On Sunday, May 28, in Cesano Boscone near Milan, two communities merged—San Giuseppe Moscati and Il Sorriso di Stefano—after months of careful preparation. We felt it was necessary because, whatever our differences, we were walking the same path [...]
Since my second term as coordinator had ended, we needed to elect a new leader and choose a name for the merged community. In February, we began reaching out to the founding members of both groups. We brought in Arianna, Silvana, and Rosario as outside facilitators, with Paola and Simone—our vice-coordinators—serving as supervisors. We planned a series of meetings leading up to May. [...]
The April gathering was crucial. We explained the coordinator's role, the work of the team, and then I shared—with deep emotion and passion—how much it has meant to me, being close to so many people, friends, and especially our young people; how much they have helped me grow; how you can't understand everything at once, because these are indescribable feelings, beyond the bare work, not easy to put into words or grasp. I hope I managed to pass all of this on to the new coordinator.
Along the way—through training sessions, camping trips, retreats, exchanges, and conversations—every experience has helped me understand more deeply. [...] Then came the day of the election, tense with emotion for everyone. I was anxious to know who would take the torch from me.
The discernment process was rich and constructive for each of them. The election took place on the second ballot. The new coordinator is Emanuele Sarelli, who asked Antonella Gioia to work alongside him, and following the suggestion of an outside advisor, they decided to bring in Mattia Genovese as well. We did it! [...] I pass the torch to three worthy people: Ema and Anto have been with us from the start; Mattia has been coming for about two years and is still learning. Let's trust him. After celebrating the new coordinators, we thanked Arianna, Silvana, and Rosario, Paola and Simone, for their dedication, giving each of them a lantern and a scroll.
I received a plaque—beautiful, so beautiful that I burst into tears. I couldn't even read the inscription through my emotion. For the name of the new community, we chose Messengers of Joy, which I think captures who we are perfectly. Goal achieved: a new community and new coordinators! Thank you all for supporting me and putting up with me all these years. Thank you, Arianna—you were fantastic, a revelation. You surprised us at every meeting, always prepared, always bringing wonderful ideas. [...]
Thank you, Silvana and Rosario, her parents, for accompanying her to every gathering. [...] Thank you, Nives, for thinking of them in the role of outside facilitator [...]. Thank you, Paola and Simone, who guided us with your experience until we reached our goal.
Thank you, Angela, for all you taught me. You gave me so much—emotion, feeling, passion in everything you did. I learned by watching you. I wish long life to this new community, good walking to the new coordinators. Know that I will always be here, no matter what. Ready for new adventures!!! My heartfelt thanks to everyone.
Flora Atlante, 2017