Cursillo Newsletter

A Grand Ultreya

June 25, 2006

Van Dorn Park in Lincoln, NE

Arrival at 11:00am; Mass at 11:30am

Food, fun (games, activities) and friends

(see opposite page for details)

GRAND ULTREYA – It’s a FAMILY event!!

What?

† A Grand Ultreya is planned for Sunday, June 25^th, from approximately 11am - 4pm at Van Dorn Park in Lincoln.

† This is a diocesan-wide, family-oriented event.

† This will be a potluck picnic. Each family will bring a dish to share.

† The Secretariat will bring paper plates, napkins, glasses and plastic-ware

† Iced tea/water/orange drink will be provided.

† Please also bring softball equipment if you’d like to play.

Where?

† Van Dorn Park is easily accessible at approximately 9^th and Van Dorn.

† There are restroom facilities, running water and grills, and an enclosed shelter for Mass and the picnic (so the event will go on … rain or shine).

† There are open areas for softball or kickball and volleyball … there is also playground equipment … something for kids of all ages.

When?

A Grand Ultreya is planned each year for the last Sunday in June.

This year, on June 25:

† The day begins at 11:00am, with Mass at 11:30am.

† Following Mass, we will have our picnic potluck meal.

† Then, we’ll spend time getting to know one another … either for the first time, or renewing old friendships … Ultreya (during this time, the young people will have the chance to participate in some games/crafts.

† Following Ultreya, the adults will join the youth in games and activities (or watching and visiting).

† The day will conclude around 4:00pm.

Why?

† Our diocese is widespread geographically and it is rare that cursillistas from the east and west all get together.

† A time for cursillistas AND THEIR FAMILIES to take part in a Cursillo event.

† Past years have been great fun –- please come!

How much?

† There will be a jar for donations to cover the cost of using the park shelter, if you’d like to help. The fee for the rental of the shelter is $75.

† No park sticker is needed for your vehicle.

Comments from Chuck Micek (Precursillo Chair)

The Precursillo

Throughout the year, God has a great way of keeping us in the frame of mind that we should be in … if we listen to the quiet whispers we receive each day. He is in our lives throughout each day, and we just need to remember that as we go about our day. I was especially reminded of His Presence during Holy Week … it was an inspiration to me … a reminder that God is present in our hearts and souls in a very real way as we celebrate the sacraments.

The Chrism Mass at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ on Monday of Holy Week acted to jump-start the week for me. It was inspiring to witness the Bishop and all the priests present for the Blessing of the Holy Oils (the oil of Catechumens, oil of the Sick, and Sacred Chrism … for Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders) … oils that make Christ present among us in a tangible way.

Then, Holy Mother Church’s liturgical services during the balance of Holy Week … Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday and finally Easter Sunday Mass … it doesn’t get any better than that … it is what we are all about. These days remind us of how Christ lived and died for us, in order that we may live in eternity with Him ... His Presence … then, now, and to come. In reflecting on His life, death, and resurrection, I was reminded of His leading by example … and the quiet whisper that I need to do the same … even as I continue to try to follow Him …

A small example of hearing His whisper occurred on Good Friday just prior to the Stations of the Cross at 3:00 p.m. I was upset because no one ever replaces the paper towels in the restroom at the back of the Church. I was grumbling to myself when I thought of Jesus on the Cross. I heard the whisper: “Take care of it for Me; I’m a little busy now.” “Thank You, Jesus,” I thought to myself, “I am starting to get the message now!”

The Easter Season is a very good time to reflect on, and possibly adjust, my apostolic plans, as I understand them in light of Cursillo … what is He asking of me? What am I doing to bring others to Jesus? How am I carrying the message of the Gospel to others each day? What do I need to do bring about change in the lives of others as Christ wants me to do?

No one was closer to our Lord during His passion and death than His Blessed Mother … she certainly heard and heeded the quiet whispers of a God she dearly loved. The month of May is Mary’s month. Let us all make a promise to the Mother of Jesus, that we will advance the Word of Christ to five other Catholic Christians during the month of May and invite those our Lord is calling (which may not be all of them) to live a Cursillo Weekend. Pray to God prior to inviting and then invite ... Trust that God will lead you to the people willing to accept Him in their lives as you have, then act … Christ is counting on you!

