Santa Rosa (La Pampa)
Presidencia Roque Sáenz Peña (Chaco)
Posadas (Misiones)
[:it]Polska. Wdzięczność, która się nigdy nie kończy.[:ot]Polska. Wdzięczność, która się nigdy nie kończy.
[:it]A Benevento la IV Edizione del premio “Fraternità”
[:it]Bra: “Quando si ama si è felici e se si ama sempre, si è felici sempre”
Fiftieth anniversary of the Focolare in the New World
It could have been the finale of a Broadway musical. Men and women wearing black shirts, girls with yellow and blue scarves, dance routines, and a medley of well known songs about the joys and worries, the hard times and the dreams of Americans. The lengthy applause expressed joy and gratitude for “an unforgettable day for the whole of north America”, that, as one of the presenters put it, “took fifty years to prepare.”
The occasion, in upstate New York, marked 50 years since the Focolare Movement arrived in North America. There were 1,300 people, representing the many communities in Canada, the United Sates and the Caribbean, and those present included Jews and African American Muslims. “This country is particularly suited to the spirituality of the movement”, Chiara Lubich had said during her first visit to the USA in 1964, “there is a true sense of internationality.”
After that first visit she returned six times, confirming her feelings about the strategic importance of this part of the continent. With each visit the founder introduced something new, like the dialogue she opened with African American Muslims (she was the first white woman to speak in New York’s Malcolm X mosque), and the collaboration with actors, directors and producers in Hollywood.
The arrival of the Movement in the New World was somewhat unexpected. It happened that Julia Conley from Detroit who had attended the Mariapolis in Fribourg in 1960, wrote afterwards to Chiara Lubich and Pasquale Foresi asking them to send someone to the USA as her guests. There was no immediate response, but she was not giving up, and with true American determination she wrote again, this time including the money for two airline tickets. At the time Chiara wrote in her diary, “This is a sign from God.” She therefore sent Silvana Veronesi one of her first companions and Giovanna Veronucci. A year later in 1961 Giovanna (Giò) returned with Serenella Silvi (who was present at the celebration), and Antonio Petrilli, and two focolares began.
With a sketch involving mobile phone “apps”, a couple of young people led the audience through a tour of North America using photos, and both live and recorded personal stories, presenting the activities and life of the movement in the various States. Of course, it was loaded with special effects, and the West Coast community, on the Pacific, which includes Hollywood, began their presentation in Twentieth Century Fox style with spotlights lighting up the sky, the familiar music, and the name West Coast Focolare in huge letters.
The high point of the day was when Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti went up on the stage and responded to a number of questions. It was a conversation that lasted seventy minutes. The eleven questions covered many key issues: the fear of pain and death, the relation between wellbeing and the gospel, the sexual abuse scandals in the USA Church, relationships with the mass media.
“Allow me to reflect once more on those two girls who had this huge nation before them,” the president confided, “and now consider how much the family that you represent has grown.” After a short pause, she addressed each person there: “this is Chiara’s mandate, to be a Silvana, a Giovanna, and return to your own town with their same burning desire to witness to the charism of unity.”
Maria Voce, struck by the simplicity, authenticity and generosity of this people, also highlighted their optimism, which has helped them to get through many situations. So quite spontaneously she said something that sounded like a slogan: “After 50 years, there are still things to do, and we will do them!”
In his message for the occasion, Pope Benedict XVI, “aware of the very multicultural dimension of the Focolare in North America” promised his prayers, “so that the bonds built with members of other religious communities may bring abundant fruits for the progress of mutual understanding and spiritual solidarity with the whole human family.”
From our correspondent Paolo Lòriga
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[:it]A Foggia. Una scuola materna e un parco intitolati a Chiara Lubich
USA: Dialogue with young people
Up close and in person, it’s always a different story. In fact these young people had often seen Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti on DVD, their tone of voice was familiar, everyone knew how simple and uncomplicated they are. However, they were always president and co-president of one of the world’s biggest Ecclesial movements. The excitement among the 130 Gen (young people closely involved in the Focolare) who came from all over the USA for the event was therefore understandable. But any tension was dissolved once the meeting began. The backdrop: a snow-covered Mariapolis Luminosa, the Focolare’s ‘little town’ two hours north of New York.
