Nueva Vida in the Barrio Borro

Apr 15, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Uruguay, on the border between Brazil and Argentina, is one of the most developed countries in Latin America and has the most equal distribution of riches. Nevertheless, it is also possible to find areas of extreme poverty such as the Borro quarter, north of Montevideo. This neighbourhood is inhabited by some 4,000 families, nearly 26,000 people. In tourist brochures it is marked as a place to be avoided, since many of its inhabitants live by their wits on the edge of legality. And it is here that the Nueva Vida social centre was begun.

Its origins go back to 1992, thanks to the work of Sr Eva Aguilar from the Congregation of the Sisters Slaves of the Sacred Heart and the assistance of her community, until 2000 when she was given another assignment. The bishop then appealed to the Focolare Movement, which took charge of the neighbourhood’s needs and began the Nueva Vida project, a project for “new life” (nueva vida) brought about through love for the poorest and most marginalized. In 2001 the bishop officially entrusted this nascent social project to CODESO (Communion for Social Development), a civil entity founded by members of the Focolare Movement.

The primary objective of Nueva Vida is to create a positive environment for the growth and development of children, teenagers and their families, beginning with those in greatest difficulty, using an individualized and “holistic” approach. The activities are carried out in two 300 square-metre wharehouses, and are organized according to age groups. There is a kindergarten for children up to five years of age, a Children’s Club (6-12 years) and a Youth Centre (13-18 years).

Today Nueva Vida Centre is a permanent part of the quarter, with a well-constructed building for forty workers, and the recognition of local educational authorities. It regularly welcomes more than 250 children, teenagers and young people involved in extracurricular activities including psycho-motor skills for the youngest, artistic workshops, after-school programmes, languages classes, recreational, cultural and environmental activities, and professional workshops. The centre also provides a daily meal, paediatric medical care and legal assistance thanks to financial aid from Distance Support from the New Families Association.

Natural Neighbourhood Outreach

After a few years of working with children and teenagers, the directors of Nueva Vida programs saw the need of working also with their mothers. The typical family is comprised of a young mother with four to five children; and so it is the woman who is responsible for raising the children and supporting the family. Economic hardship and family instability (absenteeism among fathers at a rate of 80%) have produced negative effects and social isolation.

One answer has been the Natural Neighborhood Outreach project, which proposes the development of woman entrepreneurship, through courses on wool processing (dyeing, spinning, weaving and packaging.) The project which is fully supported by AMU, was begun in 2007. Up until the present it has involved more than twenty women, who have learnt a trade and acquired professional status which is very rare in this environment.

One of the professional course directors remarked: “Uruguay is a very secular land and culture, in which it is not common so speak of religious aspects and values. One day we met to talk about one of the main attributes of the project, that is, of the communion that we strive to live and the spirituality that nourishes us. After having listened, everyone told what they had understood about putting into practice reciprocity of this gift-giving. Perhaps their economic situation is not changing very quickly, but one thing that is certainly changing is the way of facing it and of living as a family.”

Latin America: the richness of cultural diversity

Apr 14, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

‘The charism of unity in dialogue with contemporary culture’ was the theme of Focolare president Maria Voce’s recent meeting in Buenos Aires on  13 April. In fifty years of the Movement’s activity in Latin America, its members’ life has touched many cultural environments. This was the context of what Maria Voce said to a hall packed with more than 300 people at the University of Buenos Aires’ Faculty of Economic Sciences.

Quoting Chiara Lubich, she recalled that ‘the powerful contradictions that mark our age need an orientating key as powerful and effective as they are. This mean a set of categories and activities capable of inspiring individuals, as well as entire peoples, with its patterns of economic, social and political life. Such a universal idea exists. It is showing itself able to meet the challenge of our times: universal fraternity.’ She went on to say that ‘the idea of fraternity is acquiring academic credibility.  It is an effective cultural category with a single source, the charism of unity, and with multiple impact as it comes to be accepted in the most varied cultural contexts, promotes a wide range of values and has various practical and social applications.’

Several of the distinguished people present took Maria Voce’s words as a starting point for their own reflections. Marta Oyhanarte, a member of the UN’s Social and Economic Council, emphasized that ‘a new social contract based on fraternity needs to be formulated, not just in the political and economic spheres, but in all fields, a 360 degree dialogue.’ Cristian Cox, Dean of the Catholic University of Chile, referred to how the idea of fraternity could influence educationally: ‘Our study programmes do not offer an education in how to establish relationships with those who are different, those who are distant culturally and socially. In all sturdy programmes fraternity ought to occupy an equivalent place to that which till now has been occupied by the idea of the nation.’ Rafeal Velazco, Rector of the Catholic University of Cordoba, referred to the development of a theology of fraternity that, to give a convincing witness of the gospel message, must take an option for the poor, for those marginalized from history. He said: ‘God does not look down from above, but from the margins, from the edges.’ He finished by asserting: ‘A theology of fraternity is born with the new commandment, which when it is lived radically generates unity and has an amazing result: Jesus himself, the Risen Lord, who comes to be present among us.’

