First Diocesan Meeting of Parish Charity Groups

The first Meeting of Parish Charity Groups, promoted by the Diocesan Caritas of Trieste, was held on Saturday 8 November at the “Paolo VI” Pastoral Centre. Around fifty volunteers from different parishes of the diocese took part in a morning dedicated to encounter, listening, and shared reflection.

The Bishop of Trieste, Mons. Enrico Trevisi, opened the meeting with a reflection inspired by the Apostolic Exhortation Dilexi te and by Zygmunt Bauman’s essay Tutti schiavi del fitness.
Recalling the Pope’s words, he pointed out that Christian love “overcomes every barrier” and becomes a concrete way of life, capable of welcoming and recognising the dignity of every person.

“A Church that sets no limits to love, that sees no enemies but men and women to love, is the Church the world needs today,” he said.
Addressing the volunteers, he added: “Through your simple and close gestures, you help those in need understand that the words of Jesus are meant for them as well.”

Referring to Bauman, he emphasised that a society is truly human when it guarantees dignified living conditions for its most vulnerable members. He then recalled the central message of his Pastoral Letter ‘He cares for me, He cares for us!’: always remember that we have been cared for first, so that we may recognise and care for the fragility of others.

Father Giovanni La Manna SJ, Director of Caritas Trieste, offered several key words that guide the organisation’s daily service: gratuity, care, communion, relationship, hope, trust.

“Care — together with gratuity — is the language through which we try to express the Gospel every day,” he said.
“Caring is not a feeling, but a way of life: taking responsibility for others, sharing their burden, being present. In our shelters, care means constant presence, visits, listening, patience, accompaniment.”
He also stressed that Caritas is an integral part of the Church: “Caritas does not perform charity in place of the Church; it helps the Church live it. We are called to do with, not do for.”

The programme continued with a contribution from Alessandro Villa on the mission of Caritas and on the “Calendar of Solidarity”.
Two young volunteers, Elisa Mariani and Matteo Marchionni, shared their experience of “solidarity civil service”.
Parish representatives — Caterina Grandi, Roberto Cascella, and Giulia Barbero — presented initiatives developed within the “Good Samaritan Workshop” call for proposals.
Finally, Sara Cravagna provided an overview of the work carried out by the Listening Centre.
The entire meeting was coordinated by Anna Rita Sorangelo.

The second part of the meeting focused on personal and community reflection, starting from the question: “I remember the day when I felt I was receiving freely…”.
The words that emerged — encounter, listening, welcome, service, trust, hope, gratitude, understanding, love — reflect the style of charity lived daily by many volunteers.

The meeting concluded with a prayer by Father La Manna:
“Help us, Lord, to share not only material food but who we are: our humanity, our heart. Grant us the joy of sharing, aware of all we have received.”