“Your spontaneity has put us at ease and we feel really comfortable around you” one girl said to Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti. Despite the fact that it was a first encounter, everyone was on the same wavelength from the word go and a true chord of harmony was struck, so much so that the two special guests said in unison that they imagined the Focolare’s founder Chiara Lubich looking at those young faces with joy.
Two lively hours of music, graphics and a confiding exchange of experiences and questions. Two gentle yet intense hours where the young people brought their guests up to speed with the youth panorama in the USA today – without avoiding the difficulties and challenges facing young people. Amongst the topics discussed were the difficulties in talking to peers about God and the Church; the conditioning impact of high university fees (from 10- 60 thousand dollars a year); political polarisation between democrats and republicans. They were eager to receive feedback, views and guidelines inspired by the Charism of Unity.
“You are Chiara’s children, bursting with her legacy and aware that you’re its bearers for everyone. The more it’s shared, the more it spreads. You are young and strong and people, without knowing it, are waiting to be engaged in a project of world unity”, Maria Voce said to them and continued, “Don’t lose Jesus’ treasure, He lives, he is Risen and True and wants to be amongst you and to walk with you through the streets of your cities to proclaim, heal and console”. In this perspective Giancarlo Faletti underlined the vital link between the Word and the Eucharist: “Jesus is an incredible force and he is close to you in your hopes and expectations”.
The heart of the American dream (‘anyone can do it’) meets one of its highest perspectives in the spiritual mandate just received. A challenging task which inspires and fascinates these ethnically-diverse young people. Aiming to be number 1 is fascinating but it involves many responsibilities, leading a girl from San Antonio to thank Maria Voce with straightforwardness, “for having accepted the presidency”.
From our correspondent Paolo Lòriga
[nggallery id=24]
Nairobi
Taung
Johannesburg
General Pico (La Pampa)
A lifelong adventure together
The 460 couples who attended the meeting organised by New Families from 17- 20 March didn’t hide their doubts and fears for the future but nor did they hide their strong enthusiasm about giving a solid base to their relationship.
In 1975 Chiara Lubich had the idea of offering pre-marriage formation. Since then New Families presents the opportunity for engaged couples to verify their project for a lifetime together.
The title “There is only one love” also served as a proposal: to graft human love onto the love which is rooted in God. This strengthens the couple, stimulating values of gratuity, initiative and the capacity to forgive. “What will we bring away with us? The evangelical art of loving- a treasure, a legacy for the married life that awaits us”, commented one of the participating couples.
There were translations in 9 different languages for the participants who came from all over Europe to the Mariapolis Centre in Castelgandolfo (Rome). The group was extremely heterogeneous: newly-engaged couples alongside those who are very close to their wedding day; couples who already live together and others who are civilly wed; young people from the Focolare and other Ecclesial Movements; people from various churches as well as some with no-religious affiliation. However there was one common denominator: the desire to discover how love can stay alive throughout time and to deepen the commitment to marriage.
This lifelong dedication implies a choice which is fascinating whilst challenging, because of the responsibility required, and ever more difficult due to the insecurity surrounding work and housing. Openness about the balance already obtained and willingness to learn to make common decisions in the face of life’s crossroads are therefore fundamental.
“They were 4 extremely intense days!!!” Elena remarked, “They were also a bit difficult to tell you the truth because there were some questions to resolve and synchronize between the two of us. During the convention we dealt with them all and it wasn’t pain-free. On the other hand the course was an ultimate blessing: being surrounded by so much love was vital. We are trying to learn the ‘art of loving’… a tortuous but thrilling adventure!!!”
