The most impressive article

"Chiara Lubich's writing certainly is inspiring, and perhaps even inspired."

THAT THEY MAY ALL BE ONE
I certainly share your passion for unity. The recent LC was wonderful. It is too bad most people lack the spaciousness and vision of this new world concept because they are so wrapped up in the old, with its politics, nationalisms and history. Unity and a new vision are so vital, necessary and important for our (prosperous) survival and growth. Here are some interesting quotes as we enter the second decade of this millennium:

“You may call for peace as loudly as you wish, but where there is no brotherhood there can in the end be no peace.” Max Lerner.

“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Mother Teresa.

“Let the efforts of us all, prove that [Martin Luther King Jr.] was not a mere dreamer when he spoke of the beauty of genuine brotherhood and peace being more precious than diamonds, silver or gold. Let a new age dawn!” Nelson Mandela.
Doug Martin Sturomski, Hopewell Jct., New York

CHRISTMAS ISSUE
Every month I look forward to receiving Living City. Each issue provides example after example of women and men throughout the world living the spirituality of unity. Also, the monthly reflections focusing on the writings of Chiara Lubich typically provide a unifying theme for the entire issue.

What prompts me to write is the simply spectacular Christmas issue, which looked at the surprisingly (to me) deep spiritual lives of children and adolescents. I thought the most impressive article (it was hard to choose) was the piece on Joelle Katitio, the African girl who at 6 years old – 6 years old! – showed more “wisdom and determination to live the Gospel” than most of us adults who claim to follow Christ. I was really humbled when I read the article. And what can one say about Chiara Lubich’s reflections on her “own Christmas Day?” Sometimes when I read her writings, I think to myself: “Did she really write this? Or did an angel appear, sit next to her at her writing table, and help her out?” Her writing certainly is inspiring, and perhaps even inspired.
John J. O’Connell, New York

IDEAS FOR OUR SCHOOL
I was happy to see many articles dedicated to the faith life of children in the December Living City. As a pastor with an elementary school this is of great importance to me. There is so much emphasis, most of the time by parents, on reading and mathematics preparedness, that the dimension of faith is pushed to the side. The Cube of Love that we introduced this school year is having an effect in the lives of the children. We are preparing an article or short report to send to you with our experiences of the Cube. I enjoyed reading about the skits performed by the school in Canada. I guess you gave us an idea for our school.
Father Joe Callipare, Pensacola, Florida

CORRECTION
The e-mail address for the Focolare tour agency in the Holy Land was incorrect in the December issue. They can be reached at suipassi@gmail.com.

Post your comments and stories online at livingcitymagazine.com, or send your letters to livingcity.ed@livingcitymagazine.com or to Living City, 202 Comforter Blvd, Hyde Park, New York 12538. Include a full name, address and phone number. We may edit submissions for clarity and length, and we regret not being able to publish or answer every letter.