Toledo Diocesan Cursillo Mission Statement: Cursillo is a Catholic Lay Movement embraced by the Diocese of Toledo to bring hearts closer to Jesus Christ in order to transform society and be of service to the whole church. It is our mission to form small Christian Communities to deepen Spirituality in ourselves and in others. Dear friends, January, 2015 Application Forms On the Website: http://www.toledocursillo.org/ Download.html Lay Director s Message - Page 2 Witness Page 3 School of Leaders Page 4 Ultreya Dates Page 8 Want to share how Christ is working in your life? Email Jane Distel at disteljl54@gmail.com with your witness. Last week while I was grocery shopping (in a hurry as I often am), I went by the dry roasted peanuts and couldn t resist putting a jar into my cart. Later when I popped open the lid to enjoy some, I soon found (to my dismay) that I had picked up the unsalted ones. I tried a little self-talk: This is better for you anyway, but I had a hard time convincing myself. Maybe I ll save that jar for baking and buy another for snacking. Salt such a small, inexpensive ingredient, but what a difference it makes, eh? Munching on these unsalted peanuts, I recalled a time in my life, lasting for about a year and a half, when I had to avoid all iodine. Since that s almost always found in salt, it meant I eliminated salt also. I got used to it, I guess, and discovered that I really could live without it, but you know, food wasn t quite the same. The zest was gone, the crispness of flavors. So Jesus was making himself very clear when he compared the quality of our Christian life with salt. Without it, our spiritual lives soon become tasteless and dull. Without an occasional sprinkling of salt, our Cursillo community also grows bland. Recently in November a group of Fourth Day Cursillistas came together on a Saturday in Fostoria to get re-salted. We took time to pray and sing together, to recall special Cursillo encounters that remain significant in our lives today, and to reset our hearts on the great goal of the Cursillo movement: the transformation of ourselves and our environments into Christ. I listened as faithful leaders of the movement witnessed to their commitment in Post Cursillo why they stay involved. Their reasons? Mostly, it s about all of you who have been the Body of Christ for them time after time. We talked about the needs of our world the quality of family life, the education and formation of our youth, our young couples, married and unmarried, with all that confronts them, respect for life in all its forms, the need for quality prison ministry, etc. Do you think we can gather together enough salt through group reunions, Ultreyas and School of Leaders to sprinkle liberally over all these issues? Remember the song, If God is for us, who can be against (us)? I wouldn t be surprised if God is more eager than we are to supply the salt! And first of all to sprinkle that salt upon us!
January, 2015 Ark P a g e 2 The freshness of our approach, our renewed efforts to evangelize, the zest for living fully our call it s about staying salted. God will then do the rest in us. The Cursillo Focus Day in Fostoria gave me/us renewed vision and momentum to set about the never-ending duty of evangelization. Thanks to all of you who helped me feel saltier as I left. Thanks for your faith and commitment, for letting me know once again what a powerful movement we re in. Even the peanuts I snacked on later that night tasted better than before. Go figure! Ultreya! Sr. Edna From Lay Director Dale Fair: Happy New Year to all my brothers and sisters in Christ. May God continue to bless each and every one of you, your families, and all the people who you come in contact with this year of 2015 and onward. This should be an exciting year in Cursillo and we are looking forward to experiencing it with all of you. Today, before I sat down to write this letter for the Ark, Karen and I attended the funeral of a good friend of ours, Anita, who was just 66 years old. She left many wonderful memories with all her friends and family, which were attested to at her funeral by anyone who wished to share something about her life. I think that the minister who read Romans Chapter 8 and her oldest son John hit it right on the head about who Anita was during her time with us. Anita left a legacy here for all to follow. That legacy was the Love of God and Jesus Christ; and no matter what happens in your life, good or bad, do not ever forget to love and thank Them for our existence here on this earth and for the opportunity of eternity in the hereafter if we so choose it by the way we live our lives. John also said his mother read the bible every day and made sure that he and his three siblings made it to church every Sunday (their father had passed away). Even when she could not make it, she would arrange for the neighbors to take them. Anita was a nurse at the hospital for 32 years in oncology and sometimes was scheduled to work on Sundays. The last thing that John said was that his mother taught them to always show their love to others by saying or showing them that YOU LOVE THEM. Anita was able to say I Love You to each of her children before she went to be with the Lord. I just wanted to share what Karen and I had experienced today; and this afternoon, when I was taking a nap after returning from the funeral, The Holy Spirit said, "share what you heard today". So there you go - I wrote it down and shared it with the people I Love. Now I want every one of you to say "I LOVE YOU JESUS" and also let everyone around you know you love them also. DE COLORES and We Love You All! Dale and Karen
