LETTER IN THE NIGHT
Author Unknown

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deacon Floyd Hohman

Ultreya Dates:

Area 1
4^th 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

School of Leaders:

We meet normally monthly on the third Saturday of the month, at St. Michael’s in Findlay, in the Teacher’s Lounge.
November’s meeting was Focus Day in Fostoria St Wendelin’s. Our next one is Saturday December17, 2011, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Our lay presentation will finish Chapter 2 of the Essence of the Cursillo Movement, what there is about this movement, which calls us to share the fundamentals of being a Christian. the methods we can use to develop a core group, to go more deeply into our personal vocations, and the will to use them.  Ref: “The Fundamental Ideals of the Cursillo Movement”.

The Spiritual Advisor’s presentation for December will be by Fr. Ed Littelmann.  The focus is on a Catholic Evangelization: Word, Worship, and Service.  How God’s word comes to us in many ways. Rooted in Jesus’ revelation, God’s grace offers salvation to all people and invites us to respond as Christian disciples. Such a response needs constant encouragement, as we journey to God. This journey invites us to evangelize others along the way. In our busy world, we need to hear Jesus’ words again and again.

Come share in the good discussions and prayers.  The coffee/tea pot is on.  The tables are ready.  See you there.

Marty Charney, Rector SOL

From Palanca Person Sharon Decant:

There was an intriguing documentary on the "Star of Bethlehem" which was aired on EWTN. It was not until the waning days of the 20th Century that some amazing revelations occurred.

The Congressional Library of Congress and the British Library confirmed that Josephus, the first Century Jewish historian had written that King Herod died in 1BC not 4BC as previously believed. Such were all the reprintings until the 1500's when the printing press came into being and a possible type-setting error was made.

With the Hubbell Telescope one can see deep into space and see the positions of all the celestial heavens as they were in any given year. Why was this so important? Great astronomers such as Keppler who were looking for validation of the great Star of Bethlehem were looking in the wrong years. If King Herod died in 1BC then Jesus would have been born in or before 1BC not 4BC.  

The documentary stated that the Magi were actually magicians/ astronomers from a very prestigious school called the "Eastern School" in Babylon which is present day Iraq. The school explained natural science. We do not know how many magi there were, only that there were 3 gifts. We gave them ethic names to indicate various nations. Jesus came for all men not just for the Jewish people. It is believed that at least one had great knowledge of Jewish Scriptures. 

The People of the East on a hot night often slept on their rooftops contemplating on the stars and constellations. There was no air pollution, no bright lights, so their eyes became accustomed to the dark night and they could see very well the heavenly celestial occurrences with a naked eye. They believed that the stars communicated with them as to God's awesomeness. They were signs from God. It is imperative to mention that to use astrology to run one's life is absolutely forbidden. The Magi did not do this. They watched the stars and compared facts with the facts of Scripture and science. This is what they saw.

In September of 3BC Jupiter, called the King Planet, which is 11 times the size of earth, came into conjunction with Regulus, also known as Rex, the King Star. This was not unusual, but what was to come was. The Constellation Virgo, meaning virgin, followed Jupiter in the sky and into the Constellation of Leo the Lion. The Lion was a symbol of the tribe of Judah.

Retrograde is like traveling in a car passing other cars. As the pass is completed and looking back it seems as though those cars have stopped. Of course they haven't.

Jupiter now retrogrades 3 times over Regulus, like it was "crowning" it. Stars are stationary, but planets are not and we can view events in the sky like this because we are standing on a revolving platform. This seemingly "crowning" effect continued for 9 months until June of 2BC. Was Jesus conceived in September of 3BC? No one knows.

