Look for the Fullness of Joy
(C) CSC Audiovisivi
The Amazon, a perfect stranger
The Amazon is a frequent topic of discussion today because everyone is worried about the deforestation and exploitation of its immense resources by unscrupulous politicians and economists. But very few are aware of the problems of the communities living on the banks of its immense river with the same name, so precious for our sick planet. There are great difficulties in accessing any type of healthcare. For example, in Óbidos (almost 50,000 inhabitants), the only hospital is that run by the Franciscan Third Order, which has only one doctor to tend to the most urgent cases, while for specialized cases the sick have to go to Santarém, a distant six-hour travel by boat. Anxious about the scarce spiritual assistance given to the deeply religious population, the Brasilian Bishops’ Conference (CNBB) called for a concrete response to this issue. This appeal stirred up the interest of hundreds of Focolare members (youths and adults from all over the country and also worldwide) who created the “Amazon Project” in 2005. Each year, during their holidays they set out on a journey to visit the region’s various riverbank communities. Made up of healthcare clinicians, but also of common individuals, they go to lend an ear to the problems of the people, treat the sick, and play with the children in a silent but explicit testimonial of the Gospel in action. In this month of July, there is an ongoing mission of this type in three different districts: Óbidos (Pará), Magnificat (Maranhão) and Barreirinha (Amazonas). Twenty-two volunteers went to Óbidos, among whom were four doctors, a dentist, a physiotherapist and a medical student. With the logistics support of the inhabitants during their untiring seven-day stay in those places, they were able to visit seven communities and treat a total of over a thousand people. They went from house to house, and were put up for the night by the generosity of the people who did not hesitate to stand by the volunteers and give a helping hand, thus creating a warm atmosphere of brotherhood amongst all. When the time came to depart, the scene was always the same: nobody wanted to believe that the “missionaries” would be leaving the next day for another community, and no one could say who experienced more joy in that intense day passed together. If there is truth in the saying, “there is more joy in giving than in receiving,” it is also true that – as the volunteers said – they felt it was they who received more, in the close encounter with such a genuine population, so rich in values, courage, and authentic faith. Every departure was sealed by the promise to return the next year, accompanied by new friends influenced by their enthusiasm. A young volunteer of Benevides gave a touching testimonial, saying that he was grateful he had “grown spiritually and as a person.” A girl from Belém, struck by “these extraordinary people she had met,” declared that once she returned home she would “recommend to all to undertake a similar experience.” Another young man from Belém remarked: “I live in a society that takes interest only in the latest Smartphone model, whereas over here, I saw children who were happy to receive just a simple pencil. I saw people line up, without managing to be visited by the doctors, while over here, people start complaining when they have to wait a bit. And yet, though they are in a disadvantaged situation, these people are always joyful. Upon listening to their stories, I was convinced that some of them would really deserve an honorary degree.” See also: http://projetoamazonia2016.blogspot.com.br/ Tweet: Doctors, nurses and Focolare members have launched the Amazon Project.
Peace in Syria is possible
Syrian artist, Tammam Azzam’s artwork for Caritas ‘Syria: Peace is Possible’ campaign
On the Way with Carmen
«What a great support for the Way Carmen has been. What a strong woman! I have never met any other person like her». With these words Kiko Argüello announced the death of Carmen Hernández in a letter to all the wayfarers, those who have adhered to the Neocatechumenal spirit, He furthermore wrote that Carmen represented a «marvellous event» and reflected the ideal «woman, her great genius, her charism, and her love for the Pope, and above all, the Church.» Together with Kiko Argüello and Fr. Mario Pezzi, Carmen Hernández was a leader of the Way worldwide. The funeral will be held on 21 July, in the Madrid Cathedral, to be presided by Archbishop Carlos Osoro Sierra. Over 30,000 neocatechumenal communities in 120 countries will commemorate her, in the presence of Bishops and Cardinals who are close to the Neocatechumenal movement. Born in Olvega, Spain, Carmen lived a long life, always in communion with the Spirit which had led her, after her studies in chemistry, to discover the missionary vocation she had felt in her youth.. Then came the stint in a missionary institute, studies on the liturgy within the context of the profound council renewal, and a two-year experience in the Holy Land. Lastly, in 1964 her encounter with Kiko amid the slums of Palomeras Altas, at the outskirts of Madrid: it was there that she felt the evangelical spirit was leading her towards a new form of commitment with the Christian community that was starting amongst the poor. The presence of Carmen offered a solid theological and liturgical basis to Kiko’s forceful catechesis, and their action became a real post-baptismal formation. She played a fundamental role in the drafting of the Statutes of the Way, which was approved by the Holy See in 2011. In 2015 she received the Honoris Causa Doctorate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of America in Washington, as an acknowledgement of her great contribution to Christian formation throughout the world. «You have received a great charism, for the baptismal renewal of life,» she had said to Pope Francis in her speech before the followers of the Neocatechumenal Way last 18 March, the last time she appeared in public. But the Holy Father spoke to her personally on the phone last 1 July during a private audience granted to Kiko Argüello and Fr. Mario Pezzi. The Focolare Movement joins the prayers and thanksgiving, in keeping alive the communion between the ecclesiastical movements ratified in the Pentecost of 1998 when Pope John Paul II met the Movements and New communities for the first time, each of which is the particular fruit of a charism endowed by the Holy Spirit to the Church and humanity, to respond to the needs of our time. Maria Chiara De Lorenzo
