New York Encounter 2016 Final Statement

Download a PDF copy here: New York Encounter 2016 Final Statement

8,500 attendees, 23 conferences, 6 exhibits, 2 original shows, and the 7th edition New York Encounter was underway. The theme of this annual three-day cultural event, Longing for the Sea and yet [Not] Afraid, drawn from Edgar Lee Masters’ poem George Grey, reflected the optimism and boldness with which one who has his desire intact, enters life.  In a world which, as John Waters noted in the final event of the Encounter, bears more doubt then faith, where “the din of the outside…dampens our heart so that we cannot feel it, it is important that we get this circuitry going again;” that we come together and are reminded to see and hear things new again. 

Suggested Films for Overcoming Fear

Suggested Films for Overcoming Fear

By Simonetta D’Italia Wiener and Barbara Gagliotti 

This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the publication of Edgar Lee Masters’ Spoon River Anthology. Set in a fictionalized Midwestern graveyard, Spoon River is a series of poetic monologues spoken by the dead. Most lament the lives they’ve lived: the missed opportunities, the broken relationships, and the stifling nature of small-town living, especially for women.

When it was published in 1915, it was frankly shocking, and not only on account of its pre-occupation with sexual relations. Americans were supposed to be “happy,” somehow above the shameful and corrupting forces to which the rest of world was subject. George Gray, the poem New York Encounter draws upon, is one such example of a man who regretfully shied away from the invitations life offered for fear of being disappointed. The theme of this year’s New York Encounter, Longing for the Sea and yet (not) Afraid, suggests that life doesn’t have to be that way.

Help bring to the Encounter the exhibit on the life and witness of persecuted Christians in the Middle East. Make a tax deductible donation now

Help bring to the Encounter the exhibit on the life and witness of persecuted Christians in the Middle East. Make a tax deductible donation now

A People, a Face, a Newness in Everyday Rubble

An Encounter with Christians in the Middle East. 

This exhibit will explore stories of persecuted Iraqi and Syrian Christians, fleeing their homeland and now refugees in camps and churches in Amman, Jordan and neighboring areas. Visitors will be invited to "meet" this community through panels, videos and music aimed at recounting their daily life and the human dynamic and impact that being a Christian has on their difficult circumstances. 

Please help fund the ability to share their story and to help the world understand what can possibly sustain these persecuted families in the midst of their struggle.

To read about Fr. Ibrahim's experience and to make your tax deductible donation now, click here: A People, a Face, a Newness in Everyday Rubble

 

Come and See-- Volunteer at the 2016 New York Encounter

"There are many ways to be part of it, many ways to support it but, for sure the happiest people at the NYE are the Volunteers. Why? Because the greatest gift is the gift of the self. That is why the Volunteer is the real face, and the real protagonist of the Encounter. We are all useless servants, and yet we are called to build "Mirabilia Dei", God's wonders. And now it is time to enroll, to give your availability to work at the Encounter."
--Riro Maniscalco, from message to 2015 volunteers

To volunteer, click here for the registration form.

OSV: New York Encounter explores life's deepest questions

Posted 1/28/15 by OSV Newsweekly:

New York Encounter explores life’s deepest questions With its theme of ‘In Search of the Human Face,’ festival aims to connect visitors’ shared experiences

by Brittany L. Higdon, OSV Newsweekly

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley and other visitors walk through an exhibit entitled “I am Exceptional: The Millennial Experience” on Jan. 17 at the New York Encounter. Photo courtesy of Emily Marsolek

Cardinal Seán P. O’Malley and other visitors walk through an exhibit entitled “I am Exceptional: The Millennial Experience” on Jan. 17 at the New York Encounter. Photo courtesy of Emily Marsolek

For the past six years during the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, thousands of participants and hundreds of volunteers have gathered in the heart of Manhattan for the annual New York Encounter. The cultural festival and exposition is implemented largely by members of the ecclesial movement Communion and Liberation. 
Each year, the theme is borne from what is believed to be most salient in current times. This year’s theme, “In Search of the Human Face,” attempted to answer the many questions about identity in modern society though various discussions, concerts, presentations and exhibits. “We attempt to look at reality and understand what is relevant as human beings,” said Riro Maniscalco, president and one of the founders of the New York Encounter.

To read the entire article, click here to be taken to the OSV website.

In this life, God comes to us

From Michael Shawn Winters over at the National Catholic Reporter:

"Next week, our friends at Communion & Liberation host their annual New York Encounter, 3 days with 27 events, and boatloads of intellectual and spiritual stimulation. You can find out more about the events by clicking here and, if you are in the area, you should make the effort to attend. This year, Monsignor Albacete will be attending "in coro," the coro of the angels, but I am sure that his presence will be deeply felt as it has in past years, even though he has now gone to God. As Lorenzo would remind us, in this life, God comes to us, and that is really the key insight of CL and why the group is so filled with faith and joy, with communion and with liberation." 

Read the original:  New York Encounter - Next Week

Volunteers for New York Encounter still needed

CLICK HERE TO VOLUNTEER: APPLICATION FORM

The participation at the NYE as volunteers is more than attending meetings or visiting exhibits; it is belonging to a people, as Fr. Jose keeps reminding us. Therefore, we invite you all to offer your time and passion to help the NYE as volunteers.