In June of 2BC Jupiter went into conjunction with Venus, the Mother Planet, stacking onto each other like a figure 8. To the naked eye it was indeed the brightest "Star" in the sky. The Magi saw this and reading Scripture were convinced these were indeed signs of a great king being born of a virgin and set out to follow the "Star" as it crossed the sky. In October, again in November, and finally in December of 2BC the "Star", in retrogrades, stopped over Jerusalem.  King Herod was not aware of any unusual celestial activity because he did not use the facts of natural science with Scriptures.  By the time the Magi arrived in Bethlehem, the "Star" was directly over, not a cave, but the house where Jesus was living. He was already a toddler, and the date the Magi found Jesus was December 25 2BC.

As we look into the wondrous star-studded night sky there are divine truths we cannot deny. There are 100 billion galaxies with each having at least 100 billon stars. God named and placed each in a specific area. There are 100 billon cells in each of our bodies. God counts every hair on our heads. He is the Divine Maker of all.  The stars are there to communicate to us the wonderment of it all.

This Christmas let us not forget the "Star" by which He communicated to us His first coming. We need also to joyfully anticipate His second coming. Let's us be ready for both with daily palanca, beginning with a decade of Mother Mary's Rosary.

Have a very blessed Christmas!

***********************************

The Lavey family shared the following witness at the women’s Cursillo closing in October.  We thank Mary Beth for putting their experience into words…

Rita Lavey, our mom, had heart surgery on September 22^nd, 2011 to repair or replace the mitro valve, the tricuspid valve and to do a scarring method to decrease the heart going into A-fib. On September 24^th an emergency abdominal surgery was performed to explore where she was bleeding because her blood volume had dropped significantly. Rita never really bounced back from that second surgery; she was extremely weak, so weak she had no strength to swallow on her own. She had an NG tube inserted to provide her nourishment.

Rita left Toledo Hospital on October 11, 2011 for Rehab at Orchard Villa in Oregon Ohio. She was there for 24 hours before she returned to Toledo with a diagnosis of pneumonia. During the next 3 days Rita was in and out of delirium, she spoke about conversations with her guardian angel Maxwell and another angel Tom; she also had conversations with her Aunt Jane and others it seemed. On Saturday October 15^th the doctors stated that she needed an increase in water which would help the confusion and a change in the antibiotic to better deal with the pneumonia.

On October 16, 2011 Sunday morning Rita’s blood pressure dropped and the question was raised how aggressively we wanted them to treat her.  Our response was what is her prognosis?  Yesterday she needed more water; now, today…   One of the family doctors came in, assessed mom and said we needed to gather the family together quickly as she was in pulmonary failure and may only have a few hours left. The family was called and mom was moved to a private room where we could be close to her – all thirty of us! One of our sisters was in Dayton, another in England.  Aunt Joyce was travelling back from the U.P.  All were on their way to mom but would they make in time?

We asked if the priest was still in the hospital.  They said no, but he would come back. Father came back and had Holy Communion for us.   He said mom no longer needed the Eucharist because she was in the presence of Jesus. He said we could help her on her journey this day so he touched each host to the lips of mom before giving Holy Communion to each of her children. What a powerful moment for us.  We felt so united with mom in this Sacrament of Holy Communion.

Mom’s other three sisters came to say their goodbyes to her, and we were all happy that everybody else made to the hospital in time to see mom too. Joyce was the last sister to arrive.  She whispered a greeting to mom and then turned to greet the rest of the thirty. And at that moment mom opened her eyes clapped her hands and said, “I’m so surprised you’re all here! I heard you singing Happy Birthday to me!”  She clapped and we all clapped and cheered.  Her face was glowing, we could all understand her, her voice was strong and she was happy! She was with us for 12 minutes; we all got to kiss her and tell her how much we loved her. She told us it was so beautiful; she wanted to share more we could tell, but it was like the Lord said telling them it is BEAUTIFUL was enough!

