THE ARK
May 2011
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Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring heart closer to Jesus Christ
in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church.
It is our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us.
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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
NEEDED: NEW CURSILLO WEBMASTER!
Are you a little familiar with websites? Are you interested in helping Cursillo with communication by using the tool of our website?
The Diocese of Toledo Cursillo Secretariat is seeking a new Webmaster for our Cursillo website. This website has been a big help for Cursillistas and others who are seeking information about Cursillo. This volunteer position takes from 2-4 hours a month.
If you would be interested in this position or would like more information, please reply back to this e-mail address. Please include your name and phone number so someone can contact you. Thanks for praying about being the new Cursillo webmaster. You will be blessed!
From Secretariat Palanca Person Sharon Decant:
The month of May has finally arrived. Lilies of the Valley, violets, peonies, cora bells, and tulips will soon be poking their heads up through the sprouting velvety green grass. Birds are chirping in the bright new morning light. Spring is here. It is a time for new beginnings, for the planting of new seed. .
Maia, for whom the month of May is named, was a Roman earth goddess of fertility, new beginnings. It is why May has been designated the month of Mary, Our mother. She was victorious over the serpent through her seed, Jesus. Jesus came into the world so man could have a new beginning.
Our environments are in great need of planting the seed of Christ into them. Cursillos give us the tools we need for this planting. The Woman's Cursillo #238 became victorious in overcoming obstacle after obstacle after obstacle through the Holy Spirit and Mother Mary using the great power of palanca.
On May 1 1775, a National Day of Prayer was instituted. This has now been reset for the first Thursday in May. "Mayday" is the international call for help. May 1 is also recognized as Labor Workers day. It is also a "God-incidence" that the closing of this #238 Cursillo occurred on May 1
Mother Mary plays as she should a very important part in all our Cursillos. She inspired the Movement from the beginning. She is the most perfect imitation of Christ. If only we could always imitate her virtues.
Even the Koran mentions Mary more than 30 times. Islam believes in the Immaculate Conception. It believes in the Virgin birth of Jesus and has yearly processions in her honor.
Even after the closing of Cursillo #238 and the spirits of the candidates and team on a high, Satan continued to desperately try to lure man into his web of hate, lies and deceits. The news of the killing of Osama bin Laden reverberated throughout the world with celebrations. The death of a human, even one whose evil actions had created the greatest mass murder on American soil, should not be the cause of celebration. Rather, it should be of relief that he will never again hurt innocent people, but most importantly, great sadness that Satan had been allowed to take complete control of him. God was his Father. Mary was his Mother. He denounced them. How very sad this is.
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once stated " I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate:... only love can do that."
This is a defining moment that more than ever daily palanca is essential. Only genuine palanca with the love of Christ can turn this world around. Decolores!
Calendar of Events:
May 21- School of Leaders 9:00 a.m.-Noon at Findlay St. Michaels
June 11 – Focus Day – Evangelizing the Cursillo Way. More info included later in this issue.
PRECURSILLO CHAIRPERSON(s) STILL NEEDED FOR THE DIOCESAN CORE.
George and Carol Miller’s 3 year term is up as of July 1st. They will help anyone willing to take over for them, please consider this ministry. A Cursillista IS praying on the decision to take it over, we are asking all of you to pray for them and anyone who might be thinking about coming forward. Ultreya.
Ultreya Dates:
Area 1
4th Sunday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes Room
Area 2
2nd Sunday of the month, 2:00 p.m. at St. Clement Parish, Yeager Hall
Areas 7 & 10
May 22, 7:00 p.m. St. Francis Home, Tiffin in meeting room by cafeteria
Please welcome & continue to pray for our newest Cursillistas!
Mike Bell
Parish: Holy Trinity, Assumption
Eric Christy
Parish: St. Patrick of Heatherdowns
Bob Geiger
Parish: Immaculate Conception, Port Clinton
Robert & Ann Gillen
Parish: Blessed Sacrament, Toledo
Greg & Corinne Liebnau
Parish: OLMC
John McDonough
Parish: Our Lady of Lourdes, Toledo
John & Roz Needham
Parish: OLL, Toledo
Kim Randall
Parish: St. Peter, Mansfield
John (Jack) Resetar
Immaculate Conception, Port Clinton
Tedd Swartz
Parish: All Saints, Rossford
Mark Wagner
Parish: St. Catherine, Toledo
Susan Fox
Parish: St. John, Lima
Mary Morris
Parish: Blessed Sacrament, Toledo
Barbara A. Wither
Parish: St. Clement, Toledo
Witness from Gus Miller, Lay Director:
After the holy hour and serenade Saturday evening I spent some time socializing with the 4th day people and then spent a few minutes in the chapel with the Blessed Sacrament. I then said goodby to Pat and headed for home. I was driving out CR 41 approaching SR 53 maybe 1000 ft. from the intersection when an approaching vehicle suddenly went sideways across the road and immediately knocked down the stop sign on the NE corner of the intersection. I drove on up to the intersection and as I was stopping I drove my car towards the car that had crashed to see what was going on. Just as I was stopping, the interior light went on in the car and a lady stepped out of the car. She seemed to be all right. As I was getting out of my car I saw for the first time a motorcycle laying on the pavement a little to my left & a small mound lying about six feet from the cycle.
I immediately went to check it out dreading what I thought I would find. My worst fear was confirmed as it was a human body lying there totally without any movement. I knew that I had to call for help, but I was not carrying a cell phone. I looked down the road to the west and there was a car approaching the intersection. I ran across the 4 lane intersection waving my arms and the man stopped there and put down his window. I asked if he had a cell phone as there had been a collision between a car and a motorcycle and I thought that the cycle rider was killed. He got out his phone and I punched in 911 and gave the dispatcher the information pleading that the cyclist was in bad shape and I thought dead. I ran back to the scene and decided that I should move my car back to the center of the road to have the person in my headlight beams and I put on my 4 way flashers to prevent anyone else from driving into the accident scene. At some point here I went up to the body, nudged it very lightly and asked are you with me buddy?
I had a powerful conviction that no one should die alone and without prayer and so I went up and knelt beside the body and put my hands on his shoulders and talking to him saying I'm going to try to pray with you. The Lord ’s Prayer is the universal prayer of Christians and so I began. "Our Father who art in heaven" I was being overcome with my emotions and losing my voice and I changed to " Lord Jesus bless this man" after a few moments I was able to mumble a few more words of prayer, I have no idea what I said but that I was praying. At this time nothing existed in the universe except the two of us. I was hearing no traffic, no sirens; nothing.
At some point I heard the voice of a man as he walked up beside me saying that he was an EMT. I told the EMT that this man had not moved a muscle since I had gotten there and that I thought that he was dead. I got up and gave him my spot and he immediately removed the glove and checked the right wrist for a pulse; finding none, he moved to the left arm and checked it also and said 'she' does not have any pulse. I had been so focused on getting help for the cyclist that I had assumed that the rider would have to be a man as most motorcycle riders are. (The account in the paper said it was a 62 year old woman who died there.)
At that moment an officer walked up said something to the EMT and then he went to the car to check the driver. He walked back saying the young driver was not injured. He asked me if I had witnessed the accident and I told him that I did not see the collision but had seen the car rebound into the stop sign. The officer then asked me to return to my car so I would not disturb the accident scene. After a few minutes an officer said that I could turn my car around and leave. By this time there must have been at least 3 officers there and an ambulance was also pulling up. So I left the scene and decided that the best place in the world for me at that time was to go back to the Blessed Sacrament at chapel at the Pines as I was horribly shook up. On the way back there I pulled over at least twice to allow fire trucks to go to the scene.
I walked into the chapel and Pat and the other women asked "what happened to you. " It took me a minute to slowly get my voice and tell my story. They made me sit down and someone got me a glass of orange juice fearing that my blood sugar had gone too low. It took nearly a half hour before my adrenalin wore off and I was back to near normal. Someone had told Father Tony about me and he came in to see me. I told him my story and he commended me for reacting so well in that situation. When I told him of my effort to pray for the victim, he asked me, "do you think that God heard your prayer?' I spontaneously replied absolutely! I really don't think that I have ever been more closely connected in prayer. I asked Father for his blessing and truly felt a special warmth emanating from his hands. The chapel crew insisted that I should not drive home and that Pat should come home with me as she had become more of a basket case than I. So Jamie Biddle was enlisted to chauffeur us home near midnight. And so we got something of a nights' rest. Thanks for everyone’s concern and help.
I have spent a lot of time pondering these happenings and would like to share some insights. Saturday 11 am I joined a fundraiser walk for NAMI (a mental health advocacy group.) As I prepared to go I was picking out the right jacket for the weather and I was also choosing a cap for the day. As I sorted through a stack of caps, I came across one with the wording "Got Jesus?" I thought that often I am not bold enough so I chose to wear that one. My thought was that if you wear a sign with that message that it implies that the wearer does have Jesus. I did not get a single comment from the crowd at Conner Park, the site of the event. I chose to wear it again coming to the holy hour. I was wearing that cap that evening at the site of the accident. My conviction that I have got Jesus, and that no person should die alone without prayer, meant that I should share My Jesus with someone certainly so desperately in need. I think that I passed the test! Have you got Jesus?? -- -- have you got Jesus to share??
In the first four or five days after the accident my mind dwelt on the accident scene a great deal of the time. I was realizing that I knew things about the death scene of Annette and her last moments on earth that the family did not know about. I was struggling with if, what and how to share: by letter, by e-mail, or by personal visit? Last Thursday morning, the first day of funeral home visitation, I called the funeral home to talk about these various options and the staff member encouraged me to come to the funeral home at 2:00, the start of public visitation, and talk to Annette’s' family. With much trepidation and with Pat at my side we were the first people to enter and we approached the family members, the three sons and a daughter in law. We introduced ourselves and explained that I was the first person present at the accident site. It was quite emotional as I explained what I had seen as I assured them that Annette was unconscious or dead on impact and never showed any signs of experiencing pain as she laid there on the pavement; also there was no blood evident on the scene. There were tears all around as we hugged all of them and expressed our condolences. They all expressed great appreciation that we would come and share my story with them. Then as the sons got back to greeting other people Pat and I continued to visit with the daughter in law who kept saying that my story was helping then all find comfort and closure in their sorrow. She kept thanking and hugging us both a number of times. We asked her to walk up to the casket with us as I was anxious to meet the lady that I had prayed over. As we were talking she mentioned that Annette had been a member of the Genoa American Legion band and I asked her if she knew my cousin and her husband who were also members. The family all knew them and we marveled and laughed that we had found such a connection and she immediately shared this with the rest of her family. Pat and I then left to return home, feeling so good that we could minister to strangers who had so quickly become friends.
God is good! De Colores! Keep on striving and loving and ministering to all who enter your lives,
Gus
School of Leaders-April 7: Cursillistas were in attendance. Lay presentation was from “ The Fundamental Ideas of the Cursillo Movement”, #5 of the “Characteristics of the Basic Option of the Cursillo Movement”; “The Cursillo Movement and Pastoral Planning a Joint Mission.” Since a committee is in the planning stage for A PASTORAL PLAN, it was felt that a discussion about Pastoral Planning would be in order. Many ideas were brought forward, with Bernie taking notes, one key idea was brought up that a Pastoral Plan should be open ended, and it would be a good idea to review it after each year to see if the Plan is producing results and see where further attention was needed. Alfredo led a thought provoking discussion on Chapter 3, “Evangelization, Creation and Life”, from the book Catholic Evangelization the Heart of Ministry. What were our thoughts on Creation and Life, and how they worked together with Evangelization.
May School of Leaders; Topic for discussion will be Evangelization of Environments, the Basic Option of the Cursillo Movement- pages 238-243 from The “Fundamental ideas of the Cursillo Movement”. Come with your ideas of Evangelization, gleaned from your weekend, what you heard and thought. Fr. Ed will present Chapter 4- “Evangelization and Spirituality” from the “Catholic Evangelization the Heart of Ministry” book. Main topics are; Challenges of contemporary culture, Maturing spirituality, and Evangelistic spirituality. We meet at St. Michaels, Findlay 9am, in the teacher’s lounge, and finish with prayer in the Eucharistic Chapel.
Evangelizing - the Cursillo Way
Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Focus Day
Saturday, June 11, 2011
9 Am – 3 PM
(Gathering, with continental breakfast at 8:30 AM)
St. Wendelin Parish Life Center
Upper Room
323 N. Wood St., Fostoria, OH
The day will include:
Prayer and Singing
Spiritual Advisor’s Reflection What the H… is “Building the Kingdom”? - Fr. Ed Littelmann
Lay Leader’s Talk What does it mean to 'Make a friend, be a friend? - My story
- Kathy Otermat
Responders
Lay Leader's Talk More Good News About Evangelization
- Speaker TBA
Developing a Personal Plan for Evangelization
Enthusiastic Discussions
Great Camaraderie
Lunch (Bring a brown bag for yourself or to share; soup and beverages provided)
Donations gratefully received to cover cost of hall rental and supplies
Come on over! We've got Good News to share!
Upcoming Fall Cursillo Weekends Invitation
Hello to all my fellow Cursillistas,
My name is Dale Fair and I am the Cursillo Chairperson within our Cursillo movement. Part of my responsibilities are to work with the Rectors and Assistant Rectors for upcoming Cursillo weekends and also accept and coordinate Team Applications for all Cursillistas wishing to Serve our Lord and work on a Team. It's now time to start team formation for the Men and Women's teams for the upcoming 2011 Fall weekends.
If you have never worked a team you are missing out on a truly blessed time being with fellow Cursillistas and the Holy Spirit. If you have worked on a team you already know what I am talking about and may wish to work again.
If you are interested in working on one of the Fall teams, they are as follows:
Men's Team #239 will start formation meetings July 28, 2011 and the weekend will be September 29 - October 02, 2011.
Women's Team #240 will start formation meetings August 18, 2011 and the weekend will be October 20 - 23, 2011.
If you are thinking about working a Team and aren't sure, pray about it and you will get your answer. If you have already prayed and want to work a team, you must let me know a minimum (1) month prior to the first Team Meeting so your application can be processed accordingly.
This can be done one of three ways:
1) Contact your Area Core Cursillo Chairperson, get an application filled out, and have them send it to me.
2) If you do not have an Area Core Cursillo Chairperson, go to the internet site www.toledocursillo.org, download a team application fill it out and send it to me in the mail.
3) If you wish, you can download the team application, fill it out and send it by E-Mail.
My address and E-Mail are as follows:
Dale Fair
2868 Hollyhock Ave.
Elida, Ohio 45807
kfair@woh.rr.com
If you have any questions and /or concerns, give me a call at (419) 339-1516 and I will try to get you the information you may need.
I wish to thank you in advance for saying yes to our Lord.
Your Brother in Christ,
Dale Fair
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As Dale said, team meetings will begin in July and August, Cursillistas who have already answered the Lord’s call for these weekends are the rectors: Mike Ruhlen, assisted by Art Ringle and Kathy Huffman, assisted by Mary Beth Lavey. Pray for team members to work toward this weekend with them.
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Please continue to lift up these prayer requests from the past month:
Surgeries, Urologist, Rest in Peace, Strength, Comfort, Chemo, Final stage of life, Car/scooter accident, Serious head injuries, Safety in travel, Cursillos in U.S., Spain, Mexico, Canada, Paraguay, Ecuador, Bolivia, Honduras, and Hawaii, Peaceful Death, Addictions, Heart attack, Continued healing, Leukemia, Heart Catha, COPD, Breast and bone Cancer, Stem Cell Transplant, Pneumonia, Looking for work, Lump on neck, Bowel problems, Lymphoma Cancer, Pain, Bilateral Mastectomy, Tumor very aggressive, Jaw and Lung cancer, Polyps and Lesions, Stroke, Wife giving husband a kidney, Quadruple Heart surgery, Quit smoking, Broke both leg bones, Clean-up surgery on foot, Burdens, Weight Watchers understanding, Facing difficult decisions, Back surgery, Bronchitis, Viral infection, New pacemaker, Hip surgery, Grandson doing awesome, Wisdom, Severe Pancreatic
National Cursillo information:
www.natl-cursillo.org
Read about Cursillo news, palanca requests from around the world, or read the national newsletter.
CURSILLO WEBSITE: www.toledocursillo.org
Go here to view news of upcoming events, read the current month’s Ark or download forms.
To request prayers from our fourth day community email Barb Grycza: prayer_vine@yahoo.com
Want to share how Christ is using you to touch the world around you? Email Jane at disteljl@yahoo.com with your witness.
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I am composing a list of deceased Cursillistas, calling it "The Litany of Cursillistas."
This started in the Palanca Chapel on Cursillo 238. If you have sent me names to include in this Litany, I thank you. If you have NOT sent me any names and want to, I would love to hear from you. My plan is to have it completed and put in the June ARK.
We have so many dear friends in their "Fifth Day" that I thought maybe this would be a good way to keep in touch with them and ask them to pray for our needs, especially the needs of the Cursillo Movement. Many of them were great leaders in the movement and I'm sure they will help us keep this movement alive.