January, 2015 Ark P a g e 3 Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Secretariat offers a heartfelt thank you to Pat Ermi who served our movement as the Communication Chair/Coordinator from July 2013 until September 2014, at which time Pat had to step down from the position for personal reasons. Thank You, Pat, for your love for the Cursillo Movement and your servant leadership. We will need some of your God Given Talents in the future that's for sure. The Secretariat also wants to announce that Chris Powers has stepped up and has filled the position of Communication Chair/Coordinator as of November 2014, and Jane Distel who has taken over publishing the Ark since October 2014. We welcome you, Chris and Jane, and Thank You both for saying yes. We have so many people in this movement who utilize their gifts and love, and we so wish to thank each and every one of you for your servant leadership. Toledo Diocese Secretariat Witness from a Fourth Day Cursillista: It's uncanny how the word TRUST has been front and center in my life this week! In my advent meditation booklet, Joseph was asked in a dream to trust, even though Mary was with child. Mary, though not married, was told by an angel that she would conceive and bear a babe - the son of God. She responded with trust to God's will. Then I read in Sr. Edna's Christmas letter of the many changes in her life the past year; someone in her midst remarked often, "This will all turn out OK, just trust'! During Eucharist Adoration I was asking God to guide us through changes in our lives; He whispered TRUST me. Prov. 3:5-6 says "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight." A small book entitled PERFECT TRUST by Charles Swindoll has become a yearly read for me; I wonder if God is telling me it's time to dust off the cover and get reading. A Blessed New Year to all. From Cursillo Chair Annie Blum: Hello to all my Cursillo Family! As we all bundle up from the cold of the winter, we have a bit more time for prayer, whether it is because we stay home more or because the drive to work (or wherever) takes longer. So with our hearts softened by the love of Baby Jesus during the Christmas season, perhaps we are open to a deeper relationship with our God. How is He nudging us to grow or share His love with others in our lives? One of the best ways I have found is through involvement with all of you! The Men's team is completed and will begin meeting Jan. 8. Their Cursillo weekend is March 12-15. Please keep all of them in your prayers and get working on those potential candidates.
January, 2015 Ark P a g e 4 Team includes: Spiritual Directors- Fr. Tom Extejt and Deacon Ron Plenzler Rector- Joe Coleman and Assistant Aaron Everhart Bruce Alge, John Benner, Gino DiMattia, Tim Distel, Timateo Hernesto, Mike Huffman, Denny Kelly, Herman Kimmet, Ron Kleman, John Lyons, John McAvoy, John Middleton, Bill Obringer, Al Ramirez, Jesse Rodriguez, Mike Rodriguez, Mike Ruhlen, Bernie Rumschlag, Ric Smith, and Mark Spears The Women are still working on forming their team, so let us know if you are interested ASAP! You can email, snail mail, or call me or one of the leaders. Applications are on the Cursillo website: toledocursillo.org. They will begin meetings on Jan. 29th in Findlay and their weekend will be April 9-12 at the Pines in Fremont. Leaders are: Spiritual Directors- Pray for our priests! - and Sr. Mary Jo Szpilla Rector- Elaine Conley and Assistant Barb Lovell Even if you are not able to work one of these weekends, please remember to offer palanca for them as they sacrifice their time and resources to bring Christ to our world. And, of course, make a friend, be a friend, and bring that friend to Christ! Stay warm and safe through these cold months, dear friends! Blessings and Hugs, Annie Blum 516 Haymond Dr. Galion, Ohio. 44833 annieblum516@gmail.com (419)468-4489 From School of Leaders Chair Carol Miller: Saturday, January 17, 2015 St. Michael s, 750 Bright Road, Findlay 9:00 a.m. - Noon, Teachers' Lounge (Enter through the office door, go through the inside door and turn right at first corridor, then left at corridor, to the teachers lounge.) NOTE: On Saturday morning St. Michael s has Adoration from 7:00 7:45 a.m. followed with a Mass at 8:00 a.m. You are invited to both before School of Leaders. Spiritual Advisor s Presentation: Sr. Edna Michel will give the presentation from Forming Intentional Disciples Ch. 3, The Fruit of Discipleship Pages 71-96.
