Welcomed and Included—What a Gift!
Last December, we were asked to speak about Faith and Light at our parish—to help young people understand disability. We didn't hesitate. We Messengers of Joy jumped at the chance! The young people with disabilities in our community are joy itself, and the exchange with the teenagers we met was beautiful and genuine on both sides. Here in Cesano Boscone, we're lucky to have three parishes. Every time we reach out to the priests and our pastors, they open doors. They make space for us. We invite priests, deacons, nuns, and seminarians. Sometimes they can join our prayer time. Sometimes they invite us to speak to their parish groups. We post notices on the bulletin board so anyone interested can come. It's wonderful to be accepted and included—for the young people, for us, but especially for their families.
Flora Atlante
In Memory of Georgina
You were part of the Faith and Light family in Rome, along with your family. Then, many years ago, you moved to England, but the bond never broke. We kept meeting when you visited Rome or when I had the chance to come your way. Always smiling, always warm, you would ask about friends from Rome you remembered. You went to heaven the morning of Holy Saturday 2020, after an illness that had struck you just over a year before. Your mother wrote to tell us how tenderly you were cared for—something for which she will be forever grateful. You've joined your father, Giovanni. We remember you with your smile, your gentleness, your cheerful spirit, and your wit.
Lucia Pennisi
Meeting on Zoom
Before Easter, a friend from my Saint Anna community called and asked if we wanted to see each other on Zoom—on the computer—with my sister. We got together to exchange Easter greetings. We celebrated Francesca's birthday. Another day we had a meeting to talk about a letter Angela Grassi sent to every community. Some people were sad and worried about not being able to visit their parents. We prayed the Ave Maria and the Our Father with Father Paul. We hope everything passes soon and we can see each other again. In the meantime, we've scheduled two more Zoom calls.
Gabriella Bongiorno
«Quarantine has not been the same for everyone. We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the mothers, fathers, brothers, and sisters caring for family members who cannot care for themselves—to those who answer our video calls, share their smiles, join our cooking contests, do crafts online. They are models of life, and in our moments of hardship during this time, we've drawn strength from them without limit.»
Huberta Pott, drawing by Emiliano Caprini, Saint Gaetan Community, Rome