Pat Miller
gusnpat@thewavz.com
THE ARK
April 2011
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Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to Jesus Christ
in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church.
It is our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us.
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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
Candidate Applications
Deadline for applications for the April 28-May 1 Women’s Cursillo is Thursday, April 14th.
Reminder: Husband and wife applications are to be sent at the same time along with your sponsor application for each one. The husband will be invited to the Men’s Cursillo in September. Candidate and Sponsor applications may be found on the Toledo Cursillo website – www.toledocursillo.org and can be downloaded onto your computer for printing. A few guidelines for sponsoring can be found at the same area of the website. Please send candidate and sponsor applications to: George and Carol Miller, 4160 County Road 13, Kansas, OH 44841
NOTE: Decision from the Rector of Cursillo #238 and Pre-Cursillo Chair persons: Because of Holy Week & Easter (April 24th) and Pre-Cursillo couple going on a small vacation after Easter – Candidate applications cannot be processed after Thursday, April 21! Any late applications received after April 21 will be held and processed in the fall.
Candidates for Cursillo #238:
Ann Gillen
Holy Trinity, Assumption
Sponsor: Jane Fritsch
Corinne Liebnau
Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Sponsor: Joan Erd
Mary Morris
Blessed Sacrament, Toledo
Sponsor: John Lyons
Rosalind (Roz) Needham
Our Lady of Lourdes, Toledo
Sponsor: Sue Charney
Barb Wither
St. Clement, Toledo
Sponsor: Carol Plenzler
There is a possibility of four more women candidates that we know of. (We have not received all the applications yet and have just received some.) The names will be published soon.
Pre-Cursillo Chair Couple
George & Carol Miller
Cursillo 238 April 28 – May 1, 2011
Rector Betty Obringer
Asst. Rector Annie Blum
Spiritual Directors Fr. Tony Gallagher
Sister Pat Meyer
Musicians Kathy Huffman
Patti Kreilick
Professors:
Ideal Patti Kreilick
Laity Kathy Huffman
Holiness Carol Plenzler
Formation Stacy Schumacher
Evangelization Karen Oldham
Leaders Mary Landrum
Study & Evang.
Of Environments Barb Lovell
Christian Community Mary Beth Lavey
Shepherds:
Head Catherine Gase
Kay Bensch
Sarah Olson
Mary Landrum
Stacy Schumacher
Disciples:
Head Pat Miller
Marilyn Stump
Judy Owens
Sharon DeCant
Nancy Smith
Nona Bray (will not be at the Pines)
Sacristan Carol Plenzler
Following are two recent messages from Cursillistas that are on the Toledo Cursillo Website:
"We consider our Cursillo weekends to be the turning point in our lives. We would not be the Christians we are today had it not been for those weekends, #73 and #74. PTL"
Connie & Spark Kehres
"Thanks to all for a great Cursillo #237 experience. Looking forward to reunion!!!!”
Kim Randall
Calendar of Events:
April 16 - School of Leaders 9:00 a.m.-Noon at Findlay St. Michaels
April 28 – Women’s Cursillo #238 begins. Sponsors’ & 4th Day Ultreya is at 7:30 p.m. in Palanca room at the Pines
April 30 – Holy Hour at St. Bernadine’s Chapel, 8 p.m. followed by serenade at 9 p.m. at the Pines
May 1 – Women’s Closing at 5:30 p.m. Be there early!
June 11 – Focus Day – Evangelizing the Cursillo Way. More info included elsewhere in this issue
PRECURSILLO CHAIRPERSON(s) IS NEEDED FOR THE DIOCESAN CORE.
George and Carol Miller’s 3 year term is up as of July 1st. They will help anyone willing to take over for them, please consider this ministry. A Cursillista IS praying on the decision to take it over, we are asking all of you to pray for them and anyone who might be thinking about coming forward. Ultreya
SCHOOL OF LEADERS - APRIL 16, ST. MICHAELS FINDLAY
TEACHERS LOUNGE, 9:00 am.
We will be studying and discussing the two pages - 249-251- in the “Fundamental Ideas of the Cursillo Movement”, on Pastoral Planning. Secretariat is forming a committee to study the past one (2006-2009). Out of that study will come our new Pastoral Plan. If you were part of the past plan, come to SOL and give your input as to whether we reached the goals and what the new plan could include. Come share your ideas to keep Cursillo growing and vibrant.
CATHOLIC EVANGELIZATION the HEART of MINISTRY, chapter 3 will be presented by a Spiritual Director- EVANGELIZATION, CREATION AND LIFE.
1) Fr. Bob’s vocation, illness, his father’s final year on earth and his discovery of nature’s healing properties.
2) Communication circles; God as the center.
3) Discovering meaning through God’s communication; person, creation, evangelization.
4) Consequences for Catholic Evangelization; deep life energies, God’s holiness more than functional, creation the ground of God’s communication, God’s revelation to us.
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
Ultreya Dates:
Area 1
4th Sunday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes Room
Area 2
2nd Sunday of the month, 2:00 p.m. at St. Clement Parish, Yeager Hall
Areas 7 & 10
4th Sunday of the month, 7:00 p.m. St. Francis Home, Tiffin in meeting room by cafeteria
From Secretariat Palanca Person Sharon Decant:
Have you ever thought how very special the month of April is? In Greek the word is translated as 'spring'. It is said that April is the root word for Easter which occurs every year in or close to the month of April. In Latin it means 'to open'. Trees and flowers open during this month giving the land new life.
The grave of Jesus sprung ’open’ at His Resurrection giving us new life.
It is very difficult at times to make the 'right' decision. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, at one point Satan took Jesus to a high mountain where they could see what was perceived to be all the kingdoms of the world. One interpretation of this discourse is that Satan was willing to never take or try to take the soul of any of mankind again if Jesus would only one time bow down and worship Satan. Jesus would never have had to subject Himself to the cruelty He suffered and subsequently His agonizing crucifixion and death on a cross. He came into the world to save souls. Here was His chance to do so without suffering and dying. He was fully human as well as divine. Has anyone ever made a more difficult right decision?
The birthstone in April is diamond. The precious diamond in our lives is the grave stone of Jesus giving us a second chance of life. The huge plus sign of the cross (t) is our shield in taking back the world from its evil influences. Palanca is our shield in the battle of vanquishing the evilness in our world. With our Cursillo Christian Community we can evangelize each of all our environments and together with palanca we will be given the power to make the right decisions.
April is an exceptional month. The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus with daily palanca injects into our whole world new life and makes all he months of the year special.
Focus Day
Evangelizing – the Cursillo Way
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Come to St. Wendelin Parish Life Center in Fostoria on this day to learn and share about evangelizing in the life of the Cursillista. The day will include prayer and singing, enthusiastic talks and discussions about making and being a friend, and practical suggestions for evangelizing where you live and work. Come for great camaraderie and sharing. Full details will be in the May issue of the Ark. We hope to see you there!
Upcoming Fall Cursillo Weekends Invitation
Hello to all my fellow Cursillistas,
My name is Dale Fair and I am the Cursillo Chairperson within our Cursillo movement. Part of my responsibilities are to work with the Rectors and Assistant Rectors for upcoming Cursillo weekends and also accept and coordinate Team Applications for all Cursillistas wishing to Serve our Lord and work on a Team. It's now time to start team formation for the Men and Women's teams for the upcoming 2011 Fall weekends.
If you have never worked a team you are missing out on a truly blessed time being with fellow Cursillistas and the Holy Spirit. If you have worked on a team you already know what I am talking about and may wish to work again.
If you are interested in working on one of the Fall teams, they are as follows:
Men's Team #239 will start formation meetings July 28, 2011 and the weekend will be September 29 - October 02, 2011.
Women's Team #240 will start formation meetings August 18, 2011 and the weekend will be October 20 - 23, 2011.
If you are thinking about working a Team and aren't sure, pray about it and you will get your answer. If you have already prayed and want to work a team, you must let me know a minimum (1) month prior to the first Team Meeting so your application can be processed accordingly.
This can be done one of three ways:
1) Contact your Area Core Cursillo Chairperson, get an application filled out, and have them send it to me.
2) If you do not have an Area Core Cursillo Chairperson, go to the internet site www.toledocursillo.org, download a team application fill it out and send it
to me in the mail.
3) If you wish, you can download the team application, fill it out and send it by E-Mail.
My address and E-Mail are as follows:
Dale Fair
2868 Hollyhock Ave.
Elida, Ohio 45807
kfair@woh.rr.com
If you have any questions and /or concerns, give me a call at (419) 339-1516 and I will try to get you the information you may need.
I wish to thank you in advance for saying yes to our Lord.
Your Brother in Christ,
Dale Fair
As Dale said, team meetings will begin in July and August, Cursillistas who have already answered the Lord’s call for these weekends are the rectors: Mike Ruhlen, assisted by Art Ringle and Kathy Huffman, assisted by Mary Beth Lavey. Pray for team members to work toward this weekend with them.
National Cursillo information: www.natl-cursillo.org
Read about Cursillo news, palanca requests from around the world, or read the national newsletter.
CURSILLO WEBSITE: www.toledocursillo.org
Go here to view news of upcoming events, read the current month’s Ark or download forms.
To request prayers from our fourth day community email Barb Grycza: prayer_vine@yahoo.com
Want to share how Christ is using you to touch the world around you? Email Jane at disteljl@yahoo.com with your witness.
THE ARK
March 2011
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to Jesus Christ
in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church.
It is our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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 (a synonym for “conversion”, by the way) 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 and move you along in your conversion journey!
Love,
Sr. Edna
Cursillo Sponsors:
Deadline for applications for the Men’s Cursillo on March 24-27 was March 10th.
Deadline for applications for the Women’s Cursillo on April 28-May 1 is April 14th.
Reminder: Husband and wife applications are to be sent at the same time along with your sponsor application for each one. The husband will be invited to the Men’s Cursillo in September. Candidate and Sponsor applications may be found on the Toledo Cursillo website – www.toledocursillo.org and can be downloaded onto your computer for printing. A few guidelines for sponsoring can be found at the same area of the website.
Any questions can be forwarded to George and Carol Miller at gcmiller@thewavz.com
Please send candidate and sponsor applications to them at 4160 County Road 13, Kansas, OH 44841.
Candidates Confirmed with a “YES” for Men’s Cursillo #237, March 24-27
Eric Christy
Parish: St. Patrick’s of Heatherdowns, Toledo
Sponsor: Fr. Ed Littelmann
Greg Liebnau
Parish: OLMC
Sponsor: Jerry Erd
John McDonough
Parish: Our Lady of Lourdes, Toledo
Sponsor: Dave Zaborski
John Needham
Parish: Our Lady of Lourdes, Toledo
Sponsor: Marty Charney
Tedd Swartz
Parish: All Saints, Rossford
Sponsor: Monica Zaborski
#237 Team (3/24-27/11)
Rectors: Jamie Biddle & Jeff Erd
Spiritual Directors: Fr. Jim Brown & Deacon Terry Philpot
Troubadours:
John Lyons
Dave Zaborski
Professors:
Ideals – Karl Motter
Laity – Tim Haney
Holiness – Tim Distel
Formation – Howie Stultz
Evangelization – Joe Coleman
Leaders – Art Ringle
Study/Evang. of Environments – Abe Ledesma
Christian Community – Don Fritsch
Shepherds:
Head - Bernie Rumschlag
Joe Coleman
Tim Distel
Erik Olson
Art Ringle
Disciples:
Head – Mike Ruhlen
Frank Celestino
Bill Owens
Al Ramirez
Sacristan: Jerry Erd
Reminders - March Events:
March 19 - School of Leaders 9:00 a.m.-Noon at Findlay St. Michaels
March 24 – Men’s Cursillo #237 begins.
Sponsors’ & 4th Day Ultreya is at 7:30 p.m. in Palanca room at the Pines
March 26 – Holy Hour at St. Bernadine’s Chapel, 8 p.m. followed by serenade at 9 p.m. at the Pines
March 27 – Men’s Closing at 5:30 p.m. Be there early!
Cursillo #238 Team (4/28 – 5/1/11)
Rector Betty Obringer
Asst. Rector Annie Blum
Spiritual Directors Fr. Tony Gallagher
Sister Pat Meyer
Musicians Kathy Huffman
Patti Kreilick
Professors:
Ideal Patti Kreilick
Laity Nona Bray
Holiness Carol Plenzler
Formation Stacy Schumacher
Evangelization Karen Oldham
Leaders Mary Landrum
Study/Evang. Of Environments Barb Lovell
Christian Community Mary Beth Lavey
Shepherds:
Head Catherine Gase
Kay Bensch
Sarah Olson
Mary Landrum
Stacy Schumacher
Disciples:
Head Pat Miller
Marilyn Stump
Judy Owens
Sharon DeCant
Nancy Smith
Sacristan: Carol Plenzler
Be praying and doing palanca for candidates and team!
Pre-CURSILLO POSITION CHAIRMAN NEEDED
Ultreya Dates:
Area 1
4th Sunday of the month, 7:30 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes, Lourdes Room
Area 2
2nd Sunday of the month, 2:00 p.m. at St. Clement Parish, Yeager Hall
Areas 7 & 10
3rd Sunday of the month, 7:00 p.m. St. Francis Home, Tiffin in meeting room by cafeteria
MARCH SCHOOL OF LEADERS
|
Findlay St. Michaels
March 19
9:00 a.m. – Noon
| From Nancy Kimmet, School of Leaders Rector:
We will be starting the book, "The Fundamental Ideas of the Cursillo Movement" this month...We will start on page 17.
INTRODUCTION: 1. key to the Cursillo Movement 2. The mentality.3.definition.
HISTORICAL ROOTS: (did you hear on your weekend how and why Cursillo started?) 1. Point of departure 2. the reality 3. A new Pastoral response. The Method, the strategy. 4. Ideological background. If you have the book please come and read ahead, so we can discuss what you think of the information.
Sr. Edna will be doing chapter 2 from the book "Catholic Evangelization the Heart of Ministry". So if you read my last month’s preview of what Fr. Jim was going to lead us through, And hear why the funeral of Millie the bag lady was filled with street people….. Sr. will share this story with us this month.
JESUS AND THE KINGDOM- Ben lives in the inner city in an austere apartment; with his parish's assistance he was able to take food, clothing and blankets to Appalachia. He explained how these people lived, in an old coal shed, is this your idea of the Kingdom of God? Jesus was born and lived in three different kinds of poverty, could you name them? Come find out more about this. We have scripture, group, study and discussion -we start at 9 in the teachers’ lounge and end with prayer
in the chapel at St.Michaels.'
FEBRUARY SCHOOL OF LEADERS-
Fr. Jim led us through the first chapter- CATHOLIC EVANGELIZATION
Sally and Jim were shopping and met Connie a newcomer to them, they had ice cream together, she seemed so sad they invited her to dinner. Shortly after that she said she had to leave. Five years later they received a package with a frayed teddy bear and this letter:
Dear Sally and Jim,
It's been a long time since we met. Remember five years ago when you bought me ice cream, invited me to your home for dinner, and listened to me? I was depressed but never told you why. The evening before I learned I was pregnant. Unmarried and 19, I panicked, ran away, got off the bus in your town, and thought of killing myself. Your love, concern, and prayers changed my mind. When I left Jim said, "Trust God and you will be okay." Those words, your kindness and God's help saved my life. Enclosed find a small teddy bear. It is frayed and worn; this was my baby Erica's first toy. I want you to have it as a reminder that two people, I and little Erica, owe you our lives. Thank you for giving us life. We are now fine. I pray that I can do for others what you did for me.
Connie
I know this is a little long but have you ever done a kind deed and never thought anymore about it, maybe you too touched someone in a special way. Use this story in your sharing in grouping, see what it brings forward!!!! Evangelization is God's kingdom in action, through the Ministry of the Word, the Ministry of Worship and the Ministry of Service. The first two can be seen in the mass but where are you in the third ministry? This month we'll hear about Millie, Ben and other stories to prove Fr. Hater's point about Evangelization.
**WITNESS**
FRIENDSHIP GROUPING (Dale Fair, Cursillo Chair)
My brothers and sisters in Christ,
Many of us have experienced a retreat or other religious experience in the past which brought us to a new high for a few days, weeks, or even months; but then the effect wears off, leaving us pretty much where we were before we started.
The Cursillo Movement isn’t like that. It is not an end in itself, and it will not leave us hanging in mid-air with nothing to support us. The Cursillo Weekend is not meant to be just a happy memory. Cursillo does have a plan to sustain us for the rest of our lives, if we want it to.
All of us were called by God to a personal relationship with His son, Jesus Christ. Remember in the “Holiness” talk, we were asked to direct our whole lives to God, to dedicate ourselves entirely to Him, right where we are now. In the “Formation” talk, we were asked to change our mentality, and to develop a real Christian attitude. We were asked to put on the mind of Christ in all situations.
The remainder of the talks spoke to us about action and how to be effective evangelizers for God. We were told how we could give witness to the Gospel as part of our daily life in all of our environments – at home, in our extended families, in our neighborhoods, work, and social environments.
