Living City

Does God own a vacuum store?

Escrito por M.C. Seg, 28 de Dezembro de 2009 11:53

Does God own a vacuum store?
published in Living City (January 2010)

Recently one of the families in our Focolare community discovered that their vacuum wasn’t working. It had finally been pronounced dead after a final attempt at the repair center, and buying a new one was out of the question. The security of the husband’s job was uncertain and his current income would not cover it.

I knew it was a source of stress, so I immediately lent them mine for a week since I was going away, confident that we would find them a vacuum through God’s providence. That month’s Word of Life was, “Sell your belongings and give alms. Provide money bags for yourselves that do not wear out …” (Lk 12:33).

Knowing that we strive to live the communion of goods among us as the early Christians did, upon my return I sent out an e-mail to everyone, sharing the need. The following morning a friend called to say she had an extra vacuum; then another called to say she would check out the local thrift shop; another offered to pray; and another had an extra vacuum as well.

Not only did God take care of this need, he even offered the family a choice. I was struck once again by how personal God’s immense love is for us, even in small things. We are indeed one big family, through which he communicates that love.
M. C., New Jersey

Opportunities to give and receive

Escrito por C.M. Seg, 28 de Dezembro de 2009 11:46

Opportunities to give and receive
published in Living City (January 2010)

Having recently moved from Italy to Boston after my marriage, I now study and work as a research assistant at Boston University. My husband and I try to use our money wisely and think carefully not only about our own needs but about the needs of others as well.

One of the first things we did was open a joint bank account and resolve to see together what was necessary when making spending choices.
One weekend one of our new friends had to work and would not have had time to shop for groceries. So when my husband and I went to the local farmers’ market, we had our friend’s need in mind. We counted out how many tomatoes, apples, cheese and vegetables we would need in our house for the week and shared the rest with these friends.

Little did I know that in return I would receive a very special gift. When I delivered the food, we spent time together in a deep conversation that was the beginning of a beautiful and growing friendship. I experienced that in a real community everyone has the opportunity to both give and receive.
C. M., Boston

God Provides

Escrito por S.C. Qui, 10 de Setembro de 2009 07:48

God provides
published in Living City (October 2009)

A short while ago, my husband was talking to a relative and found out that the relative was in credit card trouble.  Although he was paying his monthly fees, his finance charges were making him sink deeper and deeper in debt (about $7,000).  Considering that the interest rate on loans is much lower than the credit card fees, we thought we could take out extra loans for his relative to pay off his credit card.  I have to be honest; at first I was a little hesitant. That was a lot of money.
“With the baby coming, who knows if we will need that money?” I thought. “What if he doesn’t pay us back? The loans we take out are in our name, so we’re responsible.”

But I felt that it was the right thing to do. The Gospel says, “Seek first the kingdom of God…” (Mt 6:33). Money was very tight, but we went ahead with the loan.
Just a few weeks later, we found out that my husband had received a scholarship for $26,000 — almost four times the amount we gave his relative. The money has no strings attached, and we don’t have to pay anything after school.

At first, we didn’t even believe it.  My husband went to talk to the admissions department at the university to be sure of the scholarship’s terms, but it was, in fact, free. God really does provide. This was for us the hundredfold promised by the Gospel.                  
S. C.

Successful collective efforts

Escrito por Benedetto Gui Sáb, 01 de Agosto de 2009 11:52

Benedetto Gui
Successful collective efforts

The Economy of Communion mentioned by Pope Benedict in his latest encyclical, “Caritas in Veritate,” inspires local entreprises around the world. A visit to the village of Vazantes, in the Brazilian state of Ceará, where social programs engage the entire community
published in Living City (August 2009)

Our vehicle speeds along, brushing against leaves that invade the narrow road to Vazantes, a Brazilian village of about 2,000 people. Is this really the “semi-arid” zone which is supposed to include most of the state of Ceará and neighboring states? The vegetation consists of bright green shrubs, interspersed with clearings for grass and the cultivation of caju, a particularly drought-resistant plant that produces cashew nuts. Pools of water fill large potholes in the road. “I would call it the ‘semi-humid’ zone,” I say to the others in the car.

