ISSUE #3 – Spring 2018
Welcome to the Fourth Day Messenger, our newsletter for the Cursillos of the Diocese of St. Augustine.
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A Message from our Spiritual Director
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Dear Cursillistas,
After having celebrated the Paschal mystery of Resurrection of Jesus, which gave us a new life in Christ, we now look for a great event in the Church, the Pentecost. The meaning of Pentecost ... is God equipping His church with the power of His Spirit so that He will be glorified among the nations. Pentecost marks the birth of the church wherein the message of God is to be proclaimed to the ends of the earth. The point of Pentecost is Mission. The goal of Mission is that the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God.
As baptized Catholics, as the members of Cursillo Community we do partake in the mission of God, Jesus, and the Church. Our Mission has to be Experiential that is, just like the disciples who proclaimed their personal experience of Jesus or the Samaritan woman who said “come and see a man who told me all that I ever did”. Isn’t it our goal as the member of the Cursillo Movement to share with the community the essence of Christianity and Christian values and in this way gradually transform the community from within? This is the natural extension of the life-changing experience of the Cursillo weekend and is wholly dependent on the example and energy of individual Cursillistas and their desire to work together.
Saint John-Paul II reminded us of this objective at the Italian national Ultreya, November 24, 1990: "Here is your role in the Church: to create clusters of believers who will carry the message of salvation everywhere, showing the seriousness of your opinion not by imposing it, but by a strong testimony".
Our witness to Christ means that we risk our life to give new life to others, or manifest Christ through the testimony of our life. Our mission has to be based on the question, ‘as Cursillista what we are called to be?’ It is related to the challenges of our identity, a way of life and a way of being in the world. We need to reflect ‘What makes us unique as member of the Cursillo Community and carryout the mission of the church and the movement in the contemporary world.
—Father Amar
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Spring Weekend Reflections
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The Secretariat called me and asked me to be the Rector of men’s Cursillo #124. At first, I struggled with it and then circumstances helped me to understand the importance of saying yes, I didn’t feel that I was qualified or ready. Then I realized I probably would never be so I said I would love to. I prayed and I choose a group of men, called them and bingo I had the perfect team. I started out the team meetings with special scripture and reflection so that we could build a team that would know how important they were in building our faith and how important this faith journey was for the candidates and Cursillo.
Needless to say, that wasn’t going to be the perfect team that was going to be working the weekend. God had others plans for another perfect team. I had 9 men that had to regrettably drop out. That was a humbling experience for me. I realized I basically had nothing to say about who would and who wouldn’t work the weekend. On Thursday afternoon, I looked out at the men who were praying in the chapel and I realized how special it was for me to be celebrating the holy mass and being able to experience the Cursillo weekend with such dedicated and loyal men. I was humbled to serve with these men and bring the love of Jesus Christ and a method that hopefully will stay with others until the end of their lives and to spread the word to others that there is a place to go to have a deep encounter with Christ.
After the weekend I couldn’t wait to tell the men how important they were to me and the candidates. And this scripture from John 17:
7-9 depicts our sentiments:
“Now they know that everything you gave me is from you, because the words you gave to me I have given to them, and they accepted them and truly understood that I came from you, and they have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for the ones you have given me, because they are yours.”
If there is anything I would add to the weekend it would be to have even more quiet time to reflect and pray. As the Rector, my goal was to share as much as possible with the team the responsibilities and try to give as many people as possible the opportunity to participate in the various tasks and roles on the weekend.
De colores,
Michael Huston
Rector, English Cursillo #124
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Christ in Me...
Who am I? What is God calling me to? For so long I ran from God. Prolonging the inevitable, a day of healing and rejoicing, will it come? How? I’ll start first with God’s calling for me “Into the Deep,” a retreat for Vocations in the Diocese. Next, he called me deeper to St. John Vianney Seminary. I no longer could run from God and my reflection crescendos with my Cursillo weekend.
Who am I? A child, son of the most high God. The brother of Christ my savior along with all my other brothers and sisters in Christ, furthermore Cursillo and lastly an instrument for the Holy Spirit do perform wonders. Yes, for so long the question that I scrutinized came to pass at Cursillo weekend 124 at the table of St. Paul. Jesus was a healer, for so long I feared community, there was a void, but filled with brotherhood through the Holy Spirit. My encounter leads me to Jesus the teacher, I learned and studied who Christ was and in learning so, revealed my identity. Jesus was a worker of miracles, and then it happened. During the final mass of my Cursillo weekend the flood gates opened. Love had shown itself, in the Eucharist, in my brothers surrounding me, and in me. Words were too difficult to form, and I was overwhelmed. The walls that were erect for so long came down like the walls of Jericho.
