Cursillo!

I did cursillo last year. It was a helpful time, although I did have a few small difficulties with some of it. Some of that was structural, some of it the leadership of our weekend. The mens one that ran parallel did not have some of the issues I had trouble with

But overall I thought it was really great.

so shouldn't we be calling this thread the "Fourth" day?...

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Ken <><

"See to it that you teach nothing. . .which you would have religiously held and believed by the people, save what is agreeable to the teaching of the Old or New Testament, and what the Catholic fathers and ancient bishops have collected from this self-same doctrine."

The Canons of the Church of England, 1571

very sad to hear this, it should not happened and is most likely a little stress from your cursillo team, but you should pass your experiance on to the cursillo secretariat in your diocese. it will help for future weekends.
a very good point is the suggestion about calling the thread 'the fourth day', but the reason i called cursillo only - more people will understand and be in it.
but you are very right, the fourth day, that's what is all about. you will have noticed most likely that nearly all eucharistic ministers including chalice assistants, organists, readers and intercessors, sanctuary servers and sacristan are members of the cursillo team.
and i am very greatful to the administration that they put a 'sticky' tap on this cursillo thread and i encourage all cursillistas out there to keep this thread going, to outreach for CHRIST, to make a friend - be a friend - and bring this friend GENTLY to CHRIST.
it's our goal and i invite all christian forum members to come and ask questions and i am sure all cursilistas will happy share with you.
your brother in CHRIST norbie

Just a quick INFO for you if you live in the Newcastle Diocese. There are still a few places free for Women 36 which is held in Morisset from the 17-20 May,
and for Men 36 which is held from 8-11 June in Morpeth.
See your rector urgent about this, he will find someone to help and sponsor you.
Any info. or your Rector haven't been to Cursillo you can ask question here, there are many Cursillistas on the Forum, or you can mail me anytime.
Your Brother in Christ,
Norbie

Hi all Cursillo and Emmaus Members and all of you,
can I ask you for a little time of yourself?
This Thursday evening (17/05) starts W36 and Friday evening (08/06) starts M36.
I thought it would be a great suprise and encouragement if we could read out some P..an..as to our new Cursilistas.
If you like to be part of this support, please send P* to:
norbie@hunterlink.net.au

Thank you!
Your Brother in Christ,
Norbie

I have to say that I am not a supporter of Cursillo on principal. As hard as it may be for some people to understand that.

It is one thing to go on 'retreat', however my reaction is that any 'response' should be intellectual not emotional; unless of course the emotional response is a result of an intellectual understanding.

Also it calls into question the whole discernment issue.

Im sorry if that offends anyone, but I have had friends who have been on Cursillo weekends and have come back very sad .... one even described it as Satanic.

Well, this IS sad. Your friend told you lot's of wrong things.
First you must know that CURSILLO is NOT a retreat at all. It is more an educational matter, "a short course in Christianity". I think your friend was a little 'pushed-in' to attend, he was not ready to go. He maybe wanted to go to a retreat.
It's a very big responsibility for the sponsor: to pray for it a long time to get the canditate ready and for his understanding of Christian values in the world.
CURSILLO is about 'Apostolic Action', what can I do in service to Christ? How can I help to spread the word of our Lord? Which is my talent? what part of "the Body" am I?
This is CURSILLO, for strong leaders who want to share their life with Christ....
So please look into it for yourself, you have read the Posts before yours I guess, and I hope there will be more answers coming up now, because the CURSILLO Family is strong and growing.
If you have any question please ask - the CF is there for you, and then make up your OWN mind, pray about it!
Your Brother in Christ,
Norbert

I am sorry my friend that your friend had a bad experience but I truly do not understand their response. Satanic? I don't see how. I also am not aware how Cursillo is anti-intellectual or how it calls into question Discernment.

I am not sure what your friend attended but if it was Cursillo someone is doing something very wrong, and contrary to Cursillo principles.

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Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.

Hello and thank you for the replies to my comments.

I probably should have been a bit more specific and I am sorry if my previous post was misleading.

The friend who attended and came back with the 'Satanic' comment essentially said that they felt that having to expose things about themselves and feeling inadequate and exposed for doing so.... was not comfortable and did not feel right generally; perhaps theres more too it but thats just what I was told (after two cups of tea and a plate of very nice scones).

My other friend just made an observation that she felt that the whole experience whilst being searching and useful (disernment of her own faith etc).... it was also intrusive.

I am not myself entirely convinced of the merits of cursillo, though I have taken theological study which is more academic I guess... without having been there I cant compare or even justify my observation, however please just read them as ramblings and random thoughts.

May God bless you and keep you in his care.

Just like to share some great News:
our Newcastle Diocese Cursillo sended 3 Team Members to Kenia in Africa for their very first Cursillo. Praise the Lord!