At the end of a brief series of questions, referring to how to dialogue within plural and complex context like Latin America, Maria Voce affirmed: ‘Latin America can be a gift to humanity precisely because of its deep cultural roots. It can give an example of building a new society where diversity is not a problem but becomes a richness. I say this as a European, I ask you to give us this experience, the world needs to see this realized in a specific place and I think that these lands are suitable for this.’ Words like these have tremendous weight in a region that has always felt it suffered from discrimination, from exclusion. The enthusiastic applause that met her words expressed the desire to change history.

By Alberto Barlocci

12 May 2012 – Together for Europe

Apr 13, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

A fair economy, integration of refugees, the marginalized and families for a more humane society: these are some of the emergency situations facing today’s Europe that will be spoken about at the Together for Europe’s main event in Brussels on 12 May 2012. And the popular demonstration will be repeated on the same day in many cities across Europe. One of these activities will be that of the teenagers, which will be held contemporaneously with Together for Europe: the 2012 Run4Unity, a worldwide relay race promoted by Teens for Unity of the Focolare Movement. The basic objectives have been summarized in a series of “Yes” (to peace, to solidarity, to life and the family, to creation, and to a fair economy), which have been creatively expressed by the teenagers through mathematical signs. In many spots during the relay race the teenagers will become a flash mob that composes the word “Yes!” in several languages. Outline of the 12 May gathering at Brussels Square Meeting Centre   Following a welcome from Brussels to the 150 cities that will be involved in the single European event, Together for Europe – how it began and what it can offer today’s Europe – has been entrusted to the president of the Focolare Movement, Maria Voce. Romano Prodi, president of the European Commission, will give a presentation with reflections on the Contribution of Christian Movements and Communities to today’s Europe. Then the word will be given to European university students, followed by an overview of the emergency situations in Europe today including the defence of life and the environment, peace and citizen participation. The second part of the programme, beginning at 5.00pm local time, will be transmitted via internet and satellite, in connection with other local events.    Andrea Riccardi, founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio and Italian Government Minister for International Cooperation and Integration will speak, and space will also be provided for the teenagers and their creative involvement in the vision for Europe. Representatives of European institutions will be present, including Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, with a video message, and Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament. At the conclusion Thomas Römer (YMCA, Munich), will present the “Brussels 2012 Manifesto”. The event was awarded the medal representing the President of the Italian Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, and was held under the patronage of José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Comission; Thorbjørn Jagland, General Secretary of the European Council; Irina Bokova, Director General of UNESCO. Official Together for Unity website Download the program

Argentina: With our Jewish Friends in South America

Apr 12, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Yesterday evening’s meeting with a large group of people from several Jewish communities in Argentina and Uruguay was the first appointment in a series of appointments which will take place over the next few days with the president of the Focolare, Maria Voce as she visits various sites of the Movement in the Cono Sud. The appointment was held in the magnificent Golden Hall of the San Martin Palace, which is the Seat of the Argentine Foreign Affairs Ministry. Here there were authorities from the Secretariat for Religious Affairs who welcomed Maria Voce. The external context could have made you think of a formal reunion, but the long friendship that has been established over the years with the Jewish community in Argentina immediately transformed the evening into a family gathering for dialogue and discussion among brothers and sisters. The under secretary, Ambassador Juan Landaburu, concluded his remarks by underscoring that Argentina has made interreligious dialogue a real and true politics of the State.  There followed a series of presentations recalling the different stages of the friendship between the Focolare with members of the different Jewish communities in these lands.  “Here are your Jewish brothers and sisters presenting themselves before you, with our faces, our stories, and our willingness,” began Rabbi Silvina Chemen. Paul Varsawsky, pointed to the need to gather around the message of the Bible and mentioned the role that the “Golden Rule” (Do not do to others what you would not want to be done to you) assumes for the three great monotheistic religions. Additional presentations underscored the importance of four Jewish-Christian symposiums that were held for twelve years at Mariapolis Lia, 250 km from Buenos Aires; as well as the figure of Lia Brunet, one of the first companions of Chiara Lubich, who gave a strong push to this dialogue of the Focolare. One event that was several times mentioned as an essential part of this friendship was Chiara Lubich’s visit, in 1998, to the B’nai B’rith during one of her visits to Argentina, where she formulated a pact of mutual love together with those who joined her as she lit the Menorah. A few questions for Maria Voce gave her the opportunity to discuss a few different topics. How will the Movement carry on without Chiara and with Maria Voce? “Chiara was the bearer of a collective and communitarian spirituality. . . you need at least two people to live it, because it requires reciprocal love, which is both given and received. I never felt alone in succeeding Chiara, because I felt that the entire Movement was with me. And all of you are also contained in this commitment, and I feel that, together, we can walk along the path that was opened by Chiara.” What can we do so that the dialogue among us is not limited to a circle of specialists? “We need to look to the neighbor beside us as a brother or a sister. In this way we will begin a never-ending chain. In this way we will be able to reach everyone, and overcome prejudices and the difficult situations that have arisen in history. Finding it possible to have trust between us, we must abolish suspicion and sincerely love one another. . . this will help us to reach all of society.” We belong to the same family because we are children of God and we must always turn to Him, but we have to arrive together.” The meeting ended. Everyone joined arms and sang: “Hine ma tov umanaim, Shevet ajim gam iajad (How sweet it is when brothers live in unity), from Psalm 133. Then it was time to say goodbye. . . as brothers and sisters often do. di Alberto Barlocci