God has called us together in this Cursillo Movement to be His agents of change, to transform all of our environments into Christian communities. This is a powerful challenge! Remember your weekend, or a weekend that you have been blessed to work, and being in the loving group environment that made you kind of not want to leave and face reality, but you knew you had to!! We probably thought to ourselves, now what can I do to sustain these feelings. I know I did. Then the Cursillo Method of Perseverance was shared with all of us.
You know what the main problem with living the Christian Life is – Perseverance! I had to look it up in the Dictionary (Continuance of a course of action even in spite of difficulties or oppositions). Of course we don’t have any of these issues in our lives, now do we? Even if we do we can handle them all – can’t we? We’re all proud men and women and we can do it all! I used to think that way until Cursillo made me actually look back at the job I was doing. Then Cursillo showed me a method, a better way, a method that helps me and all my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ persevere in this Christian life. This Cursillo method does work and will sustain us for the rest of our lives, or better known as (The Fourth Day in Cursillo). All we have to do is humble ourselves and do it. You never know…you just might like it! I know that I did and still do. Really I don’t just like it – I love it!
The Cursillo Method of Perseverance, the Fourth Day, consists of,
A.Group Reunion – of which I will speak about
B.Ultreya – a reunion of the various groups in a particular locale or area of the diocese
C.Spiritual Direction
So
How do we continue to grow in the community after we leave the rosy glow of the Cursillo weekends for the real world? Through weekly Friendship Group Reunion. This is where we stay in touch with the lived reality of our Fourth Day. Jesus said, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you” (John 15:15). Friends love each other and listen to each other. Group reunion is just that --- Friends who help each other and hold each other accountable in growing in our faith through Holiness, Formation, and Evangelization.
Using these three “topics”, we break open our lives at Group Reunion so we can grow from our shared experiences, our successes and failures. This accountability helps us all stay on track. Our goals for a week may be large or modest-sounding. Group Reunion is often the most real conversation we’ll have all week.
We were called to the Cursillo Movement to make Group Reunions and Ultreyas. As Eduardo Bonnin, one of the founders of the movement, said: “We must bear in mind that Group Reunions are not held so that there may be people to attend Cursillos, but the Cursillos are held so that there will be people to make a Group Reunion. And that the Cursillo is only the best means we know of for putting the soul at the necessary level to begin to make a Group Reunion.”
The Group Reunion and Ultreya are the main aid in the Cursillo to help us keep our Christian lives, our life in Christ, conscious and growing, and our apostolic effort more effective. If Group Reunion gets too mechanical and formal, and if we are not getting anything out of it, it is a sure sign that we are not putting anything into it. Group Reunion takes the same idealism, dedication, and spirit of charity called for in the Cursillo weekend. If the Group Reunion gets tiresome and seems of little worth, it is a sure sign that we should believe in it more, work at it harder, and love our brothers and sisters more.
If we are not part of a Group Reunion, we will miss a great blessing and source of strength that the Cursillo method offers for sustaining a life in grace in the Fourth Day. The discipline of the Group Reunion keeps us balanced between works and spiritual growth, helps keep us from getting sidetracked, and can help us through the dry periods that we face from time to time.
Keep in mind that prayer groups, sharing groups, and bible study groups, etc. are all good and we can benefit from what these small groups have to offer; however, they are not Group Reunions. Cursillo Group Reunions are uniquely focused on the work of evangelization and the journey of each member ever closer to our Savior through spiritual growth. Group Reunions are something I know I am going to continue because I love them, look forward to them and need them in my life. I pray that all of you who are participating in Group Reunions continue, and all of you who are not active in a Group Reunion --- please get in contact with a couple of your old or new Cursillo friends and try becoming active in Group Reunions. We have to make the effort and the Holy Spirit will do the rest.
Thank you and May God bless,
Your Brother in Christ
Dale Fair
From Secretariat Palanca Person Sharon Decant:
Ash Wednesday is upon us already. Ash Wednesday is a call to conversion. Cursillo is a call to conversion. As we go about our daily routines on this day with dirty faces, we are reminded that we are creatures of the earth on a journey to continued renewal. It is easy to forget and we fall into the old ways of thinking and living contrary to God’s will.
It is a time for repentance, and reflection on who and what we are and our purpose and meaning of life. And we cannot forget palanca. It is the means by which we support and help one another grow closer to God.
The Men’s Cursillo Weekend is March 24-27. A palanca of a simple daily prayer of just one decade of the rosary, which is only one Our Father, one Glory Be.and just ten Hail Mary’s, can turn our family of God away from sin and become faithful to the Gospel. What a joyous time it will be to live a fuller life in Our Risen Christ on Easter.
A continued palanca is needed for the Women’s Cursillo April 28-May 1. Let our dirty faces always remind us our mission in life. Then Easter can be every day of our lives DeColores!
∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞
Prayer requests from the past month:
Jobs, Abscess in Abdomen, Peace of Mind, Strength, Rest in Peace, Peace and Acceptance, Grace and dignity, Tests, BOOP or COP, Massive heart attack, Sell Homes soon,Cursillo candidates for Men's #237: Eric, Greg, John, Tedd, and John, Lady hit by car, Lump on neck, Hospice, health problems, Surgery to remove tumor, Carrillo’s in: Honduras, Canada, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Florida, Wisconsin, New Jersey, Texas, Maryland, Illinois, Kansas, Idaho, Mexico, South Africa, and Italy, Mammogram, Surgery on Arm, Healing, Good news, Power going out, Journey's, Infections, Blind, Quick repairs, Rotary cuff surgery, Cat scan, Pacemaker, Losing job, diabetic, Heart bypass surgery, Severe back pain, Find right doctor, Hip replacement, Hand healing, very ill, Kidney problems, Broken hip, Custody battles, Baby died, Broken hearts, Carrillo team #237: Jamie, Jeff, Fr. Jim, Deacon Terry, John, Dave, Karl, Tim, Howie, Joe, Art, Abe, Don, Ernie, Eric, Mike, Frank, Bill, Al, Urticarial Pigments, Stopped going to church, Health issues, Marine in Afghanistan, Intensive care, Mass in both breasts, Liver transplant,,Caregivers, Tests results, Retreats, Kidney stones, Tiny Preemie, Leukemia, Bone marrow transplant, Stroke, Tumors, Better paying job, Hospital, Seizures, Reaction to Medicine, Spasms, Illness in the Liver, Serious brain surgery, Depressed, Miracles, Breast Cancer, Blessings, Broken leg, Blood clot on Brain, Problem swallowing, Migraines, Eye problems, Leg Pain, Virus, Disability, Needs Benefits, Bleeding Aneurysm, Circulation , ICU and Skin Cancer
What follows is the final installment of the discussions held on various aspects of the Cursillo movement at the General Secretariat Day held on 11/6/10.
ULTREYA: What would entice you to attend Ultreya regularly?
- Witnesses selected from a larger pool of Cursillistas (in smaller Ultreyas we hear from the same people too often, and then we stop having witnesses speak)
- A larger number of Cursillistas in attendance;
- A time for Ultreya that is conducive to the majority of Cursillistas in that area;
- Sticking to the agenda for the Ultreya and not allowing the conversation to wander;
- Varying the rectors who lead Ultreyas;
- Improve communication: get notices about upcoming Ultreyas in area parish bulletins;
- Get help from another area to re-start Ultreyas in an inactive area;
- Entice people to come, especially when you are re-starting an Ultreya, by having a potluck;
- Personal invitation;
- Call and personally invite area Cursillistas who have served on teams in the past 5 years but who are not currently attending Ultreyas;
- Plan a larger event, e.g., Cursillo Advent Celebration, which might include worship together, food, perhaps some kind of entertainment, and incorporate Ultreya within it;
- Perhaps group reunions in a particular area might coordinate their schedules so that they meet at the same time. Then once a month at that same designated time, instead of grouping, the groups would come together and hold an Ultreya to which others could be invited. (This would eliminate a fifth meeting time);
ULTREYA: What can we do to overcome the lethargy concerning Ultreya attendance?
1. Make a personal and group plan.
2. Focus on Christianizing environments, one at a time and don’t get discouraged if the results seem so insignificant;
3. Look for influential people in your environments, not necessarily people in positions of leadership;
4. Adapt as necessary; find an alternative way to overcome the obstacles and don’t succumb to discouragement;
5. Encourage one another in the work of evangelization;
6. Put the date for Ultreya on your calendar and just do it
7. Consider conducting a diocesan event annually in each quarter of the diocese. It could consist of worship together, food, entertainment and include
Ultreya. (At least this way people who live in areas where there is no Ultreya would have one to attend).
8. Conduct a diocesan survey on when and where would Cursillistas want to see Ultreyas happening and what kind of diocesan communication
regarding Cursillo would be helpful to them;
9. Be faithful sponsors, with all that sponsoring entails;
10. Make personal contact and give personal invitations;
11. Get at least a contact person in every area of the diocese.
12. Remember the truth of “Make a friend, be a friend, bring that friend to Christ.” (Offering to sponsor someone just so he/she can make a weekend,
without taking time to get to know that person and develop a friendship with him/her doesn’t work for the long term.)
13. Exhibit enthusiasm for the movement, for the method, for evangelization, for Christ!
National Cursillo information:
www.natl-cursillo.org
Read about Cursillo news, palanca requests from around the world, or read the national newsletter.
CURSILLO WEBSITE: www.toledocursillo.org
Go here to view news of upcoming events, read the current month’s Ark or download forms.
To request prayers from our fourth day community email Barb Grycza: prayer_vine@yahoo.com
Want to share how Christ is using you to touch the world around you? Email Jane at disteljl@yahoo.com with your witness.
THE ARK
February 2011
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to Jesus Christ
in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church.
It is our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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
SCHOOL OF LEADERS
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Findlay St. Michaels
February 19
9:00 a.m. – Noon
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From Nancy Kimmet:
SCHOOL OF LEADERS STUDY
My fellow Cursillistas; Some notes from the LEADERS MANUAL, which we have been studying at School of Leaders in the past months: We are finishing up and some of the very important writings from the Appendix have been discussed the past few months. I ask you to look them over and really think how they apply to you as a Cursillista!
APPENDIX A, Official Policy Statements of the United States Cursillo Movement;
National Secretariat July 8, 1973- Cursillo- Charismatic; Diocesan secretariats and directors are asked to keep the Cursillo Movement distinct and separate from other apostolic organizations or movements, particularly the Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement.
National Secretriat, January 1976-Co-ed and mixed Cursillos; The Cursillo Movement reminds all that its unique method is aimed directly and primarily at a person as an INDIVIDUAL.
DECLARATION OF THE LEADERS- August 1971 We have a dream; the method of the Cursillos is not unchangeable, as long as a distinction is carefully made between what is essential, that which is always absolutely necessary and cannot be altered, and that which is important or merely INCIDENTIAL….there should be professional studies conducted by competent people, for any Movement which wishes to remain alive must be creative, participating in His creativity. IE: Focus day.
PASTORAL PLAN; The Cursillo Movement is a movement within the Church, and as such it must be coordinated with and included in the PASTORAL PLAN OF THE DIOCESE. (I asked do we as the Cursillo Movement of Toledo Diocese do this. Also what is the Pastoral Plan of the Diocese?) We are in the midst of forming a team of priests and laity to update the Pastoral Plan for Cursillo, they must be dedicated and spiritually formed for this task (taken from the manual.)
PRECURSILLO; It is essential to have a proper Precursillo program. This is the INDESPENSIBLE means to find, prepare and dispose those who can be the key persons in the budding of Christian community and the transforming of environments. It is important that the candidates be prepared and oriented prior to coming to the Cursillo- (sponsors, are you aware of this?). It is also important that the method to verify proper candidate selection be established! (How well do we do this?) Ideally, a Group Reunion should sponsor the candidate and normally someone who is living the Group Reunion sponsors the candidate.
CURSILLO; The team of lay leaders must be a living example, in a natural way, of the talks-- all team members should be spiritually formed in an ongoing manner and understand totally the essence, purpose, and method of the Movement-- outlines are be adhered to and presented in the order stated in the official literature so that all the ideas constitute the total Cursillo message are received and responded to. It is essential that the team present in their witness the total concept of the GROUP REUNION including the essence, experience and method in a realistic manner. |
National Cursillo information:
www.natl-cursillo.org
Read about Cursillo news, palanca requests from around the world, or read the national newsletter.
CURSILLO WEBSITE: www.toledocursillo.org
Go here to view news of upcoming events, read the current month’s Ark or download forms.
To request prayers from our fourth day community email Barb Grycza: prayer_vine@yahoo.com
Want to share how Christ is using you to touch the world around you? Email Jane at disteljl@yahoo.com with your witness. You never know how your story may inspire someone else to reach out to others.
Attention Cursillo Sponsors:
The days are getting longer! This means the Spring Cursillo weekends are just around the corner. The teams are meeting. Men's weekend: March 24-27 and Women's weekend: April 28-May 1. Deadline for men and husband/wife applications to be received by the Pre-Cursillo Couple is March 10, 2011
Reminder: husband and wife applications are to be sent at the same time along with your sponsor application for each one. Candidate and Sponsor applications may be found on the Toledo Cursillo website - www.toledocursillo.org and can be downloaded onto your computer for printing. A few guidelines for sponsoring can be found at the same area of the website.
Any questions can be forwarded to George and Carol Miller at gcmiller@thewavz.com Please send candidate and sponsor applications to them at 4160 County Road 13, Kansas, OH 44841.
To the Cursillo Community,
Your singing, prayers, and thoughtfulness during our time of loss are greatly appreciated. You helped to give Rick the funeral service that I know he would have wanted.
Thank you for your love and support. God bless,
Nancy and the family of Rick Jenkins
**From Secretariat: Nancy enclosed a nice check in Rick's memory. Thanks so much, Nancy!**
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
Following are more thoughts from the Focus Day held on 11/6/10:
AREA CORES: How can we reactivate area cores or at least have a representative in each area?
- Our diocesan Secretariat needs to start with a new map of the diocese and re-draw the area lines. In Toledo especially, we need to name the streets where one area ends and another begins. This might also be needed throughout the diocese.
- Restore the practice of putting on each candidate’s name tag for the weekend the number of the area where he/she lives;
- Be committed to getting at least one contact person in every Cursillo area who can attend to Cursillistas in that area until we are able to get a complete core.
From Secretariat Palanca Person Sharon Decant:
There many legends, both pagan and Christian, and more than one St. Valentine. A tomb of one such St. Valentine was found in the catacombs. He was a priest living in Rome during the persecutions of Christians under the Roman Emperor Cladius11. With St. Marius he converted whole families to Christianity, married Christian couples, and encouraged them to keep the Faith. Being and aiding a Christian was considered a capital crime in Rome punishable by death. Refusing to renounce Christianity, he was arrested, unsuccessfully beaten by clubs and stoned. While in jail he brought sight and hearing back to his jailer's daughter. It is reported that on the night before he was finally beheaded on February 14, he penned a farewell note to his jailer's daughter signing it "From your Valentine" encouraging her to be steadfast in her Christian conversion.
Palanca is our valentine encouraging others to regain the sight and hearing of God in their lives. Any pain or discomfort we may feel can be offered as palanca to help others in their quest for finding the true love of God. The effect is our own ongoing conversion creating the magic of God's love in our own lives giving us new meaning and purpose.
DeColores to all this February 14th and throughout everyone's entire Fourth Day!
Secretariat Position is open for the Diocese of Toledo Cursillo
The present Pre-Cursillo three year term ends on June 30, 2011. As we, George and Carol Miller make the transition from Pre-Cursillo to former Pre-Cursillo persons, we reflect on the blessings we've received from our fellow Secretariat members, Cursillistas at large and all the potential candidates, which God placed here for us to serve.
As a Deacon, Carol and I were privileged to be able to assist the Spiritual Advisors by meeting with potential candidates and their sponsors because of various extenuating circumstances. Potential candidates often times experienced a number of emotions from fear to excitement to sadness to difficult circumstances.
By having a position on the Secretariat we were able to be part of the revision of the By-Laws and Ministry Descriptions for the Diocese of Toledo Cursillo. This was a huge task, finished in December 2009. This included helping to again establish three year terms, which enables other Cursillistas to become part of the Secretariat and add their talents.
As the Pre-Cursillo couple, we were inspired to become active in School of Leaders and participate in Focus Days, receiving many blessings at these functions. By attending these functions, we were now able to put Cursillistas’ faces with their names. Getting to know more Cursillistas made Closings more rewarding and fun. We began making reservations at Frisch's for after the Closings; it is gratifying to see a small group of Cursillistas grow into a large group of 60 or more.
To sum it up -- Thanks be to our always present and always loving God and Thanks to all of you for your love and support.
DeColores,
George and Carol Miller
The Secretariat of the Diocese of Toledo Cursillo is seeking active Cursillistas who would be interested in applying for this position. The three year term will begin on July 1, 2011. If you are interested in applying for this position, please contact Nancy Kimmet, School of Leaders facilitator, at hermnan55@att.net Please include a little about yourself, your past participation in the Cursillo movement and why you would be interested in applying; please include your phone number and e-mail address.
