PRESS RELEASE:

In 2011 the Focolare marks its 50-year milestone in North America with anniversary celebrations throughout the United States and Canada.

Seeds of the Focolare spirituality of unity had already been sown on this continent back in the 1950s, but the Focolare began here in earnest only in 1961, when three courageous young people arrived in an immigrant quarter of New York City with the sole aim of putting the Gospel into practice. Since then this way of life has been spreading, through the quiet efforts of the hundreds of others who met them and embraced as their own the Focolare’s aim: to contribute to the fulfillment of Jesus’ prayer “May they all be one” (Jn 17:21).

After her first trip to New York in 1964, Focolare founder Chiara Lubich made this comment about the U.S.: “I was deeply struck by this country; it made a beautiful impression on me. I am familiar with other nations in Europe and South America, but this country seems to me particularly suited to the spirit of the Focolare. There is no air of ethnic superiority, but instead a distinct sense of internationality. There is simplicity….”

In a similar manner, the Focolare and its message of unity has reached the farthest corners of the globe, from its humble beginnings in occupied Italy in the midst of World War II, as a result of the Gospel message of love of neighbor and mutual love being put into practice. In the United States it has spread slowly but tenaciously, following paths through American culture that no one could have predicted: creating bonds of mutual love between young and old, married and single, Catholics and Christians of other Churches; then with Jewish and Hindu friends, and most recently with many Muslim communities. All are part of this global family that includes numerous multi-cultural communities. Its members work for solidarity and dialogue in the U.S. and Canada, creating a network of relationships and furthering the Movement’s goal of universal brotherhood.

Giving special significance to the 50th anniversary celebration this spring, Focolare President Maria Voce and Co-president Giancarlo Faletti will come to North America for a month-long tour and visit with Focolare’s communities and friends in different cities.

• March 19-20, Toronto: Weekend of dialogue and celebration with Focolare members from all over Canada, and a solemn Mass celebrated by Bishop William McGrattan, marking the 3rd anniversary of Chiara Lubich’s death
• April 2, Poughkeepsie, NY: Encounter with U.S. Focolare members
• April 3, New York: Solemn Mass of thanksgiving celebrated by Archbishop Timothy Dolan at St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 2:00pm.
• April 5, New York: Cultural event at Fordham University, with four panels: “The Spirituality of Unity—a Gift for Our Times”; “The Economy of Communion”; “Personal Fulfillment in a Communitarian Spirituality”; and “Love of Neighbor and the Law”
• April 7, Washington, D.C.: E pluribus unum, program open to the public featuring a multiethnic, multireligious community coming together as one people in the service of unity. Caldwell Hall, The Catholic University of America

• April 9, Chicago Youth Event: A Celebration of the Life of Chiara Luce Badano   (North Riverside, IL)

• April 10, Chicago: Interreligious meeting

• April 11, Chicago: Spirituality And Trinitarian Theology - Evening theological presentation at DePaul University

• April 16, Santo Domingo: Celebrations with Focolare communities in the Dominican Rep. & Puerto Rico

For more information on these Focolare events: Select “Regions” above to see those activities in your area.