People at the Centre of the Action

Oct 25, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

“During the summer months I attended the business programme of the network of businesses that belong to the Economy of Communion in the United States. So, in addition to the two-year course in Economics and Management that I was taking at the Sophia University Institute in the international town of Loppiano, Italy, I found myself in Indiana during the months of July and August. I only expected it to be an experience of scientific research. Instead, I found myself immersed in a series of activities, but also in the midst of a compelling personal adventure. (A reminder for the next times: How necessary it is to disarm ourselves of any expectations in order to embrace the full depth of every experience!) The internship for young people is held at Mundell & Associates Inc headquartered in Indianapolis, USA. But this year was something more: The interns could spend time and share their professional skills inside Project Lia, which is another EoC business that is developed along two tracks: social impact and environmental impact. It was really an extra bonus to be able to draw closer to this business sector as well. I’d like to share a couple of thoughts. First of all, I think that one of the most important things about studying, observing, practicing and promoting the EoC is the will to collaborate. In order to enter into the relational dynamic of this proposal, it is necessary to open one’s heart, mind and eyes to those small details that make each day something extraordinary: mutual encouragement and a welcoming smile, recognizing the value and the humanity of the other person, the personal encounter with people you never knew before, the ability to wonder, striving for a balance among the different aspects of life, the decision to appreciate every learning opportunity, to assimilate new information, to recognize and support the change that is taking place, to take part in the transformation of obsolete concepts. EoC is an economic proposal that is different from the others, because it is managed by a diverse group of people. It’s not the model in itself, but the people that constitute the center of all the action. At the conclusion, when I was getting ready to leave I asked myself: How will I describe this experience? The internship was very demanding: the encounter with Project Lia, an innovative business experience, had given me so much. Among other things, working so closely with Elizabeth Wallin, who had begun the project, I saw myself in the future being able to face and overcome challenges and difficult moments. I so much appreciate the time that I had to learn her story: it permitted me to understand business, but also to enter into contact with what is the essence of a business that serves a social purpose. I saw that launching a start-up is quite an enriching process. It’s no secret that doing business is an ongoing Discovery of new things, a real battle. Watching Elizabeth, day after day, I admire her capacity to navigate in a sea of changes. Giving one’s life for a business is an activity that is born from intelligence, but also heart. To launch a project of the EoC society, you need to be able to step out of your comfort zone and encounter the others, just as they are. Patience is needed, humility and flexibility. When this path opens for me too, I’ll be a little closer to what I really am.” Source: Sophia University Institute sophiauniversity.org See also: Project Lia: Transforming Lives

Guided by a Prophetic Vision

Oct 24, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

On November 2-4 the International Prophetic Economy event will be held in Castel Gandolfo, Italy. It is being organized by several international movements and institutions whose goal is to create new paths of collaboration among change-makers (individuals as well as private and public organizations) from around the globe. These are change-makers who utilise sustainable solutions for social and environmental problems, work and become engaged in new creative forms of “prophetic” economy that favor the human person, especially the most needy. “Our world,” they claim, “faces an ecological and social crisis. Climate change and growing inequality are nourished by unjust political structures and short-term aid, along with obsolete policies and procedures. Many people around the world believe passionately in human development and in sustainable development that can change the rules and require justice. It’s time to put ourselves together and be more than the sum of our parts. The event was preceded by an award contest, the Prophetic Practices Award 2018, which 135 change-makers held in 35 countries. The experiences of the finalists, chosen by an international jury of experts (Vandana Shiva, Jeff Sachs, Cristina Calvo and Stefano Zamagni), will be presented live during the event in November. See: Prophetic Economy website

A Gathering of Diverse Beauty

Oct 24, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

In the heart of Europe with its 7.8 million inhabitants within a territory of 41 thousand km, Switzerland is a small country with a broad variety of languages, cultures and religions which has also been held up as a model of successful integration. The spirituality of unity, which is particularly congenial to a social fabric oriented towards relationships and acceptance spread rapidly in this land ever since 1960 and caught on quickly. Many successive spiritual intutions regarding the development of Focolare spirituality are linked to the summer holidays Chiara Lubich spent in the Swiss valleys. A centre of formation has been operating in Baar since 1975. It is open to all and has become, over time, the heart of the Focolare town of “Eckstein” (cornerstone) where several small businesses operate. The centre offers opportunities for contact and encounter not only among Catholic and Reformed Christians. At the end of September a meeting was held for around 400 men and women Religious, first at City Hall which is not far from the Centre. The group was restricted to superiors and persons in positions of responsibility, with the behind the scenes assistance of Focolare members. The participants were members of eighty communities, including a dozen from the Reformed Church and an Orthodox community, as well as members of Secular Institutes, Movements and Ecclesial Families. “In today’s world we have to help each other to stand together, to not look at the barriers between us, not our differences that must nevertheless be preserved. But we have to do in such a way that all our differences shine in one grand experience, in the footsteps of Christ and of our founders.” These were the words of Cardinal Joâo Braz de Aviz, who attended the meeting. In one interview, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Consecrated Life explained: “All the structures that form the Church – Religious, Hermits, Monks, Nuns, Brothers, Sisters, Secular Institutes – all of them are seeking a common life. In today’s culture everything has drawn closer together.” “At this moment in time,” he explained, “we are in need of a path that we can take together and, even we who belong to Orders, Congregations and Consecrated Life, need a tool, a way of life that draws us together in all ways. This is not the path we took at first, that of an individual spirituality, that is preserved. We need to move on to ‘looking’ together, to looking at the other with the same attentiveness with which we look at ourselves. All of this we are just beginning to learn, including us cardinals…” He concluded: “I wish that all of us, in this moment, would sum up all of our beauties and form one grand unity, remembering what Pope Francis says: “Unity is not built [by] destroying, but harmonizing the diversity.” It’s a path that at times causes fatigue, because we have to learn to go out towards the others, “the first move we have to make is to go towards the other,” as the Pope points out. If we don’t go out of ourselves, we remain at the centre. This is beginning here in Switzerland, with simplicity, as if we were all at the School of Mary.”

