Daily Archives: June 2, 2017

School of Leaders

School of Leaders – June 2017

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School of Leaders – – The What of What??

My name is John Schaberg – I began my journey at Belleville Men’s #30 (2010), and I sat at the table of St. Guiseppi Moscati.

First and foremost, I would like to extend my thanks, and the gratitude of the School of Leaders and the 4th Day Community, to my predecessor, Terry Kostel. He served with great love as Chairman of the School of Leaders for his 3-year term, ending March 31. He brought his creativity, compassion, his great ability to listen, and fantastic organizational skills to this Chair. Big shoes to fill!

Second – – School of What? I said at the Reunion that this part of the Cursillo Movement should be named after something that attracts people, not those two unfortunate words, “School” and “Leaders.” I mean, the “of” part is OK, but the rest of the name needs to go! I suggested “Shareholders Meeting” or “School of Followers,” but let’s face it – – it could be “Flock of Sheep,” or “Focus Group” or “Jam Session.” Or “Finger Painting for Christians” – – a time to use our creativity, sense of wonder, and curiosity about why we are here, harkening back to when life was FUN! Jesus wants us to enjoy life, by loving and by using our talents as God intended, in loving service to our neighbors, our friends, our families, to Him.

We held our first meeting of the “School” on May 9th, and we opened the floor to any and all ideas for the next 3 years. I want to be sure the School of Leaders does what it’s supposed to do, to give direction and energy to the Cursillo Movement in the Belleville Diocese. We had some great suggestions, and we shared many loving thoughts for our Movement. I have some work to do – – pray, study, and take action!

It’s going to be wonderful to serve this Movement and to do my small part in the mission of the holy, catholic and apostolic church – – Worship, Formation, Outreach – – Piety, Study, Action. I am really, really looking forward to the challenges of bringing Christ to my environment, and to the Chair which has been passed to me.

Please join me and the other faithful 4th Day travelers who guide the Belleville Cursillo community. As of now, we are meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, at 7:00 pm at St. Joseph’s Parish Center in Freeburg. Next meeting is June 13th. We are open to suggestions, or invitations, to meet at Murphysboro, Mt. Vernon, Du Quoin, or Mt. Carmel. We need your support and sponsorship to have a Traveling School!

If you envision yourself serving on the Team someday, or if you see yourself as a faithful member of a Friendship Group, you belong in the School of Leaders. If you are searching for Action, or a way to Study, or an opportunity to explore “spiritual aids to nurture your vital union with Christ” (Piety – see your little blue Group Reunion card), then the School of Leaders is the place for you. We would like to learn from you. Romans 1: 12: “What I mean is that both you and I will be helped at the same time, you by my faith and I by yours.”

De Colores and Peace!

John I Schaberg

Home Lay Director

Lay Director – June 2017

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Dear Cursillistas,

With all the crops showing their heads in our farm fields, one’s mind is led to think about a great harvest in the fall. Our spirituality also leads our hearts and minds to remember the great harvest our Lord is expecting from us Catholics and especially his Cursillistas. The harvest is great but the workers are few.

Now is the time for you to MAKE A FRIEND, BE A FRIEND, AND BRING YOUR FRIEND TO CHRIST. So, so many times our Lord and our beloved Popes have said “Be Not Afraid.” Step up to the plate and be a sponsor for your dear friends and family members. If asked to be on the Cursillo Weekend as a team member, say yes to all the work and palanca that is required. Work for the Lord so that He may have a great harvest. You will be bringing Him the fruit He desires.

We also have many jobs to be filled on the working side of the Cursillo management team. Your talents and skills are really needed at this time. Please attend the School of Leaders and the Secretariat meetings to learn where you could fit in. Usually these positions take less than 2 -3 hours a month. We are also in need of representatives for each parish.

May God bless you with a great spring and summer,

Nick Lang (618-213-6391)

Spiritual Director

Spiritual Director – June 2017

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Dear Brothers and Sisters of the 4th Day,

As I begin this message, I would like to first offer gratitude to Father Gary Gummersheimer for his service and faithful dedication to the Belleville Cursillo Movement for these past six years. Father Gary has inspired and guided us in faith by his words and reflections. We are grateful for his priesthood and witness to our Lord and Savior. May we assure him of our continued prayers for his ministry!

Happy Birthday! Yes, Happy Birthday to the Church. It is hard to imagine, but we find ourselves at the great day of Pentecost. The day which sent forth, and released, the power of the Holy Spirit on the early Church. This day gave us yet another example of how, throughout the ages, God has kept and continues to keep His promise. The promise of His unfailing, unending, and undeserved gifts of the Holy Spirit. The prophet Isaiah foretold them (Is 11:1-2); Jesus announces and asserts them in the coming of the Advocate (Jn 14:15-20); God Himself sends them in the driving winds and tongues of fire (Acts 2:1-4).

Our Cursillo Movement helps us to see more clearly the impact these gifts have on the world around us and the environments in which we find ourselves. I suppose the question we should ask ourselves is how have we allowed them to affect our relationships? Our relationship with neighbor, with nature, and most importantly, with God.

We’ve been given these great gifts to make a difference in a troubled, divided, and confused world.   As much as we may want to, and try as we may, it is difficult to escape the noise of mistrust, anger, and discontent we’re bombarded with on a daily basis. But we CAN, by our witness to Christ and by our acceptance of the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, show our culture another way to address its many challenges. We have answers to provide, love to give, hope to offer, and faith to share. And in doing so we can restore joy to a misguided or broken soul—one person at a time.

A daunting task, well maybe, but one well worth our time and effort. We can take comfort in knowing that we have a constant companion as our guide. The world needs to see us, and these precious seven gifts in action!

Let us continue the process of Christian initiation by praying for, encouraging, and supporting our newly confirmed members and those new members of the Church received at the Easter Vigil.

So, Happy Birthday Church! May you continue and always “kindle in us the fire of your love.”

De Colores!

Deacon Wayne