Have heard about Focolare and would like to know more? We have just the event for you - our Focolare Community Day! Whether you've known the Focolare for 40 years, or got to know us today - we'd love to see you there! Next Sunday 24th September in Mariapolis Lieta, Curryhills House, Prosperous from 10.30am - 16.30am. See you there! Share this with your friend!

A group of 10 young people from Ireland took part in this congress of young people for the Focolare of Western Europe in Porto last week! Thanks to Matthew Muscat-Drago for this video showing the days of the congress in the wonderful city of Porto!

We were delighted that many of our families in Kildare and Leighlin were able to join in this celebration of fun, friendship and faith! The count-down to the World Meeting of Families is well and truly underway, we are excited about the many blessings, opportunities and challenges it will present us with this year!

Last summer, a group of Irish young adults visited Madaba, Jordan to hear first-hand the stories of Syrian and Iraqi refugees awaiting relocation to other parts of the world, as part of the Host Spot. Ronan Costello, from Co. Meath, shared this reflection: “Have you ever felt for a single moment the slightest bit afraid to reach a hand out to a stranger of different race or ethnicity, have you ever hesitated for even a second?” he said. “I know I have, not because I thought that these people were bad but because I didn’t know what or who they were. So when I found myself deep in the Middle East without a word of Arabic or even an understanding of their way of life I felt lost. But lost only for a few seconds. Because while I thought it would be the differences that would define my experience, it was actually the unbelievable similarities that stunned me and defined what I will bring back to my world.” Below is one of the videos produced during the visit of the Irish group, along with 55 other young people from across the world. Visit the Host Spot page for more stories from these visits.

18 young Irish people are currently taking part in the #HombreMundo workshop in Serbia and Romania. The workshop in Eastern Europe is one of 40 workshops taking place across the world this July. The theme for this year's #HombreMundo Workshop is #HeadHandsHeart. In keeping with the theme, our young people have just finished a week's training in Serbia where they have been sharing their personal experiences of building fraternity and unity where there is diversity. They have discussed what it means to take meaningful social action and have been planning about how they can contribute to more peace and solidarity in their area. This week, they are in Romania, engaging in environmental projects and working with Roma children. We can't wait to see our young people return to Ireland to share all their experiences!

Mariapolis 2017 ... there's a crack in everything, that's where the light gets in ... unforgettable days together ... a holiday with a difference! "It is not true that one who loves the cross, as Christ has commanded us to do, finds suffering. One who carries it willingly even when it is hard finds love instead, finds God." Chiara Lubich (Only At Night We See The Stars)

1 day to go to the Mariapolis, the Focolare's Annual Summer Gathering in Dungarvan! See you there!

Timeline Photos

Timeline Photos