The following will help you discern and is taken from the "The By-Laws for the Cursillo Secretariat of the Diocese of Toledo" and "Ministry Description" which pertains to the Pre-Cursillo position of the Secretariat.
DIOCESAN PRE-CURSILLO CHAIRPERSONS
The Chairpersons, respectively, of the Spanish and English Pre-Cursillo Section, assisted by their area core counterparts, insure that the Movement maintains its focus on the various environments within the diocese. Continual efforts must be exerted in order to identify key environments and the influential people within those environments. The Chairpersons of the Pre-Cursillo section further insure that proper procedures are in place to insure a smooth transition from the Pre-Cursillo to the Post-Cursillo by way of the Cursillo weekend.
- The Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Movement By-Laws, 2009 revision
Qualifications The Diocesan Pre-Cursillo section chairperson will have some experience within the Movement, having served on Cursillo teams and area cores. He/she will exhibit a solid understanding and appreciation of the Movement and live the Cursillo methodology. An attitude of hospitality is important; he/she must be able to interact positively and non-judgmentally with sponsors and potential candidates. Ideally, this person will have basic computer skills.
Apostolate The Pre-Cursillo Chairpersons of each language group are to provide assistance and give encouragement to the Area Pre-Cursillo Chairpersons in their endeavor to Christianize environments. The overall objective of the Movement is to select candidates who offer hope of being an active member of the Mystical Body of Christ, to give Christian tonic to the environments. Diocesan Pre-Cursillo chairpersons must be a continuous link between the Cursillo leaders and the various core groups to pass along encouragement in making a friend, being a friend, and bringing that friend to Christ. The Chairpersons need to be available in a service capacity to the candidate and the sponsor, assisting the sponsor in bringing a candidate to the weekend.
Tasks
1. Support and assist the various area core groups and join the lay leaders in studying and passing on vital and authentic information in the Cursillo
Movement.
2. Be available to, and keep in personal contact with, the Pre-Cursillo Chairperson in the various core areas on a quarterly basis.
3. Receive applications from the area Pre-Cursillo Chairpersons. If the application is not complete, contact the sponsor for clarification. When the
application is complete, keep it on file until the candidate either makes the weekend, withdraws interest or up to three years.
4. In the event that the suitability of a candidate is questioned, contact one of the diocesan spiritual advisors for advice. Communicate with everyone
involved.
5. Issue a letter of invitation to the weekend to all candidates approximately 4 weeks prior to the scheduled weekend. This provides the candidates
with their first official contact with the Cursillo movement. Candidates are to return postcard with "yes" or "no".
6. Send a letter to each sponsor acknowledging receipt of the application and reminding them of their responsibility to their candidates, insuring the
movement that the sponsor is living the method. Inform the sponsor of the time and place for the Sponsors'/Fourth Day Ultreya on Thursday when
he/she drops off the candidate(s).
7. Notify the Fourth Day community via the ARK and Prayer Vine, of the candidates coming to the Cursillo weekend, giving the names of the
candidates, their parish and the name of the sponsor.
8. Send a copy of each candidate’s application to the rector two weeks before the weekend.
9. Organize and conduct the Sponsors’/Fourth Day Ultreya on the Thursday night of a Cursillo weekend.
10. Send to the ARK, Communication chairpersons and Cursillo chairpersons: 1) a list of candidates’ names, street addresses, and emails; 2) a list of
sponsors’ names, street addresses, and emails.
Remember these Prayer Vine requests from the past month: Cancerous Polyp, Benefits, Very bad accident, Successful operations, Lung Cancer, Tumor on Uterus and Bladder, Clean bill of health, Drug Rehab, Brain Tumor, Grieving, Suicide, Peace, Quit smoking, Kidney stone, Meningitis, Surgery on arm, Procedures, Peaceful Death, Inner-city retreat, Colon cancer, Acceptance, Broke ankle, Bone Cancer, Pulmonary Embolism, Discouraged, Nose Surgery, Small Strokes, CA125 dropped, Safety in travel, GRE's, Intensive care, Heart stress test, Eye Surgery, Abscess, Pregnant, Stroke, Right decisions, Woman & Men's Cursillo's in Formation, Respirator, Breast Cancer, Cursillo's all over the world, Hip replacement, Angiogram, Circulation in legs, RSV, Urticarial Pigmentosa, Cancer, Biopsy, Mursa, Pneumonia, Apnea, Leukemia, Chemo, Falls, Surgery, Hospice, Bowel cancer, Sold House, Ecumenical Prayer Service, Girls TEC, Divorce, Unfair harassment Charges, Good test results, Cancer returned, Job lost and need new ones, Fractured hip, Back surgery for Stenosis, Fell off roof, Ovarian cancer, Kidneys, Pre-eclampsisa in baby, Rest in Peace, Heart attack, Serious car accident, Shingles, Heart surgery, skiing accident, Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Hernia surgery, Severe Emphysema, Dad moved, Cervical Cancer, Miracles, Interviews for job, safety in travel on snow mobiles.
January 2011
Decolores Cursillo Community,
Here's praying that each of you found our Lord in a friend or family member, at some event or in your parish gatherings during the Chgristmas season. Blessings are with us, even when we don't see or feel them.
There will not be a full edition of the Ark for January, but look for it to be back in early February. Following are items of interest.
From Nancy Kimmet:
School of Leaders is Saturday, January 15.
We will finish Appendix A; pick up with PostCursillo on page 167, "is essential that the Postcursillo be planned and implemented by the School of Leaders". "The Ultreyas and Group Reunions are initiated and sustained by leaders"- come and find out what it says about the leaders. Page 170 gives us the DECLARATION OF THE LEADERS, July 1973, amended 1998- covering all the aspects of Cursillo. Page 176 covers the Diocesan Movements, Policies of the US Movement- Diocesan Secretariat, School of Leaders- -Study Program
Precursillo-Candidates from other diocese
Prison Cursillos
Shortened Cursillos.
In February we will begin to study "The Fundamental Ideas of the Cursillo Movement", at the National Encounter I got 10 copies of the latest edition at $8 each.
Fr. Ed will be giving the initial presentation from the book, "Catholic Evangelization, the Heart of Ministry, first chapter is "Meaning and Direction Today." Our bishop has come out recently with a directive on Evangelization in the diocese, come see how you can be a part of this movement. To be a Cursillista is to evangilize. Copies of the
book will be available Saturday at $10 each.From Barb Grycza come our Prayer Vine requests for the past month:Selling of home, Health issues, Rest in Peace , Comfort and Strenth, Gall Bladder, Hip pain, Breast Cancer, Hemophilius, Retinal Bleeds and a partial detachment of Retina, Lost vision in eye, Perforated Bowel, Need of God's love, Hodgkins Lymphema, Jobs, Diabeties, Leukemia, Prayers are to continue, Neborns born to early or are very sick, Rectal Cancer, Team needed for Woman's Cursillo, Lymph Nodes, Christmas Miracles, Hospital, Infections, Critical and stable condition, Car accidents, Born Baby Jesus, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, Tissue Biopsy, Miracles, Depression, Abscess in Abdomen, Many adjustments but good attitude, Healing for those who are suffering , Strokes, Work situation, Test Results, Hospice, Polyps , Knee surgery , Urinary tract infection, Healing, Colon Surgery, Mom is declining, Growth on arm, Chemo, Radiation, Pneumonia, Trouble with legs, Thanksgiving, People who lost lvoed ones during the holiday season, Left college and decisions, Real Tough issues, Families, Divorce, Side effects of medication, Children having surgeries on Tonsils and Nose, Children with flu, Lou Gehrig's disease, Adult children dealing with older family members, Right Decisions, Cancer, Very serious condition.Don't forget:The men's Cursillo weekend is March 24 - 27, 2011.The women's Cursillo weekend is April 28 - May 1, 2011.Be praying for teams as they form and for candidates who are open to living these weekends. Candidate applications are available online at www.toledocursillo.org and can be sent to George & Carol Miller.
THE ARK
December 2010
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Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to Jesus Christ
in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church.
It is our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us.
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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
SCHOOL OF LEADERS
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Findlay St. Michaels
9:00 a.m. – Noon
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Spiritual Advisor talks for School of Leaders… Alfredo Diaz will present the final chapter of the book, A Concise Guide to Catholic Social Teaching. This has been a very enlightening book for us to know what the Church is calling us to regarding our participation in society (our environments). Beginning with the January School of Leaders, we will be using for discussion Catholic Evangelization: The Heart of Ministry by Rev. Robert J. Hater. New or slightly used books are available for purchase ($10. each) at SOL on a first-come, first served basis.
The lay presentation will be on the Appendix: Official Policy Statements of the United States Cursillo Movement. Additional topics: CURSILLO-CHARISMATIC, Co-ed or mixed Cursillos. Declaration of the Leaders- -August 1971: We have a dream/The Pastoral Plan/Pre Curisllo/Cursillo/Post Cursillo/Spiritual Direction/Leaders.
National Cursillo information: www.natl-cursillo.org
Read about Cursillo news, palanca requests from around the world, or read the national newsletter.
CURSILLO WEBSITE: www.toledocursillo.org
Go here to view news of upcoming events, read the current month’s Ark or download forms.
To request prayers from our fourth day community email Barb Grycza: prayer_vine@yahoo.com
Is Christ touching your life in Him? Is He calling you to share your story with other Cursillistas? Email Jane at disteljl@yahoo.com with your witness.
From our lay director…………
Merry Christmas to all of you Cursillistas and to your families. As you are beginning to recognize, secretariat is focusing on strengthening the basics of our movement. Last month, after general secretariat we directed our attention to the topic of group reunion; today we address the topic of Palanca. Some suggestions of ways of doing palanca for the needs of our local movement as well as worldwide Cursillo needs were brought up. Offering up walking for personal exercise, doing works of mortification and self-denial; e.g. giving up or restricting intake of food, beer, chocolate, coffee, etc. for the needs in our lives and for others. Helping others in their needs, contributing to the Salvation Army red kettle, being patient in traffic, saying the rosary when traveling on the road. Perhaps we might make the efforts to be a part of a cursillo team (Dale Fair is receiving applications right now), groom some friendships and propose & sponsor the Cursillo experience for another. Perhaps we could all try harder to become more aware of other people’s needs, and respond to those needs with some personal palanca of our own. Let us all remember the souls of and families of Nikki Greiner (died 11-24) and Rick Jenkins (died 11-29). We are very grateful for their dedication and devotion to Cursillo.
Also, we pray for those who are ill or unemployed. Have a blessed and warm Christmas!
Love, Gus
PALANCA: What are ways we can offer palanca for our movement and for Cursillos in other dioceses and countries?
1. Offer my walking (which I have to do for my health);
2. Share with our groups what Cursillo weekends are going to take place and pray for them together as a group;
3. Mortification (self-denial) is still good and worthwhile: e.g., giving up food, beer, chocolate, desserts, etc.
4. Exercising self-control in traffic (patience);
5. Making rosaries for candidates;
6. Pray a rosary while traveling, either when alone or with others;
7. Have a key person in this diocesan position who reminds us frequently of the importance of doing palanca for the movement;
8. Attend Saturday evening holy hours and Sunday closings on Cursillo weekends;
9. Take on a discomfort to remind myself to pray; e.g., putting a pebble in my shoe, sleeping without my pillow, etc.
10. Attending daily Mass;
11. Making time for adoration of the Blessed Sacrament;
12. Do something good that I’ve been putting off doing; e.g., visiting someone in a nursing home, writing a difficult letter, cleaning the garage, etc.
13. Helping people in need; becoming a companion to them with the consciousness that we are offering our time and our inconvenience for Christ and for Cursillo.
14. Be a sponsor, with all that that entails.
15. Serve on a Cursillo team.
From Secretariat Palanca Person Sharon Decant:
It is impossible to take Christ out of Christmas and still have Christmas. How many of you are tired of well-wishers saying ”Happy Holidays," or referring to "Winter Breaks, " or telling us where to find the Holiday Cards, Holiday ornaments, Holiday lights or even referring to having Holiday trees on sale. Someone please tell me exactly what is a "Holiday Tree"? Why do we allow the anniversary of this great Miracle Day to be so politically correct that the name of Jesus cannot be mentioned on public property? The Miracle of Christmas demands Advent, a time of preparation for celebrating the anniversary of the coming of Jesus and also preparation for His Second Coming. Are we ready?
Cursillos gives us a special awareness of Christ and Palanca is the tool that prepares us for His Coming. Palanca can be as simple as to love life because God created it.
When Mary appeared to the three Fatima children, an angel appeared to them to prepare them for the Coming of Mary. Then came the tiny white flowers, millions of them, falling from the sky, but no one could catch them.
Palanca is like those tiny white flowers. It is our free-falling gift to open the eyes to the wonders of the coming of Christ in everyone's life.
Merry CHRISTmas!!
Continue to pray for the people involved in our Prayer Vine requests from the past month:
Medical Problems, Very confused woman, PSA is high needs to get into doctor soon, Bleeding on brain, Pneumonia, Homebound in Isolation, Severe back pains, Falls, Won't have to travel out of state, Right Decisions, Get into medical school, Many requests, Pancreas, Lump in lower abdomen, Movement of a vein, Industrial accident lost 4 fingers, Vision to be restored, need prayers, Good test results, Benefit for Ed Rodriguez, Miracles, Hospice, Safe travel, Rest in Peace, Cancer, Chemo, Castleman's Disease, Friends gone to heaven and children left behind, Hysterectomy, ALS, Surgery, Kidney Dialysis, Bone deterioration, Healing, Bad Heart, Lost husband, Jobs, Unemployment, Depression, MS, Stomach infection, 3 missing Boys, New Babies, Broken hip, Knee pain, Brain surgery, Tumor, Therapy, Healing, Large cyst in ovaries, Heart surgery outcome good, C-section, Heart Cath, Correct diagnosis, Stroke, Broken Pelvis, Broken wrist, Peace, Not to abort baby, No legal reproduction, Fighting for rights of children, New Born with 1/3 of a brain, Infusion in her eye, Eye problems, To get help for mom, Laser surgery on eye, Good news on Stem Cell Transplant, Blood clot, Abortion, Near death, Parkinson's, Paget’s disease, Anorexia, Alcoholism, Help with legal problems, Car accident Courage, Faith, Strength, Marriage Crisis, Blood clot, Leukemia, Financial Burdens, Health issues, 50 years of marriage |
THE ARK
November 2010
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Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to Jesus Christ in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church. It is our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us.
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Dear friends,
2010 is edging toward completion; nature’s cycle has once more come to maturity and plentitude. Our fields, gardens and countryside have yielded food for our bodies and beauty for our souls. Twilight comes earlier and already the first frost has reminded us that all of life here on earth is temporary. Autumn is a time for long, quiet walks through fallen leaves; it is a time for discovering the meaning in all our labors; it is a time for reverencing the rhythm of the seasons and giving thanks.
There is a certain poignancy about autumn, a mixture of sadness and gratitude, an experience of arvest and fruitfulness juxtaposed to loss and letting go. If a loved one has died this past year we know this duel experience most keenly. At any given moment, quite outside our control, when we’re feeling the loss so sharply, we may suddenly be overwhelmed with a profound gratitude for their life, their goodness, humor, generosity, idiosyncrasies, and unique lovableness. How lucky we are to have been influenced and loved by them!
Of all life’s manifold forms we humans are the only species, as far as we know, aware of our mortality. Now, it’s true that many of us don’t like to think about dying (or at least not yet, we say!) Still, I believe that we will not become truly grateful people until we have embraced the mystery of autumn, i.e., at any given age a life comes to fullness and then lets go. A person who has a close brush with death discovers a new gratitude about being alive. A cataract removed makes one appreciate sight. A terminally ill cancer patient celebrates the first flower of spring or a bird’s song in a why he or she never before did. A grateful heart develops, in large part, from this experience of temporariness.
It is good to ponder death, not because we’re morbid, not because we see it as an escape from the difficulties of life, not even to frighten us into conversion. It is good to be reminded that life with its multitude of blessings and loves should never be taken for granted. Brother David Steindl-rast believes that gratefulness is the heart of prayer.We come closest to God, are most at peace and overflow with a quiet joy when we are simply aware of life around us. Gratitude wells up in us like living water. Our senses become alert to our surroundings, thus enabling us to drink in beauty previously unappreciated. Because we are aware of the temporality of childhood, we take time to play with our children while they are young. Because people grow up, move away, and eventually die, we pause now, while they are still with us to notice their goodness, their thirst for life, their efforts for the common good, and we love them anew with hearts full of gratitude.
Autumn, with all its signs of dying, is still the best season for thanksgiving. Whoever has learned that lives with a grateful heart.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sister Edna
Reminder from last month’s Ark:
Nuns' Build... From November 15-19 Sr. Edna is going to New Orleans with 80 Sisters from across the country, their lay associates, relatives and friends to volunteer in St. Bernard Civil Parish, building homes for families who are still living in FEMA trailers five years after Katrina. The volunteers will be drywalling, muddying, painting, laying floors, and finishing wood. At last check there was still room for more volunteers. Want to go? Check the website "Nuns Build" for more information. If you can't go, but would like to support the effort, Sr. Edna will appreciate your prayers and any donation you'd like to make to the project. For more information, contact her at emichel@tiffinfranciscans.org.
