Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

What a wonderful time of the year.  I didn’t always feel like that about the starting of another year.  I never like to be new and starting over at something.  I like the tried and true, the sure and faithful.  I like knowing what lies ahead and trusting in the past experiences to carry me on.  This year feels different.  What is it about 2012?  Was it the homily I heard on New Year’s Eve that invited me this year to have a heart “full of grace” like Mary?   Or is it just being older, and hopefully wiser as life goes on.  Maybe it is the reality of the Incarnation sinking more deeply into my soul.  The world has been here for millions of years, but a little over 2000 years ago our God became one with us in a way that had not happened before.  Our God, born in a stable, a baby, helpless, defenseless, dependent on mama and daddy for everything! What kind of a God is that?  What kind of a God would empty himself of the fullness of divinity (Phil. 2:6-11) to take on the fullness of humanity?  One who is truly God became truly human.  At times it is more than our minds can comprehend, but not our hearts. 

The gift of the Incarnation is truly a gift to be celebrated.  God with us!  Not just to be prayed in Advent and celebrated Christmas Eve and until the Feast of Epiphany, but to be celebrated in our hearts every day. It is the gift of our God coming to show us how to live and love and laugh, to pray and cry and suffer and die, and rise and live forever.  Think about it.  What does the incarnation mean to you?  How will you let the incarnation be a reality in your lives this year? How will 2012 be different from any other year?

There is a poem written by John Shea called Sharon’s Christmas Prayer.  The poem is about a little 5 year old girl telling the Christmas story.  When she gets to the end of the story where the baby was born she asks the question “And do you know who he was?”  She answers the question herself. “The baby was God.”  And then Shea says,

“And she jumped in the air, whirled round, dove into the sofa and buried her head under the cushion, which is the only proper response to the Good News of the Incarnation.”

Does the Good News of the Incarnation, make you jump in the air and whirl around?  Does it make you buried your head in sheer joy and incredulity at the news?  Maybe we would be more faithful to all that God calls us to if we did.  Remember your first Cursillo, or the first time you worked a team. Weren’t there moments where God was so close that all you wanted to do was jump and whirl and hide your face at the shear wonder of God so alive in your midst. So evident in the faces of the men and women around you, in the words shared from the hearts of each witness, in the depth of the prayer and Eucharistic celebrations? 

Hold on to all those signs of the Incarnation and let your hearts be full of grace as we enter this New Year. Our God is alive and one with us.  Let the celebration continue this whole year through.

Ultreya,
Sr. Wanda Smith, RSM

December 2011

After I was asked to write the Spiritual Directors’ message for this month, I found myself praying to the Holy Spirit for guidance. My thoughts were centering around Advent, the change to the new Roman Missal, Christmas, or what we should look for in the new year. Then, with the help of the Spirit, I was directed to one of my computer files which I have named, “Thought’s for the day.” There among the many things from one liners to longer stories was the following “Letter in the night” which challenges us to examine our own Conscience as a part of preparing our hearts for the second coming of Christ which is the real purpose of Advent.

LETTER IN THE NIGHT
Author Unknown

One day a woman named Louise fell asleep in her bed and dreamed a very fitful dream. She dreamed that someone in Hell wrote a letter to her, and it was to be delivered to her by a messenger.

The messenger passed between the lakes of burning fire and brimstone that occupies Hell and found his way to the door that would lead him to the outside world.

Louise dreamed that the messenger walked to her house, came inside and gently but firmly woke Louise. He gave her the message, saying only that a friend had written it to her from Hell.

Louise, in her dream with trembling hands, took the letter and read:

My Friend, I stand in Judgment now,
And feel that you're to blame somehow.
Never did you point the way.
You knew the Lord in truth and glory,
But never did you tell the story.
My knowledge then was very dim;
You could have led me safe to Him.
Though we lived together on the earth,
You never told me of the second birth,
And now I stand this day condemned,
Because you failed to mention Him.
You taught me many things, that's true.
I called you "friend" and trusted you,
But I learn now that it's too late,
You could have kept me from this fate.
We walked by day and talked by night,
And yet you showed me not the Light.
You let me live, and love, and die,
You knew I'd never live on high.
Yes, I called you "friend" in life,
And trusted you through joy and strife.
And yet on coming to the end,
I cannot, now, call you "My Friend."
Marsha

After reading the letter, Louise awoke. The dream was still so real in her mind and sweat dropped from her body in pools. She swore she could still smell the acrid smell of brimstone and smoke from her room.  As she contemplated the meaning of her dream, she realized that as a Christian, she had failed in her duty to "go out to all the world and preach the gospel." As she thought of that, she promised herself that the next day, she would call Marsha and invite her to church with her.

The next morning she called Marsha, and this was the conversation:
"Hello Bill, is Marsha there?"
"Louise, you don't know?"
"No, Bill, know what?"
"Marsha WAS KILLED LAST NIGHT IN A CAR ACCIDENT. I thought you knew."

Fellow Cursillistas, is this our testimony? Are we witnessing about Jesus’ presence in our lives to our friends that we are with every day? Or will there be friends of ours in Hell, asking us why we did not tell them about JESUS?

Is there someone that we put off witnessing to or asking to be a candidate for Cursillo but keep thinking, “Well, sometime in the future”? Let’s not wait till we get a “LETTER IN THE NIGHT”.

May your Advent and Christmas season be filled with happiness as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus, followed by a blessed and prosperous New Year.

Deacon Floyd Hohman

November 2011

Greetings, blessings and all good things to you sisters and brothers in Christ.

Welcome to our new sisters who recently experienced Cursillo Weekend 240. May your journey of faith throughout your fourth day be profitable to all you meet.