“24 Hours of Light” Returns

Oct 23, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

At the Focolare’s international town of Loppiano, “24 Hours of Light” returns on October 27-28, dedicated to Chiara Luce Badano. The event will offer two days of prayer, performances, testimonies and music about the life of Blessed Chiara Luce Badano who died of osteosarcoma at the age of 18. She is one of the young witnesses at the Synod on Youth and, together with her, this years protagonist is the Gospel that the Blessed Chiara Luce described as “her only scope in life.” The event is open to all and will begin on Saturday, October 27 with Holy Mass at noon in the Mary Theotokos Shrine of Loppiano. “24 Hours of Light” is promoted by the Focolare youth living in Loppiano and attending the Gen School formation centre for young people from around the world.

Let’s colour our city

Oct 22, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Ana and the cross of Hugo

Oct 21, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Ana is 19 and lives in Spain. She started to talk while she walked onto the stage of the Paul VI Hall. “In order to better know about the socio-sanitary sector, last March I went to a hospital in my city,” she recounted. In the hospital she was received by a social worker who, instead of many words, lent her a gown, put a case sheet in her hand, and accompanied her to the room of a patient: “When I entered and saw him, a shiver ran down my spine. I had to leave for a second to take a deep breath.” On the bed lay a boy, just a bit older than her, a terminal cancer patient. Ana took courage and returned to the room: «How are you?» He looked her with surprise, and asked her to repeat the question. “The first thing I did was to present myself – then he said – I have been here for two months now. I have bone cancer and I don’t have much time to live and I feel that I am losing everything: the family, my job, my girlfriend. My life no longer has a meaning.” Ana was in a state of shock. A million emotions and thoughts passed through her heart and mind. However, she tried to start a conversation by telling him about herself and her life. After a few minutes of silence the boy asked: “Do you believe in God?” Once again Ana was taken aback but answered with a big “yes.” “I instead, say no, since he has abandoned me – he added – because in just a few month he will take my life. He has really left me alone.” The young Andalusian girl entrusted herself to God before answering: “What you feel now has a name, it is ‘Jesus Forsaken.’ God has not abandoned you and he continues to stand by you more than ever. He is putting you to the test and with what you are undergoing is asking you a question which you still may not have answered: “Can you follow me also in the greatest suffering?” He has chosen this cross for you and for you alone, for a reason, because he wants you to bear witness to his love. He wants to make you a saint. You can become a saint if you accept and receive this suffering, and if you take it as something that comes from God and not as something you own. Then, without second thoughts, start loving the people around you, your parents, your girlfriend, your friends, making them see that you do not fear death because you have found something precious that helps you to live moment by moment, without thinking of what you will be tomorrow.” “Through the social worker I found out a few days after my visit, that his health had worsened, Ana recounted – and that he asked to receive the sacrament of the sick, to be able to go in peace. After some time, I received this letter…” On the stage of the Paul VI Hall, a young actor reads out Hugo’s letter: “Hi Ana, let me tell you something about myself. These have been difficult days since the cancer has advanced much faster. I felt more tired and weak, but those were the occasions in which I had to love more. These have been hard days since I saw that death was coming closer and it scared me a bit. But when this happened, I remembered that it is not death that beckons, but God: he was calling me to be with Him in Heaven, and this gave me the strength to smile, to love. I have now very little time left down here, Ana, but I must tell you that now I am not afraid because I know that I shall be fine up there. Thank you for pulling me out of that deep hole, for listening to me, but above all, thanks for having brought a new God into my life. I want you now to live for both of us, enjoy for both of us, and fulfill all your dreams. I shall always be beside you, and from Heaven, I will take care of you every day, I shall be like your little guardian angel. I gave the social worker a cross which she will give you on my behalf. I have always worn it since my first Communion, but I want you to have it so that when you look at it, you will remember that this is the Cross that God wished for you and has to be borne with joy and love always. I shall await you in Paradise, Ana.” Tamara Pastorelli Source: www.cittanuova.it