We need volunteers in many areas, but particularly we need at least another 25 people for the Fri Morning (from 8:00 am through 12:00 noon) setup. 

If you cannot make it at 8:00 am it would helpful if you could arrive to the NYE site even later than 8:00 am. Please let us know your availability at the email address of the NYE Volunteers:  volunteers@newyorkencounter.org
 
The deadline for the enrollment is Dec 31. Please note: after this date will be very difficult to arrange tasks and duties for new volunteers.
 
You can enroll by filling in the online form at: Volunteer Application Form. 

Thanks,
 
Paolo Caimi and Sal Francomacaro, NYE Volunteer Coordinators

Volunteer at the New York Encounter -- Application Form

For form, click here: NYE 2015 Volunteer Enrollment Form  NOTE: Forms are due by 12/19/14.

Volunteers: A message from Riro Maniscalco

Write it down: January 16-18, 2015. The New York Encounter  is happening again, with a new, much bigger venue, more events, and - God willing - "a bigger heart". There are many ways to be part of it, many ways to support it but, for sure the happiest people at the NYE are the Volunteers. Why? Because the greatest gift is the gift of the self. That is why the Volunteer is the real face, and the real protagonist of the Encounter. We are all useless servants, and yet we are called to build "Mirabilia Dei", God's wonders. And now it is time to enroll, to give your availability to work at the Encounter. We need a good number of people at 8:00am on Friday, January 16. We want everybody on Monday morning, January 19 to share and judge together what we lived. If you've done it before you know for yourself. If you haven't, "come and see". And spread the good news!
 
"God loves a cheerful giver"
 
Love to you,
 
Riro Maniscalco
 

In Honor of Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete

To view the video of the mass,  click: Video of the Mass and enter the password: Albacete 

To view the video of the homily, click: Video of Card. O'Malley's homily and enter the password: Albacete

The PDF of the homily can be downloaded here.

For online remembrances of Msgr. Albacete, visit: Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete - Memorial page on Facebook.

To view photos of the funeral (open casket) and evening mass, click: Msgr. Albacete photos  (no password required). 

How to honor the memory of Monsignor:

Echoing Fr. Carron's words: Monsignor has become "Fr. Giussani's witness on the dramatic front where faith engages with a modernity in search of meaning", Fr. Jose’ Medina proposes to support what has been dear to him: New York Encounter, Traces (Communion and Liberation magazine) and Las Hermanas de la Caridad (Mother Teresa of Calcutta Sisters, in Puerto Rico).

Please find information below:

New York Encounter 

600 Third Avenue, Second Floor

New York, NY 10016

Check issued to: New York Encounter

 

Traces - Human Adventure Corp.

125 Maiden Lane, 15th Floor

New York, NY 10038

Check issued to: Human Adventure Corporation

Memo: In memory of Msgr. Albacete

 

Hogar Corazon Inmaculado de Maria

de las Hermanas de la Caridad

P.O. Box 32177

Ponce, PR 00732

Check issued to: Misioneras de la Caridad

 

Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete, January 7, 1941--October 24, 2014

Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete, Theologian, Author, Columnist

Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete, Theologian, Author, Columnist

Dear Friends,

Early this morning,  Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete returned to the Father.
 
He lived his final days, through pain and suffering, the way he lived all of his life, in complete abandonment to Christ and His body, the Church, with unconditional gratitude. 
 
As he clearly realized he was facing the end of his journey, full of awareness and peace and always surrounded by friends, he told us: "I lived a beautiful life; I always followed Christ. I will live as long as Christ wants me to live."
 
We pray that we may have the same affection for Christ, the Church, and Fr. Giussani as our beloved Monsignor had. 
 
Fr. José Medina

To read Msgr. Albacete's obituary, click here.

Information about his memorial services and funeral can be found here.

 

Seeking the Human Face through Film

One of the proposed events at the 2015 Encounter will center on Hollywood and how the film industry deals with the theme of Identity.

To introduce that event and to facilitate a more wide ranging discussion on the theme of Identity, we have proposed a series of films with the title "Seeking the Human Face through Film."

Naturally, we have no claim to exhaust the countless number of films centering on Identity.  We simply hope that people will view some of these suggested films - in private or public - as a way of sparking conversation on the topic as we prepare for New York Encounter.  To this end, we have provided a viewing guide with a brief introduction to each film and some discussion questions to educate viewers to become critically attentive to some of the issues that the movies raise. 

You can download the document by clicking here: Seeking the Human Face through Film--Crossroads Cultural Center's Suggestions for Viewing and Discussion by Simonetta d’Italia Wiener and Barbara Gagliotti.

New York Encounter Summer News

Greetings from New York! We hope you enjoy the first installment of our semi-annual newsletter. It is our hope that this newsletter will help us keep in touch with all of you who have participated in the New York Encounter (NYE) and to share the events of the NYE with those of you who have not yet been able to join us for our annual cultural festival. We encourage your feedback and suggestions to help make this newsletter more successful. Email us at info@newyorkencounter.org.

In this issue, we feature:

  • President's Corner
  • The 2014 Encounter
  • Volunteer Witnesses
  • Helping NYE

Click here to download the full issue: NYE Newsletter Summer 2014