Calendar of Events
September 10, 2005         Secretariat Meeting - 9:30am, Blessed John XXIII Diocesan Center
September 23-25, 2005   Region VI Fall Encounter, Sacred Heart Parish, Hebron, NE
Sept 30 - Oct 1, 2005      Practice Weekend, St. John the Baptist, Minden, NE
October 1, 2005              Secretariat Meeting - Approx. 12:30pm, St. John the Baptist, Minden, NE
October 6-9, 2005          Men’s Weekend, St. John the Baptist, Minden, NE
October 9, 2005             Men’s Closing, 5:00pm (4:00pm Mass) St. John the Baptist, Minden, NE
October 20-23, 2005     Women’s Weekend, St. John the Baptist, Minden, NE
October 23, 2005           Women’s Closing, 5:00pm (4:00pm Mass) St. John the Baptist, Minden, NE
November 4-5, 2005      School of Leaders (quarterly reunion) - 7:30pm Fri-4pm Sat, Sacred Heart, Shelby
November 19, 2005        Secretariat Meeting - 10:00am, St. John the Baptist, Minden, NE
                                       Postcursillo Reunion - 1:00pm (following Secretariat Meeting)
December 10, 2005        Secretariat Meeting - 9:30am, Location TBA
January 13-14, 2006       School of Leaders (quarterly reunion) - 7:30pm Fri-4pm Sat, Location TBA
February 3-4, 2006         Practice Weekend, Location TBA
February 9-12, 2006       Men’s Weekend, Location TBA
February 23-26, 2006     Women’s Weekend, Location TBA
 
 

PRAYER/ADORATION HOURS for the Minden Weekends (listed by Ultreya Centers)
Thursday, 7:00pm - Midnight             David City
Friday, Midnight - 5:00am                 Beatrice/Crete
Friday, 5:00am - 10:00am                 Lincoln
Friday, 10:00am - 3:00pm                 McCook
Friday, 3:00pm - 8:00pm                   Plattsmouth/Offutt
Friday, 8:00pm - Sat., 1:00am           Wahoo
Saturday, 1:00am - 6:00am                David City
Saturday, 6:00am - 11:00am              Beatrice/Crete
Saturday, 11:00am - 4:00pm              Lincoln
Saturday, 4:00pm - 9:00pm               McCook
Sat, 9:00pm - Sun, 2:00am                Plattsmouth/Offutt
Sunday, 2:00am - 7:00am                 Wahoo
Sunday, 7:00am - 5:00pm                 Hastings
 

Three Day Weekend – St. John the Baptist, Minden

     Rollo Team for Men's Weekend -- Chuck Micek (Coordinator), Jon Junkin, Mark Pribyl, and John Springer,
     Fr. Jeremy Hazuka, Fr. Harlan Waskowiak.
     Rollo Team for Women's Weekend -- Joyce Micek (Coordinator), Carolyn Holmes, Margaret L'Ecuyer, and Kathy
     Springer, Fr. Paul York, Fr. Greg Pawloski.
     Candidates -- Please be praying for these candidates who have sent in their completed applications (as of 10/2/05) for the
     Cursillo Weekends in Minden (please encourage candidates to get their applications in ASAP):
     Men:
          - Jerome Clyne -- Minden, NE
          - Fr. Christopher Goodwin -- David City, NE
          - Fritz Kain -- McCook, NE
          - Dan Pospisil -- Ceresco, NE
     Women:
          - Lorraine Beil -- Beatrice, NE
          - Katherine Lahowetz -- Minden, NE
          - Allison Richtarik -- Lincoln, NE
          - R. Jean Sughroue -- Cambridge, NE

Volunteers Needed ... to help with the Region VI Encounter scheduled for  Sept. 23-25, 2005, at Sacred Heart Parish, Hebron.  We need help in the areas of: (1) set up/hospitality, (2)  meal prep and serving, (3) music, and (4) clean up.  Please contact Mark Pribyl (402-641-7199) or any Secretariat member (listed on the cover of the Newsletter) to volunteer ... the sooner the better ...

Reminders:

• Palanca Letters ... Personal Palanca letters continue to be a very important part of Cursillo.  Letters from the sponsor and/or a spouse should be marked so they may be given to candidates during the Weekend. All other personal Palanca letters will be sent home to be read/enjoyed during the Fourth Day when the candidates will be in special need of encouragement as they return to the world they left behind on Thursday evening.

