Welcome to the third 2009 edition of the Communique for the Hamilton, Ontario Diocese Cursillo community. For more information about the Hamilton Diocese Cursillo Movement visit www.4thday.ca.
In this issue:
Dear Cursillistas
That time of the year is arriving where we start to let you know about the upcoming weekends.
This year we have the 71st Women’s Weekend set for October 1st to the 4th 2009 and the Rectora is Kim Jones from Guelph, Ontario.
The Men’s 73rd Weekend is October 22nd, to the 25th, and the Rector is Jim Schramek from Kitchener, Ontario.
Both weekends will be held in Deemerton, Ontario.
We thank both of these Cursillistas for their dedication to the Cursillo Movement and also for accepting the call to represent God’s presence at these upcoming weekends.
Now it is your turn. I know you have continued to talk to your spouse and/or friends about Cursillo and maybe taken them to visit your Ultreya so please continue to be that friend and bring that friend to Christ by having them make a weekend.
I am attaching an actual application so that you really do have a hard copy on hand for that special moment. If you are the representative of an Ultreya please continue to have supplies handy as e-mail is not an option for everyone.
Take care
Joyce Hause – Weekend Co-ordinator
My name is Marg Weber and I lived the 33rd women’s Cursillo in 1985 at St. Benedicts High School in Cambridge. My weekend was truly a wake up call in so many ways. I learned that God loves ME, and I found a new special friend, Jesus.
Cursillo has given me the means to grow in love, in friendship with myself, with God and with each other. I learned to deepen my own understanding of living what is fundamental to being Christian.
That weekend was the beginning of my incredible faith journey which has taken me high over mountain tops, through hurdles and lows into the depths of despair and sadness. I have met incredible people from across the country and my “friends in Christ” have journeyed with me and helped me to mature in my faith and to pursue through difficult times and who encouraged me to “keep on… keeping on”. Many of those friends have now gone home to eternally rest, but they remain deep in my heart until we meet again.
The Cursillo has and will be my primary apostolate as I owe much of my faith journey to this great movement and the friends I have been blessed to have as part of my journey. I have truly been honored and have enjoyed serving the movement of Hamilton Diocese as Weekend Coordinator for a number of years and for the past 3 years serving as the Post-Cursillo and School of Leaders Coordinator.
As this chapter of my journey, my term on secretariat comes to a close, it is time for some new fresh ideas and I am very pleased that Sharon Penlington has said yes to the call to serve. She is intent on keeping true to the charism given to the founder of the movement and I am sure will work tirelessly to keep Cursillo as it was intended.
Sharon and I have journeyed together for some time, as she was part of my table group when she made her weekend. She has accompanied me to many National conferences and to Mallorca in 2007, to meet Eduardo Bonnin and visiting the birthplace of Cursillo. It was following our trip to Mallorca and the National Conference in Barrie, June 2008, with the theme “School of Leaders, One Mind, One Heart” that “resurrecting” the School of Leaders here in Hamilton Diocese seemed obviously necessary for the movement. In September 2008, the CESOL, Cursillo Enrichment, School of Leaders began a new journey.
Change is never easy and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, there have been many changes over the years in getting “Back to Basics” with focus on the “Why” rather than the “How”. We are all human and find change difficult but I feel we are today, where we need to be… on the right track. As I look back on some of the accomplishments of my time on secretariat I feel blessed and am grateful for having had the opportunity to use my gifts and talents to be of service. I wish the new members of secretariat my prayers and blessings. When one door closes, a window will open. At this point, when or where that window of opportunity will be, but I am open to whatever God has in store for me. There is so much more work to be done in the vineyards of the Lord.
I would like to thank my friends who have been my mentors and were patient with me and who helped me to better understand the depth of the Cursillo movement. We are all companions on a journey!
Guiding scripture passages for me have been….. John 15:9 …“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you, live on in my love” and Mathew 19:26…. “With God all things are possible.”
The charism given to Eduardo back in the early ’40’s is still alive and growing today! A gift from God to be shared.
DeColores
In Love, Service and Friendship
Marg Weber
Hello everyone,
I, Sharon Penlington from Kitchener, have accepted the invitation to serve the Hamilton Diocese in a position on Secretariat in the capacity of facilitating the School of Leaders. I am married for 20 yrs to a very supportive husband Peter.
I had an opportunity to assist with this when Marg Weber from Waterloo helped to set this up as a vehicle for the different Ultreya’s to come together to learn from one another, how we are living the method of Cursillo.
When I was invited by a friend to experience my Cursillo in the fall of 2004 in Deamerton I was introduced to a new group of friends at St Cecilia’s table.
A fresh new wind from the Holy Spirit blew over me as the three encounters with self Christ and others were presented by ordinary Christians like me journeying in faith. It served to provide more clarity for the passion that I had for Jesus and provided a means in how I could serve him better in the company and strength of friends.
I am fortunate and have been privileged to be able to attend the Canadian National Cursillo Conferences since then to deepen my understanding of the message that Cursillo has to offer me.