Argentina: 360° Dialogue

Apr 9, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

With an area of 2,8000,000 square kilometres, the Republic of Argentina has a great variety of climates, from tropical heat to Antarctic cold. Between the Andes mountain chain and Atlantic shores lies an endless fertile plain: Las Pampas, that famous “breadbasket of the world”. The variety of landscapes makes them tourist destinations for many visitors.

Argentina is a nation open to the many immigrants who have made this country their home and contributed to its development. Forty million inhabitants, concentrated in large cities, who can trace their origins back to many different parts of the world, the majority Spanish and Italian.

The history of Argentina is presented as a series of conflicts that are still reflected in the present: the battle between the provinces and the central government of Buenos Aires, coups (the last dictatorship being the hardest, between 1976 and 1983), the war that was lost to England for the Falkland Islands in 1982, the 30% of the population that lives below the poverty level.

The majority of the population claims to be Roman Catholic, with a presence of other Christian denominations. Then there are groups of Jews and Muslims, and a minority of faithful of other religions and people of no religious belief.

Cultural environments such as the arts and sport have produced world famous figures.

When Chiara Lubich visited Argentina in 1998, she had the opportunity of having different meetings in which she appreciated the cultural, religious, political and social richness and diversity of this people. When she met with 8000 Focolare members, she left them with a charge:  “Here I suggest a 360° dialogue; so love everyone… And in order to reach this 360° dialogue, you must begin from the first point of the art of loving. This is what I would ask of you, then: love everyone.”

The Focolare Movement arrived in Argentina in 1957 through a priest who had attended a Mariapolis in the Dolomite Mountains, Italy. A first community began in Santa Maria de Catamarca (in the northeast), which is rich in ancient culture.

Towards the end 1958, Lia Brunet, Marco Tecilla and Ada Ungaro arrived in South America, with an itinerary that included Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile. In October 1961 and in February 1962 the first focolares were established in Buenos Aires, to animate the growing community.

The spirituality of unity appeared like a new way for this young population, and spread quickly. The Mariapolis multiplied and, in 1963 Ciudad Nueva Publishing House was opened. The next few years were fundamental for the Focolare in Argentina. Chiara Lubich visited this land three consecutive times (1964, 1965 and 1966). In 1966 she placed the first stone of the Mariapolis Center in Jose C. Paz near Buenos Aires.

Like a beacon for Argentina and its neighbors, in 1968 Mariapolis of O’Higgins was born in the province of Buenos Aires (today it is known as Mariapolis Lia). It has become an important formation center for members of the Movement, and of spreading its spreading among thousands of people who visit it every weekend. Since 1968 more than four thousand youths from around the world have spent time in this Mariapolis, trying to become true witnesses of this lifestyle in their places of origin.

In 1980 a Social Research Center was begun to explore the Social Doctrine of the Church and its implementation in the Argentine political and social setting. Then came the School for Ecumenical Training for Focolare members who are invovled in the Church’s dialogue with different Christian Churches. Many of them now belong to the Ecumenical Councils of their diocese.

The dialogue among the Movements and ecclesial communities has produced abundant fruits for the Church in Argentina.

A stable dialogue of mutual knowledge, understanding and very strong collaboration has been established with  faitful of the Great Religions – Jews, Muslims, Hindus and others.

There are also groups of people who share in the spirit of the Focolare, without holding any particulare religious faith.

Chiara’s proposal of a 360° dialogue is taking root in several social settings through people and structures of the Focolare Movement.

In 1991 the Economy of Communion was also begun inn Argentina and “Solidaridad” Industrial Park was opened in the O’Higgins Mariapolis. Fifty-six businesses and economic initiatives currently belong to the project.

Because of a deep political and economic crisis, in 2001 the Political Movement for Unity was begun, which promotes several training projects, reflections and activities. Political dialogue groups were formed and a Political and Social Training School for young people, with twelve centers in the country. As a result of this involvement in social issues, a Political Society and Fraternity Chair was established at the National University of La Plata. It was the beginning of the University Network for the Study of Fraternity (RUEF).

