Drops
We forget sometimes the worth of single drops that make up the ocean. We wanted to share the words Stefano spoke at the start of Faith and Light activities in Rome.
"Raffaele turns 56 today; Anna is in the hospital but sends her greetings to everyone; Pina stayed home — her back won't allow her to join us yet; Antonio is looking for a new school; Tommaso has recovered; Alessandra brought her whole community down on the subway; Ornella and her mother couldn't miss a day this beautiful; Cinzia cooked for her community; Pippi drove Marina all around Rome; Antonio celebrated his wedding with his community; Monica made a pilgrimage to Cyprus; Massimiliano is thinking about the next trip with his friends. We could go on forever. What I want to say is that these small stories — events that seem so fragile, so tiny — they fill our lives in miraculous ways. The relationships we've built are like a net. We're all connected through our joys, our worries. In the end, Faith and Light is this: living in special relationships, special bonds made of love. I wish you all to hold fast to these bonds, to our small stories. All of you, a new year of grace in Faith and Light."
Stefano Di Franco
He Will Be There Too
My family and I thank you for the beautiful image of Luca on the inside front page of the magazine.
I hope so much to recover soon so I can continue to be present in a meaningful way in my family and live each day with peace of mind.
My community, "La Vigna," is always here with all three of its parts. We can truly say we are one big family.
Tomorrow we'll spend the day together for the election of the new community leader.
It probably won't be an easy day without Luca. But I'm convinced he'll be there too, sitting among us, cheerful and smiling.
Thank you again, again, and again. Enjoy your vacations.
Elisa
From Our Correspondents
Hi, I'm Cosimo D'ambrosio and I'm part of the Faith and Light group in Gratosoglio, Maria Mother of the Church Milan. Together with the group from Cesano Boscone and members of other communities, we went to Cesenatico for a vacation. While we were there, we had fun and also wrote (us kids and teenagers) a kind of newspaper to understand what Faith and Light means to us. The Faith and Light gazette editorial team included: Lorenzo, Alessandro, Mattia, Marta, Chiara, Gabriele, Matteo, Big Lorenzo, Pietro (my brother), and me.
We hope our scoop gets published in Ombre e Luci.
The Faith and Light Gazette: A 12-Star Vacation in Cesenatico
To understand what Faith and Light is, we took an interplanetary journey.
On Sunday we visited the first planet, TANDENTOPOLIS. The inhabitants live in community there, helping each other according to Faith and Light ideals. The word of the day was sharing.
As we continued our journey we came across another strange planet called GEOMETROPOLIS. The people there were geometric shapes that didn't get along with each other. We, the people of Faith and Light, taught them about peace.
Spinning around in our spaceship we landed on COCOMEROPOLIS. The inhabitants there were trapped inside their watermelons. The word of the day was friendship. That week we visited many planets, all the way until the final celebration.
On Wednesday we surprised-interviewed three people who have been part of Faith and Light for a long time. Today, while Angela was sitting peacefully in the sun, we asked her what Faith and Light means to her.
What is Faith and Light for you?
"Faith and Light is a place where you feel really good, where everyone is the same in the same way, even though we're different, and nobody is afraid of being wrong. What matters is that everyone gets to be themselves."
How long have you been in Faith and Light?
"Since 1987. Twenty-five years."
Do you like Faith and Light?
"So much. It's my home, my family."
How do you feel in Faith and Light?
"Good, because I'm not afraid of not being myself."
How could Faith and Light be improved?
"I don't know. It's fine the way it is for me."
While Paolo was in the pool we "made him" answer a few questions:
What is Faith and Light for you?
"A group of friends."
How long have you been in Faith and Light?
"Twenty-three years."
Do you like Faith and Light?
"Yes, very much."
Do you feel good in Faith and Light?
"Yes, I feel at home."
How could Faith and Light be improved?
"With more young people who get involved."
Between the sea and the pool we interviewed Liliana, our mother.
What is Faith and Light for you?
"A place where you can be yourself and feel good."
How long have you been in Faith and Light?
"Twenty-nine years, since we started the Gratosoglio community. I was just a girl, a bit older than you, and I've grown up with Faith and Light."
Do you like Faith and Light?
"Very much."
Do you feel good in Faith and Light?
"Yes, it's part of my life."
How could Faith and Light be improved?
"By finding ways to reach young people and help them know about us."