In one of the groups I belong to we are using Fr. Larry Richard’s book “Be A Man” for our reflection/discussion.  The very first sentence of his first paragraph is, “You are going to die.”  (We are hoping the story goes up from there. And it does.) What he is getting at is what is our goal in life. Given the fact that we are going to die what are we doing with our life and where are we going, how are we getting there?  We believe our goal is heaven to be one with our God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and as Rita Lavey conveyed to us, all our sisters and brothers who have gone before us.

Can you imagine the Great Group Reunion going on in heaven in the Fifth Day? Wow!  That is our ultimate goal to get there and join in. There is a place for us, each one of us.  Our purpose in life is to Know God, Father Son and Holy Spirit, Love Him and Serve Him in this life and to be happy with Him (and them) forever in heaven.  Cursillo is our methodology of doing just that. To Know Him is our piety leading us to holiness; our Loving Him is forming us as His disciples, studying all the ways He teaches us to live; and Serving Him is our acts of Evangelization- bringing the good news of salvation to all around us.

The Spiritual Advisors have received some long awaited ‘good news’. We have a final draft working document of new rollos for the spiritual directors and new meditations for the three day weekends. In a first cursory reading they look very promising and much improved over a manual that has to be at least 40 year’s old.  This new manual also includes a more precise understanding of the “role” of the spiritual advisor in the Three Phases of the Movement.

I remember hearing from our lay leaders in the School of Leaders their interpretations of the Spiritual Advisor’s talks, like “Grace”, “Faith” and “Obstacles to a Life in Grace” and I thought how well they were done and what great insights the laity have in these areas.  With a fresh look at these weekend talks and meditations I believe there will be a deeper growth and understanding of these topics for all of us.  If any of you veteran professors who like to offer suggestions from any of your notes from past weekend’s, you know, those doodles in the margins when you thought, “this would be a good thing to say here” or “this would be a good example to use…” please send them to us (Sister Edna, Fr. Skip or myself) so we can include them in our reviews of this final draft document.

As we, the English speaking Catholic Church begin to use the New Roman Missal; I hope all of you will be supportive and helpful to others who may be confused or resistant.  It is an opportunity for all of us to go deeper in our study, preparation and participation of the sacred liturgy.  Be positive and look for ways to grow.

Ultreya!    Fr. Jim Brown

October 2011

Dear Guests at the Lord’s Table,

            If you go into a card shop, there is usually a whole section with packets of party invitations.  Judging by the number of different occasions, we must like parties – there are wedding invitations, birthday invitations, retirement invitations, open house invitations, etc.  They usually come 8-10 per pack; of course, we like to have lots of people at our parties.  A full house is a sign of friendship, approval, belonging, celebration, etc.  How disappointing for us if, for example, a party is not well attended because of inclement weather, too many other events on the same day, etc.  All that work, and so few people!

            So it’s not hard to identify with the disappointment and anger of the king in this weekend’s (Oct. 8-9) gospel.  The excuses given by the invited guests are pretty flimsy!  However, the real issue being addressed in this story is not friendship, being good subjects of the king, or graciousness in responding to an invitation.  It’s about eternal life, and that’s something we can’t toy with.

            Isaiah describes a mouth-watering banquet that the Lord will provide for all people:  rich food, choice wine, juicy and pure.  Can you picture it?  It is for those who have entrusted their lives to God even in the shadow of death.  God has brought them through the loneliness and darkness of death and now it is time to rejoice – forever more.  They were invited and they came.  The invitation had a high price tag on it.  It required that they give up everything familiar:  life on earth, loved ones, possessions, etc., and trust completely in God. They did, and here they are.  Can you imagine the celebration as they discover that they didn’t actually lose anything or anyone in the process?

            The gospel presents a different scenario.  Another invitation from God, but this time those invited refuse.  Do you think they had the foggiest idea what they were refusing?  The king (God) tries to bridge the chasm between his love and their understanding; he re-issues the invitation.  The banquet will go on, no matter what our individual responses may be.

            Yet there’s that part about the wedding garment.  What Jesus is trying to say is that all people are invited, bad and good alike, but sinners must repent of their sinful ways before they can come to the feast.  We must have our souls “well-dressed.”

            Each Sunday we are invited to a banquet even more lavish than the one Isaiah describes.  Sometimes we ignore the invitation.  What kind of excuses do we make for missing the banquet?  Perhaps we fail to see its significance and fail to prepare ourselves.  It may seem no different to us than missing a birthday party because of our busy schedules, but I invite you to think again.  The king will invite others to come in our place, but I believe he will be saddened.  And we will have missed out on a magnificent banquet.

            I’m certainly not talking just about missing Mass; it’s also about missing out on the king’s presence in our everyday lives.  The king has done all that can be expected.  The response is in the hands of the guest.

Do take a moment (or longer) each day to recall an encounter with God and to be grateful.

Come to the feast!
Love, Sister Edna

September 2011

Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

September is start-up time for a lot of programs (even tho school has beaten us to it).  It's also a time of normal transition because of that; and I am reflecting on the transition in my life right now, looking for the Holy Spirit in it and through it.  That's a good faith response, right?

First off is my mom's getting closer and closer to passing completely into new LIFE.  It's touch and go, one day up another down -- not like her illness has been pretty much all along.  I thank you, each of you, for your continuing prayer; and that is a lesson in life: the touch and go that seems to be a BIG part of life for me right now and which is covered by you in prayer.  THAT is tremendously consoling.  My family and I have placed it all in the hands of the Lord so we're not worried about outcomes - just coping with the present.  And that, too, is in the hands of the Lord (just gotta keep reminding myself -- which is a lot like life (are you totally confused yet?).