It was finished but had only begun. In the mystery of the weekend Christ had shown himself, and I was ready. I finally received permission to begin being me, the creation God intended. It only took a spark to get a fire going, but I found that’s how it is with God’s love, once you’ve experienced it. You spread his love to everyone, you want to pass it on.
ANDRAE WARE
TABLE OF ST. PAUL
CURSILLO #124
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Thinking back on my journey as Rectora for Women’s Cursillo #122 three things come to mind: Prayers, Blessings and Thanksgiving.
The journey began and ended in prayer. I received a call from Carl inviting me to be Rectora for Women’s Cursillo #122. His advice at the time was to pray, pray again and then pray some more. I am sure that I reacted to this invitation to be Rectora as others have before me. I definitely did not feel qualified. So, I took this invitation to my Parish Church the following day and spent a lot of time talking with Jesus. As soon as I understood that Jesus would be the one in charge, I was more than willing to say yes to being his hands, feet, voice and heart! In the many visits to Holy Faith after that decision, I was given our bible verse for the weekend and our table saints.
Later in the journey, when it became obvious we needed a Guardian Angel, Jesus agreed to send us St Michael and his legions of angels! I continued to pray at daily Masses. I prayed nightly rosaries for the success of the team, for the candidates that Jesus had chosen for Women’s Cursillo weekend #122 and for the Men’s weekend. As I speak to the now Babe Chicks of Women’s Cursillo #122, the most frequently sighted memory for them was being overwhelmed by the prayers and love of the team members and the entire Cursillo Community.
God’s blessings were poured down on both the team formation and the weekend. Father Ed, Sr Rea and Sr Elise provided incredible Spiritual direction and helped the team develop into the servant leaders that our bible verse called us to be. From Psalm 40 our verse was
Here I am Lord, I’ve come to do your will
. One of the most challenging aspects of team formation was the loss of 3 team members. We were blessed with ways of keeping these women close to us during the weekend and appreciated their continued prayers for us. I was very aware that it was Jesus who had called each individual team member to serve, because of their unique gifts and talents.
The team generously shared these gifts with the candidates and with each other. All of the team member served in their assigned roles, and then went to the next level when they saw a candidate or team member with an unplanned need. Women’s Cursillo #122 was most importantly blessed with incredible candidates, who were also ready to open up their hearts and minds and say
Here I am Lord, I’ve come to do your will
! From Thursday through Sunday these women served their Lord and supported each other in a beautiful way. The forth day seems to be going very well for these women too!
Let me end this reflection with Thanksgiving, as I continue to feel grateful for being part of Women’s Cursillo #122. I won’t list names, for fear of leaving someone out. But I am so thankful for our Spiritual Directors and the other priests who came to Camp St John and shared their gifts with us. I am very thankful for the women who agreed to be part of the leadership team and poured their heart into everything they did for team formation and to keep the weekend moving forward. Team members in the Rollo Room, Set Up, Kitchen and Music, along with the now Babe Chicks were so generous with their love for each other… and a love for God that caught on Fire!
We could not have done any of this without the support of the Secretariat, sponsors and the Cursillo Community local, national and international. Palanca is a very powerful Lever and moved us onward! I also thank the Myrrh-bearing women who inspired and supported Women’s Cursillo #122. I thank St Michael and the other angels for their protection. I thank the Blessed Mother for her love and intersessions. Most importantly I thank God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit who make all things possible.
De Colores!
Kathleen Reilly, Rectora
Women’s Cursillo #122
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School of Leaders: What is it all about?
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What is School of Leaders all about? Since making my weekend in 1993, I have wondered the same thing over the years. I know now that School of Leaders is the best method we have to ensure that those we bring to Cursillo leave with a true picture of how to live their lives in a more joy-filled and spirit-filled manner.
I can tell you too, that it is the only way to really learn the nuts and bolts of the Cursillo Movement in a way that makes you able to share the movement with those you want to invite to make a weekend. And if you want to work weekends …well it is the only way to be sure you “get it” before taking with candidates during their weekend.
