2010 Annual Luminosa Award for Unity

For outstanding contribution to universal brotherhood 

Sunday, March 14, 2010 - Mariapolis Luminosa, 200 Cardinal Road, Hyde Park, New York 

The Luminosa Award begun in 1988 recognizes persons or associations whose lives and works have given a significant contribution to building bridges of mutual understanding and concern among the diverse Christian denominations and major faith traditions and all people of good will in all aspects of social life. 

A celebration of family life

This year’s award ceremony will be a celebration of families who bear witness with their lives to the beauty and fullness of marriage and to family unity – a gift of God who is Love – that makes the family a true haven of love that heals all ills. It will be part of a program commemorating the second anniversary of Focolare founder Chiara Lubich’s death. The morning program will celebrate the life of Chiara Lubich highlighting the impact her spirituality of unity has had on family life the world over. Reaching millions of people in 182 countries, today the Focolare (focolare.org) aims at bringing oneness to the entire human family by promoting a lifestyle of unity in all sphere of society.

2010 Honorees:  Howard and Rose Belcher

Among the first families of the Focolare in North America who have given an outstanding contribution to universal brotherhood through the promotion of a lifestyle of unity beginning with the basic unit of society, the family. In the 1960s, as newly-weds they embraced the spirituality of unity and allowed it to inform their lives as a couple and as parents to five sons. In 1986, they moved with their two younger sons to give their contribution to the building of Mariapolis Luminosa, the national center of Focolare located in Hyde Park. They have worked tirelessly over the past 24 years, giving their concrete help, as well as spiritual support to the success of its endeavors. They are the first married couple to receive this award.

Past Luminosa Award recipients include:

• John Cardinal O’Connor, Archbishop of New York
• Norma Levitt, former president of WCRP and honorary president of Women of Reform Judaism
• Rev. Nichiko Niwano, President of the Japanese Buddhist Rissho Kosei-kai
• His Royal Highness Lukas Njifua Fontem, King of the Bangwa People of Cameroon
• Imam Warith Deen Mohammed, American Muslim leader
• Dr. Shantilal K. Somaiya, Chairman of the K.J. Somaiya Trust in India
• Pat Shea, Screenwriter and Jack Shea, President of the Directors Guild of America
• Vivian Juan, President of the Tekakwitha Conference

The programs will begin at 10:30am and conclude at 4:00pm.

A reception will follow the award ceremony. Tickets (include lunch): Adults $20; Youth (13-17) $15.