Mar 15, 2023 | Non categorizzato
A month after strong earthquakes struck Turkey and Syria, here’s a short update on the contributions collected by the Focolare Movement’s Emergency Coordination and a glimpse of a first intervention phase launched in Syria in February, which will run through August. On 7 February, the Focolare Movement’s Emergency Coordination launched a fundraising campaign in support of the people of Turkey and Syria, through the non-governmental organisations Action for a United World (AMU) and Action for New Families (AFN). Currently, the contributions collected amount to close to 580,000 Euros, and a first instalment of 100,000 Euros has already been sent to some Syrian regions affected by the earthquake. Specifically, the operation will help close to 2,500 people directly and indirectly reach between 5,000 and 10,000 people in the three earthquake-affected areas of Aleppo, Latakia and Hama. Here are some examples of interventions that will be carried out, a variety of support actions:
SUPPORT WITH BASIC NEEDS
- Provision of basic necessities – food, blankets, medicines, clothes, etc. – to displaced people housed in temporary shelters (churches, mosques, etc.)
- Economic contribution to the neediest families; provision of medical services and aids for post-hospitalisation mobility, medicines, physical and psychological treatment sessions for physically and psychologically affected people
- Distribution of food parcels to families experiencing food insecurity (in cooperation with other organisations)
- Economic support to artisans to buy back or repair lost equipment and tools and restart work
REBUILDING EARTHQUAKE-DAMAGED HOMES
- Covering the cost of inspections and technical assessments of the stability of buildings by technical commissions of engineers
- Economic support to families for works to consolidate the foundations of buildings and renovate damaged homes
- Covering costs for the purchase of tools for craftsmen (blacksmiths, plumbers, carpenters, electricians) so that they can resume work in damaged homes
- Economic support for rental costs for those who have lost their homes or need temporary residence due to their homes becoming unsuitable
POST-EARTHQUAKE PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT
- Covering home care costs for elderly people living alone
- Implementing collective activities and initiatives for group psychological support, particularly at temporary accommodation centres
- Holding training workshops on psychological support to provide tools and methodologies to operators and volunteers who are active in the rescue sector
Edited by Maria Grazia Berretta
Click the Link – 11 March 2023 https://youtu.be/S_F0ELXyf_k
Mar 14, 2023 | Non categorizzato
On 14 March 2008, 15 years ago, Chiara Lubich concluded her earthly life. A few years earlier, in a world-wide connection she quoted the short but intense verse from Psalm 15 (16) ‘You Lord, are my only good’ and invited the communities of the Movement around the world to approach this prayer by giving it centrality in their daily lives. Thank you, thank you! In the “link-up” we truly experience love that “reaches out and comes back” because of how thankful you are and the way you make it your own. . […] In specific circumstances, an excellent prayer that we can say with renewed enthusiasm and with all our mind and heart is: “You Lord; are my only good.” Ps 16:2. In fact, we all realize that, quite often, while we are working, writing, speaking or resting, or doing something else, that some slight attachment can creep into our hearts, attachment to ourselves, to things or other people. Giving in to these would be a terrible setback for our spiritual life. Saint John of the Cross said: “It makes no difference whether a bird is held down by a thread or by a rope. However fine the thread is, the bird is bound as if by a cord, until it can break it to fly away. And he continues saying: “It is the same for a person who is bound to something. Despite all their virtues, they will never achieve the freedom of union with God.” In these situations, we must really act immediately, and nothing can be more helpful – this is a recent experience of mine – than to say often to Jesus forsaken: “You, Lord, are my only good. My only good. I have no other.” I believe this is a very important prayer and extremely pleasing to God. It prevents us from being covered with the dust of earthly things. In living this, we are amazed – I am always struck by this and always have been – by how that phrase, “only,” (“You Lord are my only good”) gives a solemn change of direction to our spiritual life. It immediately puts us straight, as if it were the trustworthy needle in the compass of our journey towards God. Moreover, this way of acting is very much in line with our spirituality, in which the positive aspect prevails: by living what is good, whatever is wrong disappears. We are not so much called to detach ourselves from something (from ourselves or things or people), but to fill ourselves with something (with love for him who is “everything” for us). Instead of saying “no,” we prefer to say “yes.” This prayer, “You, Lord are my only good,” is a wonderful way to live as true Christians who love God with all their heart and soul, and not halfheartedly. It’s also a sublime way to prepare ourselves for all the times we meet him in his daily inspirations. It will also prepare us for our solemn meeting with him, at the dawn of that eternal day when the only thing that matters will be our love for God, and for him, our love for every neighbor. “You, Lord, are my only good.” What wisdom, what understanding, what light, what strength, what love, what perfection there is in those few words! May the Lord grant us to experience all the power contained in them.