By now you know that you are on a pilgrimage to get to heaven while on earth. Cursillo has taught you that your mission includes bringing others with you.
What better way to do that then through the Cursillo Movement? BUT you must know it before you can sell it.
School of Leaders is not only for leaders any more then Cursillo is only for saints…we all know that!
School of Leaders is a way to dig deeper into a movement that changed your life, to help others change theirs. The Cursillo movement is not something that can be self-taught any more than the Cursillo itself can be explained. School of Leaders helps you to be a part of the movement so that others can experience what you experienced on your weekend.
Where would we be if we had no teachers? Where would we be if we had no priests; sisters; or deacons?
This movement like any other, needs people like you to understand enough about it to carry it forward in the way that it was handed down over 50 years ago. The Cursillo Movement needs spirit filled people with the confidence to know how a weekend should unfold; not just people who think it is “fun” to work a weekend.
Please make a promise to yourself and to the Cursillo Movement, to attend at least one School of Leaders before September; then you’ll be ready to pass it on AND have fun.
Remember during your weekend when you were told that you are all Leaders – you are all called and equipped by God to help fulfill His mission while here on earth? And that “Christ is Counting on you?” Well, now the movement is counting on YOU to carry it forward in the way it was meant to be done.
PLEASE attend at least one School of Leaders…soon.
Jacksonville's English School of Leaders is held the third Saturday of the month from 9am to noon at Assumption Catholic Church (unless otherwise noted).
–Jeri O'Hara
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School of Leaders: Spanish
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Escuela de Lideres en la Diócesis de St Augustine es la única forma de realmente aprender los aspectos prácticos del Movimiento de Cursillo para que así puedas compartir el movimiento con aquellos a quienes quieres invitar a pasar el fin de semana.
La Escuela no es solo para Lideres, está abierta a todo el mundo que quiera profundizar en el movimiento que cambió su vida, para ayudar a otros a cambiar la suya.
Las fechas de las próximas Escuelas en Jacksonville son:
Junio 11, 2018
Julio 9, 2018
Agosto 13, 2018
En el Catholic Center en 11625 Old St Augustine Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32258
Te invito a que asistas a la próxima Escuela y que invites a otro Cursillista !
Para información contacta
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True Piety: Cursillo Study
by Jacob "Spice" Plicque (Men's #58, Camp St. John)
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The first leg of the Cursillo tripod of Christian living is “Piety”. Is there a way to truly define a pious life by example or by biblical words? We see the results of a pious life in the example of Mother Teresa or Pope John Paul II but what does that look like for the 9-5 worker John or Jane with a car note, mortgage, and other bills. A life of dedicated prayer and service to others is the goal, however. It is tough to find the time and energy to say a daily rosary of 10 minutes after a day of work, kid duties, home duties, chores, life stresses, etc.
Let’s examine piety from a biblical view and a secular one. First, there is the great commandment (Matt 22:36-40) which can be summarized as – “
Love God & Love others.
” Second Dr. M.L. King spoke these words, “
Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve…You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love
.” Notice how love is the key element of a God centered life. By loving our neighbor, we are sharing God’s love to us with them. Conversely by despising anyone, we are removing ourselves from the love of God. (see 1John 4:20)
Additionally, love motivates us through the Lord’s grace and inspiration to serve others with a generous heart by sharing our time, talent, and treasure. Certainly the piety of these two saints may be beyond the measure of most humans (most certainly me). Yet the pursuit of piety (holiness) is a worthy goal because it enlivens our family, our friends, our coworkers, the world in general, etc. with the divine agape love (charity) of the Lord as described by Paul (1Cor13). To paraphrase President Kennedy, “
ask not what God can do for you but ask what you can do for God
.”
With this idea in mind, let’s postulate that true piety includes choosing to be God’s instrument. We sing the prayer of St Francis on Sunday which starts as follows, “
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace...”
How well are we at being a living example as an instrument of God in word or deed? Such a thought is a challenge to live as a Christian because it means that we deliberately choose to put ourselves as second to others. It is not impossible to do, since we often put our family and our jobs ahead of self.
A common misbelief is that holiness or piety is the main focus of a religious life and not the focus of the laity. On the weekend, we are taught that the cross’s vertical beam represents our seeking a connection with God thru our piety and the horizontal beam is our seeking a connection with others thru grace, love, and service. Most of us see the heroic efforts of saints in their pious lives as an impossible goal for us that exist at the level of ordinariness. However, the Lord does not expect the extraordinary from us. Instead we are asked to operate in the ordinary and simple with a pious faith that can be demonstrated by offering a “
cup of water
” (Matt 10:42). A pious Christian must only start where they are, use what they have, and do what they can.