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Welcome!
We are pleased to welcome the new Cursillistas from the fall weekends #235 and #236:
Javier Chavez Mary Conley
Harry Conley Cathy Lindsay-Pangalos
Jonathan King Lisa Pierson
Erik Olson Cathy Richards
Paul Zaborski Colleen Roth
Bridget Scherf
Stacy Schumacher
Yvonne Soldan
Marilyn Toles
Bobbi Traxler
Know that we will continue to pray for you as you travel with us on your Fourth Day journey.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Hello to all my fellow Cursillistas,
My name is Dale Fair and I am the Cursillo Chairperson within our Cursillo movement. Part of my responsibilities are to work with the Rectors and Assistant Rectors for upcoming Cursillo weekends and also accept and coordinate Team Applications for all Cursillistas wishing to Serve our Lord and work on a Team. It's now time to start team formation for the Men and Women's teams for the upcoming 2011 spring weekends.
If you have never worked a team you are missing out on a truly blessed time being with fellow Cursillistas and the Holy Spirit. If you have worked on a team you already know what I am talking about and may wish to work again.
If you are interested on working on one of the spring teams they are as follows:
Men's Team #237 will start formation meetings January 21, 2011 and the weekend will be March 24 27, 2011.
Women's Team #238 will start formation meetings February 25, 2011 and the weekend will be April 28 - May 01, 2011.
If you are thinking about working a Team and aren't sure pray about it and you will get your answer. If you have already prayed and want to work a team, you must let me know a minimum (1) month prior to the first Team Meeting so your application can be processed accordingly.
This can be done one of three ways:
1) Contact your Area Core Cursillo Chairperson get an application filled out, and have them send it to me.
2) If you do not have an Area Core Cursillo Chairperson, go to the internet site www.toledocursillo.org download a team application fill it out and send it to me in the mail.
3) If you wish, you can download the team application fill it out and send it by E-Mail.
My address and E-Mail are as follows:
Dale Fair
2868 Hollyhock Ave.
Elida, Ohio 45807
Email: kfair@woh.rr.com
If you have any questions and /or concerns, give me a call at (419) 339-1516 and I will try to get you the information you may need. I wish to thank you in advance for saying yes to our Lord.
Your Brother in Christ,
Dale Fair
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National Cursillo information: www.natl-cursillo.org Read about Cursillo news, palanca requests from around the world, or read the national newsletter.
CURSILLO WEBSITE: www.toledocursillo.org Go here to view news of upcoming events, read the current month’s Ark or download forms.
To request prayers from our fourth day community email: prayer_vine@yahoo.com
How is Christ is working in you and through your life in Him? Share your story with other Cursillistas! Email Jane at disteljl@yahoo.com and witness to fellow Cursillistas
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National Encounter Report:
A big thank you to the Toledo Diocesan Cursillo movement for allowing us to attend the National Encounter the end of July. It was in Kansas City, Mo.at Rockhurst University and we were able to be among Cursillo leaders and many other Cursillistas from around the United States. Our first interaction was eating supper with many others, then to church where we heard Fr. David Knight, "His Way" author, give a stirring talk, "The Unprofitable Servant." We were housed in a dorm and the sleeping arrangements were a challenge. The workshops I attended on Friday were, "Essence, purpose and mentality" and "The role of the Cursillo leader". Each presentation was 45 minutes, followed by 45 minute discussion and then 45 minutes of what we learned from the presentation and discussion. After supper we all attended an Ultreya. All this included a lot of walking as everything was in a different hall. Saturday after Morning Prayer, the workshop I attended was "Diocesan Secretariat", and then in the afternoon the workshop was "Criteria for Authenticity". Region 5 met as a group before mass, about 25 were in attendance. After mass we met in the Convocation center for dinner. There were about 450 in attendance; we were one of the last ones to register. Each workshop I attended added to my knowledge of the Cursillo movement and I hope to be able to give some further reports in the ARK. There were quite a few Spanish attendees along with Vietnamese and Korean. I think us gringos (English) were in the minority. If you ever get the opportunity to attend an Encounter don't hesitate to do so, one is held each year. The last I checked the National Cursillo site it was not included in the updated news.
Ultreya, Herm and Nancy Kimmet
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Bulletin From Areas 7 & 10
Inviting everyone who does not have an Ultreya in their area…………ULTREYA on NOVEMBER 21 at St. Francis Home Meeting Room. 7:00 pm.
Dave and Marge Fisher will be Rectors. St. Francis Home is at 182 St. Francis Avenue in Tiffin.
If you come to Tiffin from the north on 53, turn right at the detour sign and go to the first road (Washington St.). Turn left and stay on Washington St. thru the downtown area. Turn left on St. Francis Avenue. –OR -- From the south on 224, turn north on St. Rt. 231 which is Washington Street. Turn right on St. Francis Avenue.
The Home is the large building on the right after you turn into the drive (the convent is on the left). Come in the front doors of the home. To find the meeting room, turn right at the desk and go down the corridor, turn right when you come to the sitting area. Go through double doors and the meeting room will be to your left.
Everyone is welcome to join us!
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General Secretariat Day
This event was held on November 6 and was a day of prayer, sharing and discussion about Cursillo and how to persevere with commitment to the Fourth Day challenges we face. Over the next four months included in the Ark will be notes taken from discussion after presentations on Group Reunions, Palanca, Area Cores and Ultreya.
A note from the lay director:
Why group reunion? The Cursillo weekend was never meant to be an end in itself, -not meant for a weekend high, but it was meant to create a system in which we would grow in holiness sustained by sharing in group reunion and ultreya! On the weekend we were asked to direct our lives to God, to dedicate ourselves entirely to Him, to develop a real Christian attitude in all things, and to become evangelizers for Jesus Christ, giving witness to the Gospel in our daily lives in all of our environments, at home, at work, and in our social environments as well. We must have perseverance! We need perseverance and endurance!
The Cursillo method of perseverance is accomplished through group reunion and ultreya. The permanent group reunion should be comprised of a group of friends (ordinarily 3-6 people), dedicated to meeting regularly, to sharing their walk with Christ, with and supporting the entire group. Sharing our piety, study, and action, helps us to maintain an ongoing relationship with our Christian brothers and sisters. In order to grow and progress in our lives as Christians we share, review, and plan how to incorporate into our daily lives what is fundamental to being a Christian. We depend on the help and guidance of the group as a whole and on the individuals comprising the group to help us form our lives as Christians.
The purpose of the group is to accelerate the conversion process for each member, focusing on being "Church" in the world and in our ongoing commitment to witnessing and evangelizing our environments. Group reunion is a most practical way of sharing our Christian lives with others. It is our support system!
It all boils down to this. If I don't bring Christ into my home, my neighborhood, and to my work and other environments, -- Who will??? For the welfare of the Cursillo movement let's all try to form an attitude of greater awareness of Cursillo needs and form daily Palanca habits perhaps with a Hail Mary upon arising, at each meal, and in night prayer for Cursillo needs. Let's try to lay down this foundation and then build upon it.
Ultreya, keep striving, De Colores, and thanks for all that you do for Jesus Christ and for each other,
Gus
Following are thoughts from Group Reunion:
GROUP REUNION: What aspects of group reunion do we find most challenging as individuals and as a diocesan movement?
1. How to get greater participation in grouping among Cursillistas;
2. Accommodating people’s schedules to find a good time to group;
3. Consistency of participation in grouping over the years;
4. Sticking to the subject matter during grouping;
5. Using the same format week after week becomes boring after a few years;
6. Incorporating age differences; e.g., bringing a new younger Cursillista into a group of older (by age) Cursillistas;
7. Need to travel relatively long distances to group;
8. Cursillistas feeling they can’t live up to the expectations (of themselves or of others’)
9. Committing to a particular day and hour on a regular basis;
10. Making grouping a priority;
11. The “turn off” that happens in a group if someone tries to dictate, monopolize, or control the conversation or direction of the group;
12. The lack of follow-up by anyone (Secretariat, Area core, another group) when a group disbands;
13. Hesitancy to start a new group; i.e., taking responsibility to get it started, temporarily leaving my own friendship group, or needing to be in two groups simultaneously;
14. Cursillistas involved in too many other groups; e.g, Charismatic renewal, CRHP, bible study, RCIA, etc.
15. Replacing grouping with involvement in the above (See #14)
16. Difficult personalities in one’s group;
17. Getting the Hispanic movement re-started in our diocese;
GROUP REUNION: What are the benefits/assets/ graces of grouping?
1. Strengthens you to get through the week;
2. Great prayer support from those in your group;
3. Usually a good continuity of participation among the group once it gets started;
4. Good source of on-going formation;
5. Good way to continue to build friendships. Over time a high comfort level develops;
6. Helps us grow in tolerance of “difficult people”;
7. Offers a means of accountability;
8. Good time to share Cursillo information regarding upcoming events and resources;
9. Offers great support and encouragement;
10. Offers opportunities for group prayer and palanca;
11. Motivates and challenges members to start new groups;
12. Advice and assistance can be obtained from other group reunions and from Cursillistas in other dioceses in the region (e.g., to re-start the Hispanic Cursillo movement
From Secretariat Palanca Person Sharon Decant:
When the month of November is mentioned one's first thought is Thanksgiving and Turkey. The first is very important and ongoing; the second fills the need only for a short time. Palanca fills the need and is ongoing only if people are committed to selfsacrifice, acts of mercy, and genuine prayer. It is an ongoing task of each person to make everyone more aware of Christ in each of our lives. This is the objective of Cursillo and to change the world into truly Christian-like environments.
This month of November remember Palanca for the 30 cities in the USA that are conducting Cursillos as well as in South Korea, Paraguay, Italy, Mexico, Spain, Hungary, England, Honduras, Argentina, South Africa, and Ireland. Let us make this Thanksgiving one full of Palanca so we can be truly thankful for a better world. It is the least we can do as Disciples of Christ
As we do palanca, let’s continue to pray for these requests from the past month:
Breast Cancer, Extremely Depressed, Health Problems, Chemo, Operations, Surgeries, Falls, Broken Hip, Hip Replacement, House finally sold, Recovering, Lymphoma, Treatments aren't helping Mom being taken off life support, Amnesia, Heart conditions, Hole in her brain, Ear Pain, Final Stages, Relationship issues, Severe Kidney problems, Safety in Iraq, Drowning of child, Peace and Strength, Meningitis, Good results on biopsy, Crushed foot, Back pain, Motorcycle accident, Marriage Problems, Being out of work, Correct diagnosis, Lumpectomy, Thanksgivings, Cursillo's around the world, Broken Pelvis, Rehab, Kidney Dialysis, Committed Suicide, Right decisions, Pneumonia, Miracle, Needs direction in her life, On respirator, To not abort a baby, Rest in Peace, Good test results, New lives came into our world, Scares, Hospice, Diabetes, Discernment, Home Looted, Brain tumor, All cancers, Peaceful death, Dementia, Going through divorce, Special intentions, Major liver surgery, Deployments, Being sent to Afghanistan, Insurance Companies, Laryngitis, Gall Bladder surgery, Brokenness, Colonoscopy, RCIA members, Overwhelmed, Bladder spasms, Successful Procedures, Special need children, Safe travel, Cattleman's Disease, Induced coma, Blessing on Children, Car accident, Cancer returning, Hysterectomy, Priest in Africa to not lose faith, Missing person, In Psych Ward, guidance to become a Deacon, Blessing on new assignments, Cataracts, Custody Battles, Strokes, Seizures, Severed spinal cord
THE ARK
October 2010
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to Jesus Christ in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church. It is our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us .
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
De Colores! The autumn time of year is reflected in our Cursillo theme song as the vibrant, but short lived colors of Mother Nature bring harvest to a close, preparing the earth for the dormant season. We, on the other hand should not be dormant nor preparing for the dormant season.
The men’s closing in September was a rather dismal showing of Fourth Day. I do hope our Lady’s of 236 will be greeted by a much larger contingent of the Cursillo Community. We need to gather both for the sake of the Candidates and the Team just completing their weekend to welcome them into their Fourth Day, but also to BE a support and encouragement to each other.
I’ve found “former” cursillistas who are testing and questioning their faith in the “feel good churches” and some what languishing. They need to be invited and re invited to Closings and Ultreya and encouraged again (and again) to join us and reconnect with the Catholic Church and the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist. Perhaps they are there to help us practice our Evangelization/action plans.
I also want to invite and encourage members of every parish and area of our diocese to come to the General Secreteriate gathering on November 6 th at St. Wendelin’s Church in Fostoria, Ohio from 9:00 am till 3:00 pm.
Finally I want to share an experience of Cursillo with you. It happened at our Ultreya several weeks ago. Ramona Duran gave the witness testimonio for us. She described “her friend – a person who lived a vibrant faith with joy and enthusiasm. This joy was captured in her smile, in her whole demeanor. She lived her faith in Jesus with her loving husband and her children, grandchildren and with everyone she met.” When Ramona was sharing she lit up with the same joy and enthusiasm that she was describing her friend. I could feel the love Ramona had for her friend and how much she missed her. In Ramona’s witness I knew who she was talking about even before she shared her friend’s name, Pat Kaiser. I thought to myself, I have a real time sense of the Holy Spirit at work here and an experience of a true rollo – a witness, a sharing of one person’s friendship with another in Christ. Of course, Pat Kaiser’s life was a witness to her faith in Jesus Christ, her committed love for Paul and her family and a rollo in itself.
Pat Kaiser died this past September and I had the privilege of attending her funeral liturgy. I want to take this opportunity to thank Ramona for this loving experience.
May Pat Kaiser continue to witness to the whole Toledo Cursillo Community and intercede for us as well. And may we all learn to live our lives and faith in such a way that we are witnesses for others of our love of Jesus Christ our Lord. May our life be a rollo.
See you at St, Bernadine chapel at the Pines in Fremont on Sunday afternoon October 24. I’ll be taking attendance.
Ultreya!
Fr. Jim
WOMEN’S CURSILLO #236
OCTOBER 21 - 24, 2010
Be praying and doing palanca for candidates & team:
Confirmed with a “YES” for Women’s Cursillo #236:
Mary Conley
Parish: St. Charles, Lima
Sponsor: Karen & Dale Fair
Catherine (Cathy) Lindsay-Pangalos
Parish: St. Joseph, Sylvania
Sponsor: Monica Zaborski
Lisa Pierson
Parish: Little Flower, Toledo
Sponsor: Fr. Jim Brown
Colleen Roth
Parish: Good Shepherd, Toledo
Sponsor: Marilee Medlen
Stacy Schumacher
Parish: Gesu
Sponsor: Mary Beth Lavey
Yvonne Soldan
Parish: Good Shepherd
Sponsor: Marilee Medlen
Marilyn Toles
Parish: Our Lady of Lourdes, Toledo
Sponsor: Suzanne Charney
Roberta (Bobbi) Traxler
Parish: Good Shepherd
Sponsor: Marilee Medlen
TEAM:
Professors:
Ideals Elaine Conley
Laity in the Church Betty Obringer
Piety/ Holiness Rita Lavey
Study/Formation Kathy Huffman
Action/Evangelization Lori Kamelesky
Leaders Sue Charney
The Study and Evangelization of Environments Amy Aschemeier
Christian Community Marilee Medlen
Troubadours:
Jeanne Badik – Marilee Medlen – Kathy Huffman
Sacristan: Phyllis Ustaszewski
Shepherds: Betty Obringer
Sarah Clear
Phyllis Ustaszewski
Alice LaFontaine
Amy Aschemeier
Disciples: Joyce Haney
Rita DellaFlora
Ellen Dorn
Joyce Huntley
Beth Ross
Spiritual Directors: Fr. Tom Wehinger
Sr. Edna Michel
Rector: Joyce Schoonmaker
Assistant Rector: Monica Zoborski
REMINDERS:
The Sponsors’/4 th Day Ultreya will be held in the palanca room at the Pines when all candidates have arrived on Thursday evening, October 21, around 7:30 p.m.. Then come to the Holy Hour on Saturday, October 23, at 8 p.m. at St. Bernadine Home Chapel and Serenade at 9 p.m. in the Pines Retreat Center.
The C losing of the women’s weekend will be Sunday, October24 at approximately 5:30 p.m., also in St. Bernadine Home Chapel.
Cursillistas are welcome to go to Frisch’s Big Boy on State Street after the Cursillo closing.
To all of our 4th day people,
This is a request for all of you to join us at the General secretariat being held at St. Wendelin parish on Saturday Nov. 6. The program for the day is to include dealing with Group Reunion, Palanca,Ultreya, and area cores. These topics were chosen because they form the basic foundation of our beloved Cursillo movement. We know that there is a significant number of cursillistas who do not group or attend Ultreya regularly and we would like to stress that all do so to enliven our Christian lives as Cursillistas, for the benefit of the individual as well as Cursillo as a whole. We promise you a day filled with the Holy Spirit, good fellowship, joyful singing and a happy heart saying I'm glad I came. Please come and help us celebrate. Decolores, and Ultreya (keep on keeping on). In Jesus our brother's love, Gus Miller
(For details of this event, see the flyer at the end of the newsletter.)