Chiara Lubich
(Chiara Lubich, Conversazioni in collegamento telefonico, Città Nuova, 2019, pp. 630-632) [1] See Saint John of the Cross, The Ascent of Mount Carmel. Book 1, ch. 11. https://youtu.be/Bf-QHf9vOp4
Mar 13, 2023 | Non categorizzato
On the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis’ pontificate, Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare, has sent the Pope a message on behalf of the whole Movement which is published below.
Your holiness, dear Pope Francis
I am united with all the prayers that are being offered, in so many parts of the world, to thank God for these ten years in which you have embraced the Church and humanity being the bearer of Christ’s love.
Thank you, Holy Father, for this time of light, courage and unwavering faith. Thank you for listening to the Holy Spirit, with whom you continuously call us to “go out” from our homes and communities, to journey on the roads of the world and to share joys and sorrows with the women and men of our time.
I still have in my heart the joy and gratitude I felt at our last meeting, on 24 February, when together with some of the moderators of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities, you invited us to meet you. Once again we witnessed your far-sighted wisdom and evangelical realism, and I want to tell you that your words guide and encourage me every day in my service to the Church and to fraternity among all people.
The topics we discussed with you, Your Holiness, will be the subject of reflection and sharing. In particular, your recommendation to be coherent witnesses and to be docile to the new ideas given by the Spirit, so that the Marian dimension of the Church can be seen, together with the rich contribution that women can make to ecclesial life, also through the contribution made by the Movements.
Know that, wherever we are in the world, we are with you to build the Church and to give our lives so that peace may return wherever it is lacking, and bear fruit in justice and reconciliation among peoples.
Together with our daily prayer, I send you, also on behalf of the Focolare Movement, my warmest wishes for all that you desire and for your health. May Mary, Most Holy, be at your side with her motherly love and care.
With filial affection,
Margaret Karram
Mar 4, 2023 | Non categorizzato
The Asian Continental Assembly for the Synod, which drew up the valuable contribution of the largest and most populated continent in the world, recently concluded in Bangkok (Thailand).We interviewed Vanessa Siu-Wai Cheng, a Chinese focolarina present at the event. The important centre of pastoral formation of the Archdiocese of Bangkok (Thailand) is located in Baan Phu Waan. It’s a beautiful place. About eighty people participated at the Asian Continental Assembly of the Synod that took place from 24th-26th February 2023. 
Vanessa Siu-Wai Cheng, a focolarina from Hong Kong, told us about this new continental phase of the Synodal Path in Asia, a pathway that, as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Tokyo (Japan) Tarcisius Isao Kikuchi said in his opening homily: “It is not only a passing event to be celebrated, but rather a change of attitude of the entire people of God so as to make synodality the founding nature of the Church.” Vanessa, how many participants were there? Seventeen Episcopal Conferences and two Synods of Eastern Rite Churches representing the 29 countries of the FABC (Federation of Asian Bishops’ Conferences) sent their representatives to this event, which aimed to give the Asian Churches the opportunity to discuss the way leading to the Synod as Pope Francis has outlined. We were able to share our experiences by focusing on several issues and some challenges that afflict our continent. We spoke about synodality, decision-making, vocations to the priesthood, the role of young people, poverty, religious conflicts and clericalism, with the hope of being able to proceed together on a true path of communitarian growth. We were delighted to have representatives of the Synod Secretariat, the Commission and the Task Force. This indicated the willingness of the universal Church to engage in the synodal process. 