De Colores! Chuck Micek, Precursillo Chair

Comments from Mark Pribyl (Three Day Chair) … “Evangelize – Who ME?!”

I was visiting with another cursillista the other day about grouping, and the person shared with me how he was struggling with ways to evangelize. He worked by himself and his environment didn't include others very often.

Sometimes evangelization is not about who we talk to or what we say … rather, it might be about how we act when we meet with trial. Or maybe evangelization is giving a compliment to someone who deserves it, even if it is going to be difficult … for whatever reason. Or, it could be just a simple wave to a passerby.

It might help to reflect on how Saint Therese (the Little Flower) evangelized … she scrubbed floors, cleaned the convent, and prayed … never complaining and always with great love. Her doctrine of “the little way” (doing little things with great love) … her style of evangelizing … is why we honor her as a Doctor of the Church.

During Group Reunion each week, we are blessed with the opportunity to share our SUCCESSES and FAILURES … our CHALLENGES, as well as our EFFORTS that are still works in progress. The members of your Group Reunion are people who love Jesus like you do, and together we find ways to grow closer to Jesus. We don't group to brag. We gather to grow … grow in love for God … our neighbor … our spouses … our children … and all those God places in our lives each and every day … no matter how many or how few.

Evangelization is a challenge for everyone in one way or another. Sometimes when I am struggling … and sometimes just as a reminder … it helps me to reflect on the following … maybe it will help you, too …

· God promised that He will be with us always … even until the end of time.

· Christ and I are an overwhelming majority.

· With God, I can do all things … without God I can do nothing.

· My yoke is easy and my burden is light (although the road is kind of rough sometimes).

Ask God to help … in other words, pray (that would be piety … holiness). Set aside some time each day to read about what the Church teaches … or how others (saints) coped with difficulties (that would be study … formation). And in time, you will be inspired (as well as prepared through prayer and study) to help bring a newfound (or old) friend to Christ in a way you never imagined. I would tell my friend who struggles with evangelizing to trust Jesus … I do … and He never lets me down … nor will He let you down!

DeColores!! Mark Pribyl

Make a friend …

BE a friend …

Bring your friend to Christ!!

Opportunities to Live/Work/Form Community …

· Region VI Spring Encounter ... The Region VI Spring Encounter was held April 28-30, 2006, at St. Mary Elementary School in Bismarck, ND. The main theme of the Encounter was the Postcursillo. Cef Aguillon, the National English Language Director, was also there and gave a wonderful talk on the topic of what it means to live “what is fundamental to being a Christian.” Six cursillistas from our Diocese participated … and all came away with a deeper understanding of community and the value of the Cursillo Movement in helping to live our Baptismal promises … and with renewed fervor to help those we encounter in everyday life do the same.

The topic for the Region VI Fall Encounter (to be held the weekend of September 29 – October 1, 2006 in Fairmont, MN) is School of Leaders …plan now to be there!!

· School of Leaders (SOL) ... The SOL will continue to deepen your understanding of the need for community and continued formation as you witness the Gospel of Jesus Christ at work in the Cursillo Movement. ALL ARE INVITED, and in particular we again encourage and invite the new 4th Dayers to become active in Cursillo through the SOL. Hear the words of Jesus to the disciples: “Come and see” ... share, pray, and grow as a community. The next SOL will be June 2-3, 2006 at Sacred Heart School, Shelby, NE ... see registration form (included).

· Grand Ultreya ... Mark your calendars now … The Grand Ultreya is scheduled to be held on June 25, 2006, at Van Dorn Park in Lincoln, NE, beginning with Mass at 11:30 a.m. (arrival around 11 a.m.). Join cursillistas from across the Diocese for fun, friendship, faith and fellowship ... see page 2 for more details. If you’d like to help (e.g., music, games/activities, etc.), please contact Annette Wemhoff, Postcursillo Chair (402-477-1821).