Fr. Pedro Rubens, the young rector of the Catholic University of Pernambuco/Recife, smiles and explains that we are still in the rainy season which was wetter than usual this year. “If someone comes here at the end of the nine-month dry season during which there is no rain at all,” Fr. Pedro continues, “they immediately understand why local people have problems surviving.” People end up leaving the villages and going to the coastal cities.

Distributing profits

Escrito por Francesco Tortorella Qua, 01 de Julho de 2009 22:55

Francesco Tortorella and Leo Andringa
Distributing profits
How EoC businesses share part of their earnings
published in Living City Special Edition Economy of Communion (July 2009)

From its beginning in Trent during World War II, the Focolare Movement’s spirituality of unity
carried a clear imperative: to live as the early Christians did, “so that no one was in need among them” (Acts 4:34). In the 1980s, the Movement systematically directed its attention to the world of economy and work, along with all the social problems connected to it.

available online

What is the Economy of Communion in Freedom?

Escrito por Amy Uelmen Qua, 01 de Julho de 2009 22:36

Amy Uelmen
What is the Economy of Communion in Freedom?
People-oriented businesses offer opportunities for new kinds of relationships
published in Living City Special Edition Economy of Communion (July 2009)

In the coverage of Pope Benedict’s recent visit to Cameroon, I was struck by John Allen’s
interview with Archbishop John Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria. Pressing the bishop “to get concrete about what the West ought to do for Africa” — i.e., by lowering trade barriers or restructuring the International Monetary Fund — Allen realized that the bishop was not taking the bait and asked directly, “What’s the problem?” “The problem,” the bishop answered, “is the way you phrased the question. You asked how the West can ‘help’ Africa. We’re not interested in ‘help’ in that sense [that] we are exclusively the receivers of your generosity. We’re interested in a new kind of relationship, in which all of us, as equals, work out the right way forward.”

available online

The EoC and the Sophia University Institute

Escrito por Giampietro Parolin Qua, 01 de Julho de 2009 22:22

Giampietro Parolin
Straight Synergy
The EoC and the Sophia University Institute
published in Living City Special Edition Economy of Communion (July 2009)

At the inauguration of Sophia University Institute in December, the noted physicist Ugo Amaldi
commended it as a “place of trust” — a trust that becomes more necessary each day because of the demands of modernity. More and more we see that hyperspecialization leads to an intense distrust of each other’s ideas and motives.

available online

How a business applies EoC principles in its operations

Escrito por Rebecca Kursh Qua, 01 de Julho de 2009 16:36

Rebecca Kursh
How a business applies EoC principles in its operations
published in Living City Special Edition Economy of Communion (July 2009)

My daughter had taken a course at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas in business management and was introduced to the Economy of Communion in Freedom. Then in the summer of 2008 we attended a seminar in Montreal, where her professor was speaking. It was an intriguing concept, and I knew I would enjoy a weekend in Canada with my college daughter, so I made a point of tagging along.

Achieving success

Escrito por Fedes Lim, Amata Kim Qua, 01 de Julho de 2009 14:53

Fedes Lim and Amata Kim
Achieving success
published in Living City Special Edition Economy of Communion (July 2009)

After their bakery went up in flames, a Korean catering company rebuilt and renewed its commitment to the principles of the Economy of Communion in Freedom

Fedes: In 1956, after the Korean War, my father started a small bakeshop for steamed bread in Daejon City, South Korea. As a child, I grew up with the witness given by my parents as practicing Catholics. They would distribute the unsold bread to people in need at the end of the day, and soon the news spread that the bakery was selling only fresh bread. It was a success.
Twenty-eight years ago I inherited the company, and while active in the parish, after five years I met the Focolare Movement. Through it, my wife and I attended a seminar on social issues in the Philippines. We felt God was asking us to apply what we had learned in our business.