What was the working methodology? They were three intense days of communion and group work. The methodology was always that of spiritual conversation. The various inputs we received were very important and stimulating. First of all, Card. Mario Grech, Secretary General of the Synod of Bishops, brought us the Pope’s warm greeting and assured us that we have not been forgotten. He emphasized that a synodal Church is a Church that listens and discerns. The success of the synodal process depends on the participation of the people of God and the pastors. We must be very attentive to voices, especially those that challenge the Church. What specifically struck you? A very strong impression was from the first day, to see that at every table where a group worked there was an empty chair, representing those who cannot lend their voice and those who do not want to give it. In the centre of the table, there was a candle surrounded by a wreath of beautiful flowers that was lit at the beginning of the day as a symbol of the light of the Holy Spirit, which is necessary to make discernment. We experienced conversion in listening to the others, emptying ourselves, all together: cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and lay people. It was a moment to dig deep, to leave the detail in order to be able to reach, with a broad vision, the continental level. The transformation from the “I” to the “we” took place. In addition, it must be said that Asia is home to many religions, including the most ancient and one of the characteristics of Asians is that of spirituality and prayer. The program included 10 minutes of silence during the discussion of a topic and half an hour of prayer in the chapel between two discernment sessions. These moments of silence and prayer really helped all participants to be with God and in God so as to hear His voice both individually and collectively. What do you think is the biggest challenge? It was wonderful to be together as a Continental Church contemplating the complexity and variety of different and common characteristics and challenges. On the first day I thought it was a bit ambitious to think that in three days we could produce a draft that could contribute to the formulation of the instrumentum laboris for the Synod, indicating precise priorities for the Asian continent, but we felt that the Spirit was blowing strongly. Thanks to the work of a drafting group that prepared a “draft framework”, a draft project in order to save us the time to read all the reports ex novo, we were able to work calmly and with a well-ordered text. The last draft of the document expresses a single symphony with many voices that echo the dreams, hopes, aspirations and suffering of the Asian continent.
by Maria Grazia Berrett Foto: © Synodbangkok2023
Feb 28, 2023 | Non categorizzato
On 1 February the International Centre of the Focolare Movement had the joy of welcoming Argentine Rabbi Silvina Chemen, a longtime friend committed to interreligious dialogue. In an open and fraternal dialogue, she spoke of her participation in R20, the forum of religious leaders in Indonesia held just before the G20, and her pilgrimage to the Holy Land with a group of Jews and Christians. “If I take a look at my life, my commitment to interreligious dialogue, I can say that all roads begin here, with the Focolare Movement.” 
