News brief

by Living City of the Focolare - facebook.com/livingcity

May 20: World Communications Day

Silence is a precious commodity in today’s world. This year, in his message for World Communications Day, May 20, Pope Benedict XVI focuses on the gift of silence in our lives, especially in today’s whirlwind and abundance of information and ideas. In silence we can hear God better, we can communicate him better to others, we can receive our neighbors better, we can understand God’s plan for us and for humanity.

               “Silence gives rise to even more active communication, requiring sensitivity and a capacity to listen that often makes manifest the true measure and nature of the relationships involved…it allows the other person to speak, to express him or herself…Joy, anxiety, and suffering can all be communicated in silence...”

               “When messages and information are plentiful, silence becomes essential if we are to distinguish what is important from what is insignificant or secondary...”

               “It is hardly surprising that different religious traditions consider solitude and silence as privileged states which help people to rediscover themselves and that Truth which gives meaning to all things...”

               “In silent contemplation, then, the eternal Word, through whom the world was created, becomes ever more powerfully present and we become aware of the plan of salvation that God is accomplishing throughout our history by word and deed.”

Chiara Luce, patron of Youth Space 

Blessed Chiara Luce Badano will be the patron of the Youth Space at the International Eucharistic Congress in Ireland from June 10–17. Every Irish parish is being invited to send at least one youth representative to welcome all who come to the congress, youth and adults alike.

               “The Church in Ireland needs young people, and the Congress is a fantastic opportunity for young adults to explore and celebrate their faith,” said Francois-David Freschi, IEC2012 Youth Officer.

               The youth part of the congress will feature workshops, dramas, interactive catechesis, concerts, games and art. Find out more at iec2012.ie.

Rabbi received an award for Jewish-Muslim dialogue

Rabbi Burton Visotzky was awarded the 2012 Goldziher Prize, given every two years by Merrimack College, near Boston, to people dedicated to Jewish-Muslim dialogue.

               Since 1995, Rabbi Visotzky has been involved in work that contributes significantly to reverence, understanding and collaboration in common moral purposes between Jews and Muslims. Professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York City, he is also director of the JTS Milstein Center for Interreligious Dialogue. He has worked extensively with the U.S. State Department, the Pew Charitable Trust and the Islamic Society of
North America.

 — Sarah Mundell

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