Unexpected video-message of Pope Francis

Oct 19, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Cherylanne (Doni) Menezes is from Mumbai. She is part of the delegation of 11 members representing India at the Synod on Youth, underway in Rome up to 28 October. Raised in a family that is very active in the district parish, and within the context of a multi-religious community, after her studies in economy and business Cherylanne started to work in the field of management. But her broad range of interests led her to acquire a Master’s at the Sophia University in Loppiano, Italy, where she wrote a thesis on Hindu-Christian dialogue in the Focolare Movement, where still today she is committed with the young people of her country. I met her during a break during the synodal works. The Indian delegation is headed by Cardinal Oswald Gracias, Archbishop of Mumbai, and is composed of 9 bishops (of the Latin, Syro- Malabar and Syro-Malankar churches) and another lay person, Percival, President of the Indian Catholic Youth Movement. Cherylanne is attending the Synod as a representative of the Focolare Movement in India. She has met Pope Francis twice, together with the delegation. The first was at the start of the works (“Also the Hindu youths of the Focolare Movement are praying for you and for this event,” she said to the Pope, who reacted with a happy exclamation) and the second when the Synod had already started. The new appointment was for 17 October. The delegation arrived on time, at the entrance of Aula Nervi, at 4 p.m., together with that of South America. The afternoon session started at 4.30, and half an hour earlier Pope Francis met the single groups, in a joyful and informal personal encounter that was an integral part of the Synodal spirit. Percival gave the Pope a sandalwood cross bearing the image of the Good Shepherd, work of a Hindu artist. “I have also letters for you, Holy Father” Cherylanne added. The letters are wonderful, full of affection of the youth and families of India. Among these were also those of two youths, a Hindu and a Muslim. Besides talking of themselves, they put down in writing the promise to pray for the Pope and the Synod. “Yes, because this is the Synod of all the youth,” Cherylanne explained. On consigning the cross and the letters, Cherylanne dared to ask: “Holy Father, would you like to answer with a video-message to these two young people?” “Certainly,” the Pope answered. She took out her cell phone and the Pope turned to look right into the screen. “I want to thank you for your greeting. I greet you too. I pray for you, and ask you to pray for me. We are one in friendship. Unity is always superior to the wars. Work for unity among peoples, respect the identity of one another, whatever religion you profess. May the Lord bless you… Pray for me!” The very short video captured a last frame, the smile of Pope Francis, and the mission ended successfully. Taking a shoot of Pope Francis’ greeting with one’s own cell phone is not something that happens every day, I said. “It wasn’t an act of courage – she said – I just grabbed the opportunity, Pope Francis is always so easy to approach.” How is the experience of the Synod coming along? I asked. “We are experiencing a moment of insight in which the Holy Spirit is at work, and renews everything. The experience which the disciples on the road to Emmaus had lived well describes what we are experiencing. The Church is becoming aware not only of its challenges, but also of its internal wealth and potential. I see a growing convergence in our ideas, here at the Synod, and the urgency to walk together, youths and bishops, clergy and laity, religious movements and associations, in order to go towards the world together and demonstrate our love in action.” Chiara Favotti https://vimeo.com/296453712

The Roots of Europe

Oct 18, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

The next event with the Friends of “Together for Europe” is going to be held in Prague, the land of the Hussites, the Prague Spring and the Velvet Revolution. The vast history of the Czech people will serve as the backdrop for the conversation among participants. It is a troubled history, marked by grand idealistic and spiritual re-awakenings and by a search for truth and justice that often ended in disappointment. Thus was the case of the three examples just mentioned: the Hussite Movement that began after the death of the priest Jan Hus, who was burned at the stake in 1415 and considered a martyr for the truth by his followers. Unfortunately, the wars that followed didn’t deal in truth, but in the lust for power and they completely devastated the country. Likewise, many centuries later, in 1968, the main actors in the Prague Spring, with the enthusiastic support of the whole country, wanted to install a Socialist regime with a human face, free of all the lies and cruelty of the recent past. Unfortunately, this hope was crushed under the wheels of armed tanks and ended in general resignation. Then came the Velvet Revolution in 1989, which many still remember. It was brought forward by its main protagonist, Vaclav Havel: “Love and the truth must win over the lies and the hate.” But no one expected the hard battle that followed: the spiritual values that were so strongly felt during the mass demonstrations in the public squares slowly dwindled as they were substituted with the pragmatism of the “technology of power.” The President of the Republic’s banner bears the words: “The Truth Wins.” However, two words were removed from the original version of that slogan: “The Truth of God Wins.” We’re sure that his truth will win before the end of the story.

Jiři Kratochvil

Identity Rediscovered

Oct 16, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Many of our readers are familiar with the story of Margarita Ramirez De Moreno who comes from Santa Maria di Catamarca in the north east of Argentina. She is a descendent of Calchaquies Aborigines whose leader was Juan Calchaqui. These people were well known for their abilities in many forms of traditional crafts. Margarita certainly inherited an enterprising spirit and great talent in weaving from her ancestors. When she was young, she studied for a diploma at the “Aurora School” in her town: this institute is recognised by the Argentinian government for the outstanding contribution it makes to teaching about designs and traditional skills deriving from the “quechuan” culture. Later on in life, Margarita was unemployed but she did not give in to the personal challenges that she and many women like her faced but decided to open a spinning mill to provide thread for the looms in the school workshop. This enabled her to overcome discrimination and reclaim her cultural identity. On October 1st in Tucuman, Margarita received an award during the first international meeting of “Women for Peace” organised by the “World Federation of Grand Master Ladies”. This is an international association, found in many parts of the world that works with individuals, groups and foundations: its spirit facilitates women in establishing links of friendship, fraternity and support and enables them engage politically in initiatives promoting peace, security and protection. “There is no peace without justice and there is no justice without peace,” affirmed Mariela Martin Domenichelli, the co ordinator of the Latin American branch of the federation. “It’s important to listen to the women describing the situations in which they live so they can transform their ideas into political action that benefits the entire community.” The meeting wanted to showcase the positive contribution made by women in various fields of action. After the federation visited her area, Margarita was chosen as the person who symbolises the complete integration of women and the entire Aboriginal community to which they belong. Margarita – who now has seven children – said that it had not been easy to convince women in her area to work in spinning mills once again because they had suffered discrimination for so long. In addition, they had to walk long distances, crossing rivers to reach the mill because there was no transport. However, they gradually began to share the little they had: a bobbin, some wool or their skills in traditional crafts. “The cost of machinery was a big problem,” Margarita said. “One day I was getting a lift and I told the driver about the difficulties we had. He told me that he knew how to make spinning machines and that we could pay him later, when we had the money. There were many difficulties but there were also signs that confirmed that what we were doing was right.” Margarita continued, “One day, when we were moving some fittings in the workshop, we found a picture of Mary, the Mother of God. This made a big impact on me and I felt that we should make a pact together to always love one another each day at work. We did this and soon after we received a donation that we used to buy better fittings and machinery.” We named our workshop “Tinku Kamayu” which in the local dialect means “Gathered together to work.” “We have found our identity and with that comes hope, growth, job opportunities for ourselves and others and the richness of our cultural origins. We feel we are useful – we don’t feel humiliated any longer. Other people appreciate us and want to hear our ideas.”  