These were the extremely happy words that Rabbi Silvina Chemen used to address a large gathering of people, eager to greet her and ask her a few questions, during her visit at the beginning of February to the International Centre of Rocca di Papa in Italy. She is Argentinean, from Buenos Aires, a professor at the Latin American Rabbinical Seminary, and serves in the Bet-El community founded by Rabbi Marshall Meyer. Her commitment to dialogue between faiths is a choice that radically pervades her life and that has led her to get to know Chiara Lubich’s charism deeply, sharing the profound desire of ‘ut omnes’ (‘all be one’) by working intensely in favour of peace and universal brotherhood. In November Chemen participated in R20, the forum of religions in Indonesia, a historic moment that, in the presence of so many religious leaders, proudly defined how religions can truly be partners and help build a more peaceful society. “We, the religious people of the world, are part of society and have so much to offer to such a wounded world,” said Chemen. It is true, at this moment in history, on an international, political and religious level, we are taking the first steps toward a common dialogue. Yet we must take another step: looking further into the problems of ordinary people. It is a long journey, but one that over time, patiently, can bear the most beautiful fruit: valuing each other’s differences, cherishing them, lending an ear with interest and together looking toward a single goal. This, Silvina recalls, is what happened in the early experiences of dialogue between people of different religions that she was able to have. “My tradition, the Jewish tradition, is not just a set of precepts, rituals or a liturgy, but it is mixed with everyday life, with every moment of human life – our behaviour, actions, with what we are. It is a worldview of real life, so Judaism is not only lived inside the synagogue, but outside. “Being a cohesive community and witnessing with our lives: this is what I believe applies to everyone. It is often thought that we of various religions are not an integral part of society and that we must live within the walls of our communities. “Instead, I think we cannot miss this opportunity to speak to the world and to talk about dialogue, about what we have learnt from our experience, not to convince anyone, but to plant seeds of good, to have an impact on reality. “I am in love with this possibility of reading a religion through the eyes of current events. We are here to discomfort the comfortable and to support the uncomfortable. When one is too comfortable, it means one is completely disconnected from reality, which by nature is uncomfortable. Here, our mission is to be uncomfortable.” Silvina recently completed a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, the fruit of a journey that began in her city Buenos Aires some seven years ago, called ‘shared readings’. “Every first Monday of the month we met, Jews and Christians, to study the texts of the Bible,” she says. “It was a space of truth and knowledge, and also saw the participation of a Catholic theologian, José Luis D’Amico, from the Order of the Sisters of Sion, a Bible centre in Buenos Aires. “Other times we also had the joy of having Muslim brothers with us, and we were able to read together the Torah, the Gospel and some passages from the Quran. This experience led each of us to have a dream: a pilgrimage to the Holy Land together to revive the texts in their context.” That is how 45 people, including Jews and Catholic Christians, accompanied by an Israeli guide, had a truly intense experience from 9 to 22 January. They shared each other’s emotions in those places that were of value to each of them, understanding the ultimate message of the texts that were read. “We went between Jericho and Jerusalem,” Silvina says, “to the place where the Good Samaritan is said to have come upon the dying man. It is a text that is somewhat problematic for us Jews, since it could portray Jews as people without pity, as the Levite and the priest of the parable are described. “It was important to take on this text there, to give it another reading and understand that mercy was the key to that Word, as we also read in Ecclesiastes: better two than one, for if one falls, the other helps him (Ecc 4:9–10). “Immediately afterwards we did an exercise, that of talking to someone with whom we had not yet spoken during the trip. It was a truly unique moment: to have the opportunity to listen to each other, compare with each other and find a common message. “We were not a separate ‘we’ and ‘you’, but we were together. It was a precious moment – I would even say prophetic – of a truly united world.”
Maria Grazia Berretta
Feb 25, 2023 | Non categorizzato
Give to safeguard. By tracking daily action, the new APP teaches young people and adults, how to take care of the planet and of communities afflicted by climate change Track your consumption, on your own or in groups, learn small-large daily actions to save water and energy and not waste food, and provide concrete help to the poorest countries. These are the goals of EcoGive – Dare to Safeguard, a new App which is available on AppleStore and GooglePlay. It was born thanks to the support of the New Ways for a United World Association linked to the Focolare Movement. Our world is now digitally contained in our mobile phones. Being able to see our daily behaviours reflected in the digital dimension helps us to become aware of how much we really need to consume and how much we waste. This App allows us to track any of the following actions, from the reuse of water used to wash fruit and vegetables to switching off unnecessary lights, to the recycling of used clothes or less wasting of food. Each participant can register their “green deeds”, committing to carry out at least 200 for each