ARGENTINA, Father José María Iturrería/mda. The Schoenstatt Youth with the support of the Archdiocese of Córdoba organized a Marathon of Solidarity called “Running with Francis” (named for Pope Francis), which will be held on Sunday, November 17th. The aim is to economically help the project of solidarity that Foundation 180 – an initiative that the Schoenstatt young professionals – has in the Barrio Dr. Cocca de La Calera, Córdoba.
It is a beautiful initiative that emerged from the Pope’s message of “reaching out to those who find themselves in the existential peripheries,” opening new spaces with the announcement of the Gospel and to “make noise” in the diocese, as he asked the youth at World Youth Day in Río de Janeiro.
United for a cause of solidarity…in the peripheries
The Joseph of Nazareth Center of Complementary Formation (CECJN) fosters and complements the development of personal and wholesome formation of children and youth, giving them a place for support where they are offered the tools for personal improvement, so that they can become free and autonomous persons with a marked cultural and work ethic, through the pedagogy of the Schoenstatt Apostolic Movement.
CECJN is located in the area of La Calera, Barrio Dr. Coca, on the grounds donated by the municipality of that area. In the morning, there is a Maternal Kindergarten that works with children and their families, and in the afternoon there is a Children’s Club for the purpose of generating and providing wholesome responses to the main problems of the neighborhood.
The main objective is to collaborate in the formation of children and youths, trying to generate and to give wholesome answers to the problems of the lack of resources and education, with the objective of eliminating and breaking the educational gap that presently afflicts Argentina. It is important to stress that they work in the training and wholesome formation of the students and through them, also their relatives, since they are convinced that the development of wholesome people capable of adapting to the changes and demands of society is only possible through the joint work and collaboration between this institution and the families.
They speak of a communitarian project because they foster the heroism of the parents in their children’s education.
The project of solidarity
The first pillar that sustains this Marathon of Solidarity is the Project of Solidarity. The Marathon is a beautiful excuse to help those who need it the most! And the aim behind this activity is to carry out the Project of Solidarity that is named “Joseph of Nazareth Educational Center,” A Complementary Educational Center in the Dr. Cocca de la Calera neighborhood, where Foundation 180 and the Schoenstatt Movement are presently working to provide a decent education.
For more information about the work of Foundation 180 go to: www.fundacion180.org.ar
For those who dream of a better world
The second pillar of the Marathon is to unite as a Church in a totally different atmosphere than usually is the case. This atmosphere invites one to spend a beautiful time close to God as a family, among friends, carrying out a sports activity and experiencing the joy of uniting everyone for the same cause, and to have solidarity in community. They dream of having many Movements and charisms gathered to enjoy an incredible day in the open air along with many other people who also dream of a better world.
Moreover it is good for health
“We know how important it is to take care of oneself and to take care of others; this is why this marathon also encourages you to prepare physically! And to encourage others to run for a good cause. Because by participating in the Marathon you will collaborate with a noble cause and will participate in an excellent sports activity,” the protagonists state on the web- site.
It is spreading…
The marathon has already carried out a very good publicity campaign that covers different Argentinean media: Infobae, Day by Day, Channel 8, Network 3, Radio María, AICA, Youth Wave, the Archdiocese of Córdoba webpage, MDN School, and runners’ groups, etc. It also has its own webpage www.corriendoconfrancisco.org and it is on Facebook Facebook “Corriendo con Francisco”.
In Covenant solidarity…
“We entrust ourselves to the prayers of the Schoenstatt Family,” they wrote upon asking for publicity via schoenstatt.org. Will we participate? Running with Francis, to the peripheries…
Spanish/English translation: Celina M. Garza, San Antonio, Texas
More information
For more information about what Foundation 180 does:www.fundacion180.org.ar.