The most amazing experience of all for me was being able to participate in the Cursillo of Cursillo in the fall of 2007 in Mallorca Spain.
It was there that I truly witnessed the reality of how it is lived.
That it was possible too meet the founder Edwardo Bonnin that November was so humbling for me.
He was a simple man who said “yes” to a call from God. His life had been one of allowing the Holy Spirit to work through him. You could see in his eyes pure joy radiate from him as he made contact with those met him as strangers, just in the same way as he would with those who new him already surrounding him. His body was old and frail and he suffered in his poor health. Despite all this he made the effort to be with us all. He also gave witness to the importance service of allowing others to help him in areas he could not do for himself.
In saying yes to leadership role of serving in coordinating the school of leaders, I look forward to through the shared dialogue in striving to find a deeper understanding of the Movement of Cursillo from as many of us a possible from our various Ulterya’s as we come together in love and friendship.
It is not an easy task to commit to gather when we have such a large Diocese and live with diverse weather in Canada. Each of us has many distractions in our lives with family, jobs, vacations and other areas of our lives we are involved in.
This is why once a month over a longer time period has been the suggestion to Secretariat that we gather.
It is not once a week as is the suggestion but if we can be committed to gather regularly as requested perhaps the fruits of our efforts with still be there. Who know maybe more often will be possible down the road. Or we could move locations around or more creative solutions could be discerned. It is in the prayer willingness to freely act we will continue to grow.
I look forward to the next date agreed upon to gather together which is Saturday May 23 2008. We will meet a St Joseph’s in Guelph. Social and coffee will start a 9:30 am with the 10:00am-2:00 pm will be the School of Leaders. Please bring a lunch for yourself and maybe a bit extra to share or barter….for others who may be challenged to do so or….. forget…In this way we will be able still gather and share with one another and a catch up as friends.
The topic will be Pre-Cursillo The best news that GOD LOVES US, the best means which is FRIENDSHIP, to the best that is in the PERSON.
Sharon Penlington.
sharon.penlington@gmail.com. 519-748-1711
“Cursillo of Cursillos”
Learn more about our movement.
July 2-5, 2009
Wilfrid Laurier University
King St. N. at University Ave.
Waterloo, Ontario
Stay on campus for $285.00
This includes accommodation, meals and breaks.
Sleep at home for $185.00
This includes meals and breaks
Book now by contacting
Joyce Hause
jjhause@sympatico.ca or 519-743-1067.
Cursillo of Cursillos Information
On a Cursillo weekend we learn among other things about Piety, Study and Action - the cornerstones for our 4th Day - or our life after our Cursillo weekend.
If we live our 4th Day according to PIETY STUDY & ACTION then we can enjoy our 5th Day singing De Colores at the Great Ultreya in Heaven with Zaira Lopes, Vera Vath, Fr Steve Stinson, Eduardo Bonin and countless others who have gone before us. Won’t that be grand!
Some people may think we’re nuts when we talk this way but we know where we’re headed and we know the way. Jesus is the way! The way the truth and the light. As Cursillistas we follow Jesus through our PIETY STUDY & ACTION.
When I meet with my small group reunion each week we take turns reflecting on how we have lived our piety, study and action over the past week. This helps me keep my focus and calls me back when I get off track. If you don’t know where you’re going any road will do – right? So if we know the way and we follow it we will most likely stay on course.
But will that be enough to get us to heaven on our 5th Day? Let’s see.
What does it take to get to heaven? We know saints are in heaven? Will PIETY STUDY & ACTION make us saints?
I’ve been listening to a Matthew Kelly CD in my car this past week. Matthew Kelly – a young, Australian, Catholic, evangelist - equates sainthood with becoming the best version of ourselves. That sounds a little less daunting to me than aiming for sainthood…but it’s really the same thing.
Being the best version of ourselves is how we answer Vatican II’s call to Holiness. It’s how we become saints. It’s how we do God’s will in each moment of our lives… loving God and loving our neighbour as ourselves in each moment. Christ came that we might have life and have it to the full. This fullness of life is found in being the best version of ourselves.
I don’t know if Matthew Kelly is a Cursillista but his conversion story has Cursillo written all over it. Listen & see if you can spot it as I tell you his story.
As a teenager Mathew was doing the Catholic things like going to Mass each Sunday but something was missing until a fellow almost twice his age - Matthew was 18 & the fellow was 33 – started to challenge him to deepen his spiritual life – one step at a time. First spend some time in front of the Blessed Sacrament, and then add a daily Mass. That’s piety. Next he challenged Matthew to read the Bible. That’s study. Then he took Matthew to a Nursing Home to visit the residents and ask them about their lives. That’s action.
And on he went upping the ante over time all the while meeting regularly to shoot some baskets and develop a deeper relationship. That’s friendship.
That friendship introduced Matthew to PIETY, STUDY & ACTION and it changed his life forever. And that is the Cursillo method in a nutshell.
I can identify with that. I came to PIETY, STUDY & ACTION step by step as well. God is very patient with us. He molds us a bit at a time. And it is through the spiritual friendship of my small group reunion that I am challenged to keep on growing.
