The Volunteers and the Meeting. Cardinal Scola: “Ask Yourselves Who You’Re Doing It For”

Official magazine of the VII World Meeting of Families Number 2 - 27 February 2012 r e t t e l s w e

family2012 n

I The Path I Exhibition I Families around the world ‘Lifestyles’ ‘The Italian family’ Civil and religious celebrations from Ten stories about families at the Palazzo Reale, Milan Mexico - when tradition talks of belief

THE VOLUNTEERS AND THE MEETING. CARDINAL SCOLA: “ASK YOURSELVES WHO YOU’RE DOING IT FOR”

Francesca Dossi and Alfonso Colzani * The family generates life and opens its arms

The second preparatory solitude, the desire to face life that attention of a mother and to give yourself completely in catechesis for the VII World together, as allies, make the a father for their children, how the relationship, firstly as a Meeting of Families steeps us human couple able to much life a hug, a benevolent couple, then with children and in the heart of the mysterious, generate, overcoming the look, convinced them with all the children marvellous and very complex confines of the happy encouragement or we’re asked to welcome. It’s marriage covenant, created by complicity of two to prepare dispassionate appreciation can from this that the original God as primary place for the them to welcome new life, give. And so that no-one feels human nature of our being transmission of human, new love and new hope... to excluded, let’s remember that stems, made of the ability to physical, spiritual, moral and model themselves on the this is ageless, it generates life meet, accept and welcome, religious life... and also the Creator in all ways. There’s no beyond our expectations, even reciprocal love, gratitude and place of His Word to the world. life without welcome, where the earliest years were forgiveness right to the end... What warmer, more tender and dedication, care and listening; compromised by negligence, as Jesus Christ showed us safer cradle for human life there’s no life without superficiality and desertion. himself. So, through our than the intense, deep and tenderness, a loving gaze and The many families who live the families, nothing will be lost blessed love of a man and a words of reassurance; lastly, experience of fostering and/or and the love of God will have woman? The language of there’s no life without the adoption with great openness another good chance of making tenderness of the bodies, joyful withdrawal of the self to and generosity bear witness to its mark and living in the separate but leaning towards make room for the other, so this - giving life is firstly or world. each other, the listening to that they feel out happiness at mainly a physical matter but an *Heads of the Service for the each other that relieves their being. How reassuring is experience which requires you Family of the Diocese of Milan TOWARDS THE MEETING

Aim: 5,000 volunteers for the Pope The recruitment campaign continues ‘Yeses’ from Italy and the world

ore than 3,000 people have already offered to help as volunteers at the VMII World Meeting of Families. Young people, adults, students, workers and pensioners - many people have acted on the invitation of Cardinal Angelo Scola to offer what they can as “…what counts is the ‘yes’ of each person”. To date, 84% of the volunteers come from

Almost 2,000 people, from 18-70, are still needed aafor translation, graphics, writing, video and Internet, specialised assistance to the handicapped and elderly or entertainment and surveillance. There’s time until 29 February to volunteer

MI CHIAMO JASMINE E NON MI PERDO UN'AMICIZIA NUOVA

Italy, 3% from Europe and There’s time until 29 February to volun - The initiative ‘100 days as a volunteer’,