Another is the switching from working full time to "senior status" -- which is somewhat like retirement in the eyes of social security, etc., but is not actually quitting working.  I was taken aback at the idea of retirement, but I can see very well now the Holy Spirit at work.  I will take much needed rest, then start accepting engagements as well as I can (the Holy Spirit's in that too, I'm finding out).  In prayer I have learned that one is often busier in retirement than one was in working full time, and now I know why....cuz in retirement one is doing what one likes to do and not just what one has to do.  And I like to do a lot of things that a priest does. 

I am not at all close to being unpacked yet, so I sincerely ask your prayers for my mental health, gift of patience with myself, good judgment on what to keep and what to give to others, what to sell and what to pitch.  May take me a longer time than I want it to.... That's a life's lesson too.  I'm a saver, and there's a grace in being able to trust God and let go.  I'm learning that one BIG TIME; it's scary.  I think it's "smart" to hold on to a lot of stuff, but I'm getting better at trusting God, and it actually feels good -- and trusted people are complimenting me for it.  Confirmation and affirmation from the Lord.

Has this filled up the whole ARK yet?  Let's say I'll probably be keeping you posted cuz I'll still be at life's lessons when my turn comes around again!

ULTREYA, BIG TIME,
Fr. Skip

A Message from our Lay Director....

To the Cursillo community,

I would like to give a “short” summary of the National Encounter that Joan and I attended July 28 – 30 in San Antonio, Texas.  We arrived at St. Mary’s University Thursday and were assigned dormitory rooms.  The opening began at 7:30 PM with a blessing by Most Reverend Esuebio Elizondo, National Episcopal Advisor, opening prayer by Reverend Peter Jaramillo, National Spiritual Advisor, and welcome by Alen Becker and Jesus Castillon, Lay Directors Archdiocese of San Antonio.  The keynote speaker was Roberto Goizueta, Ph.D., a Professor of Catholic Theology at Boston College.  His topic was “Transformation”.  His points were:  How do I live out Cursillo, our willingness to witness to Christ, how to I become more authentic when I rest in Christ, God loved us first, and God opened the door for our reconciliation with His death and resurrection.  The evening closed with Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and Reconciliation.

Friday opened with prayer.  The first presentation was titled “Restless Heart”, presented by Bishop Elizondo.  He stressed, “My heart was restless until it rested in you, oh Lord.”  We must surrender ourselves to Jesus and have a willingness to witness to the Lord.  He   posed these questions:  How have I come to rest in the Lord?  In what ways do I rest in the Lord?  How can I become more authentic when I rest in the Lord?  Next we had Mass with Bishop Elizondo, principle celebrant, and over 20 priests concelebrating.  Very impressive.  The afternoon presentation was on “Discernment”, Bishop Elizondo.  He shared that discernment is choosing what is best, test everything, and retain what is good.  We do what we do because we fell in love with Christ, not just our duty.  We are sent to clear a path to God for all people.  Our evening was filled with an Ultreya, witnesses sharing how they are living the Method.  Witnesses were in both English and Spanish.

Saturday opened with prayer and devotion to Mary by Rev. Peter Jaramillo.  Our morning presentation was “Evangelization Through Conversion.”  This was presented in four language sessions.  The speaker stressed that first we  must become the Good News.  Only when a Movement is living its Charism (essence & purpose) is it doing its job.  She ended with the questions:  How can I keep my conversion progressive?  In what ways can we improve our Group Reunion and Ultreya to better aid conversion process?  How can I evangelize my  environment to improve conversion?  The afternoon session was “Study of the Environment” (Charism of the Movement), by Michael Ciccoioppo.  Michael used the word “ambiente” (people interacting).  Study the person and their circumstances in their environment.  There are three levels of study:  self, others and environment.  Following this presentation we met with members of Region 5 to share our thoughts and impressions of the Encounter.  The evening was highlighted by a fiesta with professional entertainment and also skits & performances by various regions. 

Obviously there was a lot to learn and absorb from all the talks, but also the one-on-one exchanges with Cursillistas from all over the world were very informative and inspirational for both of us.

Thank you to the movement for giving us this great opportunity.

Yours in Christ, 
            Bernie & Joan Rumschlag

August 2011

In place of a Spiritual Director’s greeting this month, Sr. Edna shares with us this personal witness by Bishop John McCormack of a Cursillo experience published in Parable, the Magazine of the Diocese of Manchester in New Hampshire. 

Don’t Wait Too Long for a Renewal

Have you ever felt like opportunities have passed you by? Like maybe your best days are behind you? Or like you are just too old and too set in your ways to take on a new challenge such as going back to school, changing jobs, learning a new hobby, or entering a new relationship?  Well, as I celebrated the fiftieth anniversary of my ordination this past year, I thought I could qualify as someone who was, as we like to say here in New England, “all set.” At my young age, I did not really anticipate encountering anything brand new.  Well, I have news for you. Very good news: God is never finished with any of us.  

For years, many of my priest and lay friends, as well as a fellow bishop whom I admire, have encouraged me to experience a Cursillo, but I have always had plenty of excuses. Taking three-and-a-half days out of my busy calendar was reason enough to postpone this invitation indefinitely. Yet I have always been impressed with the people in the parishes who were members of the Cursillo movement. They were often leaders in their parishes and they always struck me as people who genuinely wanted to help, not out of a self-centered need to be recognized, but out of a real desire to serve others. This made an impression on me. But still, three whole days dedicated to spiritual instruction and renewal? I am a bishop, after all. I pray daily, teach about Christ’s saving grace frequently, and make private retreats annually. I should be all set, right?