Some of my spiritual friends and I meet for a time of Adoration in front of the Blessed Sacrament followed by coffee most weekday mornings. I really think I am the most fortunate person on the face of the earth to have such a lovely routine. These truly are the best days of my life. …It gives me a glimpse of that fullness of life Christ wants to give me! That’s my PIETY.
Last fall I returned to part time studies after over 30 years. It’s quite demanding but as I half-jokingly say that studying Gerontology at Laurentian is “just in time” learning for me. I may just learn how to grow old gracefully. At the very least I am beginning to value and respect my years and the fact that I can still grow and learn and contribute.
This is really quite a significant undertaking for a person whose recurrent nightmare for many years has been a performance anxiety scenario that always focused on a school assignment and then ended with great relief to wake up and realize that it was just a bad dream.
However, once the initial years of grieving after my husband’s death were past the emptiness I felt needed to be filled. But emptiness can blossom like a desert cactus after the rain. As the serenity prayer says we have to recognize what we can change and what we can’t do what we can do. So I did. I filled my emptiness with STUDY and it opened up a whole new world for me.
With lots of encouragement and support I have completed my first course. What did I learn? Lots! But perhaps most important is that I know I am happiest when I am learning. It gave me yet another glimpse of the “fullness of life” Christ has in mind for me and it is good.
Of course it’s hard work and there are times when I wonder what I’ve gotten myself into. But I’ve come to realize that whether it’s Gerontology or Bible Study or whatever I pursue it is only when I work effortfully with the material that I really can make it my own so that it is there for me when I need it later.
STUDY equips us in so many ways with the right stuff that we can then share with others to enrich their lives. But it doesn’t all come from formal educational programs. We can learn how to use a computer program or a new piece of machinery or even a Wii game and it opens us up to a world of possibilities. That is STUDY.
In his homily last Sunday Father Anh spoke about how Jesus believed in God but that He also believed in man. He saw in Peter - Cephus – the Rock – when everyone else saw only a braggart, a coward, and a hot head.
When I hang my head and say to God I am a coward, a braggart and a hot head – a sinner through & through - He sees my potential just like he could see Peter’s. I came into this world with so much potential but applied myself to develop so little of what I could have in order to become the best version of myself. But the good news is that God is patient and it is never too late. Having someone recognize my potential and show me some encouragement has made the difference. Look around you here today; the potential in this room could set the world on fire. What is holding us back from giving that recognition and encouragement to each other?
The words “let us do good while we still can” seem especially urgent these days for me. The day will come soon enough for all of us – our 5th Day - when all opportunities for generosity, patience, and love will be over. Let us do good while there is still time!
This week at work some internal stuff ruffled some of my colleagues’ feathers. I felt their pain and told them so – “you deserve better” I said. It mitigated their anger and hurt and I could see it was healing for them to be recognized as worthy of better treatment – to have a friend in what seemed a hostile place at that moment. Hugs were exchanged and grim looks soon gave way to laughter and camaraderie.
Today is the feast of St Frances de Sales. He challenged, encouraged and befriended a young widow woman who became St. Jane Francis de Chantal. His letters to her are the substance of his book “The Devout Life” which when I read it many years ago challenged me.
Tomorrow is the Conversion of St Paul. He challenged encouraged and befriended whole cities. His letters to them are now contained in scripture to challenge and encourage us.
Mother Teresa challenged the world in her speech before the United Nations to protect the life of the unborn. She didn’t live to see that challenge bear fruit. Today abortion will become even easier to get in the USA if Obama’s election promises are carried out. Like her we may not always see a positive outcome from our actions but in spite of that she urged …”do it anyway”.
Today we have choices to make:
For PIETY - Will it help us grow closer to Christ?
For STUDY - Will it help us develop our talents?
For ACTION - Will it challenge, encourage and befriend others?
The truth is that it’s never too late to make the right choice – like Peter – The Rock – hummm some rock when he denied Christ! But if it wasn’t too late for Peter then neither is it too late for us to become the best version of ourselves – and discover the fullness of life that we were created for.
So the question for you now is how are PIETY, STUDY & ACTION helping you respond to Vatican II’s call to holiness? How are they helping you become the best version of yourself? How will they bring you to the fullness of life here and now and prepare you for your 5th Day?
De Colores!
Barbara Fox
St Mary’s Ultreya
Owen Sound, Ontario
January 24th 2009
Please send me (drmilne@sympatico.ca) any talks you think should be published so we can publish a witness talk every month. Please realize that I will have to use my judgment on whether or not a talk is published so it's possible that not every talk will get published.
The 5th Day Cursillo Prayer service is available to be held at the funeral home prior to the funeral and at the discretion of the family following the passing of their loved one. A Cursillo member will lead the service. If anyone knows of the passing of a Cursillista in our Diocese please contact myself or any member of the secretariat marg.weber@sympatico.ca
Happy Easter!! He is risen, alleluia, alleluia.
De Colores,
David