· 16^th National Cursillo Encounter …This year’s National Encounter is being held at Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, on July 20-23, 2006. The theme is “Speak, Lord, Your servant is listening.” To prepare the participants for “listening”, the Encounter will begin with Eucharistic Adoration. The Encounter is intended to address the questions, “What are we doing with the gifts God has given the Cursillo Movement, and how are we being faithful disciples with what God has given us?” The Encounter is open to ALL cursillistas, from those who only recently lived their Weekends to those who lived their Weekends decades ago. You can download a registration form from the National Cursillo Center website (www.natl-cursillo.org), or you can register on-line (same address from which you download the form).

· Three Day Weekends ... Due to the response from the suggestion that Summer Weekends might be a possibility, the following set of Three Day Weekends has been added:

U Men’s – July 27 - 30, 2006 (All Saints’ School, Holdrege, NE)

U Women’s – August 3 - 6, 2006 (All Saints’ School, Holdrege, NE)

U Men’s – January 11 - 14, 2007 (St. Mary School, David City, NE)

U Women’s – January 18-21, 2007 (St. Mary School, David City, NE)

· Prayer/Palanca Requests from the larger Cursillo Community … In recent months, we’ve had cursillistas ask us to send out (via email) requests for prayer/Palanca, or to forward information about cursillistas who have been called to the Fifth Day, so that those who would like to attend Rosaries/funerals might have the opportunity to do so. The Secretariat discussed how we should handle such requests, and we landed on the following: If you have been included in the recent requests for prayers and would prefer not to be on the list at the present time, please let us know (ks90710@alltel.net). And if you have not been receiving the email requests and would like to be included when prayers/Palanca are requested, please let us know (same email address). Let us continue to pray for one another …

From the Lay Director ...

This past weekend was the Region VI Spring Encounter in Bismarck, ND … I am always so renewed to be with my brothers and sisters in Christ … those I don’t get to see often (kind of like with Ultreya), but who I instantly connect with when I see them again. What a rush!! The difficulty of the journey (in terms of time, expense, physical difficulties, etc.) melts away as we reach the pilgrimage site and are greeted with the warm “De Colores!!” of our brothers and sisters in Christ … Yes, it is good to come away and be with Him …

The overall topic for the weekend was the Postcursillo. The first technique/lay talk dealt with the “why” of the Postcursillo, and the remaining two talks dealt with the two elements of the Postcursillo: Group Reunion and Ultreya. The doctrinal/spiritual talk dealt with virtues and vices … how we grow in virtue while working to overcome vice … the Postcursillo elements of Group Reunion and Ultreya help us to do just that.

We were reminded that the main objective of the Postcursillo is to help each individual cursillista find his/her unique role in the mission of the Church for the world, with the Group Reunion and Ultreya providing an atmosphere/format to help each one to become a saint, given his/her unique talents. Its purpose is to renew/accelerate/perfect the conversion that was begun or furthered on the Three Day Weekend. Cursillo in its Postcursillo phase gives us a community to promote/grow/share our Christian life together … it provides friends with whom we share our lives … it’s about friendship … friendship … friendship … After all, we’re constantly encouraged “to make a friend, be a friend, then bring that friend to Christ” (Who is also a Friend).

The Postcursillo is about finding a responsive way of being right where God wants us to live. Group Reunion is for the good of the individuals and Ultreya is for the good of the community. Too many times we focus on our individual growth in the Group Reunion, but ignore the needs of the community (of which we are a part) because we’ve had our needs met. Unfortunately, not everything is about us personally … actually, it’s really fortunate … because we are challenged to go outside ourselves and we are called to live lives of generosity and self-surrender … in fact, we’re called to be servants. On the Weekend, we hear the words, “An isolated Christian is a paralyzed Christian” … the same can be said of Group Reunions … an isolated Group is a paralyzed Group … We need one another!! There is a great sadness in the number of cursillistas who are choosing not to share with the overall community … it doesn’t mean they aren’t doing good, but they are sorely missed!

