Elisa Puzzolo shares the fruits of her saying yes to God.

It all began a few days before the COVID-19 pandemic, during a gathering of family friends of the Focolare in Welwyn Garden City for a day of togetherness. At the gathering, my husband and I had the pleasure of meeting a couple from India who were renting in London and in search of a property to purchase. Encouraged by our own positive experiences, we suggested they explore the southeast of London, where we had bought our own home and fallen in love with the area. To our immense joy, they eventually found a beautiful house just a 15-minute drive from our own residence, and our friendship has blossomed ever since.

Bringing joy to all

It was back in October 2022, during one afternoon visit to their home while our kids were playing, that we all expressed a shared desire to connect with other families and deepen our understanding of Focolare spirituality. Together, we decided to approach their parish priest.

To our pleasant surprise, we discovered that he was a close friend of the Focolare community. Generously, he offered us the parish hall free of charge. Upon touring the space, we found it to be absolutely perfect for our needs!

Our inaugural ‘local community meeting’ took place in January 2023, attended by over 50 people, including children and adults alike. Buoyed by the success of this initial gathering, we have continued to convene regularly every 2-3 months, crafting simple yet inclusive programs aimed at sharing our ideals of unity and love, bringing joy to everyone involved!

A resounding success

In this spirit, I held the wish for many to experience the beauty of our Centre for Unity in Welwyn Garden City. Consequently, a date was set for January 2024. The event was opened up to all of London and neighbouring towns, such as Reading and Cambridge, and it proved to be a resounding success! Separate programs were organized for the children, while enriching discussions took place among the adults before the two groups reconvened. People coming for the first time to the Centre felt the harmony of the building interiors and the welcoming attitude of all present. People returning to the Centre after many years since the Covid-19 pandemic, felt back at home. All ages were represented, and attendees hailed from various corners of the globe, including India, Ukraine, Nigeria, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Syria as well as the UK, Ireland, and several other European countries. It was a true reflection of a united world!

Throughout these months, I have experienced the transformative power of saying ‘yes’ to God and embracing the joy that living the spirituality of unity offers. I have learned not to shy away from sharing this joy with others and to be ready to step forward to make unique events like this happen.

Published in New City magazine, April 2024, p. 20.

Photo: ©courtesy of Elisa Puzzolo