The Focolare Movement in Argentina has 7,000 involved members, 42,000 adherents, thousands of sympathizers, a Mariapolis town with 200 inhabitants, Ciudad Nueva Publishing House, three Mariapolis Centres for formation training, focolares in major cities, communities spread throughout the country social projects and participation in several political, social, cultural and ecclesial environments. There are many other people who have come into contact and remain connected to the Movement’s many expressions in this land.

Visit Argentina in Focolare Worldwide!

Zapala (Neuquén)

Apr 7, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Giancarlo Faletti in Mexico

Apr 5, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

“The Mariapolis town will become more and more of a reference point for your peers if the youths of the Movement manifest their friendship with Chiara Luce Badano. She will speak to the hearts of these young people, telling of her friendship with Chiara Lubich, her relationship with the spirituality and charism of unity which led her to holiness in our own day.” These were the final remarks made by Giancarlo Faletti, co-president of the Focolare, at the conclusion of his visit to “El Diamante” Focolare town in Mexico. The Mariapolis town is located at a distance of 50km from Puebla and 170 km to the southeast of Mexico City. Fifty-five permanent residents live here and there are always many others who visit for extended periods of time. Several meetings were organized for the occasion. There was a deep dialogue between Giancarlo Faletti with some thirty priests who live the spirituality of unity. They exchanged experiences on the effects of living out the charism in their lives as priests and in building communion in the Church. In keeping with Giancarlo Faletti’s desire for inculturation, he could not go without making a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Morenita. There, on 28 March 2012 he and a few others who accompanied him were welcomed by the shrine’s Rector Msgr Enrique Glennie. The visitors were given the privilege of going into the private room where the tilma of Juan Diego can be viewed up close. The tilma is the piece of fabric on which the image of Mary was left impressed. The Rector then invited those present to page through the Album of Honour, which contains the signature of many honored guests, from John Paul II to Mother Teresa. The album also contains the signature of Chaira Lubich: “My heart remains here with La Morenita,” she wrote. It was 1997. One hundred and eighty youths from all over Mexico then joined Giancarlo Faletti at El Diamante. They brought up many of the issues in their hearts: city violence; social breakdown; among their peers, a total apathy toward great ideals; competition for success at any cost; homosexuality and conditioning by the mass media that is all in the hands of a few people. Faletti concluded: “The modern challenges give us more work to do, they call for interdisciplinary knowledge and ongoing study, but this is the life of Jesus in 2012. What remains basic is understanding together and as deeply as possible what we are living as sons and daughters of Chiara, and why.” A meeting with more than 1,200 people including some from as far away as Torrion (16 hours by bus), was interspersed with dance, song and a variety of traditional dress. Maria Voce was connected via Skype from where she was staying in Guatamala. It was the family of the Focolare in Mexico. At the conclusion Maria Voce told everyone: “I say thank you again. I hope that by witnessing to the charism of unity you may transform the environments in which you live and as a Movement contribute to renewing Mexico.”  

Colombia: Focolare co-President at Unidad Social Centre

Apr 5, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Joana is a teenager with flowing black hair. She sings a popular song, “Here is the Colombian traveler,” which describes the beauties of this country.
Giancarlo Faletti has just arrived in this land touched by two oceans. His first visit is to the site of a significant project where he is welcomed by boys and girls dressed in colorful paper costumes and are dancing in the crowded little hall filled with locals who have come to welcome the co-president.

The Los Chircales (Bricklayers) neighbourhood is located on the southern outskirts of Bogota. It is an expanse of disordered red houses, the color of the bricks for which the place is named. The surrounding landscape is rough with broken roads and walls that seem that they are ready to fall. This is where the Unidad Social Center is located.

Everything began in 1977. A group of city youths accepted Chiara Lubich’s bold challenge to “Die for one’s own people.” They went to this quarter within the parish of Father Luis and began to play with the children. Here they encountered the wounded but profound humanity of two bricklayers, Gabrielina and Macedonio, who were making bricks to be used in the attractive buildings of the grand metropolis of Bogota.

Thanks to their generous involvement, a group of social projects were begun in this neighborhood that had been forgotten by all (but not by Providence.) A doctor’s office was opened and a dental clinic, an attractive boutique that sells clothes at accessible prices, and an after-school program for the children of the quarter. The Bogota Municipality took notice of the people’s efforts to redeem themselves and provided for the installment of public electricity, a sewer system and running water.

Gabrielina and Macedonio are a witness to their hope that was transformed into reality. Now illiteracy and alcoholism are no longer their story. They are the living examples, and they have become reference points and advisers because of the human dignity they have regained.   

The Unidad Social Centre is a more than dignified place, in which educational programs are held for different age groups, and it has a fully-equipped computer room. Seventy-five students are supported by the New Families Association. Regular remedial courses are offered for seventy students and there are recreational activities that involve 120 children.