Paul VI: Saint among young people

Oct 14, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

“YOUNG GEN! We welcome you with great joy as sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends! […] To search is really part of being a young person. Once the eyes of consciousness have opened on the world around us, curiosity is aroused in the souls of young people: they want to know, they want to try above anything else, and they want to attempt. Search, but for what? […] You, the young people of our times, you already have a negative answer, an almost rebellious answer in your hearts: we don’t want, you say, a world that presents itself to use like this! It’s a strange phenomenon: a world that offers you the most beautiful, the most perfect, the most enjoyable fruits of contemporary civilisation, doesn’t satisfy you, doesn’t please you. You benefit from the achievements, the comforts, the wonders placed at your disposal by modern progress. Yet a sense of criticism, protest and even nausea stops your search in this direction. This is a direction that takes you out of yourselves, an alienation because at the basis, it is a materialistic, hedonistic and selfish direction. It does not fully satisfy the soul. It does not completely resolve the important and personal problems of life. […] You have made a different choice. This is why you are called Gen, new generation. It is before all else a liberating choice, liberating from the passive conformism that affects so many young people of our times… At the basis of your psychology is a personal and sovereign act of free determination. The choice of Christ. […] Jesus Christ has crossed your path; and this is why you are here. Yes, the meeting with Him, Jesus Christ. But who is Jesus Christ? What an infinite question! […] Well: first, in Himself, Christ is the word of God made man; Christ is for us the Saviour of humanity. Two oceans: the Jesus Christ’s divinity, and Jesus Christ’s mission in the world. […] It seems to us that you, Focolarini, have faced this dual problem: Who is He, Christ? And Who is He, Christ, for us? And now the fire of light, enthusiasm, action, the gift of self and joy has been lit within you, and with a newfound inner fullness you have understood everything, God, yourselves, your life, people, our times, the central direction to take for the whole of your existence. Yes, this is the solution, this is the key, this is the formula, ancient and eternal, and when it is discovered, new. You have intuited it, and you have, rightfully, given your movement the definition of ‘New Generation’, Gen! So, dear Young Gen! Encounter, know, love, follow Jesus Christ! This is your program. This is the synthesis of your spirituality which you, by celebrating the Jubilee of the Holy Year, wish to reaffirm in your consciences and translate into life. With two conclusions. The first, in order to condense the secret of your Movement in a central and mature thought try always to have Jesus as Teacher. And then the second conclusion, that we likewise listen to the words spoken by Jesus the Teacher: ‘You are all brothers and sisters’. Have the wisdom and courage to reach this conclusion which is the root of Christian social teaching. It is often disconcerting to observe how many claiming to be those who follow the Gospel are incapable of deducing from the Gospel itself a social teaching based on love. […] You, the new Generation, are faithful and coherent. If you have chosen Christ as your Master, have faith in Him and in the Church which leads and presents Him to you. Demonstrate with actions the realizing force of charity and social love, established by the Master. It will be an experience, yes, a new one, one which generates a better and more just world. It will be a strong experience; demanding resistance, sacrifice, maybe even heroism; it will demand that you too are the robust and willing Cyrenians who offer their own backs to support the Cross of Jesus. Yes, you should also suffer with Him, as Him, for Him! But do not be afraid, Gen! Be sure! You will have operated your salvation and that of our modern world. And just as you are today, you will always be good and happy!”

Inside the label

Oct 11, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Put the heads of a group of teenagers together having taken part in the recent annual workshop in Loppiano, and one keyword emerges: “participation.” In view of this, the Youth Section of the Economy of Communion (EoC) launched on the social network and among their friends a workshop called “Inside the LABel.” At the conclusion of the day which the Bonfanti Industrial Park had dedicated to the topics of economy and work, the participants left the meeting hall and the filled cars that were waiting to take them to the nearby Coop Supermarket in the town of Figline. A table was set up at the entrance of the superstore along with ballot boxes. Then, an innovative experiment began that lasted for two hours, a genuine voting campaign. The five candidates were: pasta, coffee, chocolate, canned tuna and oranges. “But what does democracy have to do with a supermarket?” someone asked. “It does, it has a lot to do…” said one of the organizers named Chiara. “Using our wallets, we exert our “buying power.” The “vote with our wallet” is just one example of civil responsibility. Whenever we buy a product we express a preference, we support the work of a business that produces the product, a particular business model, a mission, a series of internal processes, a certain type of managing of relationships with employees and providers, a certain type of impact on the environment.” “After a meeting with Luigino Buni on the relationship between democracy and market,” says Stefania, “we worked for nearly three months examining the ‘vision’ and ‘mission’ of small and large brands at around 20 businesses. Following indicators such as transparency, production chain, respect for the environment, social responsibility, corporate form and legal record, we gathered data and information that were published on the web.” “It was an interesting and enriching challenge,” continues Francesca, “which revealed a complexity of ethics, values and conventions that influence our daily purchases. As we moved ahead and our awareness increased, we came up with a project that we could share. The role of civil responsibility, being critical consumers and becoming aware that one’s own purchases, can influence the behaviour of large and small businesses. This is why we came up with a project that we call “Inside the Label.” This year’s LoppianoLab seemed like the opportunity to present it.” Andrea interrupts: “Based on the materials that were collected, we chose three products from different brands for each category, trying to highlight the nuances in terms of transparency, pricing, commitment and quality. We left it to the participants to choose the products they would buy, after having shared with them the tools for reading the labels also for “moral calories” and “ethical sugars.” It was a project that took nothing for granted, but stuck to reality. Like every respectable voting campaign, the votes are anticipated by a talk show prepared and broadcast by the organizers at the entrance of the Coop. Each of them presents his or her own candidate, along with comments from a citizen-consumer. Then, the participants are provided with a shopping sack, a voting card and the addresses of a web site which was created for the occasion. The aisles of the Co-op, with its usual Saturday family shoppers, were also filled with shoppers who were carefully re-reading labels. After paying the cashier, the final democratic duty of political responsibility was to mark an “X” beside the products one had chosen and to drop it into the ballot box. Then there were interviews, photos, surveys and data collection. There were more than a hundred voters, but far many more things to think about. In the meantime, the Italian Constituent of the EoC is already planning a second “Inside the LABel” event at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, on the occasion of the International Prophetic Economy Event (November 2-4). Deep down, we’re all change-makers. Source: EdC online

