Last weekend I had the opportunity to participate in the coordination meeting of the Italian CLM in Florence.
I appreciate the invitation of the CLM from Italy to share this time together. It was very interesting to know more deeply the reality of the different groups that are present throughout Italy. Each with a particularity and its own way. A reality closely linked to each specific place and expressed particularly by each group. The richness of the charism of Comboni is clear, and in Italy can be seen in the way that lay people try to stay faithful to this vocation. Some groups with great commitment to social level, working on JPIC issues like immigration (which is news in the media these days for the misfortunes in the Mediterranean), raising awareness in schools and doing missionary animation in parishes and area centers, heavily working the presence of community life as laity, with specific experience and new projects for opening, maintaining consistency in training the groups, with prayer as revitalizing center, etc. We had a specific time to know how things are going for Emma in Nova Contagem with the Brazilian CLM and Marco and Valentina in Piquiá (also in Brazil) and the support that the different groups provided them.
We also had a good time to talk about the reality of the CLM internationally, so that I could inform and exchange points of views. I encouraged them to communicate in the international blog what each group was doing. Something I always do in the groups. There is so much wealth that, it is a shame that others do not know it and when we exchange it everyone can grow.
I think Italy has a nice way to go to create synergies. Starting with the different groups within the country and of course in coordination with the CLM internationally. We create a large network where we can work together for a more fair, more human, more divine… world attending to the problems of men and women of our time from the 20 countries where we operate, exchanging ideas, experiences, contacts, support. On top of that, we are one big CLM family, united by the same charisma and intuition of Comboni that “this work (the mission) should be Catholic, and not specifically Spanish or French, German or Italian”. Comboni encourages us to continue working together, not seeking uniformity but synergy, commitment, collaboration, fraternal assistance to carry out Jesus’ call to mission. A family that worry and support each other for the good of the people.
In addition to the meeting I also had time to visit the group of Bologna and Venegono. Talk quietly, share concerns. I admit that I felt very comfortable at all times, in family. The best of these trips is to feel closely the warmth of each CLM, the enthusiasm for the mission, the commitment of everyone, beyond or within the labor and/or family obligations that as laypeople we face every day. The Faith and follow of the Lord that from every corner of the world we try to carry out every day.
I hope many others may join the group, in all countries, to continue serving the Lord in our smallest and needy brothers wherever He leads us.
Thanks Alberto for the work you are doing on our behalf. I appreciate your commitment. I agree with you in all especially the sharing of groups on the Blog which will be so helpful for the new ones in formation. Ciao to all. Justin