    Personal and general Palanca letters (including posters) may be mailed to Kathy Springer, 1410 E 15th St, Crete, NE 68333, or any Secretariat member, in time to arrive by the Wednesday prior to each Weekend (Oct. 5th for the Men’s; Oct. 19th for the Women’s).
    Thank you to all who continue to encourage the candidates during the Three Days by offering Palanca, writing letters of encouragement, and  coming to Closings ... Thank you also to those who encourage and help the new Fourth Dayers find a Group Reunion and Ultreya as they begin to live their Fourth Day.
• Time of Closing ... 5:00pm  Fourth Dayers are encouraged to begin gathering in the Church for a 4:00pm Fourth Day Mass.  After Mass, Fourth Dayers are encouraged to pray, plan for the serenade (which will be in the Church as the candidates enter for the Closing), etc, prior to the arrival of the candidates at 5:00pm.
• Meal following the Closing ... After the Closing, the team will make a final Chapel visit, while the candidates and Fourth Day community gather for a meal and fellowship.  As in the past, a donation will be requested to help defray the cost of the meal.

• 15th National Encounter at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS ...

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

[Reflections on the 2005 National Encounter by John Springer]

    On the way to the National Encounter, we were discussing how God gives us little miracles each day - sometimes many miracles.  We just have to keep our eyes open and recognize His gifts.  We shared examples, like finding a parking spot when you're in a hurry, reaching in your pocket full of change and pulling out the exact amount, thinking of someone just before they call, seeing someone you know well hundreds of miles from home.  The odds of these things happening are against us in every case, but God doesn't do odds.
    Anyway, we arrived at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, with Kathy playing the role of Air Traffic Controller, guiding us in.  On our way to registration, we walked by the cafeteria (haven't seen or talked to a single person yet).  A couple walked out and the guy just said to me "I wanted to sign you up for Adoration."  I never saw this person in my life, and I said something like "What?"  He said, "I wanted to sign you up for Adoration when I saw you at daily Mass."  Again, I am thinking that I never saw this guy before and began to wonder what they were serving for supper - we'd better hurry before they run out!  He could tell I had no clue, and he continued, "I saw you last Saturday in Wichita (Kansas) at morning Mass, and you had a Cursillo shirt on and were going to a daily Mass, and I just knew you would sign up for a holy hour."  He was in charge of the perpetual adoration program at our son's parish in Wichita, so he was always on the lookout for people to fill hours.  He said he realized later that we were down there for our new granddaughter's Baptism, and since he knew our son, he knew we were from out of town.  After that little exchange, I thought to myself … another little miracle, thank You, God!
    What does that have to do with the National Encounter?  Reflecting on those three days, God supplied many little miracles.  The theme of the Encounter was "Be Messengers of Joy", and there certainly was plenty of that to go around.  It began with supper and many reunions of friends, followed by the official welcome; Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament/Confessions; and finally Night Prayer.  During Exposition, 20-some priests heard probably around 400 Confessions - awesome Graces were flowing, you could just feel it!
    The next days were filled with more joy - over 600 people of faith and love, praising, worshiping, singing, sharing, and of course - EATING!  No Cursillo event anywhere lacks food, and there was plenty of good food.
    The Benedictine monks of the college were welcoming and again, joyful.  The Abbot shared some hilarious stories and you could tell he had many others.  Ask me about Brother Leo's dynamite episode.
    We also spent time with one of the Lincoln seminarians, Rafael Rodriquez, who attended with Bishop Bruskewitz's blessing (and perhaps a little urging?).  Rafael is from Mexico City and came to UNL for what he thought was graduate school.  Of course, God brought him here for other reasons.  Rafael will, if everything goes as planned, be ordained a priest in two years (keep him and all seminarians in your prayers).  He was a blessing to all of us, and in particular to me, as he served as an interpreter so I could visit with a close friend (Manuel) from the Omaha Spanish Cursillo Community (close friends and we can't even speak each other's language - isn't God wonderful?).
    Several of the presentations were in Spanish, and Rafael attended some of those as well as some of the English presentations … he wanted to listen to talks in both languages.  The English and combined presentations were in the gym with hard chairs (I think designed that way to keep everyone awake).  Our regional meeting was held in the auditorium where the Spanish talks were given, and we found the real reason Rafael was going to those talks - comfortable padded seats!  We should have quizzed him on the talks to make sure he was not dozing.
    On a final note, we spoke to people from many dioceses throughout the country.  We are all pretty similar in that we share many of the same concerns.  It is common, we found, that as the Movement in the U.S. returns to the authentic Cursillo, many cursillistas are having difficulties accepting the move back to authenticity.  This is especially trying for the lay leaders who are trying to be faithful to the original charism of the Movement and struggle with dissent and abandonment by those who want to retain the extra things that were added to the Three Day Weekends over the years.  We understand that Cursillo is Cursillo, as it was originally given to us by Eduardo Bonnin … nothing more, nothing less.  Eduardo's constant message (echoed by Pope John Paul II) is to keep the Movement authentic, and if it is not, then make it so.  We all prayed for strength, guidance, and perseverance.
    This National Encounter marks the fifth that Kathy and I have attended (St. Louis, Louisville, Cincinnati, Seattle, and Atchison).  Each one is truly a spiritual blessing and a real encounter with Christ as we share our faith and our love for Jesus.  All the Encounters, including the Regional Encounters, bring us together as a Movement.  We go to the Encounters because we want to live what we learned on our Cursillo Weekend - be holy, form our faith, evangelize, and live in community.  May God bless you all.