Inauguration of the 19th Academic Year at SUI

Oct 11, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Sophia University Institute of Loppiano will celebrate the opening of the 11th academic year on October 22, 2018, at 17:00 in the Auditorium. Following the greetings from the Grand Chancellor, Cardinal Giuseppe Betori, Archbishop of Florence, Italy; Vice-Grand Chancellor Dr Maria Voce, president of the Work of Mary; and Dr Egidio Sgulloni, president of the Foundation for Sophia, there will be a panel discussion “On the net: Sophia and the University of Perugia,” with interventions by Dr Piero Coda, president of Sophia University Institute, Dr Franco Moriconi, Grand Rector of the Universty of Perugia Studies, and of Dr Mary Elisabeth Trini, double graduate with a double title IU Sophia-University of Perugia. It will conclude with a roundtable titled “The Challenge of Fraternity In Politics and Law,” with a presentation by the “Sophia Center for Researcih on Politics and Human Rights.” Professors Antonio Maria Baggio (IUS), Adriana Cosseddu (University of Sassari) and Antonio Marques Prieto (University of Malaga) will also make presentations.

The enduring legacy of the “Velvet Revolution”

Oct 10, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

The great history of Central Europe, in particular of the Czech nation will serve as a backdrop for a new stage in the journey of Together for Europe, which promotes dialogue between divergent cultural and political identities. In November 2017 the European meeting of Friends of Together for Europe took place in Vienna, a bridge between Eastern and Western Europe. This year, we will have the opportunity to take another step to the very heart of Central Eastern Europe – Prague, with a singular desire to face challenges, prejudices and fears which weigh on the collective conscience of EU member states and beyond. Through the life of the Gospel, nourished and enlightened by the presence of Christ in the Christian communities, we wish to witness to the fact that the path towards Europe as a House of Nations and a Family of Peoples is not a utopia. The enduring legacy of the “Velvet Revolution” On 17th November, the Czech Republic commemorates the anniversary of the “Velvet Revolution” (so called due to its peaceful nature) which transformed the Czech Republic into a co-protagonist for the ongoing process of European reunification. The presence of the Friends of Together for Europe in Prague on this very day, urges us to renew our shared commitment: to bring to a post-secular culture the spirit of Christian Humanism, and in so doing contribute to building a more united Europe. The renowned Czech Philosopher and Theologian Tomas Halik, friend of the late Vaclav Havel, Jaroslav Sebek of the Historical Czech Academy of Science, and Pavel Fischer an emerging Czech politician, together with leaders and representatives of different Movements, Communities and Associations will be present. Their contributions will reinforce the daring objective of this meeting: to recall a Europe of hope and promise, a Europe which stems from a rich heritage of ethnic, social and cultural diversity and calls out for communion and dialogue. In this way, the Prague event will become a fundamental phase of Together for Europe which continues its commitment for a more united, brotherly and just Europe. It will also be a unique opportunity to prepare together for the upcoming elections for the European Parliament. The meeting will conclude with an open evening, in which Movements and Communities from different churches and which are present in the Czech Republic will be represented. Address: Mariapolis Centre, Mladoboleslavská 667, 190 17 Prague 9 – Vinoř, Czech Republic – Tel. +420 286 007 711; Email: cmpraha@espol.cz; www.centrummariapoli.cz Source: Together for Europe Foto: Canva

India: the #zerohungergeneration project continues

Oct 9, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Last September, Mayur and his friends visited the slums in Bhandup and a school in Kanjur (Mumbai). They met with around 110 children. With his group, the Mayur’s Dance Academy, Mayur organised dance workshops for children at a town school in the Bhandup school district. At the conclusion, there was the long awaited distribution of nutritious food like milk, fruit, etc. to the joy of all! Despite the strong rains over the last months, we, Young Ones for Unity of Andheri (Mumbai), went door to door to ask for old newspapers to sell as paper to over 50 families in our neighbourhood. We also handed out letters addressing all the residents of the neighbourhood, with the same request. Many gave us their newspapers willingly, others who did not have any wanted to give something just the same, like cereals, and notebooks for school, and lastly, others gave us money to buy school material. Some parents and friends joined us, supporting the initiative also in the more concrete aspects. And so 383 kilos of paper were collected! The man who bought them gave us a good price, and moreover, also gave us some cash “since it was for a good cause,” he said. With the sum collected, we bought a lot of cereals which we donated to the Ursuline nuns who take care of children affected by AIDS and their families. Though it was tiring, the happiness for having done something concrete was greater. Our efforts, though modest, were a small step ahead in contributing to the “Zero Hunger Project.” launched by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations – http://www.fao.org/home/en/) and to which we, the Young Ones for Unity all over the world, are committed to. We’re so happy that all went well – concluded Anu and Alvin, the Young Ones for Unity of Andheri – but now we want to continue and do something more to build a better world, eliminating hunger, starting from our own neighbourhood.“