A few years ago a teacher heard about the Project and wanted to offer her professional skills to help mothers. A key role is played by this “community Mum”. Currently there are fifteen of these community Mums, who care for fourteen children in a sort of kindergarten where the children are taught early academic and social skills.

The time flew! “I discovered a great page of sacred history in this place,” commented Giancarlo Faletti, “I encountered the living Gospel. I’ll tell the president, Maria Voce, what a precious treasure you are for this neighbourhood and for the city.” This was followed by endless embraces, as is the custom here.

Alberto Lo Presti and Paolo Lòriga

Colombia: dialogo con la cultura

Apr 5, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Colombia: Benvenuto Giancarlo!

Apr 5, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

From a ‘non-believer’s’ point of view

Apr 5, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

‘I got to know the Focolare through some members of Youth for a United World who were in my class at school in Rome. When the time came that I felt the need to deepen my spirituality and my ideals, I asked the advice of my friend who is a gen. I liked the Movement and I really wanted to love concretely, but I was scared I would be unable to live up to the Ideal of unity, because I was far from having any religion. ‘I don’t like being called an atheist, because nowadays atheism is seen a position of aggressive opposition to the Church and to religion. But I try to respect everyone and everything. For this reason I prefer being called a ‘non-believer’. ‘I have never accepted evangelizing people; it’s always seemed to me to be about putting pressure on them. But I try to ‘shine’ as much as I can, so others may be struck by my light. Living each moment as love is what makes me feel I’m really following this ideal, that I’m a person with something extra because I love everyone and love what I do. ‘Living among a lot of people who are always ready to love has made me understand that it’s not necessary to be heroes to save the lives of others. If you love in the present moment wherever you are, people change. A small act of kindness can make someone smile and can set off a chain reaction of positive events – it creates a piece of united world. ‘One day, during a trip to the mountains, a man decided to join our party, even though his climbing boots were broken, because he was suffered from vertigo and was frightened of using the chair lift. I decided to swap boots with him, and go on with one bare foot and one foot in a broken boot. It was easy to get to the second chair lift, where he thought he could manage to use it and give me back my boots. If an action is inspired by a love that doesn’t seek to gain anything, perhaps it doesn’t change the day much for us personally, but it does for lots of others. ‘My choice of living as a person who follows this Ideal isn’t easy. Every day I live trying to do the right thing. To everyone who has doubts about faith or who thinks that being a non-believer is to be branded for life, I’d like to say that it’s not like that. Above all here, in this environment, I have always felt myself welcome as in a family. At worst… you risk having to talk about yourself on stage like I’m doing now!’ A.O. Italy Recounted at the event ‘Chiara Lubich and the New Generations’, Rome, 11 March 2012  

Messico: il piccolo Gabriel e un Paese da rinnovare

Apr 3, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Messico: Scuola Santa Maria, laboratorio di promozione

Apr 2, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Colombia: Between Two Oceans and the Andes

Apr 1, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Bathed by two oceans and crossed by the Andes, Colombia is like a garden of 1, 141, 748 square kilometres in the far northwest of South America. Beaches on the Caribbean, Amazon rainforest, modern cities, flowers, gold, oil, emeralds, energy exports, culture and the arts make it a nation overflowing with richness. But its people, tough, filled with joy and initiative, are the real treasure of this nation which took its name from Christopher Columbus.

The history of the Focolare in this land begins in Bogota, a modern and cultivated metropolis of more than 9 million inhabitants, which lies on a magnificent plateau at 2, 600 metres. During the Eucharistic Congress in 1968 Lucero – a young Boy Scout who was doing community service at the Congress – met Fr Sotelo, a Franciscan friar who gave him a book that Chiara Lubich had written for youths of the Movement entitled, “Tappe Gen” (Gen Steps). Fascinated by what what he found written there, he began with other teenagers to live the adventure that the book proposed. Soon other people were drawn by the way they lived.  

Meanwhile, in the industrialized and ever-changing city of Medellin, Salesian Father Luis Bonilla discovered in the pages of Ciudad Nueva, a Focolare magazine from Argentina, that vibrant Gospel life he had always been looking for. He began to visit the houses in the quarter where he was living, sharing the “Ideal” he had found. He began a correspondence with the publisher, and a few months later Anna Sorlini, an Italian focolarina arrived. She would then continue to visit the fledgling community on a regular basis.

Marita Sartori (centre)

The first “focolare” was opened in 1976 and a second in 1976. From these this Gospel spirit began to spread to 12 Latin American countries – from Mexico to Peru – finding an enthusiastic response. Two of the main players in this story are Marita Sartori, one of the early focolarina from Trent, Italy, who lived in Colombia from 1973 until 2002 and Carlo Casabeltrame from Piemonte, Italy.