Well, leading up to my 75th birthday, I gave myself, or rather God gave to me, a remarkable gift. I finally made a Cursillo. It was for me, as it is for hundreds of men and women each year, a transformative and rejuvenating spiritual experience!

Imagine the awkwardness when I first walked into the room on the inaugural Thursday evening of the Cursillo. I didn’t know anyone in the room. Needless to say, they all recognized me and were no doubt wondering to themselves, “What is the Bishop doing here?” Eventually, once we overcame the initial superficial barriers, they came to see me and treat me as “one of the guys,” which I really appreciated.  Begun among Catholics in Spain in the 1940s, Cursillo is a movement whose full name is Cursillo de Cristiandad or “Short courses of Christianity.”  The three-day weekend is at the core of the movement. Individuals make this among other men, and then after they have done so, their spouses are invited to do the same among women.

At the essence of Cursillo is the recognition that “while most people would like to live their lives in a Christ-like manner, the pressures of the world often make this difficult.” The movement offers “a method and a technique to provide each of us with the tools, the mentality, the strength, and the support” to walk in Christ.

So there we all were, men of different ages and backgrounds from all walks of life: CEO’s, salesmen, teachers, lawyers, skilled laborers, husbands, fathers, single men, and one bishop. All of us were filled with nervous expectations, a bit of hope, and an instinctive desire to turn around and leave in a hurry. What we shared in common with each other was the simple desire to know our faith and the Lord better and to live with a better understanding of the Lord’s ways. And so we stayed.

We not only stayed, we participated together in what was for me a transformative three days that brought us each from complacency to consciousness of  Christ’s love for us, animating in turn our desire to love Christ. What was especially moving to me was the faith of the other men present. As men courageously and openly spoke about their relationship with the Lord and what that means in their lives, it affected me deeply and affected all of us. We experienced the power of the Lord in our midst.

Truthfully, I never expected to be animated by this experience in the way that I was. At 74 years old I did not think I had perfected the art of Christian living, but neither did I recognize just how much growth and change was possible. I am embarrassed to admit it, but I had underestimated the power of God’s love to keep shaping our daily lives through challenges, sacrifice, surprises, suffering, and the love of others. Our own perspectives and expectations may become limited, but Christ’s love for us is not.  It is not only abundant, it is infinite. 

How apparent this is in the pages of this issue of Parable. When I look at the remarkable and inspiring art that Sylvia Nicolas creates even in her eighth decade of living; when I read of how the film makers of Either/Or Films came to enter the Church well into their life’s journey; when I see the love and comfort that Sheryl Brooks brings to the elderly; and when I consider my own experience on Cursillo, it is more clear to me than ever that God is never finished loving, shaping, and renewing our lives.

I therefore encourage all of you to be open to renewal. Don’t wait as long as I did to make a Cursillo, or a Marriage Encounter, or to go on a religious pilgrimage or to reconcile with those from whom you are estranged. Take it from this youngster in the faith: if you find a way to creatively disrupt the comfort and complacency of your routines and relationships, the Holy Spirit will surprise you and animate your lives with a love that is creative and infinite. 

To all of our fourth day people, dear friends one and all, 

I want to thank you for your ongoing support of our beloved Cursillo movement and for me as I attempted to lead our secretariat these last couple of years.  It is time for younger, more energetic, and highly dedicated people to lead the way.  I have received many blessings during my years of service; I have felt very strongly the presence of the Holy Spirit in every occasion when I was leading meetings these last two years, I have been blessed with a great bunch of people serving with me on Secretariat and without whom little would have been accomplished.  Four biggies were the revision of the cursillo weekend manuals,  the revision of the Secretariat job descriptions,  the rewriting of the diocesan  cursillo bylaws, and just being finished now, the writing a current Pastoral Plan. 

I beg of all of you your continuing prayers, palanca, and support for Bernie Rumschlag and all the members of secretariat serving with him.  I want to thank all those I have worked with through the years, especially Margaret Boltz, who worked so hard, leading us so well for at least five years.  George and Carol Miller did a great job in the Pre-Cursillo position; their commitment ended a month ago on July 1.   Nancy Kimmet also finished her term on July 1; she has done a great job also, leading us in Leaders School most recently. In the past year several have given up their positions. Kathy Huffman has given up her job as Palanca Chairperson last year; we thank her for all of her years of efforts also. Sharon DeCant has replaced Kathy. Pat Ermi asked to be relieved of her duty of Cursillo chairman about a year ago and Dale Fair took over then.  Thanks for your efforts, Pat.  Also Pat Miller passed her job of doing the Ark on to Jane Distel.  Pat fought many battles with our old computer, working very hard to keep the Ark being printed; thanks Pat.  Alfredo Diaz who served so well in the Spiritual Advisors group also retired in the past year. They all deserve our deep appreciation for all their efforts.   Mary Ann Hohman will be replacing George and Carol as precursillo chairperson and Marty Charney is taking over for Nancy in the SOL position.

Those not retiring but continuing to serve are Bernie Rumschlag, who served as my faithful assistant and who after attending the National Cursillo encounter last month, is ready, willing and able to take over the job of diocesan lay director.  When Dale Fair retired from his day job he began doing the work of the "Cursillo" position.  Dale is doing a wonderful job in his position, and currently is heading the Pastoral Plan Revision committee as well. Howie and Ruth Ann Stultz hold the "Post Cursillo" position and are doing a very good job for us there.  Betty Obringer joined us in Secretariat last summer and uses her dedication as "Treasurer".  Bill Obringer has been on secretariat somewhat longer than Betty and he has been doing a very conscientious job in the “Facilities" position.