school year. There are five thematic areas: electricity, water, gas, recycling/reuse and reduction of food waste. You can then follow the tally of your own deeds and those of your group or school class. You can also see the impact of the project measured in CO2, MWh and water saved. Marco Livia, president of the New Ways for a United World Association (APS), which supported the project and brought it onto an international level, said, “It is a very important project, a contribution to a real cultural change towards a sustainable lifestyle. We are aware of our generation’s great responsibility to the environment and we strongly believe in the power of change that we can transmit to children, and that they can imprint on their peers and in their own contexts.” The idea started in 2008 in Palermo (Italy) on the initiative of Elena Pace, a teacher. The aim is to combine environmental protection and solidarity. The experience then developed over the years thanks to the commitment of the students of various Italian schools. In the 2021-2022 school year, the initiative involved 50 schools worldwide and reached more than 10,000 students. In 2023 its international scope continues to grow. Schools from 12 countries now participate: Italy, Burundi, Benin, Madagascar, South Africa, India, Kenya, Pakistan, Brazil, Colombia, Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The project is inspired by the United Nations 2030 Agenda Goals, focusing in particular on three of them: 13 (fight against climate change), 4 (promote quality education) and 2 (defeat hunger). Support for developing countries The energy-saving measures can also be transformed into concrete support for the populations of the countries most affected by adverse climate-related events. How? Parents, relatives, friends and sponsors are invited to donate. The resources generated will allow the implementation of solidarity actions in developing countries. These actions are chosen by the students, who will learn in this way to give to safeguard the environment. Solidarity projects chosen include the construction of a social vegetable garden in Nairobi, Kenya, the planting of trees in a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Mumbai (India) and the promotion of plant nurseries in the city of Carice (Haiti). The project has been supported by several institutions including the Italian Ministry of Education, the Ministry of the Environment of the Dominican Republic, the Sapienza University of Rome, the Italian Space Agency and the Municipalities of Rome and Priverno. The EcoGive App was created thanks to the support of Mauro Atturo, CEO & Founder of Problem Solving S.R.L. and of Carlo La Mattina, Sole Director of Innovation Lab S.R.L.
Lorenzo Russo
Feb 24, 2023 | Non categorizzato
365 days of war in the words and experience of Mira Milavec, a Slovenian Focolarina who has been living in Ukraine for some years and where she works for Caritas Spes. “It has been one year of war, but it seems like an eternity. I never imagined I’d experience such a situation firsthand.” 
This is how our conversation with Mira Milavec, a Slovenian focolarina who has been living in Ukraine since 2019, began. Mira has been working tirelessly at the frontline during this year of conflict, working with Caritas Spes Ukraine to support the people. Caritas has been supported by the Emergency Coordination Committee of the Focolare Movement through the NGO’s Action for a United World (AMU) and Action for New Families (AFN). Mira told us, “I see a lot of fatigue around me. There are some places in particular where people are still living in very precarious situations. After a year, people’s needs have changed. Before with Caritas Spes we dealt with the distribution of basic necessities, now we have moved on to a new phase in which it is very important to restore dignity to people and also provide socio-psychological support. We are still at the beginning in this area but we are trying to understand how to do it”. Mira, the Caritas operation never stopped… That’s true. I am in contact with our collaborators who are in the most affected places. I think they have never had time to rest but they are there, day and night, personally sharing the sufferings of these people who have lost everything, their loved ones, their houses; their whole life is shattered. I think being in direct contact with these stories, gives our collaborators, no matter how tired they are, the push to continue doing good”. Is there any particular story you carry with you? “Yes, the stories are different, and that’s where hope comes from. I remember a family from Donbass who had to leave their city already in 2014. They had saved all their lives to be able to have an apartment and as soon as they could, they bought one in Kharkiv. Then the war came and they had to leave. They went back to that apartment at the end of 2022 and found it in really disastrous conditions because of the bombing. We brought them wood stoves to keep warm and, despite this tragic situation, it was moving to see immense gratitude in their eyes. It didn’t matter how much it was going to cost to repair the damage to the house. They were happy and grateful to receive that little help, to be alive and still together. ” What have you experienced in this difficult year? “I have seen how in these situations we are all able to do something to help. Above all I feel God’s support and really feel that we are in His hands. Often people here don’t ask for much, it’s enough just to ‘be’, to be there with them. God gives us all different talents and I have to say that in the situation I’m in now, I can really draw on them and they can really help others. Prayer is a real support. I truly hope that this war will end and that each one in our own small way will be able to teach the new generations that such hatred cannot be allowed to exist.”