Downsizing uncertainty

Escrito por Jim Webber Qua, 01 de Julho de 2009 14:32

Jim Webber
Downsizing uncertainty
What love can do in a tight job market
Living City (July 2009)

Just about everyone in the current economic crisis is facing uncertainty. In speaking to some of my friends who have been living the Focolare’s Gospel-based spirituality of unity, I have come to realize there is a way to prepare for uncertainty – keep loving in the present moment. Here are four examples.

1. Tommy Hartmann, California
Working at Bank of America, Tommy was told last November that his position would be eliminated as of January and he would be given a severance package that would last just two months. At work he managed a small finance group, and they were all scheduled to be cut. Together they looked for openings posted in the firm’s other divisions. One member of Tommy’s group, with whom he often carpooled, found a position online that actually looked just right for Tommy and e-mailed him the opportunity.

available online

Civil Happiness

Escrito por Clare Zanzucchi Qua, 21 de Janeiro de 2009 15:19

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Clare Zanzucchi
Civil Happiness
Living City (January 2009)

On November 18, 2008 at the University Club of New York City, the 2008 Templeton Enterprise Awards conferred second prize on Luigino Bruni, author of Civil Happiness: Economics and Human Flourishing in Historical Perspective.    

Culture Shift

Escrito por Bruni, Luigino Qua, 01 de Outubro de 2008 14:32

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Luigino Bruni
Culture Shift
Living City (October 2008)

A major mindset change is needed to transform the indifference engendered by the market into an attitude of stewardship.
available online

Food Crisis

Escrito por Giulio Meazzini Qua, 01 de Outubro de 2008 14:27

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Giulio Meazzini
Food Crisis
Living City (October 2008)

With World Food Day October 16, the disappointing global situation continues to indicate an obvious, if at times inconvenient, solution: sharing what we have.
available online

About Your Life

Escrito por Chiara Lubich Qua, 01 de Outubro de 2008 14:24

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Chiara Lubich
About Your Life
Living City (October 2008)

As we turn our gaze to other countries, we see problems much greater and more severe than our own. Chiara Lubich spoke extensively about a “culture of giving” and a Gospel-based lifestyle as a solution.
available online

Get Into the Reciprocal

Escrito por Amy Uelmen Qua, 01 de Outubro de 2008 14:20

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Amy Uelmen
Get Into the Reciprocal
Living City (October 2008)

The world food crisis is an opportunity to discover the true core of social development: the dynamic interplay between giving and receiving. What’s important is to participate.
available online

Center of Brotherly Love

Escrito por Caterina Ruggiu Qua, 02 de Abril de 2008 01:00

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Caterina Ruggiu
Center of Brotherly Love
Living City (April 2008)

Since 1991, the Agape Health Center has brought something new to Vargem Grande in Brazil. Beyond carrying out its mission for patients, it has also become a central point for the cultural life of the city.
available online

More Than Mere Material Gain

Escrito por Emilie Christy Qua, 02 de Abril de 2008 01:00

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Emilie Christy
More Than Mere Material Gain
Living City (April 2008)

The Economy of Communion, a Focolare-inspired consortium of businesses, offers a unique demonstration of a free economy based on solidarity.
available online

Companies With Wider Vision

Escrito por Antonella Ferrucci Ter, 01 de Abril de 2008 17:04

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Companies With Wider Vision
Living City (April 2008)

EoC Businesses List of Unites states, Canada, Dominican Republic, Ireland and Australia
available online

EoC Interns

Escrito por John Mundell Ter, 01 de Abril de 2008 13:51

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John Mundell
EoC Interns
Living City (April 2008)

A new internship program at Economy of Communion businesses provides a hands-on education in solidarity and brotherhood in the workplace.
available online

Cause for Joy

Escrito por Chiara Lubich Ter, 01 de Abril de 2008 13:49

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Chiara Lubich
Cause for Joy
Living City (April 2008)

In the Economy of Communion, lay people find a way to fulfill themselves completely and live consistently with their ideals
available online