on perdere bb N 13% from the rest of the teer. a tour with four meetings in the Diocese l'occasione erci Jasmine: di ess 19 anni, studentessa anche tu world. The Italian volun - Different commitments and positions of Milan, held from 13-16 February, to za dan : di efano nte nte St s:tude na nni,ca seg 23 aon , in M nni teers are from all over the are planned, according to availability. promote the participation of volunteers a 47 Diventa volontario o 30 MAGGIO per il più grande event country - from Aosta to Tra - ‘Long-term’ volunteers (at least three was very successful with more than 2 3 GIUGNO 2012 internazionale del 201 IA DA MILANO NO AL MONDO COMINC pani, passing Rovigo, months) are asked for part-time service 1,200 people taking part in the meet - IL TUO VIAGGIO INTOR main partner in collaborazione con Cagliari, Ancona and Cam - in office hours for secretarial, recep - ings in Milan, Besana Brianza, Cinisello pobasso. The deaneries of tion, and translation work, organisation Balsamo and Busto Arsizio. For the Zara, Porta Romana-Porta Vittoria and of transport and logistics, communica - training, a training course consisting of Affori have shown the greatest willing - tion, warehousing and info-point. ‘Medi - three meetings, in Villa Sacro Cuore, ness to help in Milan. The work of the um-term’ volunteers (3 May-4 June) will Triuggio, has been set up for Team Lead - deanery of Cinisello Balsamo is also wor - have shifts of 4/8 hours, in office hours ers who are prepared to lead groups of thy of note. and at weekends, for secretarial work, 20-25 volunteers. In addition to the generosity and will - the accreditation and issue of badges, Other courses for volunteers will be ingness to take on logistics jobs, volun - logistics, warehousing and setting up held nearer the event, while an e-learn - teers are also asked to put their profes - kits, info-point and the communications ing course for remote updating will be sions at the service of the Meeting. Al - area. Lastly, ‘short-term’ volunteers (25 available on www.family2012.com from most 2,000 people, from 18-70, are still May-4 June) and the ‘event period’ (30 March. needed for translation, graphics, writ - May-4 June) will be asked to do shifts of The sessions planned include ‘The top - ing, video and Internet, specialised as - 6/8 hours to follow the Youth Congress ics of the meeting, ‘Being a volunteer’ sistance to the handicapped and elderly and give a hand with assistance, logis - and ‘The World Meeting of Families - or entertainment and surveillance. tics and transport. the Programme’. I

2 I THE ARCHBISHOP OF MILAN TO THE ‘TEAM LEADERS’ Volunteers, know why, but particularly for Whom, you’re doing this service

The preparation of the volunteers who will give their service at the World Meeting of Families in Milan, is idea of Christ, for whom we as they are, calling them with continuing. At the weekend of are doing it, we’ll never get their names. For us, the family 4 and 5 February, there was a to the heart of the matter. is the union between a man training course for the 150 You need to be aware that and a woman, stable, faithful team leaders’, the co- the Lord is the basis of and open to life. There are ordinators of the teams where everything and make the certainly difficulties in the volunteers will work in others take part in it, even in understanding the real nature the many services planned the organisational and of the family, mainly arising during the events. There’s voluntary work.” The Cardinal from the fragmentary way in obviously a lot of preparation reflected, saying there was which we are immersed in on the technical aspects but the chance of really bearing daily life, particularly in the the reason for this service is witness to belief at stake, current society, but the theme never lost to view. always asking yourself, of Family 2012 helps us to Angelo Scola, Archbishop of however, – and this was rediscover a unity.” The Milan, spoke about the reason another aspect that the family, referring to the world when he personally met the Archbishop stressed strongly, of affection, work and 150 team leaders, offering a why these meetings are celebration are the experience wide-ranging reflection. “A promoted, “Because you, we, of every man and woman at human motivation is certainly believe in the family,” was his all latitudes, “Consistently and required for this free immediate answer. “ In the harmonically reuniting these commitment, but if we stay face of so much confusion and three elements, felt today to with a purely technical type uncertainty, it has never been be separate, is a great of logic and don’t recover the so important to turn to things opportu nity.” I