SCHOOL OF LEADERS
October SCHOOL OF LEADERS on the 16th will have Marty Charney as rector. He is now the assistant rector for the school.
Lay presentation "Mass" from the Leaders Manual will be by Deacon Ron Plenzler. It will be on "During the Cursillo Weekend' and "Post Cursillo". Fr. Jim Brown will continue Chapter Chapter 6, "Solidarity"-Conscience Objection, Nuclear Race, Specific Steps to Reduce the Danger of War,Working to Shape a Peaceful World, The Work of the Church in Promoting Peace in the World, and Challenges to peace.
We meet in the teachers lounge, start at 9 o'clock and end in the chapel by noon.
CURSILLO WEBSITE: www.toledocursillo.org
National Cursillo information: www.natl-cursillo.org
To request prayers from our fourth day community email: prayer_vine@yahoo.com
How is Christ is working in you and through your life in Him? Share your story with other Cursillistas!
Email: disteljl@yahoo.com
Nuns' Build
...
From November 15-19 Sr. Edna is going to New Orleans with 80 Sisters from across the country, their lay associates, relatives and friends to volunteer in St. Bernard Civil Parish, building homes for families who are still living in FEMA trailers five years after Katrina. The volunteers will be drywalling, muddying, painting, laying floors, and finishing wood. At last check there was still room for more volunteers. Want to go? Check the website "Nuns Build" for more information. If you can't go, but would like to support the effort, Sr. Edna will appreciate your prayers and any donation you'd like to make to the project. For more information, contact her at emichel@tiffinfranciscans.org.
Continue to pray for these requests from this month:
Knee replacement surgery, Power of Prayer, Correct diagnosis, Healings, Good outcome job interviews, All Cancers, Stomach problems, To get a job, Peace, On Respirator, Miracle healing, Chemo, Very ill, Very serious surgical procedures, Candidates for Cursillo 236 (Sharon, Mary, Catherine, Lisa, Colleen, Stacy, Yvonne, Marilyn, Roberta), Dialysis, Remove Hernia, Pray that all comes out well, Brain Surgery, Miniers Disease, Whole family needs Prayers, Stem Cell Transplant, Lump on side of throat, Leukemia, Brain tumor, Spots on Liver, Stomach and Spine, Grieving the loss of a loved one or friend, Pet scan, No Cancer, Biopsy, Lost her job, layoff for an unknown period, Raped and pregnant to keep or adopt out, Nodule needs to be removed, MRSA, Surgery, Special intentions, Better health, Rest in Peace, Infection in leg, Places to live, Blood clots in lungs, Deaths, Healing of Marriages, Strokes, Processing delay in Learning, Praying for good results, Tests, Severe Urine Reflex, Stomach surgery, Life Support, Surgery on foot, Broken ribs, Safe Returns, God protect our troops, Shingles, Double mastectomy, Massive stroke, So kidney can be saved, Children, Both arms broken, Won't lose hours on job, Respect Life, Heart Problems, Sprained wrist and cuts, Bitten by baby shark, Medical Conditions, Housing and job, Child Custody, Miss directed thoughts, To not get laid off, Auto Accident, Severe anemia, Women's Cursillo Team #236 (Joyce, Monica, Fr. Tom, Sr. Edna, Jeanne, Marilee, Kathy, Phyllis, Elaine, Ellen, Beth, Lori, Sue, Amy, Betty, Rita, Sarah, Alice), School tests, Broken leg and other injuries, Kidney Stones, Many illnesses, Safety, Foreclosures, Depression, New Babies and pregnant moms, Lymphoma, Tore quad, To get pregnant, To quit smoking, Diabetes.
Commitment to Vitality
A General Secretariat Day
Saturday, November 6, 2010
St. Wendelin Parish Life Center
Upper Room
323 North Wood St., Fostoria, Ohio
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
(8:30 AM Registration & Continental Breakfast)
Come be a part of this day with Cursillistas from around the diocese
• as we renew our understanding and appreciation of what makes the Cursillo movement work: group reunion, palanca, Ultreya, and area cores
• as we sing, pray, socialize, laugh and learn together
• as we renew our commitment to transform our environments in the spirit of the gospel
Bring along
• a brown bag lunch. Desserts are always welcome, if you’d like to bring one to share. Soups and drinks will be provided.
• a donation, if you can, to help cover the cost of space rental
• your joyful, expectant spirit and readiness to ultreya!
THE ARK
September 2010
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to Jesus Christ in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church. It is our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us .
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Pray and do palanca for these candidates and team:
MEN’S CURSILLO #235
SEPTEMBER 16-19, 2010
Professors:
Ideals John Lyons
Laity in the Church Herm Kimmet
Piety/Holiness Jim Powell
Study/Formation Matt Heinrichs
Action/Evangelization Dale Fair
Leaders Marty Charney
The Study and Evangelization of Environments Doug Graham
Christian Community Matt Meyer
Troubadours:
Dick Druyea - Bill Obringer – John Lyons
Sacristan: Frank Celestino
Shepherds: Tim Honesto
Matt Heinrichs
Matt Meyer
Jim Powell
Doug Graham
Mike Kachelek
Disciples: Jesse Rodriguez
Mike Fonseca
Leonard Magrum
Rick Jenkins
Henry Jarrett
Gus Miller
Spiritual Director: Fr. Jerry Nowakowski
Assistant Spiritual Director: Deacon Floyd Hohman
Rector: Dave Zaborski
Assistant Rector: Abe Ledesma
These men have confirmed with a “YES” for Men’s Cursillo #235:
Javier Chavez, Jr
Parish: St. Joseph, Fremont
Sponsor: Frank Celestino
Mark Colwell
Parish: St. Michael, Findlay
Sponsor: Tim Honesto
Harry Conley
Parish: St. Charles, Lima
Sponsor: Dale & Karen Fair
Jonathan King
Parish: St. John the Baptist, Toledo
Sponsor: Bill Owens
John McDonough
Parish: Our Lady of Lourdes, Toledo
Sponsor: Dave Zaborski
Erik Olson
Parish: Blessed Sacrament, Toledo
Sponsor: Michael Cherry
Paul Zaborski
Sponsor: Dave Zaborski
Come to the Holy Hour on Saturday, September 18, at 8 p.m. at St. Bernadine Home Chapel and Serenade at 9 p.m. in the Pines Retreat Center.
The closing of the men’s weekend will be Sunday, September 19 at approximately 5:30 p.m., also in St. Bernadine Home Chapel.
WOMEN’S CURSILLO #236
OCTOBER 21 – 24, 2010
Professors:
Ideals Elaine Conley
Laity in the Church Betty Obringer
Piety/ Holiness Rita Lavey
Study/Formation Kathy Huffman
Action/Evangelization Lori Kamelesky
Leaders Sue Charney
The Study and Evangelization of Environments Amy Aschemeier
Christian Community Marilee Medlen
Troubadours:
Jeanne Badik – Marilee Medlen – Kathy Huffman
Sacristan: Phyllis Ustaszewski
Shepherds: Betty Obringer
Sarah Clear
Phyllis Ustaszewski
Alice LaFontaine
Amy Aschemeier
Disciples: Joyce Haney
Rita DellaFlora
Ellen Dorn
Joyce Huntley
Beth Ross
Spiritual Directors: Fr. Tom Wehinger
Sr. Edna Michel
Rector: Joyce Schoonmaker
Assistant Rector: Monica Zoborski
Besides the ever needed palanca for Cursillo Weekends, palanca is also desperately needed for the following:
Cursillo Regional Encounter in Framingham Ma. on Sept 17-19 (
CHELO440@hotmailcom)
Cursillo's 50th Anniversary in Dallas Tx on Sept 18-19 ( rosiedelgado@yahoo.com)
Cursillo Regional Assembly Vll Lima, Peru on Sept 24-26 ( intendenciascarabayllo@hotmail.com)
Cursillo 25th Anniversary Vancouver Island Canada on Sept 25 ( cuesillo@shaw.ca)
Palanca is needed in all the different faces of Cursillo. It fights against the many disorders and vices of these trying times, makes reparations for the outrages against God through intense prayer, works of mercy and self-sacrifices. These encounters bring the light of the Holy Spirit showering us with new ways to bring people into a closer union with Him and our fellow man. Make a Friend. Be a friend. Bring a Friend to Christ! Decolores!
Sharon Decant
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Attention Cursillo Sponsors
1 st --- Reminder of the usual Sponsor’s / 4th day Ultreya at 7:45 P.M. on Thursday, September 16th in the palanca room at the Pines. Musicians, please bring your instruments!
2 nd --- The 30 year custom of having the Saturday 6:30 A.M. Palanca Mass at St. Mary, Millersville on the Cursillo weekend is being discontinued immediately because of very poor attendance. Of course this is not to say that one can’t still get up that morning to do an hour’s worth of palanca on the Saturday of the weekend or any other day for that matter. We thank Fr. Ron Brickner for his many early mornings to preside at the Mass. In addition, we thank Fr. Tom Extejt for his periodic substitution.
*** ALSO ***
According to the Secretariat guidelines, deadline for women applications to be received by the Pre-Cursillo Couple is October 7, 2010. Reminder: husband and wife applications are to be sent at the same time along with your sponsor application for each one. If we receive any applications after the men’s fall Cursillo, the wife will be invited to the women’s fall 2010 Cursillo and the husband will be invited to the spring 2011 Cursillo.
Candidate and Sponsor applications can be found on the Toledo Cursillo website – www.toledocursillo.org and can be downloaded onto your computer. Also, a few guidelines for sponsoring can be found at the same area of the website. Any questions can be forwarded to George and Carol Miller at gcmiller@thewavz.com. Send candidate and sponsor applications to them at 4160 County Road 13, Kansas, OH 44841.
SCHOOL OF LEADERS
Saturday September 18, 9 a.m. – Noon
St. Michael Church, Bright Road, Findlay
Sue Charney will be doing "Understanding the Conversion Process" from Leaders Manual. Conversion is a complex process and this chapter will offer some fundamental concepts. Conversion is progressive and a process that is never completed, and so we look upon ourselves as pilgrims, a people on the move, (p. 142).Following the weekend there is "A new inheritance", "A new family", which leads to the "Role of the Leader". Some experience "Intellectual remoteness from God", which needs "Conversion following intellectual remoteness from God" and "Conversion following emotional remoteness from God". Following the "Conversion" there may be temptation, frustration, discouragement, and anxiety. This is where the ROLE OF THE LEADER comes in, to help the new Cursillista deal with conflicting emotions. Deacon Alfredo will be doing the Spiritual presentation, the second half of chapter 6, "The Challenge of Peace" from a letter of the US Bishops. Different aspects of the Church’s Teachings on peace; "Peace in the Modern World," peace in Theology, Hebrew Scriptures, Christian Scriptures, to "Challenges to Peace."
FOR TOLEDO CURSILLO INFORMATION YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE:
www.toledocursillo.org
For National information on Cursillo:
www.natl-cursillo.org
To request prayers for a special intention to our fourth day community to pray for, send your request to prayer_vine@yahoo.com
To send a witness to the Ark or any other Cursillo news, email disteljl@yahoo.com
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Continue to pray for these requests from the past month:
Accident, Thanksgiving, Mini Strokes, Sell House, Breast Cancer, Healing, To keep job, good test results, Broken Foot, Physical and spiritual Healing, Javier Chavez, Mark Colwell, Harry Conley, Jonathan King, Erik Olson, Paul Zaborski and John Mc Donough Candidates for Cursillo 235, Surgeries, burn victims, Anxiety and Depression, dying, leukemia, Work overwhelming, Supporting Families, Heart Procedures, Healthy Pregnancy, healing from Rape, Chemo, Twins born one in trouble, Cancer, Men going into seminary's, Aggressive Treatments, God's will be done, Peaceful Death, Peace and Strength for families, Kidney removal, Hospice, Broken Hip, In the Hospital, Knee replacement, good Reports, 45 inmates from Milan Prison on Retreat, Massive stroke, Stem Cell transplant, unknown illnesses, Prostate Cancer, New Job, Severe colon Infection, Strokes, Injured in Explosion Oversees, Aneurysm and Bleeding on the Brain, Croup, Intestinal Cancer, Car Accident, Lung & Thyroid Cancer, Re-deployed to Afghanistan, Rehab, Eye surgery, Special Intentions, Brush with Death, discouraged, Financial Problems at College, Rest in Peace, Failing health, Cancer Brain, Possible Stones, Kidney Transplant sister donating one, Correct Diagnosis, Foot surgery, healing of Shoulder, Area of service being eliminated, Difficult employment situation, Cancer in whole body, Bone and Lung Cancer, Severe Back Pain, Liver Cancer, Prognosis not good, Ovarian Cancer, Stomach Cancer, heart Defect, Broken neck, Thanksgiving, No brain Tumor, Broken Hip, Good Weather, RCIA Candidates, blood Clot in Brain, God is so Good!, Children in nasty divorces, Twins born early, People going through very hard times, Healing from Pain, good Recovery, Home from Hospital, Blanket of Protection, Very Ill, Radiation.
Last month’s issue again did not go to several Cursillistas. Below are these email addresses:
• sjbarker@roadrunner.com
• jimbofyb@aol.com
• fishn4rose@aol.com
• ram1@cros.net
• m_mathews@sbcglobal.net
• flyersvolleyball@aol.com
• pjw2676@aol.com
• cwilliams@hhstol.com
Please email me at disteljl@yahoo.com with corrections/changes. Thank you!
If you know of someone who would like to receive the Ark and they do not have a computer, please contact me at disteljl@yahoo.com and a hard copy will be sent to them through snail mail. THANKS!
THE ARK
AUGUST 2010
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to Jesus Christ in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church. It is our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear Sisters and Brothers in the Lord,
I'm in the "My, how time flies" frame of mind or rather it's "Good God, it's August already?" Not only is it back to school time, but probably for most of us it's "back to the program year already!" time. Hopefully each of us has taken the opportunity of summer to re-create while we recreated and so can come together again with renewed vigor and fresh ideas. I, for one, am struggling to say that's true for me....
But the time is here now. Our teams have begun forming and meeting for the fall weekends. Has the Lord nudged you successfully to get that applicant's papers in? Have you brought up names in your grouping to have everyone pray over with you? It's not TOO late... but getting close!!
And just as importantly, have you given some thought to renewing the Core in your area? We're at this important step in putting our new bylaws into action -- the ones we've been working on for two years. God never gives up on us, and we won't give up on God either. In fact I have a very real feeling that God is going to show us some special surprises for our efforts right now. It's time for that. We just need to be there.
So bring this focus to your grouping (for prayer and study) and your ultreya (for action). The Movement needs both venues. If your grouping needs revitalizing, take the step, be a leader. Same for your ultreya. A dedicated person is often all it takes for the group to get going again (true of religious as well as secular circles). Secretariat is planning for a workshop or two in the near future to move this along. Decide you'll be there! You'll love it. I promise! Bring someone with you and it will double, even.
O.K. now that you know what I wanted to say, read this over again and let it motivate you to take action, okay?
Ultreya!
Fr. Skip
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FALL CURSILLO WEEKENDS:
MEN: SEPTEMBER 16-19 2010 #235
WOMEN: OCTOBER 21-24 2010 #236
Continue to pray for Rectors, Spiritual Directors, team, and most importantly for those the Lord is calling to live these weekends.
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SCHOOL OF LEADERS
Saturday August 21, 9 a.m. - Noon at St. Michael Church, Bright Road, Findlay
Sister Edna will be discussing Chapter 6 of Catholic Social Teachings, Solidarity. Sharon Decant will be talking about palanca. Please come participate if you would like to learn more about the Cursillo movement.
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To all our Cursillistas,
I would like to introduce myself as the new lay director of our Toledo Diocesan Cursillo movement, having taken office on July 1.
My name is Gus Miller; I lived my weekend in Nov. 1977, and am now enjoying and serving Cursillo in my 33rd year. This is my 2nd term as lay director and I ask for your ongoing prayers and palanca that I may serve well the needs of our local Cursillo. I have spent several years laboring in area 11 core as well as a number of years in the diocesan Secretariat. This time around and being presently retired, I hope to serve more fruitfully than the first time.
The 1st thing I would like to say is a huge thank you to Margaret Boltz your many years of serving on secretariat, especially your leadership as lay director. I certainly have come to admire your skills of administration and organization and your ability to juggle all the responsibilities of job, family, parish and cursillo, especially when some health problems surfaced. This is my personal thank you, and I am sure that all cursillistas join me in gratitude. You have indeed been a blessing to the Toledo Cursillo.
Also I would like to recognize and thank these others who have recently completed their service.
- Pat Ermi, who held Cursillo position. Dale Fair has accepted this job.
- Jamie Biddle who held Post Cursillo position. Howie and Ruthann Stultz have taken this job.
- Bernie Rumschalg (becoming asst. lay director)
- Facilities Bill Obringer has accepted Facilities job.