She quietly went back into her deep sleep for about an hour or so then she opened her eyes for a moment and said I love you and gave a kiss in the air.  She closed her eyes and did not open them again, but about half an hour or so later she placed her arms together like holding a baby and quietly said, “my baby girl” and kissed the air. Peggy lived for only four days after being born in 1960. Peggy and mom were together along with Dad, Uncle Dave and Grandma and Grandpa.  At 7:15 pm my mom breathed her last breath…..it was peaceful and beautiful. The Lord had gifted this roomful of people with the firsthand knowledge that “Heaven is for Real”, that our loved ones help with the journey to the place that Jesus has prepared for us.

From Mary Ann Hohman, Precursillo Chairperson:

The Role of the Cursillo Sponsor

This fall’s Focus Day on Nov. 19 was about the sponsor’s role in the Cursillo movement.  Over the next few months, the Pre-Cursillo column will look at some of the concepts that were presented. 

As we prepare for the spring Cursillo weekends, this is a good time to look at the sponsor, and what preparation he or she should be doing before inviting a candidate.  This preparation is essential so that the candidate will have a positive experience of Cursillo.

An important resource as to responsibilities of the sponsor is a booklet written by the National Cursillo Office, ‘The Cursillo Movement’s Sponsor’s Booklet’.  This is a small booklet outlining what sponsors need to know before sponsoring a candidate.  The information presented at the Focus Day is contained in this booklet.  It is a must read for anyone considering being a sponsor. 

First it is important to know what Cursillo isn’t.  Cursillo is not for getting more workers in a parish; it is not for fixing the problems in people’s lives; it is not to get people to change their out-look on the Catholic faith; it is not to get people involved in social service activities; and it is not a way to create leaders for other movements or organizations. 

The Cursillo Movement’s focus is to help each person fulfill his or her baptismal responsibility: to evangelize those around us.  Our baptism calls us to spread the good news of Jesus Christ.  This comes about by identifying our environments and bringing Jesus Christ to it.

So the first step a sponsor needs to take is to know your environment, and begin to identify potential candidates, those people who have the talents needed to evangelize the environment.  Get to know that person, and his or her spouse, well.  Ask yourself these questions: Is this person a potential candidate for a Cursillo weekend?  Will this person be a changing influence in his or her environment (family, workplace, neighborhood, social gatherings, etc.)?  If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then introduce Cursillo to the person.  Invite this potential candidate to your friendship group and Ultreya before inviting him or her to a weekend.  This will help your candidate to understand what Cursillo is about.  If it is not for this person, you will then know. 

By first understanding what the role of the sponsor is, you will be able to bring candidates to the weekends who will be a part of the Christian community that works with others to bring Jesus Christ into the world. 

If you would like a copy of ‘The Cursillo Movements’ Sponsors’ Booklet’ please contact a member of the Secretariat.  We will be happy to send you one.  Know and do.    

Just a reminder: Men’s applications will be due no later than Mar. 1, 2012, and women’s applications will be due no later than April 12, 2012.   

May each of you have a blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

Mary Ann Hohman
Pre-Cursillo Chairperson

Please continue to lift up these prayer requests from this past month:

Prayers, Colostomy, Surgery, Colon, Hernia, Heartbeat Bill, 9 Marines Died, Afghanistan, Knee Surgery, Bowel Obstruction, Renal Artery, High Blood Pressure, Nick Voits address:  2nd Lt. Nicholas Vogt, Walter Reed Medical Center, ICU - 3rd Floor, 8901 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, Md., 20889, lost both legs in stepping on land mine in Afghanistan, Ovarian Cancer, Eye & Ear Problems, Acute Cellular Rejection, Bleeding, Pneumonia, Cancerous Mass in Lung, Strength, Health Issues, Personal Problems, Hip Replacement, ICU, Stress Test, Chest Pains, Nerve Block on Back, Miracles, Brain Surgery, Fighting for Custody of a Little Girl, Thanksgiving, Safe Travel, Growth Benign, Medical Bills, Breast Cancer, Flesh eating Virus, Burned in a Robbery Attack, Fell and Broke Hip, Rehab, Lump, Complete Hysterectomy, Fell and Broke Femur, Bladder Cancer, Rest in Peace, Kidney Transplant, Abdominal Aneurysm, Cancer, Not Much Time Left, Kidney Cancer, Severe Swelling in Legs, Lump in Breast, Attempt at Suicide, Car Accident, Tough Times, Infection in Her Port, Blood Counts very Low, Cataract Surgery, Heart Surgery, Cursillo's:  Korea, Japan, Italy, Mexico, Honduras, Philippines, Canada, Brazil, Peru, Africa and 28 U. S. States.