During those years Bishop Libardo Ramirez attended one of the first gatherings of Bishop Friends of the Focolare and brought the spirituality of unity to his diocese in Armenia, Colombia. With the arrival of Fr Agostino Abate, a focolare of diocesan priests was begun. Men and women religious spread the spirituality and gave life to Focolare communities as they transferred from place to place in the Huila Valley, Santander, Narino, Atlantico, Choco, Antioquia and Cundinamarca. A Columbian edition of Ciudad Nueva magazine was also published.

From a socio-political and economic point of view the situation of the country becomes more and more difficult. Besides the poverty of more than 48% of the population that has generated armed struggle and guerrilla warfare, there is also the problem of drug trafficking violence and forced migration.

The Focolare communities find themselves continually called upon by these situations. In response to this, in 2002 Chiara Lubich suggested that the Focolare in Colombia work particularly at developing the new law and politics that emerge from a spirituality of unity. And this was an important development for the Movement in this land.

Currently the headquarters of the Movement are located at the “Gioia Mariapolis Centre” in Tocancipa (50 km from Bogota). It is a centre of formation in the spirituality of unity and of its spreading in the region. There are two “focolares” in Bogota and two more in Medellin. Several social projects have begun, such as “Unity Social Center” in the south of the capital, “Rising Sun School” in Tocancipa, solidarity-at-a-distance programs in Medellin and Bogota and some academic and development projects grounded in fraternity in politics.

It is estimated that there are 6,500 Focolare adherents in Colombia.

Messico: il copresidente Faletti per la prima volta nel Paese

Apr 1, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

“Sole nascente”, scuola di speranza

Apr 1, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Bogotà: “Social Unidad” Centre

Apr 1, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

“We’re closer to Heaven here!” exclaims eight year-old L.M. who lives in La Merced (Bogotà) and regularly visits Focolare-run “Social Unidad” Centre. Her family came to the humble neighborhood in the mountains south of the capital to escape the violence. Their situation was the same as many others who can be seen in this place, where they find a group of solid people who have welcomed in these families in search of a secure future. In the beginning the situation was quite desperate. To stay alive working meant digging into the hard earth of that region in order to make cement blocks. It is a tiring process, demanding physical strength and strong lungs that can support the gas pouring from the enormous ovens. It also means forgetting one’s dreams, because this work takes up every minute of one’s time. Even children of five years have to put aside their toys or invent new ones as they share in the work of making cement blocks. And it is normal to see them with their faces blackened by smoke, but happy to be helping their parents. Thirty years ago, inspired by Chiara Lubich’s invitation to “give our lives for our own people”, thirty members of the Focolare Movement, together with Fr Luis Dies and a group of pioneers got involved. The local inhabitants were very indifferent at first, due to previous negative experiences. “But how could we not open our doors,” asks P.T., “to people who had come only to help us?” The shared in our pain of finding ourselves so needy; they also shared moments of relaxation with us; they never judged us; they really loved us and, right from the start, they were engaged in improving the quality of our life. They brought a doctor, a dentist. . . they made us feel that we were people who are loved by a Father who is Love!” Today there is a social centre. In the midst of many difficulties this community is working to become a model of coexistence in which the practice of human and Christian values ​​is the basis of each day’s work. At present, “Centro Unidad” offers scholarship aid to thirty-five children and teenagers, between the ages of six and seventeen. They are assisted by local youths and by others who work in the centre in cooperation with the social projects they are involved in. There is an instructional programme for twenty-four mothers who care for pregnant women and children between the ages of newborn and five years-old. There is a library service, cooking classes, health assistance with a medical doctor and dentist and computer training. . . One original idea was the “boutique” that offers home furnishings, home utensils, school materials, and whatever else is useful. There are also dance, theatre, and art workshops. The Centre is supported by the New Families’ “Distance Support” project, which benefits seventy-eight children and teenagers from the local families. This is one beautiful story, one which is still being written amid sorrows and joys. The doors of the Centre are always open for anyone in need, and also for those who wish to give. It is a small slice of humanity, which is committed and struggling to belong to a more just society, inspired by Gospel values.

L’incontro con la Morenita

Mar 31, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Slovenia: A society that says ‘yes’ to the family