January, 2015 Ark P a g e 5 Discipleship is NORMAL. Sherry presents the importance of discipleship in the life of the parish: No matter how many institutions we sustain or how much activity goes on in our parish or diocese, if new intentional disciples are not regularly emerging in our midst, our ministry is not bearing its most essential fruit (p. 89). This point also applies to each of our lives. No matter how many parish activities we are involved in, if we are not intentional disciples, we will not bear much fruit. Lay Presentation: Presenters: Marty & Sue Charney, from the book The Fundamental Ideas of the Cursillo Movement Section 3 The Retreat or Steps of Preparation, Pg. 141-143; #360 - #368. We also sing, group, have reflection on a Bible reading, and have discussions with the presentations. Coffee and tea is provided feel free to bring a snack to share. We will end with a visit to the Blessed Sacrament for closing prayer: Decade of the Rosary {a SOL Action Plan} and Petitions. New SOL Team Member: Sharon DeCant graciously said Yes to the invitation to be a member of the School of Leaders Team. NOTE: Following is a portion of Bishop Thomas homily at Deanery Prayer Services: Instead of Holy Toledo he wants to tweak it to Holy Diocese of Toledo (The following fits in with Cursillo and our School of Leaders Spiritual Study and can be added to our Action Plan.) Bishop Thomas explained two tripods. First Tripod: 1 st Leg: Intentional Disciples 2 nd Leg: Family Life 3 rd Leg: Vocation Second Tripod: (one time a week everyone in the Diocese of Toledo participate in ) 1 st Leg: Pray the Rosary one (1) time a week (if you are already doing this, do more!) 2 nd Leg: Fasting of any kind for one day 3 rd Leg: Almsgiving Questions Call Carol at 419-986-5793 or e-mail: gcmiller@amplex.net Carol Miller, SOL Rector Team Members: Joan & Bruce Alge, George Miller, Jim Powell & Sharon DeCant Precursillo News from Mary Beth Lavey: Policy on Couples Living a Cursillo Weekend: It is the long-standing policy of Cursillo that married couples enters the Cursillo movement together, although on separate weekends. Sponsors who meet either the husband or wife through employment or other interaction also assume the responsibility to meet the spouse, so that making a friend includes both the husband and the wife. If both the husband and wife are Catholics who are able to receive the sacraments, both fill out applications for Cursillo at the same time. Once both applications have been processed by the diocesan pre-cursillo, it does not matter who attends first.