De Colores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . John Springer

• National Cursillo Fundraising Letter ... The National Cursillo Center is asking for your help.  They are asking you reflect on the many ways you have been blessed from having lived your Three Day Weekend, and then to consider helping financially so that others might have a similar opportunity to encounter Christ through Cursillo.

    The National Cursillo Center asked that each Diocese allow them to request financial support for the work of Cursillo at the National level (which benefits ALL of us).  Rather than providing National with a listing of all cursillistas in the Lincoln Diocese, we promised that we would include their appeal in one of our Diocesan Newsletters.  You will see the appeal letter and Wish List included on a green insert, and we ask that you seriously consider making a donation.
    Ask God what He would have YOU do?  You might consider giving Him (by giving National) the equivalent of one hour's pay per week … or per month … or per year.  Your gift of even one hour's pay per year (out of 2,080 hours) would greatly help the work of spreading the Good News through Cursillo.  Was your Cursillo worth this much to you in your Fourth Day?
    As an alternative to a monetary donation, you might consider selecting an item from  the Wish List (on the back of the appeal letter) to donate … or you might be able to help the National Cursillo Center acquire an item at cost or at a  discounted price.
    And remember ... all gifts (both monetary AND non-monetary) to the Cursillo Movement are TAX DEDUCTIBLE … let the government help with the work of Cursillo!!
    The National Cursillo Center also asks that you keep the National Cursillo Movement in your prayers.
 
• Precursillo ...
• October Weekends ... Please pray for the teams being formed for the October 2005 Weekends, and for the candidates that God is calling you to prepare and invite to these Weekends.  It’s not easy to invite, but it’s necessary ... Chuck Micek and Mark Pribyl have each written an article (included in this section) reflecting on the challenge to us in the Precursillo ...

    The October Cursillo Weekends will soon be upon us (October 6-9 for the Men, and October 20–23 for the Women). This is just a reminder to encourage candidates and sponsors to get the applications turned in as soon as possible rather than waiting until just before the Weekends … it helps the Coordinators to properly welcome the candidates with a “welcome letter” rather than rushing the candidates to the Weekend.  The earlier candidates are prepared and invited, the earlier the applications can be completed, and the easier it is to keep the 4th Day community informed about the candidates for the Three Day Weekends (for offering Palanca and writing letters).