Watch video of Mayur Jayram Mandavkar https://vimeo.com/275110601

Church and Composers Convention

Oct 8, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

“We strongly feel the urgency of evangelization, and we realize that music can have a great impact in this regard,” says singer and songwriter, Nancy Uelmen from the Gen Verde International Performing Arts Group. She was one of the participants at the convention from the Focolare Movement. The convention lasted three days and was promoted by the Pontifical Council of Culture under the guidance of Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi. The convention was named “Church and Composers: Word and Sounds.” Besides the speakers, there were also 110 representatives from different Bishops Conferences and academic institutions from many countries, including several composers. The reflection began with “Music and Word”, which focused on memory, intelligibility and meaning. Then came “Music and Gospel”, which allowed for a presentation of several personal and communitarian experiences of life and the impact of different musical and compositional styles. Finally, “Music and Instruments” was more technical and focused on diverse sounds that culminate in the human voice. “We also discussed the great need of evangelizing with music, beyond the context of liturgy,” Uelmen recalls. “It’s the time for courageous expressiveness,” commented Msgr Marco Frisina, composer and director of the Diocesan Choir of Rome, Italy.

Photo credit: Pontifical Council for Culture

Photo credit: Pontifical Council for Culture

Colombia: diversify to generate development

Oct 7, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

From the dream to commitment: the proposals of Loppianolab

Oct 4, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

“There were more than 1,000 participants, a quarter of which belonged to the age bracket of the youth, adolescents and children; three central themes on employment, education, and participation, starting from the heritage of the 1968 youth movement; almost 50 workshops for adults and children; and around 10 speakers.” Aurora Nicosia, New City Director expressed her great satisfaction at the conclusion of the event. The title of this year’s LoppianoLab held in the International town of Loppiano recalled the anniversary of the youth protests: “From the dream to commitment, education, participation, and work fifty years after 1968.” Each of the three themes – education, participation, and employment were central to the plenary session which was followed by a series of workshops open to the contribution of everyone. The morning of Saturday, 29 September was dedicated to the theme of employment, and focused on “Why work will never end.” A dialogue was set up and participated in by Carlo Petrini, founder and soul of Slow food, Sr. Alessandra Smerilli, economist, and Fr. Antonio Loffredo of the Social Cooperative La Paranza, and was moderated by Atty. Flavia Cerino. The round table involved Mario Capanna, politician and essayist, Brunetto Salvarani, theologian, and Rosy Bind, former Congresswoman. It focused on the heritage handed down by the 1968 movement, was emceed by Marco Luppi (Historian, Sophia Univ. Inst.) and Federico Rovea (doctoral candidate in the Science of Education, Padua Univ.), and centred on the title: From the dream to commitment: beyond the revolution and the 1968 protest. Instead, on the morning of Sunday, 30 September, the theme of education was taken up, highlighting “From the dream to commitment: let’s talk about education 4.0 Between memories and the future… a matter of sense.” The discussion was moderated by Paolo Di Paolo, writer, and involved Eraldo Affinati, teacher and writer, Emma Ciccarelli, vice president of the Family Associations Forum, and Michele De Beni, educationalist and Professor of the Sophia University. Among the themes taken up were the situation which the schooling world is undergoing today, and more extensively, the world of education. “The importance of LoppianoLab was that it re-emphasised some priorities: work, the need to participate in the many shared settings across society and politics, the central role of education …” commented Marco Luppi, Professor of History of Contemporary Politics at the Sophia University Institute. “Passing from the dream to commitment, I would like to start with ‘emphasis’ on a collective job awaiting all of us, believers and non-believers as highlighted in all the workshops, towards the construction of the common good, in not only a possible dialogue, but also an urgent one.” As in the last years, the laboratory formula characterising the event, set a dialogue among the citizens, entrepreneurs, communication operators, students and teachers, politicians, members of associations, youths, and intellectuals of all the Italian regions and beyond. “To conclude,” Aurora Nicosia underlined, “we can say that the title of this edition, “From the dream to commitment,” did not remain a slogan, but became something vital, a push not to give up our “dreams,” as Pope Francis often stresses, but to give concreteness to these dreams, with an individual and collective commitment.” Tamara Pastorelli

Photos on Flickr

Inclusive, equitable and sustainable

Oct 3, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Carolina Carbonell was one of the organisers of the Economy of Communion Congress in Rosario, a populated city in the province of Santa Fe, 300 km from Buenos Aires. She defined the event as “a marathon,” maybe because it all started with a race against time. “It was February 2018. A few months earlier, we had received the proposal to organise the Congress in our city. It was very hot. Walking along the sidewalks of the city, I came across an old university friend, today the director of a series of hotels. I immediately stopped him and told him of our dream: so we found the place for the Congress. On 6 September, 70 people, “not only a few, considering that those were the days in which the faculty was the object of a student protest,’ attended the opening event, with a conference entitled, ’What’s the Economy of Communion?’” On the second day, the “marathon” continued. “The entire team” – recounted Carolina – “woke up early to meet over 300 students of the fourth and fifth year of 12 schools in Rosario, who gathered at the ‘Colegio Natividad del Señor’ to participate in a workshop. The kids put all their creativity to ‘create’ businesses and ‘make decisions’ over various situations regarding competition, crises, distribution of profits and selection of the personnel. The most important part, however, was that they subjected the EoC entrepreneurs present to a test, and who responded with their own life experiences. In the afternoon we went to the After Unplugged ‘Empresas de un solo tiempo’ session in La Maquinita Rosario. It was a co-working setting where Gonzalo Perrín, Leandro Simeoni and Lucas Longhi narrated about their own experiences as entrepreneurs for a common project. On Saturday, we welcomed the 120 participants from 30 cities of 8 provinces and 4 different countries. It was a big group, highly assorted by age and profession. The innovative presentation, tracing the present to the origins of the EoC, was followed by testimonials of the employees of some companies that were a part of the project. There were different experiences, from a family business that produces sustainable benches to a contact center with 1,200 employees, ’Nomines,’ an inclusive company which hires only disabled people.” After lunch, an original game, musical chairs, was proposed but in a different and even more enjoyable version: instead of eliminating those who did not find a seat, the chairs were eliminated. “It required cunningness and balance to sit on top of the others without getting hurt. The most difficult moment was when only one chair remained, and all had to sit without letting anyone fall. This same intelligence is also needed by all those who work for the elimination of poverty.” With great depth we then presented some of the saddest realities of current society, to recall the reasons for which the EoC was created. “Lastly,” Carolina concluded, “when you think that the goal is not too far away since we are always dealing with a marathon, and that nothing else could happen at that point, the unforeseeable occurred. On Sunday, some 8-year-old children recounted their experiences: a small business to earn money to share with kids of other nations at war, or the visit to a home for the aged where they learned to appreciate them. Last was the interview of Martina, 9 years old: The questions, but above all the answers show the prophesy underlying the EoC: those who have lived the culture of giving since their childhood are those who will one day be able to change the economy.” Source: www.focolare.org/conosur