Marty Charney has been assisting Nancy Kimmet in the "School of Leaders" position for a year and is now assuming that position.  Jane Distel joined secretariat last year as "Communications" person and has been doing a superb job taking notes and reporting the minutes of our meetings as well as publishing the Ark.  Sharon DeCant has taken over the position of "Palanca" chairperson and has been doing a great job for us there.  Sister Edna, Father Ed Littelman, and Father Jim Brown serving as Spiritual Advisors have all been very highly motivated, all tirelessly serving many years, all dedicated to the Cursillo movement.  These three have all been a huge blessing to our diocesan movement.

There are two others not on secretariat who also contribute a great deal to our movement.  Barb Grycza has been administering the prayer vine for some years and she spends a lot of time with calls for prayers coming in all the time.  Carol Miller has been struggling with the cursillo website for some time; they recently changed to a faster internet server and she is now able to manage the website reasonably well again.  Carol has volunteered to stay on as webmaster and we very much appreciate Carol and Barbs' services to our 4th day people.

I hope that I have mentioned everyone’s name that is on my gratitude list; if I've missed anyone, it was inadvertent and I apologize for that.  I believe that we owe these people a big thank you and it would be nice to thank them personally when we encounter them in our activities.

There is one more thing I would like you to consider.  In this issue of the ARK, for your information, we are including a report of the Cursillo finances for the past year.  It really opened my eyes and probably will yours as well to see how much money goes through our system. Our expenditures last year exceeded our income by nearly $2,800.  We are trying to be good stewards of our resources, but we need your help also.  One area to address is the short fall of income from team members which came to $740 in that year.  We want everyone to take the cost to the Pines of $135 per person very seriously as that price falls somewhat short of our total weekend cost which includes bibles, prayer books and other supplies.  We have operated at this price for several years and are doing our best to hold that line.  Several years ago we received a nice bequest from the estate of Helen and Jack Springer, which gives us a measure of security now but which won't last much longer. 

By the way Cursillo is a 401C3 organization which is a tax exempt status.  Donations are tax free.  We would like all cursillistas to consider contributing to the Cursillo movement so that we may continue to provide the best possible benefits to our operation.  Perhaps a regular monthly check as part of your tithing program. Checks can be sent to Betty Obringer at any time.  We do recognize that not everyone has resources to give, but we also know that many cursillistas are quite well off and can afford to be generous.  This is something that we can all pray on; God does move people’s hearts.  I have developed a strong conviction that God wants us to share all our personal resources, our talents, our time, and our money as well.  I think that we all remember the question asked at the conclusion of the Ideals talk.  Where do you spend your time, your talents, and your money?  The answer to this question tells where your heart is.

As always, I ask for your participation in Cursillo events and activities, your everyday prayers and whatever financial support you can afford.  Gods' blessings are great to a generous heart.  It has been a pleasure serving you and I call Gods' down blessings on everyone. 

I am not going away; I will be seeing you wherever Cursillistas are gathered.   
De Colores,  
Your brother, Gus Miller

July 2011

To my Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,

Maybe this message is right on time for some of you and hopefully not too late for any of you.  I remember in my early days of priesthood trying to work during the summer to get all kinds of things ready for the beginning of the school/program year in September.  Thought I could save a lot of trouble by planning ahead.  Well, what I kept finding out was that I got to September and things started up again, and I was dead tired.  I eventually figured out what was wrong.  I was missing the message of the Lord that just like Sunday (the Lord's Day) is meant to be a day of rest each week, so is summer meant to be the opportunity for some re-creation. 

That can be through recreation or vacation ("getting away") or playing instead of working all the time, or just more focused resting -- whatever the Spirit calls you to.  But it is important to make the effort to use the nature-time God gives us to keep a balance in our lives for spiritual health.  We should be doing this all year long, of course, on the Lord's day (and I suspect there are many of us who need to take stock of ourselves in this regard)  so that we're really good at it by summer.  We can praise God all the more!

So how about helping one another make sure we get some "re-creation" time in by doing it together or reminding one another of the good times each of us has had doing just this or whatever cunning way we can let the Holy Spirit use us.  And not just this summer, but every summer -- and every Sunday.  Doing so will actually accomplish the purpose and method of Cursillo while we're having fun.  God is really smart, no?

De Colores,
Fr. Skip

June 2011 

Dear Spirit-filled People of God!

            Are the strong winds blowing?  Have you experienced the fire burning in your heart or hovering just above your head?  Has the magnificent story of Jesus made inroads into your own life?  We come to the end of the Easter season and are left to wonder, “What does this all have to do with my life?”  Was it just a story about a very famous person who lived in the first century who did some great things?  If that’s what we’re thinking, it’s easy to conclude, “Well, that was good; what story can I read next?” If deep in our souls we feel that way, it’s no wonder religion can be a “ho-hum” option in our lives!  There are, after all, many stories to read about heroes & heroines.

            Sometimes it’s still hard for us “slow to believe” people, to fathom that Jesus is alive today!  We give verbal assent to it, but perhaps it doesn’t make much difference in our everyday lives, so “successfully”(?) have we relegated faith to a Sunday duty. Yet by the surprising grace of God, things happen to us in life that tap the deeply spiritual roots in all of us.  Something awakens in us, and if we don’t brush it aside (out of embarrassment or pride), it can feel remarkably similar to a gust of wind.  Some describe it as “a light bulb came on in my head and heart,” or “suddenly it all started to make sense.”

Others would say that it is like being born again.  In any case, the response is: WOW!

