Support to the needy community of S.Croce in Gerusalemme

Project location: Italy, Rome
Project start date: October 2004 - Project end date: October 2004
Project number: 2004-28
Beneficiary: Basilica di Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

A- The Nando Peretti Foundation bus for the monastic community of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

B- Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Charity Assistance 2005 - 2006

C- Restoration of the terrace of the Santa Croce in Gerusalemme's Oratory, in Rome

 

 

A- The Nando Peretti Foundation bus for the monastic community of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme

 

The Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme stands at the slope of the Esquilino hill in Rome. It was built in 325 AD by Emperor Constantine to keep the holy relics found on the Calvary and brought to Rome by his mother Empress Helena. Over the last sixteen centuries of its life, the Basilica underwent various architectural reconstructions, hosting between its walls treasures of art, faith and culture. At present the Basilica, that is also a parish, looks after 1.700 souls of the roman suburban area of San Giovanni, San Lorenzo, Casilino, Panzanella. In the specific instance it takes over all the expenses of maintaining 21 very poor families of the above mentioned area, looks after the health conditions of a group of elderly people, paying the medical expenses, it pays the whole rent for ten elderly persons of the area, and it's a reference point for the evicted people. In the last months, thanks to private donations, the monastic community has realised a vegetable garden, with which it self sustains itself and provides free vegetables and fruit for the poor of the neighbourhood. The vegetable garden is open to paying visitors and the income is reinvested in the activities of the vegetable garden.

 

 

 The donation of a minibus with eight seats like the one indicated in the estimate given by Volkswagen allows the young monks to carry out in the best way their duty of assistance in the above mentioned area. It allows transportation of products of the vegetable garden directly to the homes of the assisted people, often ill elderly people, and is a means of transportation for the elderly people that need to be accompanied to doctors.

B- Santa Croce in Gerusalemme, Charity Assistance 2005 - 2006 

The Diocese of Rome is divided into five sectors. One central sector surrounded by the others which radiate out into the expansive suburbs surrounding the city.

 

Our Parish of Santa Croce is the largest demographic parish of the Centeral sector of Rome and carries the burden of charity activities for a territory of the surrounding 16,000 inhabitants.  Although the area is middle income there are many, especially elderly persons, in need of both limited  and continuous assistance.  Our response is to research means to sustain the effective works now in progress as well as assist the true and  fundimental needs which come to our attention daily. 

 

The actual extensions of the Parish exist within the Esquilin zone bordered by and including the following streets:  via Giolitti, via Casilina, via Acireale, viale Manzoni, via E. Filiberto, via La Spezia, P.zza di Porta Maggiore.

With the types of charity assistance now in progress we seek to confront wisely the needs presented to us with specific intervention classified according to age, social economic divisions, and urgency.  These situations are either determined or undetermined time periods effecting individuals and families.

These activities are handled by a body of equipped persons under the gifted guidance of  Fr. Simon Fioraso, Parish Priest  and Monastery Prior.  This group monitors the area interpreting and responding quietly and respectfully to the arising needs  case by case.

A first contact is made between those persons effected and a   member or members of our group to help us understand clearly the situation and the persons involved.  When necessary, prudent verification is researched and the case is given internal consideration and  classification as follows: 

     Group A : Elderly

     Group A1 : Elderly-  self sufficient

     Group A2 : Elderly-  non self sufficient

     Group A3 : Elderly- in need of a voluntary medical assistant

     Group A4 : Elderly- in extreme poverty and solitude

     Group B : Children

     Group C : Couples

     Group D : Single Women

     Group E : Foreigners

     Group F : Families

     Group G : Youth

     Group  I : Indigent

  

The collaboration with the Nando Peretti foundation will guarantee the solid and continual charity work that we have been privileged to provide during these past years.  As residential development continues to  augment our parish with new residents, (approx. 2,000 last year alone)  we energetically continue to relieve and anticipate the distressing face of poverty for our neighbours in this "Capital" of the Christian faith, the eternal city of Rome.

  

C- Restoration of the terrace of the Santa Croce in Gerusalemme's Oratory, in Rome

The organization Amici di Santa Croce, has worked to restore and construct many projects in the entire abbey and Basilica of Santa Croce in Gerusalemme.  The Association is made up of noble families of Rome and has promoted research for sponsorship for the restoration of the apse of the Basilica and major oil paintings of great artistic value.  They have promoted the restoration of the antique monastic botanic and vegetable garden with great success, a project of the Architect Paulo Pejrone.

There are many different activities in the Parish of Santa Croce, some of which are:

-          The children's choir "le matite colorate" made up of  70 children

-          Catechism instruction / Children's oratory made up of 350 children

-          Scouts, made up of 85 children

-          Study center for the Shroud of Turin

-          Charity activities

-          Family center

-          Sports activities / Gym, soccer, tennis, volleyball, ping pong, 

-          Painting and Arts activities for children, etc.

 

The terrace represents for each of these activities a new, large and necessary space.  The area will also be accessible to all those within the parish confines, designated as in the Esqiline zone,  La Spezia, Giolitti, Casilina, etc.

The project funded by the Nando Peretti Foundation provided: 

1) Restoration of the terrace over the garden, resurfacing of the tile pavement.

2) Residual payment for the parking area and garage roofs.

3) Residual payment for the monastic garden.

This allows a new access for parish residents to the section of Roman Wall known as the "Mura Aureliane", Amphitheatre Castrense and the only gardens in the entire "Esquiline Zone". 

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