No longer a silent story

Oct 1, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

“Years ago, the doctor-patient relationship used to be called ‘a silent story.’ It was held that a good patient would follow a doctor’s orders without objection, without asking questions,” said Flavia Caretta, geriatric doctor at the A. Gemelli clinic in Rome and spokesperson for Health Dialogue Culture. She was also one of the organizers of its most recent conference at Caruaru, in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil, titled “Interdisciplinary dialogue in building holistic health” (23–25 August). Health Dialogue Culture connects medical professionals who, taking inspiration from Chiara Lubich’s spirituality of unity, started a series of reflections and knowledge sharing about curing the sick and considering them holistically. Close to 400 professionals attended the conference from every part of Brazil. “Patient dissatisfaction because of poor communication,” observes Caretta, “results higher than almost any other dissatisfaction about technical competence. Technological culture has caused those in the know to specialize, yet this often fractures the patient’s identity and the interpersonal relationships between those getting cured and those doing the curing. The risk is losing, or never even obtaining, the ability to see the infirm in their entirety… “Each call for a cure brings with it a need for relationship. To ignore this aspect means to reduce medicine to simply applying techniques or offering a service, when above all it is a meeting with a person. “The quality of the clinical conversation should not only depend on the application of scientific knowledge or the ‘ability’ of someone to communicate, but also their ability to enter in to what the patient is going through. The process of assisting them cannot just be considered a protocol to break down into procedures, because it implies a human dimension that is unpredictable and cannot be standardized, all mutually at play within the relationship. “No healing gesture has its complete effect without entering into relationship with the other … Among the new trends in medicine, in addition to communication and personalized cures, there is a new emphasis on lifestyle, to the role that community and society play in health, especially its spiritual side. “I would like to offer some processes that have been trialed and shared by many professionals in different fields, different places in the world and cultures. They instill their lives, as well as their professions, with the values found in the Focolare spirituality… “These strategies have been proven to be effective in relating with patients. For example listening, which requires setting aside worries, judgements, hurried diagnoses, in order to make space for what the patient wants to communicate with words, expressions, and silence. “Silence, too, is communication, and is sometimes more eloquent than anything to be understood in a conversation. There is also the commitment to succeed in identifying with the present moment, free from the hurry and conditions that could cloud the choices to make.” The consistency between spiritual values and applying them in a profession, highlighted Caretta, “does not only concern our rapport with patients. It is more essential than ever to act together with other disciplines. Especially in the last few years, scientific journals aimed at improving health services and the quality of care emphasize a care team, teamwork, and a multidisciplinary approach… “I remember something Vaclav Havel, poet and the first president of the Czech Republic, said: ‘Hope is not believing that things will change. Hope is believing that you can make a difference.” Reciprocity can transform every part of the health world, whether a health professional or patient, and every part of the academic world, whether student or scholar, to be agents of change.” For contacts, news and research, see healthdialogueculture.org.

Tsunami and Earthquake in Indonesia

Oct 1, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

More than 1,200 cadavers have been recovered following an earthquake and tsunami that hit the island of Sulawesi. The Vatican is reporting that “1, 203 bodies have been recovered, but some have not yet been found or identified,” says Insan Nurrohman, vice president of Aksi Cepat Tanggap, one of the principal Indonesian NGOs. Rescue workers are labouring around the clock. Managing to remove people who are still alive is very delicate work. “The government is sending in bulldozers to clear the areas,” says Matteo Amogoni, who is in charge of Caritas Italy for Indonesia and Philippines, “but there is also the problem of no electricity and petrol. At the Angelus, Pope Francis said: “I pray for the deceased, who are unfortunately many, for the wounded and for those who have lost home and work. May the Lord console those who have survived and provide those involved in the rescue effort with strength.”

