Proximity and freedom

Interview with Margaret Karram, president of the Focolare Movement, conducted by Peter Forst for Neue Stadt magazine on the theme of the year: proximity.

Communion report

The second Focolare mission report has been published. This time, the theme: dialogue.

Jean-Michel Merlin Case

The Nanterre Prefecture (France) issues an appeal for witnesses and victims.

Conflicts are not the problem

Conflicts Are Not the Problem: Keys and Tools to Face Them is the title of the next edition of the Workshop for Life as a Couple... Because We Said "I Do." It will take place on May 6 and 7 at the Mariápolis Luminosa Center. The workshop, as in previous editions, is organized by Familias Nuevas and Acciones de Familias Nuevas. They themselves state that "in this workshop we want to break the idea of conflict as an enemy of coexistence, emphasizing conflict management as an opportunity for knowledge in the couple and personal growth. All this through training topics, dynamics, reflections, and, of course, moments as a couple." Practical information and registration. More information by email.

Easter Volunteering 2023

They invite young people between the ages of 18 and 30 to participate. As the organizers explain: "We invite you to live an unforgettable experience. Don't think twice and jump into the adventure. We're waiting for you! You're so excited!" The volunteer program will take place from April 6th to 9th at the Granja de l'Ombría (Valencia). The Granja is carrying out a solidarity project focused on ecology, coexistence, and interculturality. It will be a few days to experience Holy Week together, with training, work, and reflection, discovering or learning more about the reality of immigration; an opportunity to engage in cultural exchange and share life. All within the framework of the Vallada Project. More information can be found at the email address. Registration.

Like a half-line launched into infinity

Thirty-eight years after the death of Margarita Bavosi, Luminosa, the life of the Servant of God remains relevant. This is evident through the many testimonies received by the Commission for her cause. Some of them appear in this year's Bulletin. A bulletin focuses on prayer and the interior life for growing in union with God, including the testimony of Fr. José-Damián Gaitán, OCD, doctor of theology, who knew Margarita. Access the Bulletin. As every March 7th, the anniversary of the death of the Servant of God, a Mass will be celebrated at the Luminosa Church. It will be at 7:00 p.m. and can be followed online. The Mass will be followed by a reading of some pages from Luminosa on union with God. There will also be various testimonies from those who knew her or who are inspired by her for their social actions, such as Fr. Fabio Ciardi, IMO, and the "Luminous Action" Association of Seville. Finally, the status of the current phase of the Beatification Process will be announced. You can follow it live at this link. Access code: Luminosa38. More information about Margarita Bavosi's life is available on her website and Instagram profile.

Investing in fossil fuel infrastructure

The case to be presented in this next session is: Investing in fossil fuel infrastructure in 2023-2025. It will be presented by Agustín Silva, Director of Infrastructure at the TCM Investors Group (wholesale distributor of diesel and gasoline in the Spanish market). The format remains the same: a presentation of a real business management case on which attendees can express their opinions and make concrete proposals. The next session will be on Tuesday, March 7, 2023, from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. As in previous sessions, the session can be followed online to facilitate participation by participants from all Spanish-speaking countries. To participate in the Zoom videoconference meeting, interested parties must confirm their attendance by email. They will receive a written summary of the case to be discussed as soon as possible, allowing them to prepare their opinions and proposals, if they wish. Instructions for joining will be sent by email on the day of the meeting. To learn more about the Group, which belongs to New Humanity, you can access their presentation. You can contact them via email. The Barcelona Business Management Group is associated with the Economy of Communion as a Circle of Communion.

Working with meaning

The Association for an Economy of Communion (Spain) is organizing the Working with Meaning conference. It will take place in Madrid on March 4th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at C/ Francisco Cea, No. 9, mezzanine (Diego de León Metro station. Buses 12 and C2). The morning will begin with an informative roundtable on the current work landscape, with references to the vision provided by the Church's social doctrine and the economy of communion. The second part will focus on work for vulnerable groups and in the fields of education and healthcare. As always in the Association's conferences, dialogue and the sharing of good practices will be a cross-cutting theme of the conference. And as the organization states, inviting everyone to participate: "We are a civilization in search of meaning, also in work, perhaps especially in work. It is worth fighting for decent and meaningful work, for work that is not primarily a commodity to be exchanged in any market, but a path to humanization, fulfillment, and individual and collective growth. Therefore, we propose a day of reflection on the meaning of work on March 4th in Madrid."

Earthquake emergency

Through New Families Actions and the Igino Giordani Foundation (FIG), the Focolare in Spain are making their contribution to the Syrian and Turkish populations during this terrible time. Contributions can be deposited by bank transfer to the bank accounts indicated below. Donations: Middle East Earthquake – Igino Giordani Foundation: Caixabank – ES65 2100 5615 79 0200056937 – info@fundaciongiordani.org – New Families Actions: Caixabank – ES65 2100 1748 94 0200131988 – secretaria@familiasnuevas.org Donations are tax-deductible or corporate tax returns. A certificate can be requested at the email addresses indicated. Thanks to the small and large donations it has received, the FIG has already sent €7,500. Various local Focolare communities in Spain are already organizing various charitable activities. As in previous cases, this fundraising effort is being managed in conjunction with the International Emergency Coordination of the Focolare Movement, which channels it through Action for a United World and Actions for New Families. The aid is intended for basic necessities such as food, medical care, housing, heating, and shelter. In Syria, the aid is being provided in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, and Hama, and in the Turkish province of Iskenderun. The effort is also being made in collaboration with local churches. At the same time, the Political Movement for Unity has launched a campaign calling for the lifting of the financial embargo on Syria, allowing humanitarian organizations to carry out their essential work. The violent earthquake that struck Syria and Turkey on February 6 caused the collapse of numerous buildings and infrastructure; the death toll continues to rise. First aid operations are complex, and the intense cold is making things extremely difficult for rescuers and evacuees, while aftershocks continue, some of them intense.

Margarita Bavosi, Luminous

On the occasion of Luminosa's 38th anniversary, a concelebrated Mass of Thanksgiving for the gift of her life and her commitment to the Holy Journey will be celebrated on March 7, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. at the Mariápolis Luminosa Center. The testimony of Fr. José-Damián Gaitán, OCD, will be included. The Mass will be followed by a reading of some of Luminosa's works on union with God. There will also be various testimonies from those who knew her or who are inspired by her for their social actions, such as Fr. Fabio Ciardi, IMO, and the "Luminous Action" Association of Seville. Finally, the status of the current phase of the Beatification Process will be announced. It can be followed live at this link. Access code: Luminosa38. Those who receive graces or wish to contribute their testimonies can do so by writing to the Postulation of the Cause: C/ Poniente 28, 28290 Las Matas (Madrid), or by sending an email to the cause's email address. For financial contributions: CAIXABANK – Concept: Cause of Luminosa From Europe: ES65 21002614711300138297 From outside Europe: CAIXESBBXXX ES65 2100 2614 7113 0013 8297 Also as every year, the Bulletin of her cause will be published in March. More information about Luminosa and the cause is available on her website. Luminosa was Argentine, a consecrated lay person, and was co-responsible for the Focolare Movement in Spain for 14 years. She died at the age of 44 in Italy, leaving in her will: "Now it is your turn," passing on the witness of a life lived in total dedication to fulfilling Jesus' prayer: "May they all be one." Prayer