Differences when reciprocally welcomed can be a richness. During the period of engagement the couple therefore needs to evaluate whether or not these differences are compatible for a lifetime together and partners needs to reflect on their capacity to accept each other.
To assist this process the convention offered roundtable discussions, sharing of experiences and dialogue. Married couples and experts spoke on a comprehensive range of topics (affective formation, relationship with ‘family of origin’, work and family finance, sacrament of marriage, communication and fertility) and to further deepen these issues there were group meetings and workshops where, through sharing, there was the chance for partners to get to know each other in an ever deeper way.
[:it]Terzo anniversario di Chiara Lubich ad Arequipa[:es]Tercer Aniversario de Chiara en Arequipa
April 2011
But in the end he submits completely to the Father’s will:
“Not what I will, but what you will.”
Jesus knows that his passion is not a chance event, nor simply a decision taken by men, but rather, a design of God. He will be taken to trial and rejected by men, but the “cup” comes from the hands of God. Jesus teaches us that the Father has a design of love for each one of us, that he loves us personally, and if we believe in this love and reciprocate with our love — this is the condition — he directs all things toward good. For Jesus nothing happens by chance, not even his passion and death. And this was followed by the Resurrection, whose solemn feast we are celebrating this month. The example of the risen Jesus should be a light for our life. We should interpret all that happens to us, all that takes place, all that is around us and even all that makes us suffer as something that God wills or that he permits, because he loves us. So then everything will have meaning in life, everything will be extremely useful, even what might seem in that moment to be incomprehensible and absurd, even what might plunge us into mortal anguish, as happened to Jesus. With him we need only to repeat, with an act of total trust in the Father’s love:
“Not what I will, but what you will.”
His will is that we live, that we joyfully thank him for the gifts of our life. His will is not, as we might sometimes think, something that we must resign ourselves to, especially when we encounter suffering. Nor is it merely a sequence of monotonous acts that we carry out in our lifetime.It is his voice that continues to make itself heard within, inviting us. It is his way of expressing his love and bringing us to the fullness of his life. We could depict it with the image of the sun, whose rays are like his will for each one of us. Each one walks along a ray, distinct from the ray of the person next to us, but always along a ray of the sun, that is, the will of God. So we all do only one will, that of God, but it is different for each one of us. Furthermore, the closer the rays come to the sun, the closer they come to one another. For us too, the closer we come to God, by carrying out the divine will more and more perfectly, the closer we draw to one another … until we are one. By living in this way, everything changes in our life. Instead of associating only with people we like and just loving them, we seek the company of whomever God wills us to be with. Instead of preferring the things that please us the most, we look after those that the will of God suggests to us, and we give preference to them. Being completely intent on doing the divine will in each moment (“what you will”) will lead to our being detached from everything else, and from ourselves as well (“not what I will”). This detachment is not something deliberately sought after — we seek God alone — but in actual fact it is attained. Then our joy will be full. We need only to immerse ourselves entirely in each fleeting moment and in that instant carry out the will of God, repeating:
“Not what I will, but what you will.”
The past no longer exists; the future is not yet here. Just as someone traveling by train would never think of walking up and down the aisle to reach his destination sooner but remains seated, so we should remain in the present. The train of time moves ahead on its own. We can love God only in the present moment given to us by saying our own “yes” — a vigorous, total, very active “yes” to his will. So let us be happy to give that smile, carry out that job, drive that car, prepare that meal, organize that activity. Let us love all those who are suffering around us.Not even trials or sufferings should frighten us if, with Jesus, we recognize God’s will in them, that is, his love for each one of us. Indeed, we could pray in this way:“Lord, help me not to fear anything, because all that will happen will be nothing other than your will! Lord, help me not to desire anything, because nothing is more desirable than your will. What matters in life? What matters is doing your will. Grant that nothing may depress me or exalt me, because in everything I find your will.” Chiara Lubich
Junín (Bs.As.)