• Precursillo Article ... [Article by Chuck Micek, Precursillo Chair, entitled “Precursillo”]:

    Paragraph 75 of the "Fundamental Ideas of the Cursillo Movement" (page 42) says:
    "The essence of the Cursillo Movement consists of these elements:
1) it is a movement;
2) it is a movement of the Church;
3) it has a method of its own;
4) it makes possible the living and sharing of what is fundamental for being a Christian;
5) it helps one discover and fulfill one's personal vocation;
6) it fosters the creation of core groups of Christians;
7) it enables these groups to leaven their environments with the Gospel."
    We, as cursillistas, should know these elements by heart … after all, we're talking about the "essence" (the 'nerve center' … that which makes it what it is …) of the Cursillo Movement!!   We may not be able to repeat the elements word for word, but we should at least know in our hearts what each one means.  If we don't understand the essence of the Movement, how can we invite candidates to make a Weekend?  Speaking of which … the time (God's time …) for the October Men's and Women's Cursillo Weekends is rapidly approaching.
    I have been involved with sales and marketing for the past 28 years.  When we are seeking candidates interested in a career in sales, we ask some pre-qualifying screening questions.  One of these is a persuasion-type question that asks something like, "If a friend has something you need, would you ask the friend for it?"  I am amazed at how many of the candidates respond "No".  You need it (it's not just something you want) … the person is a friend (not just anyone) … but you still won't ask.  In sales, if the potential candidate would not ask a friend for something he/she needs, then how would he/she ask a customer for an order?
    Now, transfer this example to Cursillo …  My Friend (Jesus) has something I need … we ALL need it … the Kingdom of God ... and the grace to get there.  Do I ask Him for it?  I certainly hope so!!  But take it one step further …  because of my striving to be more and more Christ-like … growing in holiness … being formed more in His image and likeness … then letting Him use my hands and feet and mouth to extend the invitation to others with whom I come into contact to be part of His Kingdom, too … knowing that others NEED what I have found … will THEY ask for it?  Chances are, given the responses of the candidates above (isn't it interesting that they're called 'candidates' too?), they won't.  So, should I leave them there?  NO!!  We are the ones God called … His salespersons … He's counting on us to spread the Good News …  And if they won't ask us, then we should ask them!!
    Do you have a friend you would like to encourage to live a Three Day Weekend, but whom you have failed thus far to invite?  NOW is the time!!  And here's a way to begin … Invite your friend to attend your area's next Ultreya to find out more about the Cursillo Movement.  Such an invitation would be the living out of the 7th element listed above … it says that Cursillo  "enables these groups [Group Reunion and Ultreya]  to leaven their environments with the Gospel."  God wants us to leaven our environments with the Gospel … and He never sends us out alone … He calls all of us to live in community.  We seek people who share the same ideas that we do … and together (in core groups of Christian community … Group Reunion and Ultreya), we share the Gospel message.  Inviting a potential candidate to Ultreya (or Group Reunion) is a concrete means of leavening our environments with the Gospel using a core group of Christians … cursillistas …
    Our efforts to bring people closer to God are the fruit of the Cursillo Movement. God wants us to bring His love and Divine Mercy to all of the people in our environments (those places in which we live, work, and generally come into contact with others).  Let us move forward with that objective clearly in mind (and heart).  Invite your friend to Christ … it will change his/her life.  Wouldn't it be great to bring a friend closer to a Friend … Jesus Christ … and to perhaps save a soul?  Do it now!!

De Colores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chuck Micek
 

• Precursillo Article ... [Submitted 8/14/05, by Mark Pribyl, Three Day Chair, entitled “What If?”]:

    Just the other day, an interesting question came to me … and it gave me more than a little food for thought.  The question was, "What would happen if you went back through your family tree and removed, at random, any one person who preceded you?"  Well guess what!?!?  YOU wouldn't exist!!  As we well know, everything that happens, happens for a reason … God's reason … and everything affects the future in some way.
    So, what does this have to do with you, me, and Cursillo?  Well, have you ever spent time thinking about where you would be today, on your faith journey, if you had not experienced your Three Day Weekend?  If you participate in a friendship group (weekly Group Reunion) and Ultreya, then you have a community of close friends who are helping you to get to heaven, and you are helping them as well … if you had not lived the Three Day Weekend, you likely wouldn't have those same groups of friends.
    Of course, not all cursillistas who have lived a Three Day Weekend were able (for whatever reason) to find a friendship group … or attend Ultreya … to be encouraged and challenged in an on-going way to continue to grow in piety, study, and action in the Fourth Day.  We do the best we can to use whatever we learned during the Three Days to make a difference in our own lives and the lives of those around us.  I personally do not know one cursillista who was not inspired in some special way through Cursillo to do God's work … each was able to say "Yes" to something the Lord asked simply because of what was lived/learned on the Three Day Weekend.
    So, I ask you …
• "WHAT IF … no one had asked you to go to a Cursillo Weekend?"
• "WHAT IF … you had said 'no' to making the Weekend?"
• "WHAT IF … Cursillo never existed?"
    So, where would YOU be today?  Of course, one could only guess …  But I DO think that, if you gave it a little thought, like it or not, the Cursillo Method (Group Reunion and Ultreya), which was presented to us on our Three Day Weekend, made a huge difference in our Christian lives.
    So … "WHAT IF … you ask someone to make a Cursillo Weekend, and …
    … the person says 'no'?"
    … the person says 'yes'?
    And …
• "WHAT IF … you took what you learned through Cursillo and passed it on to someone to help that person grow just a little closer to God?"
• "WHAT IF … you mustered up enough courage to ask just one person to consider making a Cursillo Weekend … and that person said 'yes' … and, by the grace of God and your invitation, you opened the door for that person to literally bring thousands of souls to Christ?"
    So what do you say?  Why not consider putting into practice what you learned during your Three Days … why not "Make a friend, Be a friend, and Bring that friend to Christ"?  Invite someone to a Three Day Weekend.  What do you have to lose?… Not much when you consider what might be lost if you don't!!
Remember ... CHRIST IS COUNTING ON YOU!!!

De Colores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mark Pribyl
 

• Three Day Weekend ...
• Fall 2005 Cursillo Weekends ...
• Men’s - October 6-9, 2005
• Women’s - October 20-23, 2005
The Fall Weekends will be at St. John the Baptist Parish, Minden, NE.
• February 2006 Cursillo Weekends ...

The Winter 2006 Weekends are now set:
• Men’s - February 9-12, 2006
• Women’s - February 23-26, 2006
The location has not yet been determined ... however, we wanted you to be aware of the dates in case interested candidates cannot attend the October Weekends.

• Postcursillo ...
• 40th Anniversary Celebration

    The 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Cursillo Movement in the Lincoln Diocese was a wonderful time of prayer and community ... a time of great joy ...  Bishop Bruskewitz, the main celebrant and homilist for the Anniversary Mass, gave us all much encouragement to continue to let God work through us, and he challenged us to continue to take the message of Christ to those places that only the laity have access ...  We came away knowing that we still have much work to do, but it was a special blessing to reflect upon God’s graces through 40 years of Cursillo activity in the Diocese.
    Thank You, God, for 40 years of Cursillo in our Diocese ... thank you, Bishop Bruskewitz, for your encouragement and support!  Thank you to all cursillistas who have allowed (and continue to allow) God’s light to shine in them that others might find Christ ... and thank you to all those cursillistas who helped to make the Celebration a very special event.

• Secretariat Visits to Ultreya Centers

    The Secretariat is continuing its visits to each Ultreya Center to encourage cursillistas throughout the Diocese to live the Fourth Day.  The visits have been good and it is nice to renew old friendships and make new ones.  There are still two visits remaining – Lincoln and Beatrice/Crete.
    The Wahoo Ultreya Center would like to invite all cursillistas (and others who have not yet lived a Three Day Weekend, but are interesting in finding out more about Cursillo) to participate in their upcoming Ultreya, scheduled for Sunday, September 18th, beginning at 7:00 p.m.  The Ultreya will be held in the basement of St. Wenceslaus Church, with Fr. Matt Vandewalle giving the witness.  Please come if you are able ... what a wonderful way to renew old friendships and encourage one another in the Fourth Day!!
 
• Cursillo Information Flyers ... Included in this Newsletter, you will find a one-page, goldenrod-colored flyer that gives persons interested in Cursillo a quick overview of the Movement, including comments from Pope John Paul II, Pope Paul VI, and Bishop Bruskewitz.  In addition, contact information is included so that those persons who have questions will have someone to contact.

    Pastors will receive five copies of the flyer for each of the 135 parishes in the Diocese, along with the request that they be made available in a place accessible to parishioners.  Each flyer sent to the pastors includes the dates for the October and February Three Day Weekends (we did not include the label on the flyer included here).
    However, the way that you, as cursillistas, live your lives in the Fourth Day will continue to say more than any flyer ever could about the impact that Cursillo had on you.  Please continue to talk about and support Cursillo as a practical and useful tool (in its elements of Group Reunion and Ultreya) for helping Christians to live out the mission that Christ calls each of us to ...  So many people today are looking for a life-line to grab onto ... offer them Cursillo ...
 