Habitandando Study Tour 2016
5,000 kilometres. Three architecture students from Colombia, a list of places, people from Italy and Malta, landscapes and experiences to confront themselves with, preferring the less renowned sites. “These were the ingredients of a tour inspired by the Grand Tour which led the new graduates to Italy, to learn onsite, touch with their hands, and make a direct experience,” explained the Italian architects and project coordinators, Lole Parisi and Mario Tancredi. They also revealed the origin of the name, Habitandando (Learning Along the Way), with a journey as the method and the territory as classroom, that took place from 29 June to 16 July: “Abitare, which means possessing in a sense, and andare, that represents the short-lived moments in wandering through the territory to acquire, in order to comprehend, and travelling as a learning procedure.” The trip, created by Dialogue in Architecture together with the travelling workshop of Bogotà’s La Salle University, with which there has been an ongoing cooperation, had an academic but also experiential feature. The stages of the route also reached Catania, where a group of architects and engineers was working on a huge project – guided by Paolo Mungiovino – for the recovery of an old historical building: the former Crociferi Convent, in the heart of the old city centre which will act as an Egyptian Museum, thanks to an agreement with the museum of Turin. In Chiaramonte Gulfi (Ragusa), after a warm welcome in the presence of the Vice Mayor and some Municipal Councilors, they were introduced to the experience of the Fo.Co Cooperative at the core of the current challenges of Sicily, and to even more: the arrival of the migrants and refugees. «There we learned how to reconcile love for one’s own land, with the challenges of integration carried out in a widespread and attentive manner. It was a real lesson on dialogue,» Mario and Lole recounted. In Calabria, the guide was Maria Elena Lo Schiavo, Vice Mayor of Marina di Gioiosa Ionica: «With her simplicity she showed us the well-known determination of these people who say “no” to the Mafia, and “yes” to personal commitment, with positive outlooks. Anna Cundari, architect of Cosenza, lead us instead deep into the heart of the National Pollino Park amid villages at risk of abandonment, allowing us to meet people who, for love of their land, say their own “yes” with force and generosity, restoring and rebuilding often with their own hands, houses and shrines, and with these, also a bit of the spirit of this land.» In Pescara, the students and teachers of the Annunzio University, inspired by the force of the social impulse of the Bogotà University, undertook a difficult path in one of the huge, downgraded districts of the city on the Adriatic Sea, inhabited by Gypsy ethnic groups and immigrants, involving also the schools and associations. «In the list of encounters during this 15-day journey – the organizers conclude – there was much more but in short, we feel that we had tasted “beauty” which, apart from the aesthetic values, highlighted the relationships between people and the territories. It was thus because of this that the beauty of landscapes, villages and cities were “lit up” also by the relationships, dialogue, and upholding of good practices which still so many people are able to set into motion, without clamour.» Maria Chiara De Lorenzo
Economy of Communion Workshop for Young People
World Youth Day 2016 kicks off
WYD program Info: http://www.krakow2016.com/ “The news that the forthcoming World Youth Day would be held in Krakow brought much joy to the Polish people. During the three years of preparation with the youth of the Focolare Movement we asked ourselves how we could contribute to the realization of this event. It seemed natural to insert ourselves in the programme in an active and communitarian way. Slowly our role in the Youthfest took became clear, a religious and artistic-cultural programme to be held during the WYD and which should include artistic initiatives, of a religious and spiritual nature. There will be concerts, exhibits, workshops, sporting events, theatre, etc. wherein all the youth of the WYD who are interested can participate free of charge. We were entrusted with the preparation of one of these events that will be held on July 27 and…in this moment we are immersed in the preparations! We planned this meeting to be divided into two parts: integration and reflection. The first will be a moment of games, dances and songs, an occasion to get to know the others. We know that the participants will be coming from different parts of the world and we are hoping that language will not be a barrier to unity. Keeping in mind that the theme of the WYD is encapsulated in the words “Blessed are the merciful, because they will find mercy (Mt 5, 7), we chose as the motto of our meeting the net of mercy that we want to weave among us and to which we would like to invite the person beside us to join. Our desire is also that of inviting the youth to participate in an international prayer. In the second part of the event we will organize a vigil of reflection where, through choreography, music and experiences, we will speak of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy. During the adoration of the Blessed Sacrament the reflection will be accompanied by texts of Chiara Lubich and songs of the Gen Rosso. We will also be present in the Center for Vocations where the youth can get to know the initiatives of the religious orders, Catholic schools and universities, religious publishing houses, missionary organizations, national and international Movements and ecclesial Communities. Here as the Focolare Movement we will be at the disposition of all those who would like to know more about our community. We hope that this WYD can be a time of union with God and with the others for us and that all those who will participate in our event could make an experience of unity to share with the others and to live in their own environment.”
