Houston

On May 12^th 2012 there will be the 3^rd worldwide Run4Unity: an event which, in 2005 and 2008, involved over 100,000 young people in 182 cities. Texas youth are invited to join with thousands of their peers in significant locations around the globe to express their desire for a more united world.

Run4Unity aims to cover the earth with a rainbow of peace and unity and help to  spread  the Golden Rule: Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. Young people involved will be part of a virtual relay race in which the baton will be passed on from one time zone to another and the whole event can be followed by followed via internet.

The virtual baton will pass though many symbolic places: in the Holy Land, for example, youth from Jewish, Muslim and Christian communities will run together in Caesarea Maritima a place of importance for all three faith groups, in Malta the President of the Republic will launch the event, in Northern Ireland the event will take place in Stormount, a place of great significance in the peace process between Nationalists and Unionists.

The marathon will be launched in the Fiji Islands in the Pacific at 3pm local time. At 4pm it will pass to the next time zone. This will continue right up until 3pm in the local time zones of USA and Canada where the marathon will conclude. At events around the world there will be different ‘flash mobs’ that will make the word ‘yes’ in different languages: yes to more peace, solidarity and unity. The youth involved will be connected throughout the day by internet and there will be the possibility to link up with youth in some cities around the world where the event is taking place.

We would love for you to join us in Houston’s event where we want to involve youth from as many communities as possible in saying our ‘yes’ to unity. We will meet from 2pm- 5pm in St. Teresa’s Catholic School in Memorial Park.

Below, along with our contact information, there links where you will find more information as well as photos, videos and messages from Teens4Unity around the world. 

For information contact: Kate at 713 869 1571 or email 이 이메일 주소는 스팸봇으로부터 보호됩니다. 보시려면 자바스크립트를 사용 가능으로 해야됩니다.  

El Paso

The El Paso community will also be part of the Run4Unity.  You are invited to join them at Eastwood Park baseball field #3 at 8:00 am until 12 pm on May 12.  The park is located at 3001 Parkwood Drive.  The El Paso community invites public and religious institutions to join them for this event.

For information please call Sandra Castro at 613-3163 or email her at 이 이메일 주소는 스팸봇으로부터 보호됩니다. 보시려면 자바스크립트를 사용 가능으로 해야됩니다. .

Visit the Run4Unity website: www.run4unity.net

The Focolare Movement and the University of St. Thomas will present an event called In Homage to Chiara Lubich on the occasion of the fourth anniversary of her death.

The March 8 event will begin with a memorial Mass at 6 p.m. in St. Basil Chapel celebrated by Most Reverend Joseph A. Fiorenza, Archbishop Emeritus of Galveston-Houston.

Immediately following the Mass there will be a reception.  At 7:40 p.m. all are invited to attend a lecture discussion entitled "Is Loving an Art or a Command? Trinitarian Love in the Spirituality and Thought of Chiara Lubich" presented by Rev. Thomas Norris and Rev. Dempsey Rosales.

Rev. Norris is Professor Emeritus in Systematic Theology, Saint Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Ireland and a member of the International Theological Commission.  Rev. Rosales, Acosta SSL, STD is an Assistant Professor of the Theology Department at St. Thomas University.

The evening is sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs and the Center for Faith an Culture.

The event is free and open to the public.  For information call 713-869-1571 or click here for the invitation.

San Antonio

Each January, the world over, Christians of all denominations gather to celebrate together the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.  This year's theme is: "We will all be changed by the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ." (cf.1 Corinthians 12:51-58)

Fr. Ron Rolheiser, OMI, president of The Oblate School of Theology, presided over the evening hosted by the school with the contribution of the Focolare Movement.  More than 80 Christians from the San Antonio area gathered January 19th, in the Immaculate Conception Chapel on the beautiful Oblate grounds to reflect, pray, and celebrate God's immense love in Jesus Christ.     

Dr. Carey Latimore, professor from Trinity University and Associate Minister of Mt. Zion First Baptist Church in San Antonio, read one of the scripture passages. 

 In his homily, Dr. Scott Woodard, vice president and  academic dean of the school, used the texts of Habakkuk 3:17-19, 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 and John 12:23-26 to illustrate his point that Christians must be changed, as Jesus himself was changed, through death and resurrection.

A Polish Christmas custom of sharing with one’s neighbor the oplatek, a fragile rectangular wafer carrying the image of the Nativity, drew each to share a fragment and a greeting with his brothers and sisters in Christ, a symbol of the spiritual communion for which all had prayed.

A reception followed the ceremony and all were able to greet one another in an atmosphere of family.