
april_2014_national_cursillo_newsletter.pdf |

regional_encounter_registration_spring_20141.doc |
San Francisco Cursillo |
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You can now read the April 2014 Cursillos in Christianity National Newsletter at this link: http://www.natl-cursillo.org/news/nmail0414.pdf or read the attachment to this email. The feature article is by Michael Ciccocioppo who spoke about the Methodology of the Cursillo at last year’s Cursillo National Encounter in New York. Fr. Alex Waraksa, the Cursillo National Spiritual Advisor presents an article about developing our spiritual life. And you will also find more information about registering for the 2014 National Encounter which will be held from July 31 to August 3 at Chapman University in Orange, CA. ![]()
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Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ, Attached you will find the agenda for the Spring 2014 Cursillo Regional Encounter which will be held from 7 PM, Friday, April 11 to 12 PM, Sunday, April 13, 2014 at the Diocese of Fresno Pastoral Center (1536 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93703). This is a wonderful opportunity to meet Cursillistas from California, Nevada, and Hawaii, hear inspiring talks, share useful ideas to deepen your spirituality and develop dynamic Christian communities, and to worship and thank God for His love and vibrant presence in our lives. The cost is $55 for lodging and meals ($35 for meals only, if you choose alternative lodging). Please complete and mail the attached registration form today to the appropriate addressee shown on the form for your Cursillo ethnic community. If you’d prefer offsite lodging, here is a listing of nearby hotels from Priceline.com: http://www.priceline.com/hotel/filterListings.do?key=htf8aq6m&jsk=344b050a334a050a20140331035810733010325068&plf=PCLH&gID=0&sLevel=3.5,3,2.5,2&filterAmenities=-1&hotelBrand=-1&filterPriceMin=0&filterPriceMax=300&filterRatingMin=1&filterRatingMax=10&hotelBrand=-1&hotelName=-1&updateHotelList=Y. ![]()
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For those who live in the San Francisco Bay Area, here are three Lenten retreats or parish missions for your consideration in furthering your spiritual growth: · The San Jose Filipino Cursillo Movement is sponsoring a 1-day Lenten Retreat this coming Saturday, March 22, 2014 from 9 AM to 2:30 PM at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 5111 San Felipe Road, San Jose, CA. Please see the attached flyer for more information. I will be speaking and leading discussion on the topic of “Growing in Holiness”. ![]()
St. Catherine of Siena Church in Martinez is sponsoring a 4-evening Parish Lenten Mission from Monday, March 24 – Thursday, March 27, 2014 from 7-8:30 PM. The church address is 606 Mellus Street, Martinez, CA. Please see the attached bulletin notice for more information. Fr. Jose Arong will be the speaking on the topic, “Living our Faith in the Light of Pope Francis’ Encyclical Lumen Fidei (The Light of Faith)”. Here is a link to the document if you would like to read it before attending the mission: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20130629_enciclica-lumen-fidei_en.html. ![]()
St. Catherine of Siena Church in Vallejo is sponsoring a 3-evening Parish Lenten Mission from Monday, March 24 – Wednesday, March 26, 2014. The church address is 3450 Tennessee Street, Vallejo, CA. Terry Barber, an international speaker and author, will start at 7:00 p.m. each night. There will be Mass at 6:30 p.m. before each talk. His topics will be:
1. March 24 - Docility and Good Dispositions for Meeting Jesus 2. March 25 - To Pardon and Forgive 3. March 26 - Virtues and Spiritual Growth Cursillo Spring Regional Workshop – Region XI Ryan Pastoral Center – Diocese of Fresno April 11-13, 2014 Friday, April 11, 2014 4:00pm – 5:30pm Regional Multicultural Secretariat meeting 4:00pm – 6:00pm Registration 5:30pm – 7:00pm Dinner 7:00pm – 7:30pm Meditation 7:30pm – 8:30pm Night Prayers, Exposition, Adoration and Benediction 8:30pm - 9:30 pm Ultreya Saturday, April 12, 2014 7:00am – 7:30am Morning Prayers and Sabatina 7:30am – 8:30am Holy Mass 8:30am – 10:00am Breakfast 10:00am – 11:00am Keynote Address: Cef Aguillon “Benefits of Affiliation” (All language) 11:00am – 11:15am Break 11:15am – 11:45am Spiritual Exercise 12:00pm – 1:00pm Lunch 1:15pm – 4:45 pm Workshops: Breakout per language group 5:00pm – 6:30pm Dinner 6:30pm – 7:00pm Night Prayers & Benediction 7:30pm - 9:45pm Fiesta Sunday, April 13, 2014 7:00am – 7:30am Morning Prayers 7:30am – 8:30am Holy Mass/ Commissioning 8:30am – 9:30am Breakfast 9:30am – 12:00 pm Diocesan Meetings per Language groups (See your Language Regional Coordinator for Sunday Agenda) If you prefer to download the agenda, please click on the file below: ![]()
Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,
The February 2014 issue of the Cursillos in Christianity National Newsletter is now available at this link: http://www.natl-cursillo.org/news/nmail0214.pdf. In this issue you will find a summary of Juan Ruiz’ talk on the “Foundational Charism of the Cursillios in Christianity” which was given at last year’s National Cursillo Encounter in New York. You will find a wealth of good information in these Cursillo Newsletters. You can read the earlier ones on this link: http://www.natl-cursillo.org/news/. Another excellent source of information can be found on the “Cursillo Resource Center” page on the National Cursillo website: http://www.cursillo.org/resources/. Here you will find video and audio recordings from talks given at past National Cursillo Encounters, as well as Leadership Development articles that you can read, print, and distribute at your School of Leaders or Group Reunion meetings, or study for your own continuing education about our Christian call to be effective evangelizers for Christ in word and deed. Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ, Please see the attached memo from Hoang Tran, our National Cursillo Service Administrator, about the appointment of Bishop Carlos Sevilla (from the Diocese of Yakima, WA) as our next National Episcopal Advisor when Bishop Eusebio Elizondo’s term ends on September 30, 2014. Bishop Sevilla will deliver the keynote address at the National Cursillo Encounter which will be held from July 31 – August 3, 2014 at Chapman University. Here’s the link for more information: http://www.natl-cursillo.org/encounter/encounter.pdf. Please reserve your place by submitting your registration form found on this link: https://www.natl-cursillo.org/encounter. ![]()
The Cursillo is an international movement of the Catholic Church, and the world organizing body is known as the “Organismo Mundial de Cursillos de Cristiandad” or “OMCC”. You can download their December 2014 monthly newsletter below. ![]()
Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on “The Joy of the Gospel” (“Evangelii Gaudium”) reads like a series of the best Cursillo rollos you have ever heard, and is well worth reading in its entirety by all in our Cursillo communities. It clearly focuses our attention as individuals and as a Church on our primary mission of being joyful evangelizers of the Gospel. It highlights important things to do and to avoid in carrying out this mission, all in a very readable and comprehensible manner. It truly lives up its title by arousing a sense of awareness, conviction, wonder, freedom, and joy to truly live what is fundamental to being a Christian. APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION EVANGELII GAUDIUM OF THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY, CONSECRATED PERSONS AND THE LAY FAITHFUL ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL IN TODAY’S WORLD INDEX I. A JOY EVER NEW, A JOY WHICH IS SHARED [2-8] II. THE DELIGHTFUL AND COMFORTING JOY OF EVANGELIZING [9-13] Eternal newness [11-13] III. THE NEW EVANGELIZATION FOR THE TRANSMISSION OF THE FAITH [14-18] The scope and limits of this Exhortation [16-18] CHAPTER ONE THE CHURCH’S MISSIONARY TRANSFORMATION [19] I. A CHURCH WHICH GOES FORTH [20-24] Taking the first step, being involved and supportive, bearing fruit and rejoicing [24] II. PASTORAL ACTIVITY AND CONVERSION [25-33] An ecclesial renewal which cannot be deferred [27-33] III. FROM THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL [34-39] IV. A MISSION EMBODIED WITHIN HUMAN LIMITS [40-45] V. A MOTHER WITH AN OPEN HEART [46-49] CHAPTER TWO AMID THE CRISIS OF COMMUNAL COMMITMENT [50-51] I. SOME CHALLENGES OF TODAY’S WORLD [52-75] No to an economy of exclusion [53-54] No to the new idolatry of money [55-56] No to a financial system which rules rather than serves [57-58] No to the inequality which spawns violence [59-60] Some cultural challenges [61-67] Challenges to inculturating the faith [68-70] Challenges from urban cultures [71-75] II. TEMPTATIONS FACED BY PASTORAL WORKERS [76-109] Yes to the challenge of a missionary spirituality [78-80] No to selfishness and spiritual sloth [81-83] No to a sterile pessimism [84-86] Yes to the new relationships brought by Christ [87-92] No to spiritual worldliness [93-97] No to warring among ourselves [98-101] Other ecclesial challenges [102-109] CHAPTER THREE THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL [110] I. THE ENTIRE PEOPLE OF GOD PROCLAIMS THE GOSPEL [111-134] A people for everyone [112-114] A people of many faces [115-118] We are all missionary disciples [119-121] The evangelizing power of popular piety [122-126] Person to person [127-129] Charisms at the service of a communion which evangelizes [130-131] Culture, thought and education [132-134] II. THE HOMILY [135-144] The liturgical context [137-138] A mother’s conversation [139-141] Words which set hearts on fire [142-144] III. PREPARING TO PREACH [145-159] Reverence for truth [146-148] Personalizing the word [149-151] Spiritual reading [152-153] An ear to the people [154-155] Homiletic resources [156-159] IV. EVANGELIZATION AND THE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE KERYGMA [160- 175] Kerygmatic and mystagogical catechesis [163-168] Personal accompaniment in processes of growth [169-173] Centred on the word of God [174-175] CHAPTER FOUR THE SOCIAL DIMENSION OF EVANGELIZATION [176] I. COMMUNAL AND SOCIETAL REPERCUSSIONS OF THE KERYGMA [177-185] Confession of faith and commitment to society [178-179] The kingdom and its challenge [180-181] The Church’s teaching on social questions [182-185] II. THE INCLUSION OF THE POOR IN SOCIETY [186-216] In union with God, we hear a plea [187-192] Fidelity to the Gospel, lest we run in vain [193-196] The special place of the poor in God’s people [197-201] The economy and the distribution of income [202-208] Concern for the vulnerable [209-216] III. THE COMMON GOOD AND PEACE IN SOCIETY [217-237] Time is greater than space [222-225] Unity prevails over conflict [226-230] Realities are more important than ideas [231-233] The whole is greater than the part [234-237] IV. SOCIAL DIALOGUE AS A CONTRIBUTION TO PEACE [238-258] Dialogue between faith, reason and science [242-243] Ecumenical dialogue [244-246] Relations with Judaism [247-249] Interreligious dialogue [250-254] Social dialogue in a context of religious freedom [255-258] CHAPTER FIVE SPIRIT-FILLED EVANGELIZERS [259-261] I. REASONS FOR A RENEWED MISSIONARY IMPULSE [262-283] Personal encounter with the saving love of Jesus [264-267] The spiritual savour of being a people [268-274] The mysterious working of the risen Christ and his Spirit [275-280] The missionary power of intercessory prayer [281-283] II. MARY, MOTHER OF EVANGELIZATION [284-288] Jesus’ gift to his people [285-286] Star of the new evangelization [287-288] 1. THE JOY OF THE GOSPEL fills the hearts and lives of all who encounter Jesus. Those who accept his offer of salvation are set free from sin, sorrow, inner emptiness and loneliness. With Christ joy is constantly born anew. In this Exhortation I wish to encourage the Christian faithful to embark upon a new chapter of evangelization marked by this joy, while pointing out new paths for the Church’s journey in years to come. I. A JOY EVER NEW, A JOY WHICH IS SHARED 2. The great danger in today’s world, pervaded as it is by consumerism, is the desolation and anguish born of a complacent yet covetous heart, the feverish pursuit of frivolous pleasures, and a blunted conscience. Whenever our interior life becomes caught up in its own interests and concerns, there is no longer room for others, no place for the poor. God’s voice is no longer heard, the quiet joy of his love is no longer felt, and the desire to do good fades. This is a very real danger for believers too. Many fall prey to it, and end up resentful, angry and listless. That is no way to live a dignified and fulfilled life; it is not God’s will for us, nor is it the life in the Spirit which has its source in the heart of the risen Christ. 3. I invite all Christians, everywhere, at this very moment, to a renewed personal encounter with Jesus Christ, or at least an openness to letting him encounter them; I ask all of you to do this unfailingly each day. No one should think that this invitation is not meant for him or her, since “no one is excluded from the joy brought by the Lord”.