W.O.W.……Words of Wisdom

There is hope….

You can turn back to God,
Because He has not turned His back on you.

You can hold on to God,
Because He has not released His hold on you.

You can love God again,
Because He has never stopped loving you.

I have formed you, you are my Servant, O Israel, you will not be forgotten by Me!  I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions.  And like a cloud, your sins.  Return to me, for I have redeemed you, Israel.   Isaiah 44:21-22

Please, send your “WOW” moments or quotes, sayings, or Bible verses you’d like to share.  Email disteljl@yahoo.com.

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

Share how Christ is using you to touch the world around you…….
Email Jane at disteljl@yahoo.com. 

May you each have a joyful and blessed Christmas season, and a new year full of God’s blessings.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 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.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ultreya!    Fr. Jim Brown

The Cursillo community welcomes the women who lived Cursillo #240:

The condolences, support and love of the entire Cursillo community are with Fr. Ed and his family in the passing of his mom, Mariette Littelmann.  Let us continue to lift them in prayer through this time of change and letting go.

*********************************************************************

Cursillo #240  –  October 20 – 23

Team:

SPIRITUAL                                                FR. ED. LITTELMANN
DIRECTORS                                              SR. MARY JO SZPILA

RECTOR                                                   KATHY HUFFMAN
ASST. RECTOR                                         MARY BETH LAVEY

MUSICIANS                                               JEANNE BADIK
                                                                 JOYCE HANEY 
                                                                 MARILEE MEDLEN

PROFESSORS
IDEALS                                                     JAN STEYER
LAITY                                                        COLLEEN ROTH
HOLINESS                                                JEANNE BADIK
FORMATION                                             JOYCE SCHOONMAKER
EVANGELIZATION                                     SR. KATHLEEN NOONAN
LEADERS                                                 PAT ERMI
STUDY & EVAN. OF ENVIRONMENTS       KAY KRUZEL
CHRISTIAN COMM                                    KAREN FAIR
GROUP REUNION                                     KATHY HUFFMAN
ULTREYA                                                 MARY BETH LAVEY

SHEPHERDS 
HEAD                                                       MONICA ZABORSKI
                                                                CATHY LINDSAY-PANGALOS
                                                                KAY KRUZEL
                                                                KAREN FAIR
                                                                MARY MORRIS                       

DISCIPLES 
HEAD                                                       BARB GRYCZA
                                                                NANCY JENKINS
                                                                NANCY SMITH
                                                                BOBBI TRAXLER    
                                                                MARY HICKEY                

SACRISTAN                                             JAN STEYER



Women who have said yes to Cursillo #240:

Candidates/parish/sponsor:

Monica Wing/Bucyrus Holy Trinity/Deacon Jerry Gubernath 

Brenda Leggett/Toledo Gesu/Mary Beth Lavey 

Lynne Miller/Bucyrus Holy Trinity/Heather Hokens

Judy Eaton/Toledo St. Clements/Carol Plenzler

Rose Dennis/Toledo Our Lady of Lourdes/Monica Zaborski

Jane Thompson/Toledo Good Shepherd/Merilee Medlen

Chris Powers/Toledo Christ the King/Judy Owens

Cindi Jones/Toledo Sts. Adalbert and Hedwig/Patti Kreilick

Jenny Theis/New Riegel All Saints/Deacon Floyd Hohman

Continue to pray and do palanca for these women and this team. 