The story

After the Jubilee and the World Youth Francesca has already taken part in the first date for Team leaders; Days, the ‘veteran’ Francesca Barisani she’ll go to Triuggio again in March and April for the last two week - will be a ‘team leader’ in Milan ends of training on the pro - Rome, Cologne, Sydney, Caravag - the entrance of coaches to car take holiday in May and June and gramme. gio and Loreto - in the midst of parks. She offered to be a team so will only come to the Mass with In the meantime, she’s not twid - the Jubilee, World Youth Day and leader at the VII World Meeting of the Pope.” Francesca has felt the dling her thumbs, “As every year, Eucharistic Congress, Francesca Families , «I’ll lead a group of 20- joy of the meeting, participation I’ll be organising the Palm vigil Barisani has never missed an op - 25 volunteers. Will I feel the and following the call to service for the Diocese of Brescia to keep portunity to serve the Church weight of being a reference point? among friends and pilgrims. “The myself in training in managing since she came of age, “Because I I don’t think so. Responsibility World Youth Day and the Eucharis - complex situations. This will like doing things, having responsi - doesn’t frighten me.” Francesca tic Congress were experiences bring together thousands of bility and feeling that I’m taking will come to the VII World Meeting that touched my heart. Students, young people to the city.” After part in building something impor - from Brescia, where she lives, in workers or pensioners - I would re - this, Francesca has already taken tant.” In 12 years of experience as May with about 10 friends who are ally recommend that everyone into consideration that all her a volunteer, Francesca has done a also volunteers. “We’re a close- comes to be a volunteer.” thoughts and preparation will be bit of everything - from organising knit group, usually bigger - up to There are less than 100 days to in the direction of the VII World the flow of pilgrims to managing 40 people, but many people can’t the VII World Meeting and Meeting. I

3 THE PATH TO MILAN

Normally exceptional families The ten short ‘Lifestyle’ films accompany the catechesis of the Meeting n exemplary story for each catech - Mauro and Marta thus talk about The ruvian in origin but living in Cologno esis, a face, a voice, an expression. family generates life (Catechesis 2). Monzese, near Milan. They are both TAhis is the awareness in listening to the They have four children. After years of graduates in Business and Economics, interview of Bruno Volpi and his wife En - unsuccessful attempts and suspected and had a country of origin, city and rica, the voices in the first catechesis, sterility, a first experience of fostering destination in common - Peru, Lima and and in seeing how their personal and and the adoption, at last, of a little girl, Italy. Their story, like that of many mi - particular story tells the profound mean - they managed to conceive. Today, look - grant families today, tells the journey of ing of ‘The Secret of Nazareth’, without ing at their story, they feel they have to a family and being a family (Cat. 3, The stating it. say, “God used us to give us an enthusi - family living the test). The ‘Lifestyles’ project was developed astic and joyful taste of the feeling of Elisabetta and Valerio, faces from The to accompany the 10 catechesis of the love that, in addition to multiplying by family is the life of society (Catechesis Meeting. There are 10 short films with division, has absolutely no limits.” 4) are 38 and 36 and live with their 3 the stories of exceptionally normal fam - Then there’s Johnny and Jacqueline, Pe - children in the Villaggio Barona, Milan, ilies talking about themselves, thus giv - with many difficult situations and the ing listeners the opportunity to ap - volunteers who are concerned with proach the catechesis in another way these. but, above all, make a comparison with The seventh, Milanese, Catechesis 5, Work and celebration in their story, seeing themselves in it or edition is a Meeting the family has the voice of Leo and the taking a step back or, quite simply, let - battle he’s been leading for more than ting themselves be enriched by the of families with families, 1000 days - days of stronghold after the comparison with another person. The aa company which had employed him for and this video-catechesis seventh, Milanese, edition is a Meeting 30 years closed suddenly, leaving he and of families with families, and this video- operation goes precisely his wife out of work. catechesis operation goes precisely in in that direction Go to www.family2012.com, ‘Materials’ that direction. section to see the video-catechesis. I

