Daily Archives: March 30, 2017

School of Leaders – March 2017

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Christian Leaders

My term as chairperson of the School of Leaders has come to an end. Before I introduce the new chairperson, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for all you have done to inspire me during the past three years. I have truly come to know and better understand that we are all Christian Leaders, and that through using our love for God along with our talents, walking in the footsteps of Jesus really does influence others.

As Matthew Kelly has stated, “Christianity is a billboard campaign. You and I, we are the billboards. He sends us out into the world to send a message to the world. The question becomes, what’s on your billboard? Catholic & miserable? Catholic & surviving? Catholic & thriving? or, dynamic Catholic living an extraordinary life & thriving? What message is on your billboard? Everyone you encounter every day gets the message on your billboard.”

Our Catholic faith is a public thing. It is not meant to be left behind when we leave home. The duty of all of us as Christians is to take part in the life of the Church. We are urged to act as witnesses of the Gospel and of the obligations that flow from it. Jesus Christ wants us to bring the whole world to the truth, and the truth is Jesus himself, who is, “The way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6).

As Christian Leaders, we must have the will to be like Christ and lead others to Christ. And not be like the young man in Matthew 19:16, who walks away from Christ when he hears about what he must give up in order to follow Christ more completely. We must have determination and perseverance in our journey. It will not be easy, but acceptance of our efforts, no matter the outcome, is summed up by Robert Louis Stevenson when he said, “Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant.”

It’s now time to introduce John Schaberg, who has accepted the role as Chairperson of the School of Leaders for the next three-year term. Many of you know John, but for those of you who have not met him, he made his Cursillo Weekend in 2010 at Men’s Cursillo #30, and he sat at the Table of Saint Giuseppe Moscati. John has previously served in the capacity of Secretary to the Secretariat. Now he again serves on the Secretariat as the Chairperson for the School of Leaders. I know John will be a great leader in his new role. May God be with you and guide you, John, as you begin your new journey.

As always, everyone is invited to attend the School of Leaders meetings. They are currently held on the second Tuesday of each month at St Joseph’s School in Freeburg. The start time for each meeting is 7 p.m. Don’t let the name School of Leaders deter you from attending because we need to remember, we are all, “Leaders in Christianity,” those of us willing to step out of our comfort zones, as well as those who work behind the scenes. We are all needed to evangelize those we encounter. As Christian Leaders, we need to go and make a difference.

Some Final Thoughts: “Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” John C. Maxwell

Terry Kostel,

Lay Director – March 2017

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Dear Brother & Sister Cursillistas,

I am proud to inform you that the Women’s and Men’s Cursillo Weekends have been completed and that Sharon Gugliotta and Steve Schaefer did a marvelous job for you all. We have 12 new women and 9 new men in our 4th day community. Their teams did outstanding jobs in all respects.

The Secretariat’s efforts to reorganize Cursillo within the diocese continues, but sorrowfully with little progress. We need volunteers from each parish to step forth and be your parish’s representative – please contact me at 618-213-6391.

May your Lenten journey bring you into a closer walk with our risen Lord, Jesus.

God Bless, Nick Lang

Spiritual Director – March 2017

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To the Members of the Belleville Diocesan Cursillo Community:

For the past several years, it has been my good fortune and honor to serve as the Spiritual Director for the Diocesan Secretariat. As I write this, I just received notification that Bishop Braxton has appointed Deacon Wayne Weiler as the new Spiritual Director. I wish Deacon Weiler success and good fortune in this endeavor and promise him, the Secretariat, and the Cursillo Community my continued prayer for the success of bringing friends to Christ.

As we prepare to celebrate the great feast of Easter, may we all take some time and remember that we have all been baptized into Christ’s Passion, Death, and Resurrection. May we strive and work to bring peace, mercy, and love to all of our communities.

Again, I wish to express my gratitude and thanks to all the members of the Belleville Diocesan Cursillo community for their prayer and support over these past years, especially the good people with whom I served on the Diocesan Secretariat.

May God bless and keep all of you close to His heart and grant you His love and peace.

De Colores,

Fr. Gary