a positive outlook

15 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

What significance did Maria Voce’s visit have for the Focolare Movement present in the Holy Land? It gave us all great encouragement. New possibilities were opened and new contacts  were made, especially in civic and academic fields. It was like a moment of harvest; we could see the fruit of the work done in these past 33 years of the Focolare Movement’s presence here. The most important aspect, however, was the hope that Maria Voce gave to all those she met: a hope strengthened by the spirit of love and unity typical of the Focolare Movement. Her words are engraved on each of our hearts: “You are here not only for the local community but also for the whole Focolare Movement. You have a task, a mission to carry out. I believe you are one of the most precious pieces of the Movement’s ‘big mosaic’.. Nobody can substitute you and this good fortune is yours, this grace is yours”. Were there developments with regards to the Movement’s future perspectives in such a multifaceted contest? Without a doubt there is a clear dedication to all areas of dialogue. This involves, first and foremost, the fostering of an ever closer unity between the ecclesial movements present in the Holy Land. What’s more, various bishops encouraged our involvement in pastoral work for families and young people. We also felt the need to respond to the request of many interreligious organizations to create a more hands-on collaboration; there is a true desire to spread the spirit of universal brotherhood and to work together for the common good and for peace between members of different religions. We cannot forget the contacts made with the city council in Jerusalem and with other local councils in the Palestinian Authority. All in all, guidelines for building bridges at every level have come to the fore. Maria Voce met with representatives not only of the Catholic church but also of other churches and religions. How meaningful were these meetings? These visits were very much appreciated by the patriarchs and bishops of other churches. They underlined the importance of the Charism of Unity and the need for a solid and deep spirituality in the ecumenical field. As a result these church leaders asked for our involvement in various projects within their churches and in interreligious organisations. Did a specific priority emerge after the Focolare President’s visit to the Holy Land? It’s difficult to narrow down one specific priority because everything was so important. Maria Voce felt the need to strengthen the Focolare’s presence in the Holy Land after the requests of many local figures. She also emphasised the importance of the project “In the Footsteps of Jesus”– a project that organises hospitality and cultural activities for groups of pilgrims- encouraging it to go ahead with the input of the whole Focolare community in the Holy Land. Finally, a quick mention about the piece of land beside the church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu: a plot adjacent to the steps where, according to tradition, Jesus prayed to the Father for unity among all men and where Chiara Lubich dreamt of one day setting up a focolare. Maria Voce confided, “Notwithstanding the difficulties we won’t give up, we won’t give up because it is part of out spirituality, in a certain sense it’s part of the charism”. For now there is the possibility to develop a large park that could be used for open air meetings or other activities. By Roberto Catalano

A life for the unity of Christians

11 Mar 2011 | Focolare Worldwide

These days each one of us is asked to love, have unity, share, give solidarity. And the churches are asked to repair the centuries old splits …. This is the needed step towards universal brotherhood. With all men and women of the world”. (Chiara Lubich) On Saturday 12^th March there will be an Ecumenical Day held in Trent (Northern Italy) : Chiara Lubich; Charism and a Life for the unity of Christians”. The day is one event is of the many to be held in a number of Italian cities in remembrance of the founder of the Focolare Movement on the third anniversary of her death – 14^th March 2008. Trent, the “hinge” between the great Latin and Germanic civilisations, the birthplace of Chiara Lubich, will host the event. The participants will be formally welcomed by the local civil and religious authorities: Mayor Alessandro Andreatta and t Archbishop Luigi Bressan. Participants are coming from 36 countries and about 20 Churches. Simultaneous translations will be provided in 17 languages. The ‘show’ – broadcast on Telepace live and via the internet  (9.50 – 12.30 and 15.00 – 17.40 Italian time) – will be held in the Teatro Sociale, and have a live link with a marquee erected in the ancient Piazza C. Battisti. It is expected that messages will be read from: Patriarch Bartholomew II of Istanbul, as well as Cardinal Kurt Koch, president of the Pontifical Council Promoting Unity of Christians and Rev. Olaf Tveit, secretary general of the Ecumenical Council of Churches. Maria Voce, President of the Focolare Movement will offer a reflection. The day will enable greater understanding of the specific contribution the charism of Chiara Lubich has made to the unity of Christians, which is the needed step towards universal brotherhood. The programme will unfold through sharing of experiences, reflections and music offered by Christians from many churches places such as China, South Africa, Egypt, Lebanon, Cuba as well as East and Western Europe. Through the talks to be given by Marco Tecilla and Gabriella Fallacara we will hear the story of the 50 years of ecumenical dialogue which has been brought ahead by “Centro Uno”, the Focolare Movement’s office for the unity of Christians which Chiara Lubich founded and was supported from the beginning by Igino Giordani. The day is also part of an international Ecumenical week being held at the “Chiara Lubich” Mariapolis Centre in Cadine (Trent) from 11^th to 16^th March. The 400 people taking part in this event have the opportunity to visit places in the city which are historically linked with the development of the Movement.  Last year, again on the anniversary of Chiara Lubich’s death, the founder of the Focolare movement was remembered in an event with an interreligious profile in Rome at the Campidoglio (Italian government). It is noteworthy that this year’s ecumenical event is hosted in Trent, not only because it is the birthplace of the Movement but also because the Council of Trent took place there (from 1545 – 1563) an indicator of its vocation to become a “bridge city” and a “city of dialogue”.