4 bb Exhibition at Palazzo Reale, Milan

flected to scale. The history of the cin - ‘The Italian family’ ema, family history, in short - History. ‘The Italian Family’ is not a collection of snapshots but a snapshot that col - in images from the cinema lects the monographs of our life, the personal exhibitions of our life. Cinema- 100 years of the family in Italy life, cinema-family.”6 It starts from important documents of he changes in the Italian family told the Silent era and moves through to through the images that have made contemporary cinema, forming a com - tThe history of cinema in Italy. The exhi - plete panorama, lingering in particular bition ‘The Italian family’ is hosted by over the masterpieces which have made Palazzo Reale, Milan from 2 March to 3 Italian cinema internationally famous. April, has been developed as a cultural The images show us, for example, the event in preparation for the VII World dramatic betrayals portrayed in the film Meeting of Families. It was conceived by version of Assunta Spina (1915, Gustavo the Fondazione ente dello spettacolo Serena) and the 19th century matrix of (Entertainment Agency Foundation), in family drama in Piccolo Mondo Antico co-operation with the Experimental Cin - (1941, Mario Soldati). There is the mis - ematography Centre, National Film ery of the war years with children Archive, and is promoted by the Milan robbed of innocence (Ladri di Biciclette, City Council and Palazzo Reale in co-op - 1948, by Vittorio De Sica) and the eration with the Fondazione Milano dream of redemption of the mother Famiglie 2012. played by Anna Magnani in Bellissima The story of the Italian family is told (1951, by Luchino Visconti). There is an through more than 60 photographic im - intense panorama accompanying us in ages seen through the most famous the awareness of a whole generation films of our time. The starting point is with regard to a profoundly changing the 1910s and the chronological journey world which breaks family ties (Il Fer - goes through to the current time, show - roviere, 1956, by Pietro Germi) through ing the transformations that have shak - to the 1960s comedy which, starting en society and also overwhelmed the ENTRANCE TO THE EXHIBITION from Divorzio all’italiana (1961, Germi) family. During the VII World Meeting of IS FREE OF CHARGE comments on the family with an ironic Families, to be held in Milan, the fami - Palazzo Reale, Piazza Duomo 12, Milan. Open: look, with its fake respectability and its ly will be celebrated. Monsignor Erminio Monday 2.30-7.30 pm; Tuesday, Wednesday and taboos. A complex overview, which De Scalzi, president of the Fondazione Sunday 9.30 am-7.30 pm; Thursday-Saturday doesn’t forget to place the accent on Milano Famiglie 2012, stressed, “The 9.30 am-10.30 pm. Italian history, on a past that is difficult family is the first cell of society within Last entrance one hour before closure. to ignore (La Ciociara, 1960, by De Sica which the first relationships are woven and Le Quattro Giornate di Napoli, and from which we go to discover the 1962, by Nanni Loy), on those provoca - world, where you experience a love tive looks typical of 1970s cinema (Fat - which enfolds like an unexpected gift. ti di Gente Perbene, 1974, by Mauro The family is not an abstract entity but Bolognini and Un borghese piccolo pic - a real, contemporary ‘place’ which colo, 1977, by Mario Monicelli). We everyone has to face because we all reach the heart of the institution of the have an experience of family. An expe - family through the stills, from its con - rience that touches, sometimes almost stitution as a united, cohesive clan de - unconsciously, every sphere of life, in - spite the dramas and misunderstandings cluding the artistic area, as happens in scope of images dedicated by Italian (from La Famiglia, 1987, by Ettore Sco - the cinema, which has always recounted cinema to the family and its unstop - la to Il Cuore Grande delle Ragazze, stories and emotions.” Monsignor Dario pable evolution. Italian cinema has paid 2011 by Pupi Avati), to its being invest - Edoardo Viganò, president of the Fon - homage to the family for what it is - a ed by the loss of values, as seems clear dazione ente dello spettacolo, ex - dynamic, gestalt institution, in which in the films of recent years (from La plained, “The winning family is social changes, the ripples of Italian an - Bestia nel Cuore, 2005, by Cristina changed. It’s not a play on words but a thropological tissue, the existential Comencini to Anche Libero Va Bene, metamorphic and isomorphic kaleido - warp and relationship weave, are re - 2006, by Kim Rossi Stuart). I

5 FAMILIES AROUND THE WORLD

Rev. Don Julián MEXICO Arturo López America CAPITAL: Mexico City Amozurrutia Professor POPULATION: 112,000,000 of the Pontifical GOVERNMENT: Federal University republic of Mexico Mexico, joy in the celebration of belief The union of the sacraments and popular culture

he Gospel joyfully proclaims, “God so Celebrating belief is one of the inalien - And yet the jovial qualification of our loved the world that he gave his only able aspects of the baptismal state. We belonging to the Church extends to all bTegotten Son, that whosoever believeth particularly do it in the Liturgy and, to the times of life, including when the in him should not perish, but have ever - an eminent degree, in the Eucharist. test touches the doors of existence, the lasting life.” (John III, 14). The good news spreads like shared joy, “Rejoice with me!” (Luke XV, 6). There is, in a mysteri - ous way, the offer of an ineffable pres - ence in the believer’s celebration, “For where two or three are gathered togeth - er in my name, there am I in the midst of them,” (Matthew XVIII, 20).

