"I have come to set the earth on fire, and how I wish it were already blazing!”(Lk 12:49)
From the Editors Desk
By Clare Zanzucchi
Dear Reader,
This issue is dedicated primarily to the role and potential of lay people and movements. Committed to their Christian ideals, they bring about renewal in society and the Church.
This past year, some of our subscribers participated in a conference sponsored by the Parish Movement, an offshoot of the Focolare. They had an extraordinary experience together with 1,400 other active parishioners. “It was like living the life of the early Christians,” someone said. “I saw the beauty of the Church with all its different vocations, completely renewed by the presence of Jesus in the community.”
The Parish Movement began in 1966, with the encouragement of Paul VI. At that time, the pope addressed a group of parishioners who were living the spirituality of unity, saying, “Bring it into your parish communities.”
Twenty years later in 1986, 7,000 of the Parish Movement held their first international conference in Rome. John Paul II urged them “to be a cement of unity among all the groups and associations of your parish communities.”
This year, Benedict XVI asked them to be “a sign of the Risen Christ in your communities and in every sector of life.” The Parish Movement is currently active in more than 1,000 parishes in 41 countries.
Since the laity make up 98% of the Church, lay faithful are charged with a particular task that only they can fulfill. Ecclesial movements can be a great help with training them for their task.
May this issue give hope and encouragement.
This past year, some of our subscribers participated in a conference sponsored by the Parish Movement, an offshoot of the Focolare. They had an extraordinary experience together with 1,400 other active parishioners. “It was like living the life of the early Christians,” someone said. “I saw the beauty of the Church with all its different vocations, completely renewed by the presence of Jesus in the community.”
The Parish Movement began in 1966, with the encouragement of Paul VI. At that time, the pope addressed a group of parishioners who were living the spirituality of unity, saying, “Bring it into your parish communities.”
Twenty years later in 1986, 7,000 of the Parish Movement held their first international conference in Rome. John Paul II urged them “to be a cement of unity among all the groups and associations of your parish communities.”
This year, Benedict XVI asked them to be “a sign of the Risen Christ in your communities and in every sector of life.” The Parish Movement is currently active in more than 1,000 parishes in 41 countries.
Since the laity make up 98% of the Church, lay faithful are charged with a particular task that only they can fulfill. Ecclesial movements can be a great help with training them for their task.
May this issue give hope and encouragement.
~ Clare Zanzucchi
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© 2012 by the Focolare Movement (New York) •