- Pat Miller who held ARK position. Jane Distel has accepted communications position.
- Kathy Hoffman who held the Palanca position. Sharon DeCant has accepted this job.
- Denise Biddle who held treasurer position. Betty Obringer has accepted this job.
These people finishing their service deserve a great deal of thanks for their work as well their replacements who are committing themselves to serving in these ministries.
Secondly, I want to thank all of 4th day for your dedication to the Cursillo movement, and I want to encourage all of you to continue in the cursillo method of group reunion in your friendship groups, and in ongoing participation in your area ultreyas. I believe that there is a special ministry in life for each of us and encourage everyone to step up and accept leadership roles on Cursillo teams, on area cores, and on secretariat. We should do this to honor God and serve our fellow man instead of for human recognition and praise. Perhaps most importantly we should all dedicate ourselves to daily prayer and palanca for the needs of one another and the local and worldwide movements. So please make reminders for your selves to pray for the teams and the candidates; perhaps there is someone in your life whom you can sponsor. Please persevere in prayer.
I close saying, Ultreya (keep on trucking).
In God's love and in prayer, Gus
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FOR TOLEDO CURSILLO INFORMATION YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE:
www.toledocursillo.org
For National information on Cursillo:
www.natl-cursillo.org. There is a lot of information here to learn from.
To request prayers for a special intention to our fourth day community to pray for, send the request to prayer_vine@yahoo.com
To send a witness to the Ark or any other Cursillo news, email disteljl@yahoo.com
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Prayer requests for the month:
Stroke, Hip surgery, Safe Travel, Child Custody, ICU, Rest in Peace, Rotator Cuff Surgery, Job search, Needs Prayers, Broken Shoulder, Teeth Extraction, Breast Cancer, Deaths, Endoscopy of Pancreas, Regulate BP, Heal Kidneys, Safe Delivery and Healthy Baby, Prayers, Drunk Drivers, Faith in God, Cancer, Chest Pains, Heart Caths, Stem Cell Transplant, Broken Foot, Right Decisions, Knee Surgery, Retroperitineal Fibrosis, Pancreatitis, Home from hospital continued healing, Strength and patience, Double Heart Valve Replacement, Guide the Hand of Surgeons, Pain, Colon, Brain Surgery, Radiation and Chemo, Thanksgiving, Back Surgery, No Amputation, Good test results, Colon Surgery, Health Issues, Inner Ear Procedure, Menier's Attacks, Selling House, Colonoscopy, Stabbed, Healing of Back, Heart Surgery, Health and Finances, Massive Heart Attack, Fell 14 ft, Tumors, Shoulder surgery, God's Guidance, Alzheimer's, Broken Bones, Help with care, Failing Health, Hernia Surgery, Physical Safety, marriages, Strength for Children, Divorces, Loss of Job, Bowel Obstruction, Tumor in Brain, Stress, Financial Responsibility for Parents, Golf size Growth, Leukemia, Gall Bladder surgery, Abdominal Surgery, House Sold, Fevers, Blood Pressure, Critical and Serious condition, Assisted Living Facilities, Reconnection, Shortness of Breath, Scar Tissue on Lungs, Brad Nailer shot into chest, Ultreya's, Lymph Nodes, Peaceful Death, Special Intentions Hospice, Lung Cancer, Auto Accident, Stitches in Right Knee, Milan Prison Retreat, Palanca.
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Attention Cursillo Sponsors
The Fall weekends are just around the corner. Deadline for men applications to be received by the Pre-Cursillo Couple is September 2, 2010. Reminder: husband and wife applications are to be sent at the same time along with your sponsor application for each one. Candidate and Sponsor applications can be found on the Toledo Cursillo website – www.toledocursillo.org and can be downloaded onto your computer. Also, a few guidelines for sponsoring can be found at the same area of the website. Any questions can be forwarded to George and Carol Miller at gcmiller@thewavz.com. Send candidate and sponsor applications to them at 4160 County Road 13, Kansas, OH 44841.
************************************************************************************************************************************
Last month’s issue did not go to several Cursillistas whose email addresses are either not current or correct. Below are these addresses:
· sjbarker@roadrunner.com
· jimbofyb@aol.com
· fishn4rose@aol.com
· ram1@cros.net
· m_mathews@sbcglobal.net
· flyersvolleyball@aol.com
· pjw2676@aol.com
· cwilliams@hhstol.com
If you are one of these people, or know whom these addresses belong to, email me at disteljl@yahoo.com with corrections/changes so the Ark gets to everyone who would like to receive it. Thanks for the help!
THE ARK JULY 2010
Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the
Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to
Jesus Christ in order to transform society and be of
service to the whole church.
It is our mission to form small Christian
Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us .
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
PAT MILLER, WE THANK
YOU. . . . For your service and
commitment to this Cursillo
community, and for the many
hours you spent keeping Cursillo
alive in our hearts and minds
with the monthly newsletter.
May our Lord bless you for all
your work. We truly
appreciate all you have done
and continue to do for Cursillo!
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Dear friends,
One of my summer hobbies is working in the garden. It wasn't always a hobby; in fact, when I was a kid we had a large family garden and I hated to work out there. It wasn't so bad picking the peas or beans or other vegetables, but what a waste of time to do all that hoeing! The darn weeds just grew back anyway. I remember standing in the garden, hoe over my shoulder, "keeping Mom company" while she did the bulk of the work. I much preferred doing something "that only had to be done once." No, gardening was not on my list.
I muse at how the interest developed in me many years later. But that's a story for another time. What I want to focus on today are weeds. Yes, those troublesome little plants that try to take over the growing space of the good stuff and make the otherwise attractive rows and hills an untidy mess. Did you ever notice that the tomatoes may be withering for lack of water, but the sturdy little weeds seem to be thriving despite the drought? Why is that?
Jesus tells a parable about a man who sowed good seed in his field, but during the night his enemy came and sowed weeds all through the wheat. What is a farmer to do? Pull out all the weeds? Hardly. That might uproot the wheat. No, we're going to have to let both grow together and sort them out at harvest time.
An allegory for our own lives, don't you think? We can easily succumb to the temptation that there are "fields" or people who are either wheat or weeds. We assume that we are the "wheat" and all those who have different sets of values are the "weeds."
Yet, if we're honest, we have to admit that we are all a mixture of the two. Jesus would certainly want us to get rid of the "weeds" in our lives: those bad habits that hurt others and ourselves. But Jesus also knows how deeply they are rooted in us. Some, perhaps many, of our bad habits and sins we will take to our graves, despite our best efforts to overcome them.
The good news of this gospel story is that if we sincerely try to live an upright life yet struggle with our human frailty in doing so, God will not judge us vindictively. The weeds will eventually be removed, but not by us. God will burn away whatever stands in the way of our holiness and will let us experience the Kingdom. There is "good ground for hope," as another Scripture passage reminds us.
One of the reasons I enjoy gardening is the gentle reminder that while I put the seeds into the ground, it is the Lord who sends the sun and rain to germinate them. While I try to keep the garden clean, the weeds still come, and sometimes I can't remove them because they're growing too close to the other plants. I recognize some "weeds" in me; but some are tied so closely to my personality that I'll not be able to change them. "It's OK," Jesus says. "I'll take care of it when it's time. For now, trust in my care and mercy and remember that 'those who are just must be kind.'" A good lesson from the garden, don't you think?
Love, Sr. Edna
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THE RECTORS FOR THE FALL CURSILLO WEEKENDS ARE:
MEN: Dave Zaborski, ASSISTED BY Abe Ledesma
SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS: Fr. Jerry Nowakowski & Deacon Floyd Hohman
SEPTEMBER 16-19 2010 #235
WOMEN: Joyce Schoonmaker ASSISTED BY Monica Zaborski
SPIRITUAL DIRECTORS: Fr. Tom Wehinger & Sr. Edna Michel
OCTOBER 21-24 2010 #236
Please keep these people in your prayers as they begin team formation.
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SCHOOL OF LEADERS
Saturday July 17, 9 a.m. - Noon at St. Michael Church, Bright Road, Findlay
The spiritual advisor component will refer to an article on our moral obligation to protect creation and the environment. Following is the April Reflections article which will be the focus of the discussion, sent to all Cursillistas.
Forty years after the first Earth Day in 1970, many Christian environmentalists have come to recognize Benedict XVI as an ally in the effort to care for the earth, even calling him “the Green Pope.” This relationship between lay activists and the leader of the Church calls for further reflection.
Throughout Christian history, baptized followers of Christ have found creative ways to live out the social implications of the Gospel. Grassroots Christian movements have often led the way in the great cause of creating a more just and peaceful world, where human beings can develop and flourish. Typically, modern Catholic social teaching, found in papal encyclicals and pastoral letters of national hierarchies, has responded to existing social movements, offering perspective, encouragement and guidance to those already pursuing Gospel values. For example, the landmark 1891 social encyclical Rerum Novarum, by Pope Leo XIII that insisted on the rights of workers to form associations validated an already active labor union movement in the United States and elsewhere.
A similar dynamic is at work in the interplay between the grassroots environmental movement and official Catholic social teaching, most recently enunciated by Pope Benedict. This movement received a major boost with the celebration of the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, that drew an estimated 20 million people to rallies around the country. The leaders wanted “to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda.” That first Earth Day succeeded in bringing together individuals and groups concerned about various types of environmental degradation, including oil spills, factory pollution, toxic dumps, and wildlife extinction.
Since then, the environmental movement has found inspiration in individual heroes, such as Chico Mendes, a Brazilian rubber taper who became an environmental activist. Energized and guided by his participation in a Catholic base community, he founded a national union of rubber tappers and fought to stop the destruction of the Amazon Rain Forest to clear land for cattle ranching. His activism, that included direct physical confrontations with forest-clearing groups, cost him his life as ranchers shot him in his home in front of his family on December 22, 1988, just a week after his 44th birthday. Inspired by the Gospel, Chico Mendes developed a large vision of his social action: “At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees, then I thought I was fighting to save the Amazon rain forest. Now I realize I am fighting for humanity.”
Since the death of Chico Mendes, more than 12,000 persons have been killed in land conflicts across Brazil, mostly in the Amazon Basin. Prominent among the activist victims was Dorothy Stang, a Notre Dame de Namur sister, who was born in Dayton, Ohio and became a naturalized Brazilian citizen. She worked diligently for three decades defending the land rights of peasants who extracted products from the Amazon rain forest and were often harassed by criminal gangs employed by ranchers determined to turn the forest into grazing land for cattle. On February 12, 2005, Sr. Dorothy was on her way to a meeting when two men approached her and shot her repeatedly at close range. Recently, on April 12, 2010, a rancher was finally convicted by a Brazilian court of rdering her murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Her life story has been portrayed in a documentary film The Killing of Sister Dorothy, narrated by Martin Sheen, and the opera Angel of the Amazon, which depicts the events leading to her martyrdom. Like Chico Mendez, Sr. Dorothy Stang now serves as a folk hero and martyr for the environmental cause.
In 1990, the twentieth annual Earth Day went global, attracting an estimated 200 million to rallies in 141 countries. These worldwide demonstrations stressed the importance of protecting the environment through recycling and set the stage for the United Nations Earth Summit held in Rio de Jenerio in 1992. For Earth Day 2000, the organizers made use of the Internet to connect around 5,000 grassroots environmental groups from 184 countries around the world in a massive effort to raise consciousness on the problem of global warming and the importance of developing clean energy.
During the last decade, much of the environmental activism has continued to center on the problem of global warming. During the United Nations Climate Change Conference, held in Copenhagen in December of 2009, about 50,000 activists gathered nearby for a People’s Climate Summit, that called for radical systematic changes to control global warming and urged world leaders to reach a binding agreement on carbon emissions - a goal now delayed until the next major conference in Mexico later this year.
Around the world, committed individuals and groups are adopting simple practices to combat global warming: for example, recycling, walking or biking to work, eating less meat, driving more fuel-efficient cars, and installing compact fluorescent light bulbs. A growing number of Catholics have taken the St. Francis Pledge to Care for Creation and the Poor: promising prayer, study, assessment, action and advocacy to combat global warming. At the grassroots level, environmental issues continue to generate significant interest and activity.
During the last five years, Pope Benedict XVI has emerged as a major spokesperson for Christian approaches to the ecological crisis. Early in his papacy, Benedict periodically made statements encouraging responsible stewardship of the earth. In his wide-ranging 2009 encyclical Caritas in Veritate, he devoted a whole section to the environment, offering some important theological perspectives. “The environment is God’s gift to everyone, and in our use of it we have a responsibility toward the poor, toward future generations and toward humanity as a whole” (n 48). He rejects extreme attitudes toward nature: a “new pantheism” that makes nature more important than the human person, and a “total technical domin6ion over nature” that leads to “reckless exploitation.” On the contrary, Christians see nature as “a wondrous work of the Creator containing a grammar that sets forth ends and criteria for its wise use” (n 48).
Considering the “energy problem,” Benedict reminds the highly industrialized countries that they have a moral obligation to avoid hoarding and exploiting nonrenewable resources (n 49). They “can and must lower their domestic energy consumption” through the use of alternative forms of energy and through a “greater ecological sensibility” among ordinary citizens that challenges a hedonistic and consumerist lifestyle, while promoting human solidarity and the common good (n 51). Benedict insists that “the overall moral tenor of society” is decisive in dealing with the environmental crisis. We need a “human ecology” that respects life in all stages of development as a solid basis for an “environmental ecology” that treasures nature as a gift from God (n 51).
Pope Benedict elaborated on these perspectives in his 2010 World Day of Peace Message with the subtitle: If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation. Integral human development is threatened not only by wars and terrorism, but also by threats arising from the neglect and misuse of the earth. Once again acknowledging our growing ecological crisis, Benedict cites a long list of problems, starting with climate change and including pollution of rivers and aquifers, the loss of biodiversity, deforestation of tropical regions, the plight of environmental refugees, and unequal access to natural resources. In response to this crisis, we need “a profound cultural renewal” including “a lifestyle marked by sobriety and solidarity” (n 5). In the past, some academic critics have claimed that the Biblical injunction giving human beings dominion over the earth (Gn 1:28) has contributed to our environmental problems. Responding to this criticism, the pope insists that God’s command actually calls us to renounce selfish exploitation of the earth and to assume responsible stewardship of the natural world (n 6).
Benedict grounds concern for the environment in “a broad global vision of the world; a responsible common effort to move beyond approaches based on selfish, nationalistic interests toward a vision constantly open to the needs of all people. We cannot remain indifferent to what is happening around us, for the deterioration of any one part of the planet affects us all” (n 11). This global perspective challenges us “to examine our lifestyles and the prevailing models of consumption and production which are often unsustainable from a social, environmental, and even economic point of view” (n 11). It also calls for citizens of the industrialized countries to develop a deeper sense of solidarity with the poor around the world and with future generations. This new “global solidarity” demands a more equitable distribution of natural resources and the development of alternative sources of energy, especially “the immense potential of solar energy” (no 10).
Pope Benedict also proposes some important components of a contemporary eco-spirituality. Many individuals “experience peace and tranquility, renewal and reinvigoration when they come into close contact with the beauty and harmony of nature” (n 13). “As we care for creation, we realize that God, through creation, cares for us” (n 13). As Christians, we contemplate the earth in the light of the redeeming work of Christ, who sent the Spirit to guide the course of history until that day when he will return in glory and there will be “new heavens and a new earth” (n 14). For Benedict, a comprehensive ecospirituality combines care for the earth and a passion for justice and peace in the world. “If you want to cultivate peace, protect creation.”
The vital energy of the environmental movement continues to emanate primarily from activists pushing for more vigorous climate control measures and from ordinary people committed to a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. In Benedict, the “Green Pope,” they have an ally who recognizes the dangers of ecological degradation and affirms practical efforts to protect the planet. At the same time, the pope proposes theological perspectives that challenge some extremes in the movement and provide helpful guidance for the common task of caring for the earth.
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Fr. Bacik graciously granted permission for the Cursillo movement to duplicate his article, but asked that we add this note:
A note to those who share Fr. Bacik's Reflections and are currently not on our subscription listing: if you would like to receive Reflections regularly and directly, please contact Susette at Susette@ccup.org to request a form to be added to the mailing list. Fr. Bacik does not take phone requests for subscriptions.
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Jim Powell will also be discussing the last section of PostCursillo: Environmental Groups, Studying and Understanding the Environment, True Environments, and conclusion.
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Secretariat
As of July 1, there were changes to the Secretariat membership. Following are positions and those who have committed to them:
Lay Director: Gus Miller
Assistant Lay Director: Bernie Rumschlag
Cursillo ( Team Apps): Dale Fair
Pre-Cursillo (Candidate Apps): George & Carol Miller
Post-Cursillo (Closings/Holy Hour/Witness) – Howie & Ruth Ann Stultz
Treasurer – Open
Facilities (Preparing Center for Weekend) – Bill Obringer
Rector, School of Leaders – Nancy Kimmet
Palanca: Sharon Decant
Communications/Ark Newsletter: Jane Distel
FOR TOLEDO CURSILLO INFORMATION YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE:
www.toledocursillo.org
For National information on Cursillo:
www.natl-cursillo.org. There is a lot of information here to learn from.