Belief is rooted in a deeply felt anthropological context, aathe source of cultural identity, in all the events

A family, a story bb Lucrezia and Emilio Planas, “God is at the centre in our family, with prayers at home and the sacraments.”

We’re Lucrezia and Emilio Planas. rosary before going to bed. On We live in Mexico City with our 9 Sundays, we all go to Mass and children. God is at the centre in the sacraments are very impor - our family. We do everything for tant celebrations for all of us. Him and with Him. Our family Every baptism, every First Com - conversations are naturally based munion, are an opportunity to re - around God; everyone (even the new and revive family life. God is smallest) is aware of all that we always in every aspect, whether receive from Him and that we big or small, of our daily life. have to answer to Him for our ac - We have lunch and dinner alto - tions. gether every day. They’re pleas - We pray every day in our family - ant times of life in common. We in the morning, before each meal like travelling together, which we and, in the evening, we say the do for a week every year, going to

6 joy and peace of the Holy Spirit accom - NEWS pany the disciple of Jesus Christ with I FROM THE PONTIFICAL COUNCIL the victorious force of the Resurrection. Therefore, it’s not strange that receiv - Catechesis, ing the sacraments, as an extension of also translated into liturgical celebrations, is among the privileged occasions when families live Catalan and Slovenian celebration. Another significant goal has been reached by the Pontifical Council for THE SACRAMENTS: the Family in the last few days - the Mexico, joy in the celebration of belief FAMILY CELEBRATIONS translation of the preparatory Baptism, confirmation, First Commun - catechesis into Catalan and The union of the sacraments and popular culture ion and marriage are accompanied by Slovenian. special celebratory tones which are ex - There are now a total of 11 tended with lively social events in Mex - translations of the text: French, ico. The public side of belief is partic - bration turns into a time of conflict, a On the English, German, Spanish, ularly felt in the form of conviviality. pagan ritual or a pretext for immoral other Portuguese, Polish, Rumanian, page, the In addition, popular culture has inte - acts in its uniquely human expression. cathedral Hungarian, Arabic, Catalan, grated other relevant times of life, like Despite goodwill, the anxiety that goes in Mexico Slovenian. The translation into children’s third birthdays and a girl’s with the preparations can distance City Russian is being prepared. fifteenth birthday, as indispensable them from their true purpose. On the The topics of Milan have been public events that must be celebrated, other hand, celebrations of faith, with presented on several occasions and no social celebration can be con - their evangelising nature, have given a recently. ceived without a prior liturgical con - base to the healthy family life of those Don Andrea Ciucci presented them text. who’ve been away for a long time, in - during the habitual work of the Belief is rooted in a deeply felt anthro - cluding the reconciliation of those who ministry - to three groups of pological context, the source of cultur - had distanced themselves. Human fruit American bishops visiting ‘ad limina al identity, in all the events. They pro - will, however, only make sense if cele - apostolorum’, the international mote meeting and communion starting brations remain aware of the main rea - committee of the Christian marriage from the miracle of life received and son for their vivacity, i.e., the pres - association Incontro, some family the opportunity to share it. However, ence of Jesus Christ in the midst of his associations meeting in Rome for a beyond all this, celebrations of belief disciples. Celebrations are a good plat - joint session of work, and to the are called on to become authentic ex - form for evangelisation and living be - international work group specially pressions of the believing conscience, lief, a testimony for a sad and sense - set up by ACLI. I i.e., a profession of faith. less world, in which men often meet There is the latent danger that cele - without knowing why. I