• Planning Ahead -- A Year at a Glance

    This "working" (adjustments are still possible) schedule includes activities from the present through August 2006, and includes upcoming Secretariat meetings, quarterly SOLs, Three Day Cursillo Weekends, and Regional and National Encounters, etc.  This "working" schedule is intended to provide you with as much advance notice as possible to allow you to adjust your schedules to participate in Cursillo to the fullest extent possible.

SOL
2005
    Nov 4-5                Shelby
2006
    Jan 13-14
    Apr 28-29
    Jul 14-15

Three Day Weekend Activities
2005
    Sept 30-Oct 1       Practice
    Oct 6-9                 Men’s
    Oct 20-23             Women’s
    Nov 19                  Postcursillo Reunion
2006
    Feb 3-4                 Practice
    Feb 9-12               Men’s
    Feb 23-26             Women’s
    Mar 18                  Postcursillo Reunion

Regional/National Encounters
2005
    Sept 23-25            Fall Regional Encounter (Hebron, NE)
2006
    Apr 7-9                 Spring Regional Encounter
    Jul 27-30               National Encounter(Location TBA)

Other
    Jun 25, 2006         Grand Ultreya
 

• School of Leaders (SOL) ...

    The next quarterly SOL (see the blue Registration Form insert) will be November 4-5, 2005, at Sacred Heart School in Shelby, NE.
    In November we will begin studying a new book, Fundamentals of Christianity (by Fr. Frank Salmani), for the Technique Talks (given by laity) ... some of the later Doctrinal Talks may also come from this book.  The book will be available for purchase at the SOL, and includes such chapters as:
• Principles Behind the Cursillo Movement
• Reconciliation and Our Image of God
• Makeup of the Human Person
• Christianity as a Lived Experience
• Theology of the Church
• Faith and the Holy Spirit
• Holiness and Being in Love
• Faith, Knowledge and Formation
• A Theology of Sacrament
• Discipleship and Costly Grace
• Discipleship and the Messengers
• Discipleship and Judgment
• Obstacles and Obedience
• Obstacles to the Christian Ideal
• Mary and the Christian Life
• A Leader Set Apart
• Understanding Our Environments
• Creating Christian Communities
• The Essential Means
• Burnout and Perseverance
    The Doctrinal Talks will continue to be taken from Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici: (On The Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World; Dec. 30, 1988).  The document may be downloaded at:
 http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/ apost_exhortations/index.htm.  This SOL will conclude the discussion on Christifideles Laici.
    Please consider coming in November ... SOL has no beginning or end ... it simply continues to nourish and form ...