To request prayers for a special intention to our fourth day community to pray for, send the request to prayer_vine@yahoo.com
To send a witness to the Ark or any other Cursillo news, email disteljl@yahoo.com
******************************************************************************************
Prayer requests for the month:
I apologize, but I did not keep up-to-date information on all the people we were asked to remember in prayer. But the Lord knows who they are, so let’s remember to lift those up who have been on our prayer vine in the last month.
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Reminder to Cursillo Sponsors:
The fall weekends are approaching quickly…only two months until the deadline for candidate applications to be received by the Pre-Cursillo Couple. Reminder: husband and wife applications are to be sent at the same time along with a sponsor application for each one. Candidate and Sponsor Applications can be found on the Toledo Cursillo website -www.toledocursillo.org and can be downloaded onto your computer. Also, a few guidelines for sponsoring can be found at the same area of the website. Any questions can be forwarded to George and Carol Miller at gcmiller@thewavz.com. Send candidate & sponsor applications to them at 4160 County Road 13, Kansas, OH 44841.
Make a friend, be a friend, bring that friend to Christ.
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Pat Miller & I worked together (thank you, Pat!) to get all the email addresses exported from her computer and onto my computer. It appears to have gone smoothly, but if anyone hears of someone who does not receive this month’s edition of the Ark, please email me at disteljl@yahoo.com so I can make corrections. Thanks, Jane
THE ARK JUNE 2010
Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to
Jesus Christ in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church.
It is Our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
CURSILLO FOCUS DAY
SATURDAY JUNE 19, 2010
9 AM – 3 PM
8:30 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast
St. Wendelin Parish Life Center
323 N. Wood St., Fostoria, Ohio
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Keynote: “Eucharist: Sacred
Mystery, Real Presence”
Sr. Edna Michel, O.S.F.
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Three additional sessions to explore facets of this precious jewel. Plus.......
SPIRITED PRAYER, SONG AND FAITH SHARING and
THE JOYFUL REUNION OF FRIENDS IN CHRIST
Bring A bag lunch for yourself or to exchange with another.
Soup, beverages and table service will be provided.
A collection will be taken to cover costs of renting the facility.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ****** *****
THANK YOU
MARGARET BOLTZ !!!!!!
FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR CURSILLO MOVEMENT OVER THE PAST YEARS
THAT YOU HAVE SERVED AS OUR LAY DIRECTOR.
WE DEEPLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE SWEAT AND TEARS THAT YOU PUT INTO LEADING US.
WE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU AND ALL OF YOUR FAMILY NEEDS.
ULTREYA ULTREYA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE RECTORS FOR THE FALL CURSILLO WEEKENDS ARE:
MEN: DAVE ZABORSKI, ASSISTED BY ABE LEDESMA
SEPTEMBER 15-19 2010 #235
WOMEN: JOYCE SCHOONMAKER, ASSISTED BY MONICA ZABORSKI
OCTOBER 21-24 2010 #236
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
THE WITNESS FOR THIS MONTH WAS THE FIRST ONE I RECEIVED WHEN I PUT OUT A PLEA FOR WITNESSES TO PUT IN THE ARK MONTHLY. IT IS IN 2 PARTS BECAUSE OF THE SURGERY THAT SHE HAD TO HAVE IN APRIL OF 2010. I WANTED TO HAVE IT AS COMPLETE AS POSSIBLE.
I AM SO BLESSED!
During the year of 2009 I have been faced with many more medical problems than I ever thought would happen to me. Dealing with this has made me a stronger person. I guess you would say I am like the energizer bunny, I just keep on keeping on. I AM SO BLESSED!
I completed my basic studies and was welcomed into the Circle of Mercy and now am a Sisters of Mercy Associate. Again, I AM SO BLESSED! When I pray my morning and evening prayers, it is such an awesome feeling to know there are Sisters and Associates all over the world praying the same prayers with me. That is powerful.
In the Spring I was privileged to be on the women's team for Cursillo 232. I met so many wonderful women living their weekend and renewed many friendships with my 4th Day brothers and sisters. What a powerful weekend. I AM SO BLESSED!
I was able to attend my 50 year class reunion (don't tell anyone I am that old) in Jacksonville, Florida. Seeing all my classmates was wonderful. I AM SO BLESSED!
In November I attended my grandson's wedding in Plant City, Florida, and he presented me with a wonderful granddaughter-in-law. A great Christian girl with a deep prayer life.....I AM SO BLESSED!
This Christmas started out on a very depressing note. With the economy in a great slump, I was really stressing on what to do for my loved ones for gifts. As I sat at Mass and praying about the lack of funds to do what “I” wanted to do, God spoke to me. “It is not about gifts, it's the Birthday of your Lord and Savior.” I explained to my husband, John, we were cutting way, way, back this year. He didn't understand at first and was worried about what the family would think. I told him of my conversation with God and he reluctantly agreed. It is now 3 days past Christmas and I have received the most heartfelt thanks from our Children for their somewhat cut-back-gifts. I AM SO BLESSED!
In Philippians 4:13, the Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I AM SO BLESSED!
I am looking forward to 2010 and the good things in store for me. Although the doctor has informed me I am probably going to have knee replacement surgery in March, with our Lord's help, I will get recovered from this as quickly as I did my shoulder and hands surgery. I AM SO BLESSED!
On April 6th I had a total knee replacement with ligament repair. After much prayer and being very patient, I have reached the point where I can walk with the assistance of a cane. My husband did not complain one time about my total care for weeks on end. What a Man......I AM SO BLESSED!
I am so thankful for my Cursillo family. You are always there for me. I AM SO BLESSED!
Pat Ermi
Crestline, Ohio
********************************************************************************************************
ATTENTION ALL CURSILLISTAS:
Our movement is experiencing a shortage of the manuals used for team formation in preparing to present the weekend Cursillos. Over the years some apparently have been lost or not returned to us at the end of team formation or the end of the weekend. We would appreciate the return of all such manuals as well as the donation of manuals which you may have purchased and are willing to lend or donate back to the movement.
Please contact Bill Obringer, wobringer@woh.rr.com
or myself, Gus Miller, gusnpat@thewavz.com
or any member of secretariat to get the books to us.
P.S.. These books are purple, about ¾ of an inch thick and about the dimensions of a standard sheet of paper.
Thanks, Gus Miller
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
FOR TOLEDO CURSILLO INFORMATION YOU CAN GO TO OUR OUR WEBSITE
www.toledocursillo.org
For National information on Cursillo you can to to www.natl-cursillo.org
There is a lot of information here to learn from.
To request prayers for a special intention to ask our fourth day community to pray for, send the request to prayer_vine@yahoo.com
To send a witness to the Ark or any other Cursillo news, send it to jane_distel@tiffin.k12.oh.us
*************************************************
JANUARY 2010 CURSILLO AREAS
Area #1 South Toledo, Bowling Green, Custar
Area # 2 West Toledo St. Clement
Area #3 East Toledo
Area #4 Fremont east to Milan
Area #5 Defiance
Area #6 Findlay, Fostoria
Area #7 Tiffin, Seneca County
Area #8 Mansfield, Crestline, Galion
Area # 9 Lima, VanWert, Dephos
Area #10 Carey, Wyandot County (Combines with Area #7)
Area #11 Fulton County, Wauseon
If you live in one of these Areas that do not have an Ultreya regularly, feel free to call a few Cursillistas together and you'll have an Ultreya started.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Prayer requests for the month.
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Exploratory Surgery, For the people that were affected by the Tornado and for the loss of life, Job loss, Back surgery, Scans that came back negative, People in Hospice, Parkinson Disease, Right reading for scans and have right parts for surgery, Prayer for something good, Single mother's, Depression, Hysterectomy, Aneurysm leaking in her brain, Dementia, Healings, Brain Cancer, Hip replacement, Hip surgery, Brain tumors, Gall bladder, For our military men and women, Especially the ones who have died for our country, Stage 2 breast cancer,Chemo, Exploratory Jaw surgery, Biopsy, Care givers taking care of family members, Right Decisions, Asthma, Trouble breathing, Breast cancer, Right decisions when treating patients, Infection in toes, diabetic, Ulcerated Colitis and will have to do Infusions, Lung cancer, Pancreatic cancer, Strength & Peace, 4 to 5 lesions on her brain, Tests done on small intestines, Pregnancies and babies who have died, In deep sorrow, Alzeimers, Strawberry on head has become infected, Spots on both lungs and Spleen, Tests to be benign, Kidney transplant, Cancer, Rest in Peace, Liver Transplant, Chemo treatment, Bladder surgery, Direction in Life, Herniated disk, Divorce and needs of children during this time, Strokes, Grandson in 4th week of Basic training, Back surgery, Softball team injuries, People working away from home because of need, Bone infection, Shoulder surgery, Melinoma, Cancerous tumor on his spine, Quadruple bypass, Committed Suicide, Safe delivery of babies.
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A note to Cursillo Sponsors:
The fall weekends are approaching quickly…only three months until the deadline for candidate applications to be received by the Pre-Cursillo Couple. Reminder: husband and wife applications are to be sent at the same time along with a sponsor application for each one. Candidate and Sponsor Applications can be found on the Toledo Cursillo website -www.toledocursillo.org and can be downloaded onto your computer. Also, a few guidelines for sponsoring can be found at the same area of the website. Any questions can be forwarded to George and Carol Miller at gcmiller@thewavz.com. Send candidate & sponsor applications to them at 4160 County Road 13, Kansas, OH 44841. Make a friend, be a friend, bring that friend to Christ.
====================================
This is Pat Miller and I want to thank all of you cursillistas who have made my position of communication through “THE ARK” an enjoyable visit with all of you. Next month, you will start getting “THE ARK” from Jane Distel. Please be as kind to her as you have been to me.
Thank you,
ULTREYA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ULTREYA !!!!!!!!!!!!!
ULTREYA !!!!!!!!
ULTREYA !!
THE ARK MAY 2010
Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement
Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to
Jesus Christ in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church.
It is Our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in others and us.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Welcome to Toledo Diocese
Cursillo Movement
Todd Gross
Matt and Maggie Beeker
Brian Jones
Rich Wing
Bryan Tuscan
John Molyet
Amy Aschemeier
Carol Campbell
Heather Hokans
Virginia Miller
Peggy Pauley
Dottie Smith
Sarah Olson
We are so happy to have you join us as we christianize our environments.
ULTREYA
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ALLOW THE BUSYNESS OF YOUR DAY TO
BE AN OCCASSION OF PRAYER
**********
Cursillo Focus Day
Saturday June 19, 2010
9 AM – 3 PM
8:30 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast
St. Wendelin Parish Life Center
323 N. Wood St., Fostoria, Ohio
Keynote: “Eucharist: Sacred Mystery, Real Presence”
Sr. Edna Michel, O.S.F.
-
Three additional sessions to explore facets of this precious jewel
-
Spirited prayer, song and faith sharing
-
The joyful reunion of friends in Christ
Bring: A bag lunch for yourself or to exchange with another
Soup, beverages and table service will be provided.
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND
Hello to all my Brothers and Sisters in Christ
My name is Dale Fair and I have just recently accepted the position of Cursillo within our Cursillo movement. Part of my responsibilities are to work with the Rectors and Assistant Rectors for upcoming Cursillo weekends and also accept and coordinate Team Applications for all Cursillistas wishing to Serve our Lord and work on a Team.
If you have never worked a team you are missing out on a truly blessed time being with fellow Cursillistas and the Holy Spirit. If you have worked on a team you already know what I am talking about and may wish to work again.
If you are interested on working on one of the fall teams they are as follows:
Men's Team #235 will start formation meetings July 15, 2010 and the weekend will be September 16-19, 2010.
Women's Team #236 will start formation meetings August 19, 2010 and the weekend will be October 21-24, 2010.
If you are thinking about working a Team and aren't sure pray about it and you will get your answer. If you have already prayed and want to work a team you must let me know a minimum (1) month prior to the first Team Meeting so your application can be processed accordingly.
This can be done one of three ways:
1) Contact your Area Core Cursillo Chairperson get an application filled out and have them send it to me.
2) If you do not have an Area Core Cursillo Chairperson, go to the internet site www.toledocursillo.org download a team application fill it out and send it to me in the mail.
3) If you wish you can download the team application fill it out and send it by E-Mail.
My address and E-Mail are as follow:
Dale Fair
2868 Hollyhock Ave.
Elida, Ohio 45807
kfair@woh.rr.com
If you have any questions and /or concerns give me a call at (419) 339-1516 and I will try and have or get you the information you may need.
I wish to thank you in advance for saying yes to our Lord
Your Brother in Christ
Dale Fair
THANK YOU TO PAT ERMI AND KATHY HUFFMAN
THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR SERVICE ON SECRETARIAT OVER THE YEARS. WE WILL MISS YOUR PRESENCE.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR YOU AND YOUR NEEDS.
Cursillo Secretariat
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
ATTENTION ALL CURSILLISTAS:
Our movement is experiencing a shortage of the manuals used for team formation in preparing to present the weekend Cursillos. Over the years some apparently have been lost or not returned to us at the end of team formation or the end of the weekend. We would appreciate the return of all such manuals as well as the donation of manuals which you may have purchased and are willing to lend or donate back to the movement.
Please contact Bill Obringer, wobringer@woh.rr.com
or myself, Gus Miller, gusnpat@thewavz.com
or any member of secretariat to get the books to us.
P.S.. These books are purple, about ¾ of an inch thick and about the dimensions of a standard sheet of paper.
Thanks, Gus Miller
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SCHOOL OF LEADERS
SATURDAY, MAY 15, 2010
TOMORROW !!!!!!!!!!!!
9:00 AM – NOON
ST. MICHAEL'S SCHOOL FINDLAY
TEACHERS LOUNGE
2 Presentations and Positions Reports
********************************
CURSILLO HAS A BODY OF LEADERS NAMED “THE SECRETARIAT”..
THIS TEAM BECOMES EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2010
PLEASE MAKE A COPY OF THIS AND KEEP FOR FUTURE REFERENCE.
Lay Director
Gus Miller
Assistant Lay Director
Bernie Rumschlag
Cursillo Person (Team Applications)
Dale Fair
Pre-Cursillo Couple (Candidate Applications)
George and Carol Miller
Post-Cursillo (Closings, Holy Hour, Witnesses)
Howie and Ruth Ann Stultz
Treasurer
Denise Biddle
ARK Newsletter Online
Jane Distel
Facilities Person (Preparing Center for weekend)
Bill Obringer
School of Leaders Rector
(Third Saturday of a month at Findlay, St. Michael's
Nancy Kimmet
Palanca Persons
Sharon DeCant and Dick Duryea
The Spiritual Advisors on our Cursillo Secretariat are:
Fr. Ed (Skip) Littelmann - St. Patrick of Heatherdowns
Fr. Jim Brown - Our Lady of Lourdes
Sr. Edna Michel
Deacon Alfredo Diaz
FOR TOLEDO CURSILLO INFORMATION YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE www.toledocursillo.org
For National information on Cursillo you can to to www.natl-cursillo.org
There is a lot of information here to learn from.
To request prayers for a special intention to ask our fourth day community to pray for, send the request to prayer_vine@yahoo.com
To send a witness to the Ark or any other Cursillo news, send it to jane_distel@tiffin.k12.oh.us
CURSILLO AREAS
Area #1 South Toledo, Bowling Green, Custar
Area # 2 West Toledo St. Clement
Area #3 East Toledo
Area #4 Fremont east to Milan
Area #5 Defiance
Area #6 Findlay, Fostoria
Area #7 Tiffin, Seneca County
Area #8 Mansfield, Crestline, Galion
Area # 9 Lima, VanWert, Delphos
Area #10 Carey, Wyandot County (Combines with Area #7)
Area #11 Fulton County, Wauseon
If you live in one of these Areas that do not have an Ultreya regularly, feel free to call a few Cursillistas together and you'll have an Ultreya started.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Prayer requests for the month.
|
A month old with High Biliruben Levels, Oil Leak, Haiti, Flooding, Heart Surgery went well, 5 yr. old Arnold Chian Malformation, Brain Surgery, Marriages, Throat Cancer, Prison Team at RICI, Tests, Rest in Peace, Thanksgiving, Sold House, Breathing getting worse, Aneurysim, Prostate Cancer, Melanoma, Placenta Previa, Strenght, Breast Cancer, comfort, Dehydration, Mass on Brain, Pray no Amputation on Hands or Feet, Hospices, New Cursillistas, Falls, Compression Fracture, Vent Removed, House fire, Emphysema, Sinus Infection, Miscarrages, Stroke, Pain, Liver Cancer, Pneumonia, Eyes, Drug Addition, Healing and Peace, Accidents, Job Loss, Glasses found, Find a Buyer for a home, Achilles Tendon, Brain Tumor,k Knee Surgery, Deaths, High Blood Pressure, Correct Diagnosis, Stroke, Ovarian Cancer, Staf Infection, Depression. |
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