Centro Mariapoli “El Salvador” – Paraná (Argentina)
Centro Mariapoli – Alta Gracia
Centro Mariapoli “Maria, Madre della Chiesa” (José C. Paz – Argentina)
Buenos Aires
[:it]Messaggio di Maria Voce a Nichiko Niwano e alla Risshō Kōsei Kai
[:it]Giappone/5 [:de]Japan/5: Solidarität und Freundschaft mit der Rissho Kosei kai
Maria Voce in the USA
Here in Luminosa, the Focolare town for North America, the welcome was second to none. For the visit of Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti it was as if the unusually long winter had been prearranged, so that the snow on the ground would enhance the appearance of the buildings surrounded by woods and grassy banks. While the two important guests were visiting the offices of Living City and New City Press, a group of agile deer passed by just 10 meters away from the surprised visitors. “It never happened before’, the residents exclaimed. “Its the presence of the media” was the thought of others.
After Montreal, the president of the Focolare had arrived in Luminosa, the first step of her ‘discovery’ of the USA after a day’s journey by car, which included the usual border procedures of digital photos and electronic fingerprints. It is the first time that the President and the Co-President visit the USA. Their arrival in the Focolare town – located in the Hyde Park area, two hours by car from New York, where President Roosevelt used to spend Christmas – was met by scenes of celebration. At the entrance to the town, a colorful banner festooned with balloons began the festive welcome, below the US flag of stars and stripes and the focolare flag, a big golden star on a blue background, designed by Chiara when she was here in 1990.
The focolare founder, Chiara Lubich, had visited the town in 1990 and 1997, a sign of her closeness and participation in a project which was dear to her heart for this immense and important nation. Chiara’s first inspiration for this project goes back to October 1984. The search began for the most suitable location, and fund raising started, sustained by the generosity of many and by the arrival of Providence. At first some land in Pennsylvania was considered, then in other areas, until the discovery of this place. That was in May 1985, but it took six months for the contract to be signed, because the local authorities were initially not in favour of it.
The inauguration was on September 14, 1986, even though Chiara, at the last moment, could not come because of her health. But her absence added prophetic value to the message she sent for the occasion. “It will have its own beauty and its own vocation,” she said, and at the same time asked, “Will it be ecumenical and will people from other religions take part?” “Everything makes us think so, because above all it must represent these people, and just as the Americans knew how to put together people and ethnic groups coming from different countries and different continents, so the little town in the USA will be an exemplary model of the unity of peoples, the social aspect of what Jesus prayed for, “That All May Be One.”
Twenty five years later, the 33 hectares contain 22 buildings, an outdoor swimming pool and a sports field. There are 50 residents from different parts of the world, and during the summer many people come to live the experience of a cosmopolitan fraternity. There are houses for families, youth, priests, religious sisters side by side with the focolare houses. At the centre of the town is the church dedicated to Our Lady of the Light. The various halls have meeting space for 500 people, be they youth, families, or bishops. A lake and a little stream complete the landscape, which is home to a variety of animals, including friendly squirrels.
In this setting, Maria Voce and Giancarlo Faletti met for two days with those responsible for the Movement in Canada, USA, the Dominican Republic and Oceania. Then on Tuesday March 29th a retreat began, for 260 men and women from the focolares all over North America.
From our correspondent Paolo Loriga
Italy/2: A people born from the Gospel
“You are a people born from the Gospel, Chiara was born from the Word; she was that ‘Here I am’ of Mary; ‘Let it be done’ coloured her life. She let herself be led by God, the humble and willing key for penetrating the Gospel”. These were the words of the Archbishop of Cosenza, a town in the southern Italian region of Calabria, at a mass celebrated for Chiara’s third anniversary.
The region of Calabria paid homage to the Focolare Movement’s founder in 10 of its cities including Aiello, the hometown of the current Focolare President, Maria Voce. The Bishop of Vibo commented: “Chiara is a living Gospel, she penetrated its core: The New Commandment. She is a marriage between humanity and spirituality”.
In Teramo, Abruzzo, the provincial and town councils dedicated a garden to Chiara. At the conclusion of the event Bishop Mons. Michele Seccia celebrated mass in the city’s cathedral.