***********************************************************************

Calendar of Events:

SCHOOL OF LEADERS

This is open for every Cursillistas.  We meet monthly on the third Saturday.  Our next gathering is Saturday October 15, 2011, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMCome share in the good discussion and prayers.  The coffee/tea pot is on.  The tables are ready. 

Our lay presentation will finish Chapter 2 the Essence and Purpose of the Cursillo Movement, what there is about this movement that calls us to share the fundamentals of being a Christian.   We’ll look at methods we can use to develop a core group, to allow us to go more deeply into our personal vocations, and the will to use those methods.  Ref. “The Fundamental Ideals of the Cursillo Movement”,

Our Spiritual Advisor’s presentation for October will be given by Fr. Jim Brown, on Chapter 7 of Evangelization and Ministry.  Ministry is God’s plan carried out in the life of our believing community. Having been baptized into Jesus’ dying and rising, we live out the Lords command to love one another in our homes, workplace, neighborhoods, and church. As we grow in our Cursillo way of life we deepen our insights into our Christian vocation.  Ref: “Catholic Evangelization, The Heart of Ministry”.

You don’t have to commit to attend every month, come try it on for size, come to see and hear what happens.  Then join us as we come into the Lord’s presence in Adoration.  See you there at St. Michael’s, Findlay, in the Teacher’s Lounge.

Marty Charney, Rector SOL

Ultreya Dates:

Area 1
4^th 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
October 16, 7:00 p.m. St. Francis Home, Tiffin in meeting room by cafeteria – Holy Half Hour for Women’s Cursillo & Ultreya

***********************************************************************

Hello to all my fellow Cursillistas,

My name is Dale Fair and I am the Cursillo Chairperson within our Cursillo movement. Part of my responsibility is 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 2012 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 in working on one of the spring teams, they are as follows:

Men's Team #241 will start formation meetings January 12, 2012 and the weekend will be March 15-18, 2012.

Women's Team #242 will start formation meetings February 16, 2012 and the weekend will be April 26-29, 2012.

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.

Thanks to all of you who are presently working on the fall teams and thank you in advance for saying yes to our Lord for the spring teams.

Your Brother in Christ,
Dale Fair

**************************************************************************

From Palanca Person Sharon Decant:  

The Feast of the Most Holy Roasry of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated on October 7th. But, did you know there are many different Rosaries of the Catholic Church such as the Franciscan Rosary(7 decades in honor of 7 joys of Mary); Brigittine Rosary (6 decades with 63 Hail Mary’s prayed in honor of her possible 63 years of earthly life); Rosaries in honor of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Holy Name, Holy Spirit, Angels, St Joseph, St Patrick, and other Saints, the Divine mercy Chaplet, and the Scriptural Rosary with a short Bible passage recited on each bead, and many more? 

Did you know that the one we are most familiar with under went many changes before it came to us in the present day form?  

In the 3rd and 4th centuries, monks would tie knots in a cord to keep track of the required daily prayers. Others would collect 300 pebbles every day in a bag and throw away each one as each prayer was finished. It was not long before the pebbles became beads on a string. Prayer beads were found in 7th century tombs.

In the 9th century Irish monks would chant all 150 psalms in their monasteries. It was so beautiful and engaging that the laity on the outside wanted to participate so they began to respond to each chant with the Our Father. It was not long before the early Church began praying the Our Father on each of the150 knotted or beaded string. . 

When the Evangelization of Europe began the first part of the Hail Mary was recited in response to the psalms.  St. Peter Damien in the 11th century was the first to mention this form which led to a daily recitation of 50 Hail Mary's on a knotted or beaded string.

Then some theologians in the early 13th century saw part of the psalms as veiled prophesies about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. It was at this time many developed a great devotion to Mary. And they composed a series of 150 praises in honor of Jesus and then also of Mary, dividing them into 3 sets of 50 praises in each. St. Dominic knew this form and promoted it with great passon.in the 13th century.

