thank Joseph for his valuable contribution. So ke within each of you has written a memorable page of this experience now in its 7th year and jealously guarded ... Who wants to reveal their "treasure" may freely do so by writing to the undersigned or
listamtcatania@manitese.it montepo@alice.it Monte chicken
ANIMATION in disadvantaged neighborhoods
I still remember with a smile , the first few times, in autumn, along with volunteers Manitese, I went to the streets to do animation.
It was really depressing: we could not find more 'than two or three guys, so we had to run from house to house, hoping, often in vain, to raise someone else. The animation was limited to a chat with the guys so 'recovered, more' than anything else to start getting comfortable with them.
With the approach of winter and cold and rainy days, we risk losing what little they had started tentatively, but fortunately this is the turning point: we are unable to obtain the local parish, finally a place indoors where they can entertain boys!
Again, the situation was not the best: we went from two to three to four or five guys ...
We did not lose heart, however, and thanks to a slow but gradual, word of mouth the number of students grew more and more '.
On the one hand we were happy, because 'our initiative had finally taken hold, but many other guys were not easy to manage.
fact a little later burst 'chaos: who screamed, who escaped to the right and left, who beat her, who climbed on the counters ...
There was something missing: a proper preparation and organization, because 'too was initially left to chance.
was so 'that we began to roll up our sleeves, quiz teams, various designs, board games' were just the beginning. Important
and 'was the introduction of radio, in order to make dance and so 'a bit tired' our adorable little pests.
the end of each meeting, and 'certain fundamental of the game and the trash bag, comprising a program in which each in turn would indicate a thing that' liked (to be written in the suitcase) and one thing that is not ' liked (to be written into the trash).
Besides the fact that with this final game we were able to sit the kids and make them almost as if to speak one at a time, and such a device is' found very useful for us leaders to better understand their needs and to push us to do more and more '.
Everything seemed to be going right, when ...
... began the "barbarian invasions"! This term we
affectionately named entry into the premises of the church of the boys a bit 'more' big.
They, in fact, were able to create more havoc 'total, affecting the most' small: in the room could be seen flying sheets, colors, folders and even chairs, sweeping away everything in a few seconds' which we had painstakingly done until then . This situation
luck and 'short-lived. In fact, with the advent of spring, the priest has also made available to the football pitch!
is the turning point: during the first hour they played in the most 'small, while the more' great play to follow, so that the most 'children of the parish went to the premises without being bothered in their work '.
certainly was not easy to handle small, that once entered the field no longer wanted to 'get out, and big, which pawed the ground continuously to enter, but after a while' The situation has been 'arranged, so that we could control all without special problems. This
'to me more' and hit 'was the behavior of students (especially young people) that until some time before playing in a fist fight, and once entered the field as they were hit by a cloud of peace' which prompted them to give a hand to one another and act as true friends, joy and hugging each goal.
last everything was more 'or less stabilized.
It 's true: life in the good will 'are overcome all adversities'. MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE
this experience I have lived with A., a boy of 8 years, very restless, often disturbing and raises his hands and feet with all ... including myself.
One day, after his usual behavior and 'approached and started trying to hit
(I think so' just to play ... because the fight seems to be the favorite sport by children in the area), when all
'and suddenly his attention is' focused on the rosary that I always carry around his neck.
The dialogue between the two of us 'was more' or less as follows: A.
: "How beautiful this necklace ..."
Joe: "It 's not a necklace!"
A.: "What ' So what? "
Joe:" A rosary is used when you say your prayers. You say your prayers? "
A.:" Yes I know the Our Father and Hail Mary. "
Joe" Bravo. Prayer and 'important. "
A.:" Can I have your necklace? "
Joe:" I can not give you my rosary' cause I always carry it around his neck and did not take off ever ...
... but if you want the next time you leave a port, so 'that you too can lead to neck like me. "
A. nods.
After this dialogue, A. goes around the parish. Suddenly from behind I feel like shoving me around here again and again.
A.: "Joe, I want to say prayers to Jesus, we go to church?"
Joe: "Okay,"
So 'we walk.
In that way here's the miracle: from that moment A. and 'become a lamb and listen and follow carefully all that' I told him that.
Once in church, sit in a corner, apart from the others, and pray together for about ten minutes.
the end and I told him that 'important at the end of the prayers one thing staff, to thank Jesus' and articulate their own good intentions.
Cosi 'after my little prayer, A. recites his "Jesus I promise I will not do 'more' desperate mother. Amen."
From the expression on his face I realized that they were not mere words, but told with force and conviction, so much so that I was moved
(obviously does not suggest to A.). The terrible
A. not 'yet become the obedient A., but it certainly has taken the right path.
I am sure of one thing: the divine hand that day and 'placed on him.
Joe Commoner
