Focolare Ireland

03/06/2026

June 2026 Teens Word of Life
“Love without asking anything in return, like Jesus did.”
“As you go, make this proclamation, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (...) Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”
June 2026 – from the liturgy of 14th June, the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

01/06/2026

June 2026 Gen4 Word of Life
“Love without asking anything in return, like Jesus did.”
“As you go, make this proclamation, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ (...) Without cost you have received; without cost you are to give.”

June 2026 – from the liturgy of 14th June, the 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time

01/06/2026

New City – June 2026: A Fresh Issue, A New Voice

The June issue of New City has arrived, bringing together thought-provoking articles, inspiring stories, and beautiful artistic contributions that invite reflection on the challenges and hopes of our world today.

A warm welcome to Alice Corideo as the magazine’s new co-editor. Originally from Italy and now living in Galway, Alice introduces herself in this issue with warmth, openness and a genuine desire to foster dialogue and encounter through the pages of New City. We wish her every success in this new role and look forward to the gifts she will bring to the magazine's future.

Among the highlights of this month's edition:

Lorna Gold explores the theme of integral ecology, drawing on the vision of Laudato Si’ and reflecting on how a spirituality of communion can help us respond to today's ecological crisis.

Joan Back offers a fascinating interview with Archbishop Angaelos, a leading voice in ecumenical relations in the UK, sharing insights from his long experience of building bridges between Christian communities.

Robbie Young provides an insightful and deeply human meditation on identity, encouraging readers to consider what lies at the heart of who we are.

The issue is also enriched by high-quality artistic contributions, including a feature on Paul Gatensby’s striking painting John Cares for Mary and Mike Liddy's review of Paul's latest album "Time and TIde"

Whether you are interested in ecology, spirituality, ecumenism, culture or simply thoughtful reading that broadens horizons and nourishes hope, there is something here for you and it's available online:

https://www.newcity.co.uk/the-magazine/

31/05/2026

June 2026 Word of Life:
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ […] Freely you have received, freely give.” (Mt 10:7–8)

https://focolareireland.org/2026/05/29/june-word-of-life-5/

Photo credit to John Moeses Bauan on Unsplash Word of Life June 2026 Download “As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ […] Freely you have received, freely give.” (Mt 10:7–8) In this chapter of Matthew’s Gospel, the apostles have just been chosen by Jes...

30/05/2026

Creating Hope for Our Common Home

Looking for a weekend of inspiration, community, reflection, and fun?

You are warmly invited to a **Weekend Mariapolis** at the Focolare Centre, Prosperous, Co. Kildare, on 27–28 June 2026.

✨ For all ages
✨ Inspiring presentations
✨ A variety of workshops
✨ Outings and activities
✨ Time to connect and build community

Together, we will explore how we can create hope for our common home and contribute to a more united and sustainable world.

📍 Focolare Centre, Prosperous, Co. Kildare (W91 XR23)

🍽 Saturday evening meal and Sunday lunch included.

🏡 Limited accommodation available.

All are welcome—whether you're already involved with Focolare or simply interested in meeting others who care about people, the planet, and building hope together.

For bookings and full details, please see the registration form.

29/05/2026

To mark its 40th anniversary, the Chiara Lubich Mariapolis Centre in Trent, Italy, the very birthplace of the Focolare Movement hosted a vibrant, live workshop across four major events open to the entire city.

From young people discovering teamwork through the performing arts with Gen Verde, to panels on changing the way we communicate at the Festival of the Economy, it was an incredible milestone.

The event culminated in an Open Day with local civil and religious leaders, where Focolare President Margaret Karram shared a powerful vision for the future, reminding us that building universal fraternity is "not an optional extra, but a necessity."

👇 Read the full story and discover how Trent is continuing to bring people together:
https://focolareireland.org/2026/05/29/generating-social-beauty-trents-mariapolis-centre-celebrates-40-years/

In May 2026, the Centro Mariapoli Chiara Lubich in Trent marked its 40th anniversary with a series of events that brought together young people, civic leaders, artists, Church representatives and local communities around one central idea: generating social beauty. Located in Cadine, just outside Tre...

23/05/2026

A historic moment for the Focolare Movement and for contemporary spiritual thought: the publication of Paradiso ’49, the profound mystical writings of Chiara Lubich, now being opened to the wider world in a new critical edition.

Presented recently at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome, the book offers extraordinary insight into the spiritual experience that gave birth to the charism of unity. Scholars and participants described the event as a “historic step” — not only for the Movement, but for the Church and for all those searching for deeper meaning, communion and hope today.

Our website article explores the significance of the publication, the richness of Chiara’s language and spirituality and the reflections shared during the presentation at the Lateran.

Read more here: https://focolareireland.org/2026/05/23/paradiso-49-a-mystical-legacy-opens-to-the-world/

A significant moment in the life of the Focolare Movement and in contemporary spiritual theology took place recently at the Pontifical Lateran University in Rome with the official presentation of Paradiso ’49, the newly published volume containing the mystical writings of Chiara Lubich. For the fi...

22/05/2026

Laudato Sì Week Climate Strike in Dublin! Well done to Focolare's Marian and Hilda for joining Jane Mellett of Trocaire and the FFF faithfuls outside Dail Eireann.

21/05/2026

Europe, Be Faithful for our Common Home

A powerful new appeal from over 100 Christian organisations across Europe is calling on the EU to take bold action on fossil fuels — including a fair tax on fossil fuel profits and a just transition to clean energy.

The Focolare Movement has signed as New HUmanity NGO as have other expressions of the Movement such as "EcoOne" and "Together for Europe", joining a wide coalition of Churches, NGOs and Christian movements committed to climate justice and care for creation.

This moment is especially significant for Ireland, as the country prepares to take over the EU Presidency in 2026 and will also co-host the next international fossil fuel phase-out conference with Tuvalu in 2027 — placing Ireland at the heart of global climate leadership at a critical time.

As Dr Lorna Gold of the Laudato Si’ Movement reminds us, Europe has both “a unique opportunity and the moral responsibility to accelerate the phase out of fossil fuels and shift to clean energy.”

📄 Read the full article and statement here:
https://focolareireland.org/2026/05/21/faith-voices-across-europe-call-for-bold-climate-action-as-ireland-prepares-for-eu-presidency/

18/05/2026

At the Swedish Mariapolis, Joan Back reflected on this year’s theme of “Closeness” in a talk entitled “Closeness to God and to my neighbour – An antidote to many challenges of our time.”

Drawing extensively on the texts of Chiara Lubich from her spiritual experience known as "Paradise '49", she explored how closeness to God and to one another can become a response to division, loneliness, conflict and many of today’s social and spiritual challenges.

She announced the breaking news of the publication (in Italian) of the complete texts of Paradise ’49. The volume contains the writings from Chiara’s profound mystical experience. Publications in other languages are coming soon.