All the prayer forms were combined in the 14th century, and in 15th century the modern rosary was developed with 50 Hail Mary's put into 5 groups of 10 (decades) with an Our Father before each. St. Louis deMontfort in 1700 is said to have comprised the 15 narratives into 5 Joyful, 5 Sorrowful, and 5 Glorious Mysteries, and the Rosary became a string of 50 beads prayed 3 times with each time representing one of 3 sets of mysteries. He stated that Mary is the one most conformed to Jesus. The more one is devoted to Mary, the more one is consecrated to Jesus.

Pope Pius X1 dedicated the month of October to the Rosary in the 12th century, but wasn't until the 16th century that Pope Pius V officially approved of the present day Rosary and proclaimed a Feast of the Rosary in thanksgiving for Christian war victory over invaders.

In 2002 Pope John Paul 11 introduced the Luminous Mysteries in which the basic tenet of our faith is praised, the Institution of the Eucharist.

In all of Our Blessed Mother's apparitions from the 15th century she has had a Rosary and the sweet odor of roses surround her as she repeatedly asks us to pray a daily Rosary. 

The word rosary means "crown of roses".  Never have I seen a rose without thorns. The Rosary is a prayer weapon against evil. It may take a thorn in our side to remind us to pray. Some say it is too repetitious. But the prayer beads are love beads. If it is true love you never get tired of telling someone you love him/her. 

Francisco, one of the three Fatima children, was told he would have to pray many Rosaries before he could enter heaven. After learning of this he was never seen without a Rosary- he was always praying. He died at age of 11.

The Rosary is pleasing to God, teaching us through the various mysteries, deepens our faith, gives us grace, strength and spiritual growth. It is a soothing therapy for the mind, body and soul. 

In 1980 Pope John Paul 11 said the remedy against evil is prayer. He said we must pray and ask for nothing else and put everything in the hands of the Mother of God. And be prepared to undergo great trials-to be ready to even give up our lives- a total gift of self to and for Christ. He said it is possible to alleviate problems but not to avert them. It is only in this way the Church can be renewed. We must be attentive to the prayer of the Rosary.  

How many times have we heard in Cursillo we must pray and do palanca and be ready to even give up our lives to and for Christ- to renew the Church- to renew ourselves? The Rosary will help us to do this. It is Mary's will as asked by her Son. A single daily decade of the Rosary is a good beginning.  

*************************************************************************

Please continue to lift up these prayer requests from the past month:

Surgery, Broviac, Leukemia, Terminating Treatment, Complications, Vents, Trach's, Prayers Answered, Heart Stints, Serious Medical Treatments, Major Heart Surgery, FROG Automotive, Trouble  Seizures, Safe Flight, Hospice, Divorce, Painful Chronic Disease, Bankruptcy, Kidney Cancer, Heart Surgeries, Childhood Cancer, Stage 4 Cancer, Infection Bone Marrow, Bowel Cancer, Thanksgiving, Lung Cancer, Chemo, Twins Born to Early, Blood Pressure, Spinal Cancer, MS, Diabetic, Double Transplant, Physical and Spiritual Challenges, Depression, Rest in Peace, Palanca, Rosaries, Catheter in Bladder, Defibrillator/Pace Maker, Peace, Strep Throat and Viral Suppression of the Bone Marrow, Left Foot Broken, Problem Pregnancy, Parkinson's Disease, Hip Replacement, Stroke, Safe Deliveries of Babies, Fires in Texas, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Pneumonia, Recoveries, Big Job Contracts, 9 men as Permanent Deacons, Meningitis, Life Changing Choices and Guidance, Cursillo's:  Uruguay, South Africa, Bolivia, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, 33 US. States, and the Cancelling of the Men's Cursillo #239.

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

Share how Christ is using you to touch the world around you…….Email Jane at disteljl@yahoo.com with your witness.

