St.Margaret's & San Francisco de Asis Episcopal Church

Cursillo Sunday

May 1, 2011

The first Sunday in May is designated in our diocese as Cursillo Sunday, a day to share what the Cursillo Movement is and to provide an opportunity for people to learn how they can become part of it.

In many parishes the chalice bearers, lay readers, ushers and others serving that day are Cursillistas. There is usually a presentation by a cursillista about what Cursillo is, and a parish Cursillo representative is available to answer questions or to be contacted for more information.

The Cursillo Method helps individuals to develop a personal relationship with Christ and to discover that every Christian, not just the clergy, has a calling to a particular ministry. The support of a Reunion Group and observing a “rule of life” enriches not only each Cursillisata’s life and ministry, but also helps to enrich the life of the parish.

Three-day Cursillo Weekends are held to explore what is fundamental to being a Christian. Weekends for men, women--and this year in September a women’s weekend in Spanish--are held at the Duncan Center, beginning on a Thursday night and concluding on Sunday afternoon.

Teams of clergy and laity are called from around the diocese to lead weekends. Serving on teams, the Secretariat, and Servant Committees is a way for leaders to emerge. Reunion Groups that meet regularly can be a method of personal and group apostolic action. Ultreyas are held around the diocese to interact and share on a larger scale.

The Episcopal Cursillo Movement is national and international; it is active in most dioceses. There is a yearly conference held the last weekend in October--last year in South Carolina and this year in Phoenix, Arizona.

When the question has been asked at Diocesan Convention how many attending have made a Cursillo Weekend, the vast majority raise their hands! Their continual service is part of the goal of Cursillo--being a “Christian Community in Action!”

Blessings,

+Leo Frade