            So well do I recall a memorable awakening to faith that came when I was a sophomore in high school.  I was listening to a talk on love, more attentively than I sometimes listened as a sophomore, and I was drawn into that message with particular attraction and yearning.  As the speaker continued talking about God’s love for each one of us, I was shaken to the depths of my soul with the realization that God loved me, yes, individually, uniquely, not just as one of the crowd.  Years later I could look back on that night and call it my “born-again” experience. I could also call it my Pentecost experience for there was in me afterwards a new kind of fire burning, a brighter light, a better sense of self and purpose.  In the years that followed I worked on many retreat teams because I wanted to witness this same thing happening in other people’s lives.  What a liberating, joyous, overwhelming sense of God!  That’s why I stay with Cursillo.

            When God’s Spirit permeates us, we naturally want others to know that experience also. Pentecost is about reaching out – evangelizing – in ways that fit our personality.  As disciples of Christ, who among us would say, “Let’s keep it all for ourselves”?  We don’t have to be street corner preachers, inflicting guilt, collaring people and making demands.  Jesus didn’t evangelize that way (How did his followers ever go so far afield?) But Jesus did say, “Go out into the whole world and preach the Good News.”  I paraphrase like this: “Go now, and share what I have given you. Preach first of all by your example, but then do not hesitate to let people know the reason for your confidence, joy, and hope. There are so many who are lost, forgotten, or troubled who feel like the world has turned against them.  Let them know differently.  Tell them what has helped you deal with the challenges of life.  Invite them to turn to God and to a community of faith for solace, support, inspiration, challenge, forgiveness, and the chance to grow.

            The work of the Spirit goes on.   How blest are we to be invited to carry the flame of God’s love for our time.  It lights up the world.  Let’s share it this summer… and always!
With fire,
Sr. Edna

Message from our Lay Director:

To all our faithful people of our fourth day community,

May 2011

Sisters and Brothers in the Risen Lord,

The story of Jesus appearing to walk along with the couple on their way "out of town" to Emmaus fits right in with the treasure of our Movement.  They were struggling with their hopes and headed the "wrong" way.  When they entertained the Lord (moment most aware of the presence of Christ), they were gifted with a deeper understanding of the whole concept of Messiah.  Not just a savior from Roman domination now, but the gate to present happiness and eternal life!  Wow!

"Were not our hearts burning within us as He talked to us on the road?"  We have countless opportunities to set one another on fire with good news of our own: our faith stories, our glimpses of the Christ, our piety, and study, and apostolic action.  And we can share those any time, not just at grouping and ultreya.  BUT do we realize the treasure we have in being able to do that???  Do I remind myself often (like every day) that I want to set someone's heart on fire with their coming to know Jesus?  I think when we're more conscious of really being able to do this, we find ourselves happier and on fire.  We're more fun!

Start with the easy times: on the way into church on Sunday, share a moment close to Christ with the persons walking with you -- and again on the way out?  Whatever the Spirit presents!  And do it at the breaking of bread in our own homes; share the stories as part of "meal prayer."  Can't do it all the time, of course, but we can do it a lot more than we've been, right?  (We "practice" at grouping so that it becomes  easier... GO FOR IT!)

Fr. Skip

April 2011

Greetings from Fr. Jim:
Dear Sisters and Brothers,

We are in the midst of our Spring Weekends. The men’s team 237 graciously put up with me during our weekend in March. We were blessed with 11 candidates and a great weekend. The Holy Spirit was definitely working with us, through us and in some cases in spite of us. I trust that the ladies will find the same experience.

The question I pose to all of us is,”will we ever see some of these candidates again?”  I ask myself that question after instructing couple for baptism and celebrating the Sacrament with them or couples who I walked with in planning their marriage and wedding, “will I ever see them again?”   People I’ve ministered to for funerals or who are here on some weekends but not consistently, will I ever see them again?  Sometimes it’s depressing thinking all that I put into this relationship with folks and what return do I show for it.

I know it is the Lord’s work and I have to see the positive side of things and allow myself to be surprised when His work does break through. That is a close moment to Christ that we need to see and to celebrate. After all, we are the purveyors of the Good News and if we don’t see it and don’t share it, who will?

As many of you know, I will be moving in July to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish in Toledo. While the new assignment will provide me with some stability in different ministries, especially the Cursillo Movement the change is always difficult. I wonder if that is why a greater number of Catholics are opting out of full, conscious and active participation in the liturgy and in the life of the parish.  If “change” is the culprit, than they have a lot of fuel.  The changes in the Mass translation coming this fall, although minor for the parishioners can be the catalyst for a number of people exiting the Church. I hope not. This change can also prompt a decision to learn more about the great Mystery of the Eucharist that we celebrate. Learning more will help us appreciate what we already have and what God is doing in our midst. We don’t have to “create” our own worship service. The Lord does provide more for us than any ‘church of the excitation’ can dream up.  As a clergy person I am counting on you cursillistas to stay informed, deepen your understanding of the Eucharistic Liturgy and teach by example the beauty we already possess in the Mass. I know o some folks who have wondered away from the Church because of changes in the liturgy or a pastoral move or a parish restructuring. Most of these people have quit grouping or coming to Ultreya or Closings and the flame has died in them

I know I’ve shared this before, but I need to count on the Cursillo members in my parish, when I’m there and when I’m gone to keep things happening. If this really is a lay movement in the Church, than you need to take on some leadership roles and guide people to stay in a parish and the Church and to get actively involved. Within the confines of your small grouping each week or so, you are allowed to share your frustrations, disappointments and sadness about changes in the pastoral leadership or the parish status but keep it among you. Out in public keep it positive. And above all pray for our Bishop, our pastors, the parishes affected by the moves, our three candidates for ordination to the priesthood, and all the priests who are making the move this summer.