**************************************************************************

W.O.W.……Words of Wisdom

Last month we started a new feature in the Ark called “WOW” moments, times we experience a close moment or an insight that touches our hearts.  This month I share some thought-provoking words that stayed with me after I read them.

“The way to worry about nothing is to pray about everything.” ~~ Unknown

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.” ~~ John F. Kennedy

“I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I have lived just the length of it.  I want to have lived the width of it as well.” ~~ Diane Ackerman, Author

Please, send your “WOW” moments or quotes, sayings, or Bible verses you’d like to share.  Email  disteljl@yahoo.com

****************************************************************************

The Secretariat of the Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Movement
strongly encourages all past, current, and potential future sponsors to attend

A Cursillo Sponsors' Workshop

Saturday, November 19, 2011
9 A.M. - 3 P.M.
St. Wendelin Parish Life Center
323 N. Wood Street
Fostoria, Ohio

Continental breakfast and social time: 8:30 A.M. 

The day will include:

• An over-view of the Cursillo purpose and method
• The "why-fors" and "how-tos" of effective sponsoring of candidates
• Insights into how Jesus companioned people
• Table discussion
• The setting of specific sponsor-related goals for our diocesan movement
• Prayer and song
• Lunch (bring a brown bag; soup and beverages will be provided)
• Great people to be with!

Donations accepted to cover the cost of hall rental & transportation for presenters

A team of Cursillo Leaders from Region Five will present this inspirited and informative workshop:

Ken See, Adrian, MI
Gene Myers, Burton, MI
Marie Luckner, Burton, MI
Fr. Bob Nogosek, South Bend, IN

The effective sponsoring of Cursillo candidates is a key to the vitality of the Fourth Day Community

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

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

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

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

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

ULTREYA, BIG TIME,
Fr. Skip

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

To the Cursillo community,

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

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

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

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

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

Yours in Christ,
           Bernie & Joan Rumschlag

******************************************************************************************************************************************************

 As you share, talk and remember, may you truly find that the one you loved so much is still in your hearts.

PreCursillo News:

The deadline for applications for the men’s weekend (Sept. 29-Oct. 3) is quickly approaching.  Applications must be received by Thursday, Sept. 15.  At this time, invitations have been sent to just two men.  Do you have an application waiting to be mailed?  Don’t delay, mail today!  My contact information is included below.  I look forward to receiving any new applications.

Thank you!

Mary Ann Hohman
31B White Tail Way
Norwalk, OH 44857
419-668-3063
mahohman@neo.rr.com

Men’s Cursillo Team:                   

SPIR. DIRECTORS                                                FR. TOM EXTEJT
                                                                            DEACON NORB WETHINGTON

RECTORS                                                             MIKE RUHLEN
                                                                            ART RINGEL

MUSICIANS                                                          JOHN LYONS
                                                                           SCOTT OTERMAT

PROFESSORS
IDEALS                                                                MATT HIRT
LAITY                                                                  SCOTT OTERMAT-L
HOLINESS                                                           MIKE HUFFMAN-L
FORMATION                                                        JEFF ERD
EVANGELIZATION                                                MARK BLUM-L
LEADERS                                                            JIM POWELL-L
STUDY & EVANGELIZATION OF ENVIRONMENT   RAMON VALENZUELA
CHRISTIAN COMM.                                              STEVE GRYCZA
GROUP REUNOIN                                                ART RINGEL
ULTREYA                                                            MIKE RUHLEN

SHEPHERDS
HEAD                                                                  TROY PEEBLES
                                                                           MIKE KACHELEK
                                                                           MATT HIRT
                                                                           GARY KEEL
                                                                           JEFF ERD
                                                                           RAMON VALENZUELA
                                                                           STEVE GRYCZA

DISCIPLES
HEAD                                                                  JAMIE SOUTHERS
                                                                           JESSE RODRIGUEZ
                                                                           BOB DREWOIR
                                                                           JOHN GASE
                                                                           JERRY ERD
                                                                           TOM BURGER