the seaside or one of the states Every baptism, every First Communion, we’re friends with) and spiritual in Mexico. Sometimes, these are are an opportunity to renew and revive family level. cultural trips, to museums and aa We like preparing for Christmas life. God is always in every aspect, churches, other times they’re very much. We make the crib, whether big or small, of our daily life more ecological, to rivers and decorate the tree, light the fam - mountains. We like everything in ilies on the Advent wreath, the the same way. bb lamps and the family dinner. On We love playing board games on the night of Christmas Eve, the Saturdays evenings, good films at whole family together - grand - the cinema, bowling every now parents, aunts and uncles, and then and going to a sports nephews and nieces, meets to centre at the weekend where we sing carols, rock Baby Jesus and swim and walk round the gar - pray, thanking God for His incar - dens. nation, after Mass. A real family Every year we go on missions celebration! during Holy Week. It’s something we all like and it enriches us on Lucrezia and Emilio Planas a friendship (we go with families México

7 USEFUL INFORMATION

Provisional programme of the VII World Meeting of Families

MAY MAY MAY JUNE JUNE JUNE Tuesday 29 Wednesday 30 Thursday 31 Friday 1 Saturday 2 Sunday 3 Holy Mass Holy Mass Holy Mass in the Parishes in the Parishes in the Parishes

(Fieramilano city) (Fieramilano city) (Fieramilano city) (Fieramilano city) • The Family Fair • Theological • Theological • Theological Libreria pastoral conference pastoral conference pastoral conference Internazionale • The Family Fair • The Family Fair • The Family Fair (International • Libreria • Libreria • Libreria G N

I Bookshop) Internazionale Internazionale Internazionale N R

O Welcome Conference 9.30 am Conference 9.30 am Conference 9.30 am Celebrations and 10.00 am: Holy Mass M of delegations Opening ceremony 3rd report 5th report meetings in parishes celebrated and families. 10.00 am 1st report 11.00 am 4th report 11.00 am 6th report for movements or by Benedict XVI Inauguration 11.30 am 2nd report 1.00 pm lunch break 1.00 pm lunch break specific groups (Parco Nord, Milan of the Family Fair 1.00 pm lunch break Bresso Airport)

(Fieramilano city) (in Milan and other (in various important Afternoon: debates, Lombard dioceses) places in Milan) walk towards the testimonies, meetings, debates, meetings, debates, area of the event N Round Tables testimonies, testimonies, with the Pope O

O 3.00 pm 1st session Round Tables Round Tables N

R 5.00 pm 2nd session and workshops and workshops E T F A 8.00 pm Concert at the Scala, for delegations only

Dinner with Dinner at the Dinner with From late afternoon, host families location of the host families welcome or in parishes afternoon events or in parishes and preparation for the meeting with the Pope G N I N E

V Welcome Celebrations 9.30 pm Followed E and celebration where the afternoon Holy Eucharist by the Celebration organised by host events are held in the Duomo of Testimony parishes, pastoral and the main with Benedict XVI communities, churches (Parco Nord, Milan groups, associations in the diocese Bresso Airport) and movements

I TO TAKE PART I MAKE A CONTRIBUTION Register on www.family2012.com Help a family come to Milan You’ve got until 31 March 2012 The solidarity fund for the Meeting Registration for the VII World Meeting of Families is via “Help a non-Italian family on the path towards Milan. Help us to ensure that internet, go to www.family2012.com where you can register nobody is excluded. It will happen if you want.” The families preparing to in Italian and another five languages, choose from the various come to Milan to meet the Pope come from all over the world, some from ‘hospitality packages’ and complete the registration by extremely poor countries like Haiti and others from very distant, poorly payment on-line. Choose from a ‘long’ stay (package ‘A’) with connected places. To ensure that nobody is excluded and enable those who participation in the whole event, including the international can’t afford the costs of travel to come, a Welcome Fund has been created theological-pastoral conference, side events and meetings for families around the world. Individuals, families, parishes and movements with the Pope (30 May-3 June), and a ‘short’ stay (package can contribute to the fund; payments should be made to the current account ‘B’) just for the meetings with the Pope from 1-3 June. IT16Q0306901629100000014189. Reason: Twinning for Family 2012.

Newsletter di www.family2012.com - site registered with the Court of Milan No. 266 of 13 May 2011, editor-in-chief Davide Milani