Mar 30, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

‘We want to share with you our joy at how the recent referendum turned out,’ write Anča and Vine Povirk from Domzale in Slovenia, members of the Focolare’s New Families Movement. ‘It was the result of a great deal of cooperation between various civil and religious movements, and numerous families, all united in a peaceful battle in favour of the family.’ The vast majority of the media and of influential politicians were in favour of the new law that sought, among other things, greater liberalization for same sex couples – for example, with regard to third-party adoptions, by allowing a same sex couple to adopt the biological child of one of the partners, as well as a whole raft of measures regarding unmarried couples. The ‘yes’ campaign had huge financial resources (more than 2 million euros), while the ‘no’ campaign was entirely self-supporting. It was in no sense an equal battle. The initiative, promoted at first only by Catholics, soon drew in other Christians, members of other religions and many who, without professing any specific faith, uphold human values. Together they managed to collect the 40,000 signatures necessary to call for a referendum. It was held on 25 March with a turnout of 30% and, contrary to expectations, the ‘no’ vote was 55%. ‘For two and a half years we worked beyond our capabilities and our strength to defend basic family values,’ Marjana and Pavel from Ljubljana  – Delegates of the New Humanity Movement in Slovenia – tell us. ‘We spoke in Parliament, held public events before the vote, organized a Family Day, collected signatures… we wrote to MPs, to the Constitutional Court, speaking many, many times on discussion programmes on television, national and local radio… and in this way we built up numerous friendships with the members of other ecclesial movements, with important people in the sphere of civil life and politicians of various parties… Now, however, we are beginning the most important phase: working to give our contribution to a new law for family life framed around the values we strongly believe to be basic to society and which have their roots in the Gospel.’ A comment put out by Mgr Anton Stres, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Ljubljana and president of the Slovenian Episcopal Conference, thanked ‘all those who were committed to achieve this aim and to make the electorate aware of the irreplaceable role of the family in our life.’ Nonetheless, the comment continues, ‘with the outcome of the referendum, family values are not assured; indeed, it is necessary to live them every day in our relationships with one another.’

Antioquia

Mar 28, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Please note: The geolocalisation feature on this website – which displays cities and towns where Focolare centres are present – is only meant to be a guide. The markers on the map do not necessarily point to a specific address and they must not be relied on for navigational purposes.

Lebanon: Moving Toward the Genfest – Let’s Bridge!

Mar 28, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

“Hi to all! We want to let you know how special this year is for the young people of our country. We are sharing wonderful moments in preparation for our long-awaited Genfest. Last September we agreed to set our sights on a unity that would gradually envelope all of us, our friends and also our great Focolare family. And we see it happening. To raise funds for the journey – which is very costly – and also to have opportunities to spend some time living together and starting already to build some “local bridges” (in accordance with the title of this year’s Genfest), we’ve come up with a schedule of many activities, some of which have already taken place and others that are still being prepared. “Unight”: An evening with a hundred youths at a pub in Beirut, including a presentation on the Genfest event. “Unight Your Talents Show”: A talent show with songs, dances, musical numbers, theatre, storytelling and creative performances. There were 550 of us on March 3, 2012 for a two hour show in a large hall at the university. Fundraising: We began a taxi service for accompanying people to the airport and other places. We also began a babysitting service. We set up a refreshment stand at the Mariapolis Centre. We make and sell jewelry and special occasion cards. These are not only opportunities to raise funds for the trip to Budapest, but also occasions to know one another better and to “build bridges.” “Unite in Depth“: March 23-March 25. Three days of preparing for the Genfest through deepening and strengthening our faith. Eighty young people have already signed up, including 20 from Syria.» We have encountered many difficulties along the way: The young people from Lebanon are in suspense becuase the airline from whom they purchased tickets for their flights to Budapest has gone out of business. Together with them we continue to believe that with the help of everyone and with the help of God, a way will be found to overcome even this obstacle.

“Lo spettacolo della vita!”: il Gen Rosso nella penisola Iberica

Mar 27, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Guatemala: la comunità che testimonia

Mar 26, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Guatemala: i Movimenti si incontrano

Mar 26, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Mexico: A Guadalupe People