The warm weather is breaking out can spring and summer be far behind. There is hope!

May you all have a wonderful Easter time and know the spring time of the Risen Lord intimately. May the Holy Spirit of Jesus guide you in all that you do.

Ultreya!
Fr. Jim

From our lay director……………

My message this month is to encourage everyone to participate as fully as possible in all the Cursillo activities.

I think that many times we shortchange ourselves by neglecting to avail ourselves of quite worthwhile events.  We try to hold special diocesan gatherings; the general secretariat in the fall of the year and focus days in the spring.  There are plans being made right now for a focus day to be held on June 11. Sister Edna Michel and Kathy Otermat are again heading up this focus day and finalizing plans at this time.  I have attended most of these events in my time as a cursillista and have always found them to be very enjoyable and worthwhile. Getting together with other 4th day people, enjoying the camaraderie and fellowship, participating in these extra-ordinary presentations and discussions, taking part in the music and singing and eating lunch and visiting together have always gladdened my heart and soul.  I know that large numbers of you have not yet experienced these special days; Won’t you please reserve June 11 on your calendar and join us at Fostoria St Wendelin parish this time?

Also I want to encourage the entire 4th day community to bolster all the cursillos that are presented around the world especially those in our own diocese held right here at Our Lady of the Pines in Fremont.  The women’s' team led by Betty Obringer and Annie Blum is preparing to offer Cursillo #238 on April 28th - May1.

Please lend your prayer and palanca support to the candidates and team.  Please join us also at the Saturday evening holy hour and the Sunday evening closing at St. Bernadines home next to the "Pines" Another activity for which we ask for your prayers and palanca, is the Cursillo Region 5 meeting which will be held at St. Hedwigs' in Chicago on April 15-16. Pat and I will be representing our diocese at this gathering.  Another important upcoming event is the National Cursillo encounter to be held on July 28-31 at St. Marys' University, San Antonio, Texas.  Our secretariat will be sending delegates to this.  As you know there are always health, financial, family issues, and employment needs among the 4th day as well.  As you can see there are many reasons for palanca all the time.  This letter is meant to encourage and strengthen each of us and the entire 4th day movement.  Let us pray to the Lord: Lord hear our prayer and palanca.

De Colores to all. Thanks,    
Gus Miller, Diocesan Lay Director

March 2011

Dear People of Lent,

            A little girl came home from school on Wednesday of Holy Week ready for the Easter break and all excited.  She told her mother that she had learned a secret about Lent, but wouldn’t tell her just yet.  The mother wondered all day Thursday what the secret was because her daughter kept asking how long it would be until Mass started that evening. Puzzled, the mother wondered if something special would be happening at Mass. As the time grew nearer the girl got a soft drink out of the refrigerator and said she would be taking it along in the car with her.  Even more puzzled, the mother decided to be patient until the girl chose to reveal her secret. After Holy Thursday evening Mass and some time spent in adoration, they were ready to go home. No sooner were they in the car when the child grabbed the soft drink, popped the opener, and took a long chug and sighed in enjoyment.  She looked at her mom and said, “We were told in school that Holy Thursday is the last day of Lent.  I’ve given up pop for way too long. Cool! It tastes soooo good.”   The mother didn’t have the heart to tell her that yes, the Lenten season is over at sundown on Thursday, but then begins the solemn Easter fast!

            Another issue the mother might have raised with her child is that fasting is one of the three prongs of Christian penance (prayer and almsgiving/charity are the other two.) Fasting isn’t simply something negative, something about “giving up “– or even something about ourselves. The idea isn’t just to count days or hours until we can have what we’ve denied ourselves.  The little girl is to be commended for her efforts to keep Lent. But as she grows older, hopefully she’ll understand a bit more that Lenten penance means putting our relationships right with God and others. Penance is never an end in itself, but always leads us out of ourselves to God and others.

            I invite you to make sacrifices this Lent (perhaps doing without something you really enjoy) and then taking the money you would have spent on yourself and giving it for a hungry child in another country.  That’s the kind of penance God desires: not to give us an “ego trip” if we successfully endure 40 days of giving up something, but to give God’s children who are poor such a simple gift food or water.

            Most of us aren’t particularly fond of Lent, this time of self-denial.  Yet, even the most “lukewarm” of Christians feel compelled to do at least something.  Lent is not to be ignored.  It’s a little like medicine:  we may not like it, but we take it because it’s good for us.

            True penance always requires dying to self.  Where have I gotten so self-centered that I no longer really care about the plight of others?  It’s so easy to slide into that way of thinking.  It’s so easy to convince myself that I deserve whatever I desire, despite the ripple effect it will have on my family, my community, my country, and people around the world. What is the evil that has slipped in so quietly that I don’t even notice what harm it’s causing me and my relationships?  Am I ready to face it and do something about it?  It is tempting to think that Lenten practices are the whole task of Lent.  Rather, the essential task of Lent is confronting evil and turning from it with hearts bent on repentance.

            Jesus struggled long and hard in the desert. When he came out preaching repentance, he knew the struggle he was asking us to engage in. No easy season, this Lent, but if we are willing to let it hollow us, we will discover the real joy of Easter.

            May your fasting this Lenten season, as well as your prayer and almsgiving, increase your faith and freedom!   
Love, Sr. Edna

February 2011

Dear sisters and brothers in Christ,

May God’s abundant blessings be yours in your ministry and environments. May you see the face of the Lord Jesus in the persons you encounter today and feel the breeze of the Holy Spirit guiding you to the needs around you.