The southern Italian town of Foggia in Puglia wanted to dedicate two important events to Chiara. “With the naming of a kindergarten and a park after Chiara the city found a way to remember this important figure in the course of time”, underlined the Councillor for Public Education Morlino, “Lubich left an immense legacy of values based on love of neighbour and respect for each person.”
In Bari, another city in Puglia, an event for reflection on women’s dignity and mission, reviewing the female status throughout the centuries right up until John Paul II’s Encyclical Mulieris Dignitatem. The climax of the meeting was the viewing of a video where Chiara outlines the birth and development of the Marian Profile in the Church alongside the Petrine Profile.
Amongst the many and varied initiatives throughout Italy was the 4th “City of Benevento Fraternity Award” organised by the local Focolare communities of Campania, Puglia, Basilicata and Albania, by the City Administration, by the “La Pace” (“Peace”) centre and Focus Association, sponsored by the President of the Republic, the President of the Council of Ministers of the Republic and by UNESCO. There were various Forums in the program where people of various confessions, religions and cultures engaged in exchange on different topics including: “Dialogue and Fraternity: Chiara Lubich’s Legacy”.
Inauguration of the "Chiara Lubich School"
From South to North: On the 3rd June 2002 Chiara received an honorary citizenship in the North Italian province of Cuneo, Piemonte. This year a kindergarten in Bandito, one of the region’s most densely populated districts was named after her. To mark the occasion, a convention entitled “A city for brotherhood” was held in the school. “Chiara lives together with us” were the words with which the local mayor Bruna Sibille opened the festivities.
The last of this report’s list of events is the concert entitled “Festival of peace and brotherhood, a homage to Chiara Lubich” organised by the Cities for Brotherhood Association, by the town councils of Rocca di Papa and Castelgandolfo (Rome). There were 160 performers and assistants from three U.S. states and from four choirs from Rome and the near by area of Castelli Romani. The mayor of Castelgandolfo Maurizio Colacchi was present at the event along with Mayor of Rocca di Papa who reflected: “I ask myself, does Chiara need our tribute? It is perhaps we who still need a gift from Chiara and so I turn to her in asking that the social foundation of Brotherhood may develop more and more”
Ciudad de México
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Trentino
Amazonia: School of formation for young workers in politics
A group of well informed young people came together on a Saturday morning to discuss politics. 
This could seem a run of the mill event but it happened on Saturday 12th March, in Manaus, oneof the most important cities in North Brazil, the working capital of the Amazon State, on the River Amazon. This area has natural riches as well as a wealth of folklore, and is the starting point for the fabulous world of the Brazilian Amazonian region.
At 9am the ‘Hehoch Reis Forum’ held the opening lesson of the second cycle of the ‘Escola Civita’, a different way of giving formation held biannually and promoted by the Movement for Unity in Politics. This course is for young people aged between 19 and 29 to help them gain a better understanding of citizenship and an informed approach towards public life.
The students do not hold strong religious views or political interests. One student, Itagicara 
Jacauna, explains why this course is important to them: “This chance for formation gives the chance to get to know and understand local politics better” another student, Vitor Kaleb, “we want to understand the future political plans for the new generations and I really hope there will be a big change on what is currently happening”.
Ten teachers representing different topics, 4 tutors and 20 students: this is the make up the new learning community that started in Manaus. Amongst the teachers there were also some politicians, such as the State Member Jose Ricardo and Ambassador Socorro Guedes.
At this event apart from the national president of the Movement for Unity in Politics, Sergio Previdi, there was Bishop Mario, the vice rector of the Federal Amazonian University, Hedinaldo Lima, politicians, professionals, and some ex students from the previous cycle of the ‘Escola Civita’ ( begun in 2007, with a total of 25 students).