Mar 25, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

“But is it true that you lie here on earth? Not for always here! One moment on the earth, if it is jade, it breaks into pieces; if of gold it is destoryed; if feathers of quetzal, it is torn to peices. Not always here. One moment on the earth.” This was written by Netzahualcoyotl, King of Texcoco (1402-1472), and it reveals the great sense of the transcendent that characterized the early people of Mexico. The United States of Mexico, the country’s official name, is comprised of 31 federal states and a Federal District and extends over a vast area (1,972,550 Km2) to the south of USA and to the north of Guatemala. It is home to seventeen original ethnic groups representing 10% of teh total population: 112 million people. It is a country of contrasts. Modern metropolitan areas stand alongside marginalized regions (15 million of its citizens live in extreme poverty); vast expanses intended for cultivation, while thousands of peasants live on only a hectare of land. After 200 years of independence, Mexico is still in search of its identity, one that is an expression of the encounter of its ancestral cultural values with those values brought by Catholicism. The so-called “Guadalupe event” marked a decisive moment of reconciliation and merging between these two cultures, that forged a new people, the Mexican people. This unique event took place five centuries ago between the 9th and 12th of December 1531. According to tradition, a “sweet Lady” with a mestizo face, appeared to the indigenous Juan Diego and introduced herself as the “Mother of Everyone.” In his 1999 visit there, John Paul II would underscore the importance of that fact which “had determining repercussions for the new evangelization, an influence that goes beyond the Mexican nation and reaches the whole continent. America, which has been a crucible of peoples, has seen in this appearance of Our Lady a strong example of evangelization, perfectly inculturated.” Chiara Lubich, when visiting Mexico in 1997, took up the theme of this encounter between the two cultures, which was brought about by the Guadalupe event. “Inculturation,” she said during that visit, “is not merely making yourself spiritually one with another culture, perhaps uncovering and strengthening the seeds of the Word that are present in it, but it is also humbly and gratefully assuming that something true that is offered by the culture of our brothers and sisters. Inculturation involves an exchange of gifts. This is what Our Lady of Guadalupe wants to tell us.” The Focolare Movement has been present in Mexico since 1980, even though it was visited in 1975 by focolarini from Colombia. Today there are centers of the Movement in Mexico City, Netzahualocoyotl, Guadalajara and Acatzingo (Puebla) where there is a Mariapois Center and a Mariapolis town, El Diamante, which was founded in 1990. The Mariapolis is the heart fo the Movement in Mexico and is a place of Christian witness for the more than 20,000 visitors who go to it each year, showing that in a nation so rich in cultural, social and ethnic contrasts, inculturation of the Gospel life is possible if founded on dialogue and mutual giving and receiving of the gifts of the various cultures. The communities of the Movement, including some 15,000 people who have embraced the spirituality of unity, are scattered throughout the Mexican territory, from Mexicali (on the border with the USA) to Merida (in the southeast). They pursue an open dialogue with several sectors of society, trying to bring a contribution of unity. They have already been involved for years in building relationships among ecclesial movements and new associations in the Catholic Church. In August 2011 the first “Juntos por México” (Together for Mexico) gathering was held, which involved 350 leaders and representatives of the some 8 million lay Catholics in the whole country. And many foresee this to herald the opening of new paths of communion in the Mexican Church that could lead to major involvement by lay people in the various fields of society. In the civil society, in collaboration with the Mora Institute of the City of Mexico, one highlight has been the monthly lecture series on “Brotherhood in Politics” with the involvement of politicians who adhere to the Spirituality of Communion, and people engaged in civil service. This was an important event in the formation of a civic conscience. Finally there were the Bioethic Seminara (Seminar on bioethics) held in several cities, which were the initiative of the “Netemachilizpan AC” Association of Bioethics and Human Rights together with the “New Humanity Movement” of the Focolare. Hundreds of people attended, drawn by the topics that were discussed. The presentations that were given in line with the thinking of the Church and supported from a medical and scientific point of view, were a light for all who attended. There was a large crowd of young people from the La Salle di Neza University who say that the seminar helped them find answers to their uncertainties. The group of experts who run the bioethic courses, work at the Chamber of Deputies to support and write laws that favor life. Focolare Mexico website: www.focolaremex.org Visit Mexico in Focolare Worldwide!

Mexico: keeping in mind those most in need

Mar 25, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

In the field of education, in 1992 the Santa Maria School was born, within the “El Diamante” citadel (Puebla). Its objective was to respond to the needs of the surrounding population. It currently welcomes 500 students, from kindergarten to lyceum. In order to take the project forward, many children are helped through the Support from a Distance project of the New Families. Collaboration between teaching personnel, parents and state agencies, makes it possible to give a more complete formation, and the students acquire the necessary skills to act positively in their socio-cultural context. Many initiatives come about, to respond in a concrete way to the needs of the population. These initiatives bear witness to how fraternal relationships can generate solutions that were previously unthinkable. These are some examples of actions that are taken forward with the contribution of AMU (Action for a United World), that is an international agency of the Focolari and is active in the social sphere: The mobile medical-dental clinic “Igino Giordani” situated in the large and poor periphery of the city of Mexico, in the commune of Netzahualcoyotl. It emerged in 1989, to respond concretely to the health needs of the region, at the request of the local Church. The clinic offers free medical services, including dental service. Also included are the medicines, dietary advice, to improve the level of nutrition and the distribution of clothes and toys. Social Centre Hallelujah (Hornos, Las Aguilas). The work here started 26 years ago, at the foot of a large residential zone in the City of Mexico. It is a neighbourhood permanently at risk, also owing to the high incidence of alcoholism, drugs and prostitution. The work is taken forward in close collaboration with the Commune, the Parish, and the private schools of the richer zone that recognise in the Centre a strong means of resolving the conflicts of the region. !4 persons currently work within this structure; some of them are locals, who are indispensable to build a society that is transformed from within. They offer their services in various areas: psychological, medical-social, educational, dental, etc.  It is possible to take this initiative forward also thanks to the collaboration with the German association Mexicogruppe. Moreover, groups of doctors, dentists, social workers, nurses, youths and other volunteers move sporadically for some time to the commune of Huejutla ( in the State of Hidalgo), to offer help, free of charge to 32 native communities.

Viaggio in Centro America: una cultura della fiducia

Mar 24, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide

Al Centro educativo “Fiore”

Mar 23, 2012 | Focolare Worldwide