[1] The Lord does not disappoint those who take this risk; whenever we take a step towards Jesus, we come to realize that he is already there, waiting for us with open arms. Now is the time to say to Jesus: “Lord, I have let myself be deceived; in a thousand ways I have shunned your love, yet here I am once more, to renew my covenant with you. I need you. Save me once again, Lord, take me once more into your redeeming embrace”. How good it feels to come back to him whenever we are lost! Let me say this once more: God never tires of forgiving us; we are the ones who tire of seeking his mercy. Christ, who told us to forgive one another “seventy times seven” (Mt 18:22) has given us his example: he has forgiven us seventy times seven. Time and time again he bears us on his shoulders. No one can strip us of the dignity bestowed upon us by this boundless and unfailing love. With a tenderness which never disappoints, but is always capable of restoring our joy, he makes it possible for us to lift up our heads and to start anew. Let us not flee from the resurrection of Jesus, let us never give up, come what will. May nothing inspire more than his life, which impels us onwards! 4. The books of the Old Testament predicted that the joy of salvation would abound in messianic times. The prophet Isaiah exultantly salutes the awaited Messiah: “You have multiplied the nation, you have increased its joy” (9:3). He exhorts those who dwell on Zion to go forth to meet him with song: “Shout aloud and sing for joy!” (12:6). The prophet tells those who have already seen him from afar to bring the message to others: “Get you up to a high mountain, O herald of good tidings to Zion; lift up your voice with strength, O herald of good tidings to Jerusalem” (40:9). All creation shares in the joy of salvation: “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth! Break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones” (49:13). Zechariah, looking to the day of the Lord, invites the people to acclaim the king who comes “humble and riding on a donkey”: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he” (9:9). Perhaps the most exciting invitation is that of the prophet Zephaniah, who presents God with his people in the midst of a celebration overflowing with the joy of salvation. I find it thrilling to reread this text: “The Lord, your God is in your midst, a warrior who gives you the victory; he will rejoice over you with gladness, he will renew you in his love; he will exult over you with loud singing, as on a day of festival” (3:17). This is the joy which we experience daily, amid the little things of life, as a response to the loving invitation of God our Father: “My child, treat yourself well, according to your means… Do not deprive yourself of the day’s enjoyment” (Sir 14:11, 14). What tender paternal love echoes in these words! 5. The Gospel, radiant with the glory of Christ’s cross, constantly invites us to rejoice. A few examples will suffice. “Rejoice!” is the angel’s greeting to Mary (Lk 1:28). Mary’s visit to Elizabeth makes John leap for joy in his mother’s womb (cf. Lk 1:41). In her song of praise, Mary proclaims: “My spirit rejoices in God my Saviour” (Lk 1:47). When Jesus begins his ministry, John cries out: “For this reason, my joy has been fulfilled” (Jn 3:29). Jesus himself “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” (Lk 10:21). His message brings us joy: “I have said these things to you, so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (Jn 15:11). Our Christian joy drinks of his brimming heart. He promises his disciples: “You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy” (Jn 16:20). He then goes on to say: “But I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you” (Jn 16:22). The disciples “rejoiced” (Jn 20:20) at the sight of the risen Christ. In the Acts of the Apostles we read that the first Christians “ate their food with glad and generous hearts” (2:46). Wherever the disciples went, “there was great joy” (8:8); even amid persecution they continued to be “filled with joy” (13:52). The newly baptized eunuch “went on his way rejoicing” (8:39), while Paul’s jailer “and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God” (16:34). Why should we not also enter into this great stream of joy? 6. There are Christians whose lives seem like Lent without Easter. I realize of course that joy is not expressed the same way at all times in life, especially at moments of great difficulty. Joy adapts and changes, but it always endures, even as a flicker of light born of our personal certainty that, when everything is said and done, we are infinitely loved. I understand the grief of people who have to endure great suffering, yet slowly but surely we all have to let the joy of faith slowly revive as a quiet yet firm trust, even amid the greatest distress: “My soul is bereft of peace; I have forgotten what happiness is… But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness… It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lam 3:17, 21-23, 26). 