by Maria Grazia Berretta
Activate English subtitles https://youtu.be/gFOMlUj6axA To continue supporting the people of Ukraine click on the link Ukraine: fundraising to support the population begins – Focolare Movement (focolare.org)
Feb 21, 2023 | Non categorizzato
In Hebrew, Nes Ammim means the ‘miracle of the peoples’. This place was created to foster dialogue and understanding between Christians, Jews and Muslims. From 16 to 18 September, “Dare to Care for a Better Future” was held here, a meeting organised by the Focolare Movement in the Holy Land and open to people of every generation, nationality, religious faith or non-religious beliefs. It was an opportunity to share a few days together and discover each other as partners, through mutual understanding, in building a better future together. For testimonies of friendship between believers of different religions, see also Holy Land: stories of dialogue ( https://youtu.be/Cp9MOx5xKvA ). https://youtu.be/MiWZNwrasD8
Feb 20, 2023 | Non categorizzato
God chose to convey the grace that saves people through people themselves. That is, he chose to save us through our love for one another, through the charity and care we have for our neighbours. Just when it seems that we have nothing to offer, that we are of no use, he shows us a way to knock on his door as children, to ask and trust. Special request By chance, I had become aware of a patient admitted to hospital in a desperate condition. To save her, a specific blood type was needed, but it could not be found. I did my best to search for it, both among my acquaintances and in my work environment (I am a nurse in the outpatient clinic of a charitable organisation). But nothing could be found. I was about to surrender my arms, heavy in defeat, when a heartfelt prayer to the almighty rose from my soul, a request. My ward duty hours were over, and the specialist doctor I was assisting said goodbye and left. Just a few moments later, a young woman came in for an examination. I asked the lady for her ID and she handed me her Avis card. I almost couldn’t believe my eyes – what if she had that blood type? If he was available? I rushed to call the doctor back and, unlike other times, found him willing to return to surgery. That’s right! That same afternoon, the woman was at the sick woman’s bedside for the direct transfusion. A. M. M., Italy Behind a door Starting with the idea of halving my personal belongings, giving them away to those who might need them, I established new relationships. I began with two expensive jackets that I seldom wear, offering them to my Moroccan neighbour, whose daughter or daughter-in-law might be interested. She liked them, and in turn begged me to accept a new, never-worn beige coat. For me this brought a lot of work to find out whom to give it to, but it served to get to know my neighbours. Two hours later I met a friend who happily accepted the coat for her sister, who only wears beige! The day continued, marked by the phrase, ‘Give and it shall be given to you’. In fact, I happened to receive furniture, dishes, linen for the flat I have recently moved into. For us Swiss, it is difficult to cross the threshold of a neighbour’s house – we are always afraid of disturbing. But how much humanity is hidden behind doors! It only takes a few minutes of entertainment over a coffee and the filters of prejudice fall away, the heart expands and the family space grows. Isabelle, Switzerland
Edited by Maria Grazia Berretta.
From “Il Vangelo del Giorno,” Città Nuova, year IX, no. 1, January–February 2023.
Feb 16, 2023 | Non categorizzato
Diana, Argia and Jane donate their time every day to help other women escape the repulsive phenomenon of human trafficking and slavery. Their stories were told for this year’s International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. Each year, 8 February marks the International Day of Prayer and Awareness Against Human Trafficking. The Talitha Kum international network – which has more than 3,000 members and is supported by the Vatican and many associations, including the Focolare Movement – organised an online pilgrimage this year, “Walking for Dignity.” It included experiences from various parts of the world, and two in particular are linked to the Focolare Movement. Diana and Argia, from Naples, Italy, have been involved for years in a women’s association called “Donne Meridiane,” which works in social work and cultural education.
Blessing Degree
Lorenzo Russo
VIDEO: St. Peter’s Square, Rome, flash mob against human trafficking. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kUPDp1PaaHc