The day is born from the night

Sep 27, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Families scattered, poverty, extreme insecurity, rising costs, lack of food, public transport, electricity and running water…an entire country in crisis that seemed to be expressed in the prayer of Grace before the first supper that Agostino and Marisa shared in the land of Venezuela: “Lord, thank you that we were able to find this food to share.” “We had planned a meeting with families, first at the Mariapolis Centre near Caracas and, then, in Valencia and Maracaibo. Emeris and Oscar accompanied us and allowed us to participate in their life.” Agostino and Marisa had lived for many years in Santo Domingo, and now they find themselves re-living their experience of poverty, suffering and separation from relatives that forced them to emigrate. It was the same experience of thousands and thousands of Italians who had fled in the aftermath of the Second World War. They had boarded ships with luggage made of cardboard. “For decades the Venezuelan people have welcomed immigrants and now finds itself also forced to emigrate. From wealth and security to extreme insecurity. They said: ‘We were well-off, surrounded by abundance, but we never knew until now how precious it all was. The crisis is the greatest blessing for people and nations, because it leads to progress. Creativity is born from despair as day is born from a dark night, said Albert Einstein in 1931.’ “It took courage to hear those words,” that were spoken in a video produced by the Focolare’s New Families Movement. The families asked to see it again the next day. They told us: ‘You had lived in Santo Domingo and in Cuba so that you could help us here today.’ This economic crisis opened our eyes to the needs of our neighbors.” We had a tight schedule in Caracas as the visit went on: “conversations, lunches and dinners with families. They took turns coming to Emeris’ and Oscar’s home. We shared an experience with them that had proven fundamental for us. Having to decide where to live and having completely different ways of thinking, one night, we made a pact to embrace the other’s desires as our own. It suddenly appeared as an unexpected solution that contained all the elements that were important for each of us, but it was novel, a fruit of mutual love.” They recounted: “Many families have a car, but it’s becoming more and more difficult to repair maintain them, both because of the cost and the lack of professional mechanics who are fleeing the country. And the worn out tires are a big problem. A few days later we bought two of the four tires, using the money we had saved for groceries. We put them on the car and were able to keep travelling.” Two hours from Caracas the people of Valencia were suffering lack of water and the difficulty in transport. “In a rural town, Guacamaya, we met the community that had first been in touch with Ofelia who was forced to leave. They decided to find a way to carry on without having to leave their home” There were also quite a few young people “like sponges absorbing everything.” Two days later the trip to Maracaibo was in jeopardy because of the inspection stops on the roadway. But everything went well. Without electric current everything was more difficult: the terrible heat and the impossibility of turning on the air-conditioners, the lack of internet and entire programmes that just had to be cancelled. The night we were supposed to return to the city, so a supper was awaiting us with two families, that night at another family and breakfast with still another family in order not to be a financial burden on anyone. On the way, the road was blocked by a group of demonstrators which forced us to turn around. The family that took us in didn’t have anything for supper. We took some pasta out of our suitcases and cooked ourselves. It was a very beautiful evening. Incredibly, there was electric power that allowed us to sleep that night. The next day, arriving in Maracaibo, we learned that there was no electricity and the change in programme came as quite a relief for everyone.” They also recounted: “”On the morning of the meeting with the community, public transport was scarce and there were long queues for refuelling. The family that had organized everything arrived after quite a long adventure. Their daughter had proposed that they pray for a vehicle that would take them the rest of the way and, shortly afterwards, a car stopped and offered them a ride.” This too is Venezuela.

A new chapter of friendship opens up

Sep 27, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

The Holy See diffused a new message, with the invitation to “proceed with confidence, courage and foresight, with the dialogue long pursued” with the People’s Republic of China, “in order to grow in authentic friendship.” The recent agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, signed a few days ago in Beijing– an agreement that unlocked the nomination of bishops and ratified the “readmission” to full communion with Rome of eight “official” bishops – is opening a new page of friendship which has now resolved the conflicts of the past. China and the Apostolic See – Pope Francis said in his message – “are called upon by history to an arduous but challenging task, so they may act more positively for the orderly and harmonic growth of the Catholic community in China and promote the integral development of society, ensuring greater respect for the human being also in the religious field,” and lastly, that “they shall work concretely to protect the environment in which we live and edify a future of peace and brotherhood between peoples.”

East Africa – Sports4Peace

Sep 24, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

Not just the “lungs of the world”

Sep 23, 2018 | Focolare Worldwide

It is an immense territory that many describe with superlatives. It includes eight countries, from the Andes mountain chain, to the Atlantic Ocean, to the highlands of Brazil. It is the planet’s largest rain forest, unique in its dense, impenetrable vegetation that holds countless animal species. Thousands of miles of rivers cross it, including the immense Amazon River (which is around 6,400 kilometers long). Many cities have sprung up alongside it, such as Manaus and Belem in Brazil and Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado in Peru. When you hear Amazon Forest you think of the “lungs of the world,” although today it is a lung that is seriously threatened by deforestation and urbanization, which year after year shrink its borders and contaminate its purity. This symbolic and cultural image that the Amazon region is usually known by, as well as its traditional character linked to its exotic nature and rich natural resources, seemed far away this summer. The “Curso de Férias” (holiday course), promoted by Sophia University Institute and ALC (the promotion agency for the institute in Latin America and the Caribbean), was held July 22–28. It was entitled “Diversity, development, violence and human mobility in Latin America: the case of the Amazon region.” The course mostly emphasized an interdisciplinary approach. It included subjects such as biodiversity, socio-diversity, the lives of local populations (indigenous, those of African origin, “ribeirinhos” who live along the river, and many others), sustainable methods in agriculture, the meeting of various forms of religion, as well as the challenges of urbanization, violence and vested interests in agribusiness. “We don’t speak of the forest; we are the forest. We don’t speak of the Amazon; we are the Amazon,” said Marcia Wayna Kambeba, from India, who was among those participating. Fifty students signed up: university students from various programs as well as teachers. The aim of the course was to invite those present to raise their knowledge of the history of the Amazon, and the responsibility of us all to face the complex reality of the region, and the cultural and historical trajectories that have been woven together there. And the importance of a respectful dialogue between the vision as the world sees it and the various religions present. “The Amazon should not only be seen only through the lens of economic interests and for its rich natural resources,” declared Belisa Amaral, a journalism student in Belem. “The world needs to explore its culture, beauty and people – rich and wise people who love this region, who defend its language, customs and identity despite being threatened widely.” “It was a real and true laboratory of humanity, researching alternatives to resolve – or at least reduce – the social and environmental problems that exist,” says Marcelo Rizzo, from Sao Paulo, an expert in human rights. For him the course was a chance to lift his knowledge and a “greater empathy for indigenous people and their culture, on questions about the Amazon, and about the environment in general.”