Living the Gospel: Wishing the good of one another
Risk-dependent 
«I’m a priest. One of my former course mates in the seminary who didn’t continue the course for priesthood fell into the habit of gambling, and developed an addiction. He was a brilliant man. His wife had left him due to the debts he accumulated and also his own family didn’t want to have anything to do with him. His earnings were not enough to cover the bank interests. When he contacted me to ask my help, I listened to him lengthily. But his main worry was only to pay his debts, and did not want any counsel. I introduced him to a doctor friend and a lawyer: the addiction issue was evident. So I tried to find a centre that could treat this problem and also the lawyer committed his free services. Now he’s in an institute and recovering well. One day while I was praying for him, I realized that to be able to show true charity, we need to use our hearts, minds and strength.» (B. D. – Italy) The next-door neighbour 
«One of my neighbours was in trouble: we could see this in the way she dressed and her sad looks. When I invited her to the house one afternoon, she confided that they had used up all their savings for her husband’s illness and the pension was not enough to live on. My husband and I decided to offer them a part of our savings. She didn’t want to accept since she wouldn’t be able to pay us back. But we insisted, confiding that divine Providence would give us a hand if we ever needed it. Shortly after, our daughter started to work and needed a car to move around, but we didn’t have enough to buy one. When a relative of our neighbor discovered this, she gave us her car as a gift; she no longer used it and it was still in excellent condition. Her reason for this gesture was: “I found out what you did for my aunt and uncle. It’s the least I could do to thank you.”» (R. F. – France) Red beet juice «Cristina, a widow for some years now, has never given up in the face of difficulties that arose after her husband’s death. In fact, she doubled her commitment to help others. Her colleague at work, also a widow, was not liked by the others because of her ways. One day, seeing her very pale face, Cristina asked her what was wrong. The colleague answered vaguely that she was not well and was taking a lot of medicine. So Cristina started to prepare a bottle of red beet juice for her every week. Surprised by all this caring, the colleague confided to Cristina: “I think that the force you have in going towards others is a gift from God, unlike me because I only lived on anger and pain after my husband’s death. This is the real disease I have.”» (C. K. – Hungary) Source: The day’s Gospel, New City, July 2016
Embu, life of a community at the foot of Mount Kenya
https://vimeo.com/171535577
Days of Mercy in Man, Ivory Coast
“A blaze never starts from a large fire, but from a small flame. Today we’re here to light this flame.” These words from Bishop Gaspard Béby Gnéba on the Day of Mercy and Fraternity Among the Peoples, tell what the living experience was like,” write Vitoria Fransiscati and Bertin Lubundi from the permanent Mariapolis in Man, Mariapolis Victoria, at the conclusión of the Day of Mercy organized by the Focolare upon the urging of the Bishop of Man, on June 24-26. The period of preparation allowed for a series of different kinds of encounters in a diocese where only 6% of the members are baptized. So, there are many opportunities for dialogue! Fifteen traditional leaders and 18 imams from 33 of the city’s quarters attended the day on Fraternity in Politics on June 25th. Two of the topics discused were conflict resolution and thoughts and experiences on the “practice of authority” which led to a lively debate. One of the most interesting testimonies was that of Imam Rev. Koné from the most important mosque in Man. He spoke of his relationship with the Catholic bishop: “It was he who first approached me; he first loved me. We came up with a plan of action, and now is the time to put the plan into practice. We need to help one another to respect and accept our differences and to know one another’s faith.” The event opened on the evening of June 24th with a concert called: “Many People, One Family” which included performances by several different ethnic artisitic groups. The Days of Mercy woke up the city of Man with a Peace March: Christians and Muslims marched together on a 7km walk from the centre of the city to the Focolare’s permanent Mariapolis. Then, there was a series of visits and taking gifts to 32 needy families from practically all the quarters in Man. The protagonists were the bishop with his delegation and the families. “They were emotional and joyful moments for the people we visited, also the fact of seeing the bishop himself bringing gifts without expecting anything in return, as unfortunately happens often with some politicians who want to buy support.” This was a start at fulfilling a dream, the Bishop said: “It was a training for people who hold responsiblities in society, adminstrators and those who work in interreligious dialogue, so they might continue to live mercy in civil society.” RTI videonews (original language) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvsr0KwISTs&feature=player_embedded Maria Chiara De Lorenzo