Focolare Aotearoa NZ Page

Focolare Aotearoa NZ Page Kia ora! welcome to the page for the Focolare community in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our Focola It aims at spreading the message of unity worldwide.
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The Focolare Movement has the features of a large and varied family, of a “new people born of the Gospel”, as Chiara Lubich, its founder, defined it. It is a movement of spiritual and social renewal, founded in Trent, Italy, in 1943, during the Second World War. The Focolare Movement, officially known as the Work of Mary, was approved by the Catholic Church in 1962. It is now present in 182 nation

s and more than 2 million people share closely in its life and work. Inspired by Jesus’ prayer to the Father, “May they all be one” (Jn 17:21), its goal is to promote brotherhood and to achieve a more united world in which people respect and value diversity. To achieve this goal, people of the Movement engage in various forms of dialogue and are committed to building bridges of fraternal relationships among individuals, between cultural groups and in every area of society. Members of the Movement include Christians of different Churches and ecclesial communities, members of the major world religions and people of no particular religious belief. Each one adheres to the Movement’s goal and spirit, while faithfully following the precepts of their own faith and conscience.

24/08/2026

24 August 2026

Build authentic relationships

‘Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door,
I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me.’ ( Rev 3:20 ).
“It is enough that when we begin our day of work,
or when we have to dedicate ourselves to something difficult (…),
we tell Jesus with complete trust: ‘I want to meet you in those persons, in that situation.
It is to you, to you alone, that I want to open the door of my heart!’
If we do this, that conversation or that task will take on a totally new dimension,
a different ‘flavour’, that of an encounter with Jesus who, in secret, fills us with the sweetness and light of his presence.
In fact, Jesus has revealed to us his own way, his ‘secret’ to help us live this Word of Life,
which is that he is present in every person. Therefore, every neighbour we meet gives us the opportunity
‘to open the door’ to him and communicate with him.”

Chiara Lubich, Servant of God
Word of Life, January 1996

18/07/2026

Thought of the day 18 July

*Provide for the needs of others*

‘To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.’ (1 Corinthians 12:7)

“It is an invitation to put ourselves at the service of the community. It may be that some people should make better use of their abilities or talents, which have perhaps been lying dormant. For others it might mean giving a broader scope to their work, paying more attention to the needs of others, so that their work becomes a true service to their neighbours.”

Chiara Lubich, Servant of God (Word of Life, June 1987)

06/07/2026

Word for the Day

6 July 2026

Live closeness

“Look at the sun and its rays. The sun is the symbol of the divine will,
which is God himself. The rays are the divine will for each person.
Therefore, walk towards the sun in the light of your ray,
which is different and distinct from all the others,
and complete the marvellous, unique plan God has for your life.
An infinite number of rays, all coming from the same sun …
with a unique, particular will for each one of us.
As the rays get closer to the sun, they get closer to one another.
The closer we crusaders get to God
by accomplishing ever more perfectly his divine will,
the closer we draw to one another ...
until we are all ONE. “

Chiara Lubich, Servant of God
Word of Life October 1947

24/06/2026

This beautiful image, was gifted to us during the visit of the Cambodian Bishops on their Ad Limina pilgrimage, is a powerful expression of God’s that embraces every person. And we would like to share with you a little about Our Mother of Inclusive Love.

At the center, Mary holds the Child Jesus, whose open arms welcome all who desire to draw near. Their gentle smiles reveal the tenderness, mercy, and loving kindness of God.

Beneath them are two children, representing the gifts that help us grow in faith and holiness. One holds a book, symbolizing wisdom and the ability to discern between right and wrong. The other plays a flute, bringing together art, music, culture, and tradition in joyful praise of God.

In the lower part of the image, three children embody inclusion, friendship, and communion. One child offers a welcoming embrace, while two children with disabilities stand alongside them. One, seated in a wheelchair, holds a dove, a symbol of peace. Another, using a crutch, carries flowers, representing love—the greatest commandment given by Christ: “Love one another as I have loved you.” The wheelchair and crutch are not signs of limitation, but reminders of the dignity of every human person and of our call to walk together as one family of God.

Mary’s protective cloak enfolds everyone beneath it, symbolizing the Church—a home where all are welcomed, valued, and loved. At the base of the image bloom lotus flowers, the national flower of Cambodia and a symbol of purity, holiness, and glory.

The statue itself carries an additional message of hope: it was carved by Cambodian artists with disabilities, witnessing that every person has gifts to offer and a unique role in sharing God’s love with the world.

Our Lady of Inclusive Love reminds us that in Christ there is a place for everyone, and that the Church is called to be a community where all are welcomed, cherished, and able to flourish.

Source: https://www.paul-engl.at/our-mother-of-inclusive-love/

24/06/2026

25 June 2026

Do not judge

‘Let anyone among you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone.’ (Jn 8:7)

“Jesus is not advocating a permissive attitude towards wrongdoing.
(…) His words underline his well-known statement: ‘Do not judge, so that you may not be judged.
For with the judgement you make you will be judged.’
Jesus is also addressing those who forget the human person and do not take into account
the possibility of repentance that can arise in the heart of the guilty person.
He clearly shows that his attitude towards a person who has sinned is to be merciful.”

Chiara Lubich, Servant of God
Word of Life - March 1983

23/06/2026

In this video, JP Slee shares his experience of feeling prompted by...

23/06/2026

24 June 2026

Orienting One's Life toward God

‘Strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.’ (Mt 6:33)

“Striving for the kingdom of God has to be our top priority,
but this does not exclude the fact that a Christian has to attend to the necessities of life.
Thus to strive for the ‘kingdom of God and his righteousness’ means behaving in conformity
with what God wants from us, which is made manifest by Jesus in the Gospel.
Only by seeking the kingdom of God will Christians experience the wonderful power of the Father on their behalf.”

Chiara Lubich, Servant of God
Word of Life - May 1979

19/06/2026

Il 20 giugno 2026 ricorre il primo anniversario della dipartita di Maria Voce Emmaus, prima Presidente del Movimento dei Focolari (2008-2021) dopo la morte di Chiara Lubich. Ci siamo fatti una domanda: come viveva Emmaus l’unità nella quotidianità? Le focolarine che hanno fatto parte del suo foc...

19/06/2026
19/06/2026

19 June 2026

Praise God in His creatures

‘Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him.’ (Rom 15:11)
“Praise God by making the effort to build unity, harmony and peace within our
communities. This can be done by always underlining all that unites us and setting
aside all that can divide us. By acting in this way, we offer God the most beautiful
sacrifice and praise. This Word of Life also invites us to extend the spirit of
understanding and hospitality to all the people of other religions, races and cultural
traditions (…). As Christians, we should be the first to give witness to this spirit of
understanding and hospitality. Isn’t this our distinctive characteristic and the task Jesus
gave us? Didn’t he tell us that because of this witness, others would recognize us as his
disciples?”

Chiara Lubich, Servant of God
Word of Life January 1991

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