Just a little about each of the elements of the Postcursillo …

The first element of the Postcursillo is Group Reunion: Group (persons who are/want to be friends) … Reunion (coming together to be better friends/Christians). Coming together to share our lives of piety (holiness), study (formation), and action (evangelization) elevates our friendships to the supernatural … the weekly gathering is an occasion, or permanent channel, for actual grace … it is what helps make it possible for us to live out our commitment to bring the Gospel to the world. It is really the universal Church on a smaller scale … the model used by Christ. In Mark 6:30, Jesus lived Group Reunion with the Twelve … “The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught” … that would be sharing in Group Reunion. The Twelve had been sent out (as we are … daily …), and they had returned from their respective missions … and they were anxious to share about how God had worked through them … and our Lord wanted them to come together to share about their apostolic efforts … sharing the successes and the failures … sharing about the spiritual aids that helped them … sharing what they experienced (they probably didn’t read much and they didn’t have tapes to listen to …) that helped change their mentality to be more Christian … And I’m sure that they probably had a discussion about what their plan of evangelization for the upcoming week would entail. Thank You, Jesus, for modeling for us the way that we, too, might continue to grow in our faith and become more and more like You … thank You for showing us the value and joy of Group Reunion …

Sometimes people characterize Group Reunion as just another activity/event, but it’s not … rather, it’s a form of life itself … if we are truly concerned about growing in our spiritual lives, we need to make time to grow in piety, study, and action, whether that’s through Cursillo or another means, and it’s important to share these efforts/attempts with others, so that we are accountable for that to which Christ calls us … and to encourage one another so that together we can continue our pilgrimage with our eyes firmly fixed on our Lord. But it’s so very important to NOT OMIT any of the three elements … we can’t just focus on one or two of the legs of the tripod … it is the three (piety, study, and action) working together that will assist us in authentic, continual, progressive and shared growth in our faith lives … and our brothers and sisters as well.

And Ultreya … this is the part of Postcursillo that truly gets lost in the shuffle … and what a shame!! I have never come away from Ultreya without being more aware of Christ’s Presence here among us. The Ultreya is a reunion of the community that satisfies the needs of the community for growth … it’s about growing together … spurring one another along … Onward!! … Ultreya!! This is where we share with those that we normally don’t get the opportunity to share with … we get to hear about the environments/places that God has sent them to … and we are all nourished and filled with energy to go out and do what we’ve been called to do. We are made aware once again of the need for Palanca for our brothers and sisters and the work that they are called to … and the challenge that we need to continue to grow in our faith. But what a joy to know that we do not journey alone! And how refreshing to see the beautiful faces of those who are filled with faith and hope and who love our Lord as we do … How beautiful is the face of Christ in our brothers and sisters!! How beautiful is the journey in which we share burdens and joys with our brothers and sisters … and with Christ. He counts on us, you know … and He doesn’t make mistakes … He called me … and He called you, too!! The comment was made that if we would put as much time/energy/Palanca into our Ultreyas as we do the Three Day Weekends, then we would have such a vibrant community … such vibrant Ultreyas ... Please consider participating in the Ultreya … we need each other …

And so we pray: “Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in them the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and they shall be created … .and You shall renew the face of the earth. Let us pray: O God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit instructs the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever rejoice in His consolations. Through Christ Our Lord … Amen.” Amen!!!

De Colores!! Kathy Springer

From the Spiritual Advisor ...

We are in the Easter Season, and we reflect on the Lord’s resurrection and His appearances to His disciples. In the meditation for the 2^nd Sunday of Easter in the book In Conversation With God, it says: “The Resurrection of Our Lord constitutes a call to apostolate until the end of time. Every one of His appearances ends with an apostolic command. To Mary Magdalene, Jesus says: ‘Go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and to your Father’, and to the other women, ‘Go and tell my brethren to go to Galilee and that they shall see me there.’ The disciples of Emmaus feel the need of communicating to others that same night that Jesus is alive. In the Gospel of today’s Mass, St. Mark reports the great apostolic mandate which will continue to be in force for all time: ‘Afterwards He appeared to the eleven themselves as they sat at table … And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation.’”