The ‘Escola Civita’ in Manaus is one of the 11 held in 10 Brazilian States, there are more than 100 participants. The programme includes formation modules, local action projects and seminars. Themes centred on the actual socio-political situation in Brazil and the geo-political position in Latin America are the focus for discussion. The course runs with weekly sessions in the Federal Amazonian University in Adrianopolis.
This school run by the Movement for Unity in Politics also happens in other nations (Argentina, Korea and Italy). In each place the socio-political-cultural context is respected but there is one common objective: to deepen and practise a politics as service of unity for humanity.
Youth for a United World Meeting
The annual meeting of the Youth for a United World (Y4UW) is eagerly awaited. Some days ago, a group of Y4UW met in Loppiano, 
International Movement Little City, near Florence, to prepare the program jointly.
It is a process that began in December 2010, and has been carried on with the Y4UW of various parts of the world via email or messages on social networks in a lively exchange of proposals so that this meeting would be the result of a communion of life and of different views.
Make visible change: after having explored “many ways for a United World” discussed last year, this time the main topic will unfold in three central themes: “today’s protagonists of a culture of brotherhood and peace,” “looking for authentic relationships,” “building bridges …”.
On April 29, the 14th edition of the “United World Week” will be open with a live video streaming (via Internet) where in the Genfest 2012 will be launched together with a range of initiatives to concretize daily the youth’s commitment for brotherhood. An inflamed message of Chiara Lubich will unite in one heart young people from all latitudes.
The Meeting will end on May 1st with the participation of the Youth for a United World in the beatification of John Paul II.
For info and reservations: sgmu@focolare.org
Focolare Medellin
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.
Centro Mariapolis “Alegria”
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.
Cundinamarca
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.
Chocó
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.
Atlántico
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.
Nariño
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.
Santander
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.
Huila
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.
Valle
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.
Noumea
Focolare Oslo
Visit to North America
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The Focolare Movement’s president Maria Voce and co-president Giancarlo Faletti, pay an official month-long visit to North America. They will meet the various Focolare communities and friends of the Movement in different cities throughout three nations. |
| Recent posts on Maria Voce’s visit to North America | |
Program
- March 19-20, Toronto: Weekend of dialogue and celebration with Focolare members from all over Canada, and a solemn Mass celebrated by Bishop William McGrattan, marking the 3rd anniversary of Chiara Lubich’s death
- marzo – “Luminosa”, NY: Incontro con i giovani
- March 21-24, Montreal: Meeting with Canadian bishops. Evening of 23:with the community of Montreal
- April 2 Poughkeepsie, NY: Encounter with U.S. Focolare members
- April 3, New York: Solemn Mass of thanksgiving celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
- April 5, New York: Cultural event at Fordham University, with four panels: “The Spirituality of Unity—a Gift for Our Times”; “The Economy of Communion”; “Personal Fulfillment in a Communitarian Spirituality”; and “Love of Neighbor and the Law”
- April 7, Washington, D.C.: “E pluribus unum”, a program open to the public featuring a multiethnic, multireligious community coming together as one people in the service of unity, at Caldwell Hall, Catholic University of America
- April9 – Chicago Youth Event: Presentation on Chiara Luce Badano
- April 10, Chicago: Interreligious meeting
- April 11, Chicago: Evening theological presentation at DePaul University
- April 16, Santo Domingo: Celebrations with the Focolare communities in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico
Chiara in New York 1964/65
From the Focolare archives: video clip showing Chiara Lubich’s first visits to New York (28 March-2 April 1964 and 22 April 1965)
Footage: Eli Folonari
Musical soundtrack: Gen Rosso.
Duration: 3′ 12″
Chiara Lubich’s first trip to the North America. Extract from diary
Direct link with Japan/4
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
Farewell to Canada, the land of generosity
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
© Centro Santa Chiara
On 11th 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 17th March the Gospel read: “Ask and you will receive”. It was the 250th 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
“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
International Economy of Communion Assembly
As previously announced on this website, the EoC International Assembly will be held in Mariapoli Ginetta in celebration of the Economy of Communion’s 20th 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.