SACRISTAN                                                         DON EVANS

School of Leaders:

We meet monthly on the third Saturday, in St. Michael’s, Findlay, in the Teacher’s Lounge.  Our next one is Saturday September 17, 2011, from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

A lay person will give us an overview of the Essence of the Cursillo Movement, and then what there is about this movement, that calls us to share the fundamentals of being a Christian. The methods we can use to develop a core group, to go more deeply into our personal vocations, and the will to use them.  Ref: “The Fundamental Ideals of the Cursillo Movement”, Ch. 2.

The Spiritual Advisor’s presentation for September will be by a Lay Minister.  The focus is on a Partnership in Evangelization: Family, World, and Parish.  How God discloses life’s meaning, manifested in the love that family members share with each other, that forms the basis for a wider involvement in the parish, and the world.  And lest we begin to think that it’s too broad an issue, there are practical steps to accomplish it.

In August we had 13 people.  Come share in the good discussions and prayers.  The coffee/tea pot is on.  The tables are ready.  See you there.

Marty Charney, Rector SOL

Ultreya Dates:

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

From Secretariat Palanca Person Sharon Decant:   

Please continue to lift up these prayer requests from the past month:

Rest in Peace, Depression, Strength, Comfort, Peace, Breast Cancer, Tests, Giving up on God, Auto Accident, Cancer, Singing for a Funeral, Suffering, Therapy for Legs, Milan Prison Cursillo, Stage 4 Cancer, Adoption Process, Bladder Cancer, Healing, Bone Marrow Transplant, Chemo Treatment, Children with Cancer, Cancer that has come back, Serious Motorcycle Accident, Fighting to Keep Legs, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Health both Mind, Body and Spirit, Serious Heart Surgery, Pacemaker, Low Heart Rate, Parkinson's, Legally Blind, Heart Cath, Stints, Safe Procedure, Scar Tissue, Surgery, Health Problems, Leukemia, Pneumonia, MRSA Infection in Blood, Antibiotics, Men's Cursillo Team 239:  Mike Ruhlen, Art Ringel, Fr. Tom Extejt, Deacon Norb Wethington, John Lyons, Tom Burger, Matt Hirt, Scott Otermat, Mike Huffman, Jeff Erd, Mark Blum, Jim Powell, Ramon Valenzula, Steve Grycza, Troy Peebles, Mike Kachelek, Gary Keel, Don Evans, Jamie Southers, John Gase, Jerry Erd, Jesse Rodriguez, Bob Drewoir, Cursillo's:  Nebraska, Minnesota, Peru, Mexico, New Mexico, Nicaragua, Uruguay, Puerto Rico, Argentina, Guam, Canada, California, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Italy, Brazil.

The following came from Gus Miller, our “retired” lay director and he has what I think is a great idea:

In my recent time serving as lay director, I wrote a few thoughts and ideas almost monthly to share with our 4th day people and I've been thinking of a way for all of us to share our A-HA moments when we experience a close moment or an insight that touches our hearts.  Perhaps some space in the Ark could be dedicated to these Words of Wisdom or “WOW” moments.  If you should devote a column to this endeavor, perhaps another title could be "Nuggets to Share."

I voted for WOW……Words of Wisdom….and so that is what this new feature in the Ark will be called.  Send me your “A-HA” moments or quotes, sayings, or Bible verses you’d like to share.  This month I include some of Gus’s contributions, found in the July issue of Guideposts Magazine: 

"Patience is a virtue that carries a lot of 'wait.' " 
(by Louise Mefferd of Van Wert, Ohio)

"When facing a difficult task, act as though it is impossible to fail.  If you are going after Moby Dick, take along the tartar sauce."
(Joel Huffer of Hagerstown, Maryland)

"You don't have a soul, you are a soul.  You have a body."      (C. S. Lewis)

WOW, don’t you feel just a little wiser??!