Monthly Archives: October 2018

Cursillo News School of Leaders

School of Leaders – September 2018

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Lead your Environments to Christ!  This is what Cursillo is all about, and the School of Leaders is where we learn from each other to achieve that Ideal.  In September, we talked about the challenge we have been suffering for decades – the sins of a small minority of priests and hierarchy.  “Why do we remain Catholic?” is what our Environments ask of us. 

To whom shall we turn?  The Church is the Body of Christ, offered to us for the forgiveness of sins, and for the promise of eternal life.  If only we forgive as we are forgiven, and love as we are loved.  It is our responsibility to love and minister to those children who were abused, and to minister to the sinners who preyed on them.  But their sins do not deprive the Church of God’s love.  God is asking us to love even more!  This is a job for the 4th Day and the friends they make!

Do not hide your faces, Cursillistas!  This is Christ’s Church, and we receive the Grace of God and the prayers of Mary on behalf of the Church.  The sins of certain individuals cannot take that away.  We must continue to bring that message to our Environments and to our friends.  Make a friend, be a friend . . .  The Church will prevail against the Gates of Hell.  I want to be a part of that – – I can’t wait to see what God has in store for his children.  How can I do my part?

Our School of Leaders will meet on October 9th, November 13th and December 11th at 7:00 pm in the Parish Center of St. Joseph’s Parish in Freeburg, IL.  Please join your fellow Leaders!  And pray for all of our Priests and Bishops!

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

Cursillo News Lay Director

Lay Director – September 2018

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Susan and I attended the semiannual Cursillo Region IV Encounter which was held at the Franciscan Spiritual Center at Mount St Francis, Indiana on September 7-9.  Region IV is comprised of sixteen Dioceses in seven Midwestern states, most of which were represented at the Encounter.  The Regional Encounters are open to all Cursillistas.  I encourage everyone to consider attending a future Regional Encounter.  The next Encounter will be held on April 5-7, 2019 at St Joseph’s Retreat and Conference Center in Tipton, Indiana.

A short report was given by our Regional Service Team members who attended the National Encounter in Seattle, Washington in August.  The theme of that Encounter was Unity in Diversity. Talks given at the Encounter are available on the National website including a discussion entitled “Step By Step” which is about a new 3-Day Manual that will be released soon, probably later this year.

Although details are limited we were told that the Manual will not be published but will be available on the National Website.  The actual changes to the Weekend Schedule, including the Rollos and their sequence, will be minor so it should not significantly affect our weekend this spring.

Preparation for the Cursillo this coming March is moving forward.  Planning is underway and teams are being formed.  So now is the time to complete the application for your potential candidate and submit it to Laura Veach, our Pre-Cursillo Chair.

De Colores!   Bob McCormack

Cursillo News Spiritual Director

Spiritual Director – September 2018

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De Colores to the Fourth Day Community!

Hear ye! Hear ye! We will gather our Fourth Day community for our annual Grand Ultreya and Potluck.  This year’s Grand Ultreya will be on October 27th from 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at Saint Liborius Catholic Church located at 911 Sparta Street in St. Libory.  Reserve this date on your calendars, and please spread the word to all cursillistas. If you know someone who does not communicate via e-mail, please share this information.  Thank you!

“The harvest is abundant but the laborers are few; so ask the master of the harvest to send out laborers for his harvest.” Luke 10:2

While the autumnal equinox occurred only a few days ago, we’re once again beginning to see the wonders of God’s creating hand in the change of seasons.  The brisk mornings to come, the shorter days, and beautiful fall colors, remind us that it is harvest time.  And we surely can’t overlook the dutiful farmers working well into the night to bring in their crops.  We pray for a bountiful harvest of the fields that all are nourished and fed by their labor.

But we too have a harvest field to tend to.  Daily, many in our communities, whether urban or rural—experience a lack of some of the most basic of resources—things many of us take for granted.  We would do well to use this “harvest” time to reflect on our many blessings and give constant thanks to Our Creator who makes them all possible.

The abundant harvest field require us laborers to put our faith into action.  To look out for the lost, the lonely, and those searching for what we know Our Lord openly and freely gives—Hope.  In doing so we truly express the beauty and meaning of the Christian message, and bring to the world what is so visibly lacking all around us.  We give witness to Jesus and the reign of God, “On earth as it is in Heaven.”

The work of evangelization is a Christian duty, but also a joy.  The Cursillo helps us to recognize this important demand of our faith and so grow in holiness.  What could bring more joy and peace to a disheartened neighbor than for them to gain a glimmer of hope brought to them from a true Christian pilgrim?  Never under estimate the power of your example in a society troubled by doubt, mistrust and disappointment.  May we always be ready and willing to share the benefits from the great harvest of God’s love for us all!

The world and the Church still desperately needs the Christian message to be told.

De Colores!

Deacon Wayne