Another set of weekends are upon us. Hopefully my brothers and sisters in the Lord, you are busy making friends and being friends and preparing them to meet the Lord in our special way through the Cursillo movement.

It is important that we know about our candidates, husbands and wives. Please make sure that they are Catholics and are able to receive the Sacraments, especially Holy Communion.  We have to delicately inquire about the marriage status. There are many couples living together today who never went through a marriage ritual or were married in the Church. While in these situations persons are not eligible to receive the Sacraments, this is a perfect opportunity to befriend them and lead them to a deeper relationship through the Sacrament of Marriage. Perhaps you may be able to assist them with an annulment from a previous relationship.  Remember, sponsoring candidates for a weekend is a commitment to befriend them as the Lord directs you.

Maybe we are reluctant to do that. But other Christian communities do that very thing and are growing in numbers and influence every day. Many of our own Catholic people are drawn to their zeal for the Lord and sadly leave us. A tragedy is that a number of our own Cursillistas are among them.

There are estimates that only 86,000 Catholics from the Toledo Diocese attend Mass on the weekends, out of over 300,000. What is going on here?  The Cursillo Movement has been active, somewhat, in the Diocese since about 1964, that is approximately 56 years.  Yet we are not making a lot of progress are we?

The Church is calling us to a New Evangelization. The Cursillo Movement already has all the elements to make this work, the method, the Spirit, the encounter with Christ, the small groups, the individual testimony, the PRAYER and the mandate to “make a friend, be a friend and bring your friend to Christ.” But we have to put it into practice. We have to wake this sleeping giant to its full potential. Christ is counting on us.

Sisters and brothers I ask for your prayers and palanca for our Spring weekends. I hope to see you and feel your prayerful presence throughout the weekend and especially at the closings.

Ultreya!
Fr. Jim Brown

From Our Lay Director 

To the Cursillo Community,

I would like to preface my remarks with this quote I recently came across.

"Pray not for easy lives, but pray to be stronger men. Ask not for tasks equal to your powers, but for powers equal to your tasks. Then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you will be the miracle."  (Phillips Brooks, a nineteenth century Episcopalian pastor)    I think that there is food for thought here for all of us.

Perhaps all of us were created to become miracles in our lives.

 With there not being an Ark last month, we have quite a bit to cover this month. Prayers and action are needed. First of all we need to deal with terms on secretariat being completed and begin the search for replacements needed. George and Carol Miller will be relinquishing their ministry in the pre-cursillo position, where they have done a fine job.  We know that there are others, either a single person or a couple, in our fourth day that can fulfill the requirements.  We invite you all to pray for discernment for a good match.  Be sure to read George and Carol's witness and appeal as well as the job description from our bylaws which should also be in this issue of the Ark. 

Also Nancy Kimmet has served long and well in the School of Leaders and is finishing her term.  We do already have Marty Charney assisting her and planning to take over her job at the end of June.  One of the roles which should belong to the SOL is the recruitment and nurturing of new members for Secretariat, so please direct your responses to Nancy or to me, Gus Miller. 

We want to give you an early heads up about the Focus Day planned for June 11 9am-3pm with Evangelization and the Cursillo movement as the topic.  Location is still being decided but reserve this day on your calendar with more info coming next month. The Cursillistas always enjoy these special days!

I would like to encourage all of us in the fourth day to renew our efforts at palanca as there are many needs.  Both teams for the English cursillos are in formation. We should pray for Gods' blessings on all team members and for candidates’ names to be surfaced and applications processed, so we may share Cursillos' amazing blessings with others. Now is the time to approach the prospective people; don’t wait till the last moment please.  For all the needs of National and foreign Cursillo bodies as well as diocesan and local groups.  Sometimes a little gimmick helps.  In my morning stretching exercises, I'm supposed to hold the positions for 15 seconds, so I think of different needs and say a Hail Mary which takes up about 15 seconds and makes the exercises easier and certainly more worthwhile.  Prayer can be anytime or anywhere, but is best in conscious awarement.  Send me a note to share your system with our fourth day. Maybe it can help someone else too.  One last thought is, "a day hemmed in prayer is much less likely to become unraveled."

De Colores and Ultreya, enjoy Gods' blessings, persevere, and flourish.        
Gus Miller

December 2010

Sisters and Brothers in the Long Awaited Savior,

There are a lot of reminders at this time of year about keeping our focus on the spiritual during the mad rush of consumerism.  Gifting is not bad; just make a special effort not to get lost in it.  Perhaps you can add a prayer for the person you're shopping for when you enter the store or make the purchase or wrap the gift -- or all three!  Maybe pray each day for every person on your list; an individual prayer for each would be excellent, but a prayer for all of them together works too.  I'd be willing to bet that you'll be able to report some particular "experiences of the presence of Christ" at your grouping when just the right gift pops into view or wrapping with a family member or friend brings special warmth.

My challenging thought as we celebrate Advent into the Twelve Days of Christmas this year is the situation we are experiencing of persons being so critical in society right now.  I suspect it comes at least partly from the economic state we're in and the fear that rises when one lacks faith.  Many seem to be looking out for their own interests more than for the common good, especially care for the downtrodden.  As I read the lessons for Advent Masses, I hear a constant reminder of God's love and care for the poor.  Perhaps in our discussions and conversations over these next months we can be working to bring God's word into play.  It doesn't have to be condemnatory; it should be inviting and encouraging, a reminder and a celebration of the Savior's care for all of us.  I think our whole world needs the message of hope that comes with faith.

My prayer for each of you is a very graced Christmas full of real joy.  We can tell the stories at our gatherings, grouping, ultreya and closings, eh?  I can hardly wait,

 
Fr. Skip