De Colores!! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Kathy Springer
 

From the Spiritual Advisor ...
    Recently (August 5th) , I read a meditation in the Magnificat devotional by Fr. Walter J. Ciszek, S.J., entitled "Following Jesus":
    "Our primary responsibility, the main object of all our efforts, must be the transformation of ourselves, of our hearts and our lives.  Insofar as we succeed at this, we promote the spreading of God's Kingdom, for by doing this, we are at the same time disposing ourselves to help others and contribute even further to the spreading of the Kingdom.  What this means in the concrete is that each of us must faithfully fulfill the duties of our daily life.  The circumstances and people that God each day presents to us through His providence offer us the opportunity to perform action after action in proof of our dedication to the Kingdom.  Whether we are married and taking care of home and family, or studying in school, or working in an office or a factory or on a farm, whether we are dedicated to the priestly or religious life, matters little -- in whatever we do, we must always seek first the Kingdom of God.  That is, all of our actions of every day must be accepted as from God and referred back to Him, must be done in a way that fulfills His Will, for in this way alone is the Kingdom of God promoted and spread upon earth."
    That sounds very much like Cursillo.  First, we are called to know ourselves, and then to enter into a friendship with Jesus.  Finally, we take Jesus with us out into the world.  Sometimes, as Americans, we tend to focus on the doing ... on the work ... on the spreading of His Kingdom.  But before we begin doing, we must first ask for His help and His grace so that we can let Him transform us.  In the words of the song: "Take My Life", we need to let Him ... "Take my heart and form it ... Take my mind, transform it ... Take my will, conform it ... to yours, to yours, Oh, Lord."
    When we let Him transform us, then we will see every situation in our lives as much as is humanly possible with His eyes.  Because we let Him form us, transform us, conform us, to be like Him, the persons and the situations of our lives will be His gifts to us ... and He will be placing us with the people and in the environments that He wants us to be, so that we spread His Kingdom.
    Spreading His Kingdom would be action (evangelization) ... but it first begins with piety (holiness ... entering into a friendship with Jesus) ... and it continues with study (formation  ...letting Him form us, transform us, conform us, and our wills, to His) ... and then we are better able to be used by Him to spread His Kingdom.
    St. Alphonsus Liguori has something to teach us about prayer ... in the August 1st Magnificat meditation, he tells us:
    "God wishes all people to be saved.  As we read in 1 Timothy 2:4: God 'desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.'
    Furthermore, God is ready to give to everyone the help needed for salvation, but He grants it only to those who ask Him.  As Saint Augustine wrote: 'He gives only to those who ask.'
    Hence it is a common opinion of theologians and of the Fathers of the Church that for adults prayer is necessary as a means of salvation.  This means that if you do not pray, or if you neglect to ask of God the help needed for overcoming temptation and for persevering in grace, you cannot be saved.
    On the other hand, you must remember that our gracious Lord cannot refuse to give graces to those who ask for them, because He has promised to do so.  'When you call upon me and come to pray to me, I will hear you' (Jer 29:12).  Have recourse to God and He will not fail to hear you.  Ask of God all that you desire and you shall receive it.  'Ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.' (Jn 15:7).
    These promises, however, are not to be understood with reference to temporal goods, because God gives those only when they are for the good of the soul.  But God has promised absolutely to grant spiritual graces to you if you ask Him; and having promised it,God is bound to give them to you.,  Saint Augustine says: 'By His promise, God has made Himself our debtor.'
    My Jesus, teach me to pray and to remember always how much I need to pray in order to save my soul."
    So, before God asks us to help spread His Kingdom throughout the world, He wants to start by transforming us.  When we are transformed into His image and likeness, then we, as cursillistas, really will be the "Messengers of Joy" (the theme for the 15th National Cursillo Encounter) that we called to be.  Then He will be better able to use us wherever we are, in whatever environment we are, to proclaim His Gospel to all those  we meet.  But the action starts with piety, and continues with formation, and then, as the "messengers of joy" that we have been formed to be, we spread His Kingdom and do His work.
    Remember, the Three Day Weekend began with getting to know yourself first, then getting to know Jesus ... at that point, you are ready to take Jesus out into the world.  So, in our Fourth Day, we must regularly and continually take time to know ourselves and to know Jesus ... take time to let Him form us ... then we will be better instruments to spread His Kingdom as messengers of joy.

De Colores!! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Father Mark Seiker
 
 

(Insert #1)

                                                                                September 1, 2005

Dear Cursillista of the National Cursillo® Movement,

We greet you and wish God’s blessings on you and your family. We pray that having lived the 3-Day Cursillo® Weekend, you are utilizing the method of Cursillo in your daily life and in your walk with Jesus. As a Cursillista, and member of your diocesan Cursillo® Movement, you are part of the National Cursillo® Movement of the United States.

The United States Cursillos in Christianity has a National Cursillo® Center located in Dallas, Texas. This Center organizes the operations of the National Secretariat, which safeguards the essence, purpose, and methodology of the Cursillo® Movement. For more information on the National Cursillo® Movement, we invite you to visit our website at www.natl-cursillo.org

We, the Finance Committee of the National Cursillo® Movement, are writing to request financial contributions from you for the benefit of continuing the work of the National Cursillo® Movement. The National Cursillo® Movement receives income via two major avenues, annual diocesan affiliation fees and the sales of books and materials. In the past, there have been sizeable gifts bestowed to the Movement. However, these gifts were onetime gifts and have ceased to exist. Expenses never cease though. On the contrary, we know too well their astonishing increase to the detriment of creating a much wider gap with income.

