Monthly Archives: April 2015

School of Leaders – March 2015

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From Terry Kostel:

Leaders in Christianity

I imagine the best place to begin would be by asking ourselves, “Who is a Leader in Cursillo”?   You might say that all those who are members of the Secretariat are the Cursillo Leaders. Or maybe you might say all those who attend the School of Leaders are Cursillo Leaders. You would not be wrong in either case, but you would not be completely correct, either.

What if I made a slight change to the phrase, “Make a friend, be a friend, and bring that friend to Christ”? What if, instead, I said, “Make a friend, be a friend, and lead that friend to Christ”? Would you then recognize that all Cursillistas are Cursillo Leaders? We are called to lead others to Christ.

James 1:22-25 simplifies it for us, “But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, ongoing away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget, but doers who act – they will be blessed in their doing.”

We need to recognize that we are all on a spiritual journey, a journey that we travel together with the Holy Spirit as our guide in our effort to follow Christ. If our knowledge of Cursillo and being Christian is nothing more than what we hear on the Cursillo weekend without it becoming a part of our lives, then our effectiveness during this journey, as well as the distance we travel, will not be close to our potential. If, however, our knowledge of Cursillo and being Christian truly becomes part of us in and through Jesus Christ daily, then our effectiveness increases and the distance we travel will be great.

Cursillo is a lifelong journey that begins with a “weekend.” For the men and women who have just completed your weekends, the 4th Day has begun. Some have referred to Cursillo as a retreat, however, a retreat is an experience that doesn’t grow. What was learned on the Cursillo weekend will help all who apply the principles to grow in courage to become all that God created us to be.

Our life’s purpose should be to live what is fundamental to being Christian. Our lives should embrace all three phases of the tripod – Piety, Study, and Action, keeping in mind always that this reflects our three relationships represented in the word “JOY”….. Jesus, Others, and Yourself.

Our mission in the world includes our dedication to Christ and our daily decision to share the Good News that God loves us. The best way to share this good news is through practicing friendship in our daily activities in whatever time and place we find ourselves. It is through friendship and love that we will demonstrate to others our life in Jesus Christ.

For the new Cursillistas, some time may be needed to settle into the new reality, but you should never forget that the rest of the 4th Day Community is available to provide help with how to “Make a friend, be a friend, and bring that friend to Christ.” This is our role as Cursillo leaders.

And for all of the 4th Day Community, as our journey continues we need to remember an important tool available that will help each of us travel along the path of making that friend, being that friend, and bringing that friend to Christ – the School of Leaders.

As “Leaders in Christianity,” we must ask ourselves the question, “Are we living the Christ-like example daily in sharing our faith in a loving way to help people to know God”?

A final thought, “Each day is a brand new opportunity to be Jesus to the world.”R. Falcon (Better Tomorrows)

 

Lay Director – March 2015

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From Nick Lang:

De Colores to you Cursillistas!

It has been a long time since I’ve had the privilege to write an article for the “Evangelizer”. Last October I responded to Father Gary’s request to consider being Lay Director for Cursillo in our diocese. I held this honorable position from 1996 to 1999 and understood the amount of work it involves. After numerous prayers and discussions, I accepted the offer and was voted into office in November. I sincerely appreciate all the hard work that Pat Cates devoted to the office even as she battled some serious cancer and its treatment.

So here we are living through another precious Lenten Season. I pray that each of you has chosen your personal sacrifices. May I kindly request that you offer all of these as Palanca for our new Cursillistas as they begin their Cursillo journeys and for the Secretariat leaders. May your Lenten journey bring you to the full grace of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Morning.

For those of you starting your Cursillo journey, we sincerely and prayerfully welcome you to our community. I pray that you will find friendship groups soon and participate in the Ultreya nearest your home. Contact me or any of the secretariat officers if you require help getting started. We hope your recent experiences with Christ and the Holy Spirit throughout the weekend will enrich your spiritual life throughout your life.

To the rest of the fourth day community, I ask your help in examining where we are and what we must do to grow our community. Feel free to call or e-mail me with any suggestions.

God Bless, Nick

 

Spiritual Director – March 2015

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From Fr. Gary Gummersheimer:

Most of you, if asked, could probably answer the question of what is the preamble to the US Constitution. But how many of you could tell me how the Declaration of Independence begins? The answer: “When in the course of human events…” Now why would a spiritual director begin his remarks with something such as this? The simple answer is that “human events” over the last several months have reminded us that we still have a long way to go in making this world we live in a reflection of the Kingdom of God.

The random and brutal slaying of so many, especially the Coptic Christians, by ISIS; the killing of media people in France; the slaying of young black men in this country; all of which leads us to realize that we still have a lot of work to do if we are going to change our environments to reflect the love of Christ Jesus. On this last issue, if you have not read Bishop Braxton’s letter on racism, I would highly encourage you to do so. I believe that it is one of the best articles that deal with that issue, which unfortunately is still very much a part of who we are in this country.

So, with what is left of this Holy Season of Lent, use it to ask our gracious and loving God to give us the insight into how to spread His Kingdom, especially in the troubled places of our world. Let us take the “human events” that fracture our lives and use them as a spring board to establish God’s Kingdom by inviting others to enter into a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

May this Lenten Season bring you challenges that strengthen your faith; a time to renew your commitment to Christ. May we celebrate the Easter Mystery with those who join us in our faith; dedicated to bringing more friends to Christ.

Blessings of the Paschal Mystery to you and all you love.

De Colores, Fr, Gary

Women’s #37 Cursillo Weekend Photos

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Photos from the Women’s #37 Cursillo Weekend:


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Group Picture - Women 37 Retreat

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Picture Coming to Me - Women Retreat

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Picture Pointing - Women Retreat
Women 37 - At Table
Women 37 - At Table 2
Women 37 - At Table 3
Women 37 - At Table 4
Women 37 - At Table 5
Women 37 - At Table 6
Women 37 - Cursillistas
Women 37 - Cursillistas 2
Women 37 - Deacons and Sr Genarose
Women 37 - Stewards
Women 37 - Sue Gass
Women 37 - Sue Gass 2
Women 37 - Sue Gass 3