Basically, piety is a work in progress that grows because we consciously try to practice it daily with weekly reinforcement through grouping. Grouping encourages our diligence and helps us to reject finding for ourselves an excuse or an exception from doing the right things. Piety leads us from a self-centered life to a God-centered life and to a process of deeper realization of His love in a vertical relationship with Him as well as a discovering a horizontal one with His people.
We are all seeking of a sincere relationship with God. In my life, I have been a mechanical, a pharisaical, and a holy theoretical Christian which are just masks of shallow copies of faith. True piety is a simple as sincere heartfelt talk with a friend over coffee. Just put Christ in the place of friend and you are living in true piety. Finally, because He is our friend, we share Christ with all our friends.
In conclusion, piety is an important part of our Christian journey as a pilgrim and it grows in our life as we nurture it with agape love (individual & shared).
Comments and ideas for future articles are appreciated. Contact me at 994-4051 or [email protected].
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Pre-Cursillo Updates: Spanish
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El Cursillo extiende su invitación para participar en los retiros del 2018
que estén programados para los fines de semana siguientes
Hombres
#126 – Sept. 27-30
Mujeres
#124 – Oct 4-7
La experiencia esta diseñada para despertar
la conciencia moral de los participantes,
comenzando con un análisis de sus propias vidas,
causándoles el deseo del encuentro con Dios.
Para más detalles favor de comunicarse con:
Pre-Cursillo
María Escamilla
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Upcoming Cursillo Weekends - English
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Our upcoming Cursillo weekends are:
#125 Men's - September 13-16, 2018
Rector: Bill Walsh
Spiritual Director: TBA
#123 Women's - September 20-23, 2018
Rectora: Tina Nugent
Spiritual Director: TBA
Please pray for these forming teams as they begin preparation and pray for those candidates that God is calling. Please submit your candidates' applications as soon as possible. The application is now online as a fillable PDF form so that you can type in your information and then save it and print it out.
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Upcoming Cursillo Weekends - Spanish
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Our upcoming Cursillo weekends are:
#126 Men's - September 27-30, 2018
#124 Women's - October 4-7, 2018
Please pray for these forming teams as they begin preparation and pray for those candidates that God is calling. Please submit your candidates' applications as soon as possible.
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Weekend Supplies/Donations
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We are in need of donations in preparation for the upcoming weekends. You can drop off your donations at upcoming Day of Reflection, Ultreya or School of Leaders. Just let them know it is for the upcoming weekends. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
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- One subject notebooks
- Bags of wrapped candies
- Sodas or drinks
- Non-perishable snacks
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Would you like to sponsor a candidate
for $125 for an upcoming weekend?
Don't let anyone to miss out on the Cursillo weekend due to financial need. Your gift can make a difference!
Please send your donation to:
Cursillo
PO Box 5565
Jacksonville, FL 32247
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4th Day & Welcome Ultreya
Saturday,
October 13 2018
9am-3pm
Christ the King | Jacksonville, FL
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ROSARY, MEMORIAL MASS
& ADVENT ULTREYA
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Multilingual Rosary at 6:15pm
Mass at 7pm
with celebrant Bishop Estevez
Chapel of Our Lady of La Leche
St. Augustine
Ultreya immediately following in the new gathering hall, more info and registration to come.
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Diocese of St. Augustine Secretariat
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Spiritual Director
Fr. Amarnath "Amar" Nagothu
(386) 325-9777
Assistant Spiritual Director (Spanish)
Fr. Heriberto Vergara
904-824-6625
Lay Director
Carl Ludwig
Post Cursillo
Sandra David
904-252-6761
Post Cursillo Spanish
Elia Vega
Treasurer
Jeri O'Hara
Communications (English)
Carolyn Audije
3-Day Coordinator
Tina Nugent
904-737-8362
3-Day Coordinator Spanish
Cristina Muñeton
Pre Cursillo English
Terry Miller Hughes
Pre Cursillo Spanish
Maria Escamilla
Spanish Communications & School of Leaders
Jose Escamilla
904-240-9420
School of Leaders (English)
John Lewis
904-333-6896
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