As our Lord sent each of the persons to whom He appeared out into the world to do His work, so He continues to send His Church and all of her members out into the world. He continually calls us to do His work. He sends us out into the world and He is counting on us … and we must count on Him. As we live our lives … our Fourth Day … we must remember that Jesus has given us, as members of His Church, the same apostolic command that He gave to all those He appeared to after His resurrection. Initially, they were afraid, and they didn’t know what to do … but Mary stayed with them, and they stayed with Mary, and they waited for the coming of the Holy Spirit. When they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they were strengthened to do what He commanded them to do.

All of us received that same command from our Lord through the graces given when we were baptized and confirmed. Yet, many find it difficult to go out and preach the gospel. The Cursillo Movement helps us. The purpose of the Cursillo Movement is “to Christianize the World”. The strategy to accomplish that Christianization of the world is through the Precursillo, the Three Day Weekend, and the Postcursillo. The Precursillo prepares for the Three Day Weekend, and during the Three Day Weekend we are given the tools to live in the Postcursillo. As we live the Postcursillo, the Cursillo Method of Group Reunion and Ultreya (which we learned during the Three Days) puts us in contact with other Christians who have also received that command from the Lord, and together we encourage each other in doing what our Lord has called us to do.

Jesus wants us to proclaim His Gospel as we live our Fourth Day. He gave each of us distinct talents and gifts, and put us in particular situations so that we would announce His Gospel there … in our environment. Yet, for many, this term environment is confusing. Some think that environment is a little artificial … or that we need to create new environments in order to do His work. Really, what the Cursillo Movement has always taught is that our environment is wherever we are. Our environment is our home, our family, our neighborhood, our place of work … it is where our Lord has put us. So, we don’t need to look for a new environment or look for ways to do some great, extraordinary thing. We just need to “bloom where we are planted”.

To accomplish the work to which we are called, the Blessed Virgin Mary is a strong support and ally … she consistently directs us to her Son and reminds us that we need to rely upon His grace to announce His Gospel to those around us. Later on in the meditation I quoted at the beginning of the article, it says: “Holy Mary, Queen of Apostles, will set us aflame with faith and hope and love for her Son so that we may contribute effectively, in and from our own environment, to the Christianization of today’s world, just as the Pope is asking us to do. The words of Our Lord, ‘Go therefore into the whole world’ continue to echo in our ears. Then it was only Eleven who were involved; now we are much more numerous. Let us pray for the faith and the love that they had.” Mary, Queen of Apostles, pray for us! De Colores!! Fr. Mark Seiker

(Insert #1)

Registration Form

School of Leaders
Quarterly Reunion
June 2-3, 2006
220 S. Walnut
Sacred Heart School - Shelby, NE

New participants are ALWAYS welcome ...

If you cannot be with us, we request Palanca for the success of the School.

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:
Jon Junkin, 7820 Sandalwood Dr, Lincoln, NE 68510 BY MAY 31, 2006

[Suggested donation (if you are able) is $15.00 per person to cover meals and a donation for facility usage.
Please make check payable to “Cursillo of Lincoln” and mail with the Registration Form.]

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, JUNE 2nd (Retreat Phase ... preparation for Saturday's SOL)
        7:30pm ---      Registration (NO Meal Friday evening)
        7:45pm ---      Mass
        8:30pm --- Meditation, confessions, quiet time

SATURDAY, JUNE 3rd (School of Leaders Agenda)
        7:00am ---      Morning prayer and Mass, followed by breakfast
        8:30am - 3:00pm Group Reunion, Intro, 2-3 Sessions and Lunch
        3:00pm ---     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)
Technique Talks will come from the Fundamentals of Christianity (the book, by Fr. Frank Salmani, is available for $10.00 at SOL)
Doctrinal Talks will come from the Vatican II Document Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, Gaudium et Spes ("Joy and Hope"); Dec. 7, 1965)

"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.

Please bring a snack to share, if you like.

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