7. Sometimes we are tempted to find excuses and complain, acting as if we could only be happy if a thousand conditions were met. To some extent this is because our “technological society has succeeded in multiplying occasions of pleasure, yet has found it very difficult to engender joy”.[2] I can say that the most beautiful and natural expressions of joy which I have seen in my life were in poor people who had little to hold on to. I also think of the real joy shown by others who, even amid pressing professional obligations, were able to preserve, in detachment and simplicity, a heart full of faith. In their own way, all these instances of joy flow from the infinite love of God, who has revealed himself to us in Jesus Christ. I never tire of repeating those words of Benedict XVI which take us to the very heart of the Gospel: “Being a Christian is not the result of an ethical choice or a lofty idea, but the encounter with an event, a person, which gives life a new horizon and a decisive direction”.[3] 8. Thanks solely to this encounter – or renewed encounter – with God’s love, which blossoms into an enriching friendship, we are liberated from our narrowness and self-absorption. We become fully human when we become more than human, when we let God bring us beyond ourselves in order to attain the fullest truth of our being. Here we find the source and inspiration of all our efforts at evangelization. For if we have received the love which restores meaning to our lives, how can we fail to share that love with others? --End of section-- Dear Sisters & Brothers in Christ,
Are you ready to save a life? My brother-in-law, Dr. Danny Fong, sent me the following link to four 2-minute videos that will teach you quickly how to perform life-saving CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) should you encounter a loved one or stranger who has collapsed from a cardiac arrest: http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/CPRAndECC/HandsOnlyCPR/DemosandVideos/Demos-and-Videos_UCM_440561_Article.jsp. A couple of these videos are not only informative but also funny (see Dr. Ken Jeong’s lesson). Do yourself a favor and watch them with your family & friends. The life that is saved may be a loved one, or even your own! As Mr. Spock used to say on Star Trek, “Live long and prosper.” Click Here to read the article: American Heart Association: 2013 Day 1; Improving Survival in Cardiac Arrest- A worthy Goal! The Articles of Operation provides a description of how the organizational entities and leadership positions of the U.S. Cursillo Movement interact at the national, regional, and diocesan levels. This document is a compilation of and replacement for the previous editions of the National Policy, Articles of Operation, and Regional Structural Guidelines. The Regional Service Team Spiritual Advisor is mentioned on page 24 (however, a full description is found in the 2012 Spiritual Advisor’s Manual available for $10 from the National Cursillo Center: https://www.natl-cursillo.org/orderl.html). Of particular interest to diocesan movements are pages 22-27. This information should be of interest to current and potential Spiritual Advisors and Cursillo lay leaders, especially the members of your diocesan Secretariat and School of Leaders: 1. Section B – Diocesan Representation at Regional meetings (page 22) 2. Section C – Meetings & Section D – Regional Service Team (page 23) 3. Article VI – Diocesan School of Leaders (page 25) 4. Article VII – Criteria for Diocesan Movements (page 25) I also received and have attached the National Cursillo Apostolic Plan (dated November 3, 2012) which describes the overall mission of the U.S. Cursillo Movement. This “big picture” overview is useful information for all Cursillistas. Any questions about information in these documents should be addressed first to your diocesan Cursillo Secretariat and if necessary forwarded to your Cursillo Regional Coordinator, Sis. Margie Acol. ![]()
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CONTRIBUTORDeacon Ben is the Spiritual Adviser for Cursillo Region XI which consists of San Diego, San Bernardino, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, and Fresno. To view a listing of all the past blogs, please visit our RSS Feed by clicking on the link below.
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