We are asking you to consider making a monetary donation to the National Cursillo® Movement. Perhaps you can consider giving the equivalent of one hour’s pay per week, per month or per year. Checks can be made payable to “National Cursillo® Center” and mailed to PO Box 210226; Dallas, Texas 75211. Or you may be moved to make a donation of an item from our “Wish List” (see back). If you are in a position to provide any of these items please contact the National Cursillo® Center for information and details at 214-339-6321 or email us at nationalcursillo.center@verizon.net. We hope you are able to contribute in some way. Remember, your donation to the National Cursillo® Movement, a 501(c) (3) entity, is tax deductible.

We rely on God and your generosity to receive what we will need. Please pray and ask God to lead you – you are the National Cursillo® Movement! We thank God for you and we know that you are an evangelical witness of the Good News that “God Loves You”! Thank you for your consideration. Please keep the National Cursillo® Movement in your
prayers.

Your brothers and sister in Christ,

Jim Wells, Diego Melians, Kathy Springer
The Finance Committee of the National Cursillo® Movement
 
 

1. Data projector with 1024x768 resolution (3)
2. Laptop/Notebook computer (2)
3. Language translator software for Windows XP (4)
4. Desks (4)
5. Metal Industrial Shelves (30)
6. Van – 8 passenger
7. U-Haul Trailer
8. Conference table with 10 chairs
9. Dry-Erase Board 48” x 96” with stand
10. Windows XP compatible Computer with monitor
11. Scanners (2)
12. Work bench cabinet (6)
13. Storage cabinets (3)
14. File cabinets – four drawer (8)
15. Telephone System with (6) telephone
16. Cell Phones (4)
17. Digital Camera, min. 5 mega pixels
18. Tables 6’ Portable folding (15)
19. Label System Electronic
20. Copier high capacity
21. Partition 16’ Freestanding Portable
22. Podium Fully Powered (microphone & speaker)
23. Wooden Book Shelves (4)
24. Television 27” with stand
25. DVD & VHS combination player
26. Digital Camcorder
27. Sofa and living room chairs
28. Mini Blinds 36” x 60” (20)
29. Vacuum Cleaner
30. PC DVD Read/Write drive (6)

(Insert #2)

Name: ________________________________________________________________

Address: ______________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip: _________________________________________________________

Phone:                                         Email: ______________________________________

Where and when did you make your Cursillo? ______________________________________________________

Are you able to receive the Sacraments of Confession & Holy Communion?    Yes     No

To which Organizations do you commit your time? __________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________

Are you living the follow-up program of Group Reunion?    Yes     No

Are you living the follow-up program of Ultreya?    Yes     No

Do you have any physical/medical/dietary conditions to be considered? __________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________
 

Please Return this Form WITH PAYMENT To:
John Springer, 1410 E 15th St, Crete, NE 68333                         BY NOV 2, 2005
 

Is Christ tugging at your heart to serve Him through Cursillo?
SOL is the working arm of Cursillo … May God us your time/talent/treasure in SOL to do the work of Cursillo ... build community with other cursillistas ... spend time in prayer and meditation with the Blessed Sacrament.  SOL is for ALL cursillistas ... men and women, couples, singles, priests and religious.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4th (Retreat Phase ... preparation for Saturday's SOL)
        7:30pm ---      Registration (NO Meal Friday evening)
        7:45pm ---      Mass
        8:30pm ---      Meditation, confessions, quiet time

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5th (School of Leaders Agenda)
        7:00am ---      Morning prayer and Mass, followed by breakfast
        8:30am - 4pm Group Reunion, Intro, 2-3 Sessions and Lunch
        4:00pm ---     Clean up and Depart (Supper not provided)

Please bring the following with you to the SOL:

• Pilgrim’s Guide
• If you have the following:
• Leader’s Manual (please begin praying the Leader’s Prayer on page 57)
• NEW … During this SOL, we will begin using Fundamentals of Christianity for the Technique Talks (the book, by Fr. Frank Salmani, will be available for $10.00 at SOL)
• Apostolic Exhortation Christifideles Laici: (On The Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful in the Church and in the World; Dec. 30, 1988).  The document may be downloaded at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/ apost_exhortations/index.htm

• "Classic” Cursillo accommodations will be available ... no showers
• Advance registrations are requested; it is fine to attend Saturday only (SOL) or Friday only (Retreat Phase)
• Suggested donation (if you are able) for the weekend is $15.00 per person.  Please make check payable to “Cursillo of Lincoln” and mail with the Registration Form.
• Please keep this half of the flyer for future reference.