January, 2015 Ark P a g e 6 If one of the spouses is not Catholic or is unable to receive the sacraments, he/she is to be told about Via de Cristo, Emmaus, Kairos, or other experience similar to Cursillo, and be encouraged to attend. If one of the spouses is initially reluctant or unwilling to live a Cursillo weekend, but the other spouse wants to do so, the sponsor patiently continues to make a friend, and be a friend to both, with hopes of obtaining the willingness of both to participate. When it becomes apparent that one spouse will not agree to live a weekend, the sponsor refers the situation to the diocesan pre-cursillo person, who in turn contacts one of the spiritual advisors of the Cursillo movement. The spiritual advisor arranges for a face-to-face visit with the couple and the sponsor(s) to: 1) Fully explain the Cursillo movement, including the weekend and the follow-up program of reunion and Ultreya; and 2) Ascertain whether one s participation in the movement will endanger, weaken or harm the couple s marriage. If there is sufficient reason to believe this, the husband and wife will both be discouraged from attending. If not, the application for one will be filled out, received and processed, with the notation and signature of the interviewing spiritual advisor. Policy on Receiving Applications for a Cursillo Weekend: Applications must be received by the diocesan pre-cursillo person/couple no later than two Thursdays prior to the Thursday on which the Cursillo weekend opens. Any applications received after that day will automatically be held for the next set of weekends. Rationale: We are not primarily focused on filling up weekends. Our goal is to study environments and to cultivate friendships; i.e., to make a friend, be a friend, bring that friend to Christ. Eleventh hour scurrying around getting candidates does not allow the fourth day community time to offer palanca for that candidate; at times they are not even aware of the person coming. Securing candidates less than two weeks before a weekend often signals a lack of preparation of those candidates by sponsors. ~Toledo Cursillo Website Dear Past, Present and Future Sponsors, Thank you for your Christ centered presence in the world and specifically in the lives of the individuals and groups that you are called to witness in Jesus name. May this year be a blessing to you, your families and all those are blessed to cross in your path. Let us pray for each other as we continue to listen to the Holy Spirit s guidance in the quiet, noisy, joyful and sorrow filled times in our day and lives. Men s weekend: March 12 15, 2015 Women s weekend April 9 12, 2-15 Mary Beth Lavey, Pre Cursillo Chair 1014 Shorewood Dr. Fremont Ohio 43420 419.704.9507 From Palanca Chair Mike Cherry: I wish you a Happy and a Blessed New Year. This past year has been a very busy year for me as palanca requests have increased three fold since I started translating the letters that I send out to the various communities around the world. The Spanish speakers think that I understand them which I don t. Thank the Lord for Google
January, 2015 Ark P a g e 7 Translate. It is great being swamped with requests. It only adds to your palanca prayers many people in need of them. During the months of December and January there are few Cursillos around the globe, something about being too busy with the Christmas season. We are asked to offer palanca during the month of January and the first week in February for the following Cursillo weekends: Women s Cursillos: Jan. 22-25, Ellensburg, WA; #45 (Spanish), Chincha, PERU; #588, Orange, CA; #1, Lucban, PHILIPPINES; Feb. 5-8, #559, Yuma, AZ; Idaho Falls, ID. Men s Cursillos: Jan. 8-11, #587, Orange, CA; #171, Lorain, OH; Jan. 15-18, #45 (Spanish), Chincha, PERU; Ellensburg, WA; (Spanish), Little Rock, AR; Jan 22-25, #377 (Spanish), New York, NY; #1, Lucban, PHILIPPINES; Chatham, ON, CANADA; Jan 28-31, #93, Ragusa, ITALY; Jan. 29-Feb. 1, #1154 (Spanish), Juncos, PUERTO RICO; Feb. 5-8, #877, Phoenix, AZ; #347, Burnsville, MN. Cursillo de Cursillos: These are Cursillos put on for Cursillistas who have already made their Cursillo weekends (kind of a refresher course). Jan. 15-18, Jarell, TX. Feb. 5-8, Fort Worth, TX Renewal Encounter: Jan. 23-25, Phoenix, AZ Ultreya, Mike Recent Prayer Vine Requests Rest in Peace, Depression, Problems, Cancer-Free, ADHS, ODD, Out of Control, Major Problems, Blood Pressure Control, Dialysis, Kidney Transplant, Expenses, Cystic Fibrosis, Seizures, Pneumonia, Cleveland Clinic, Thanksgiving, Not Doing Well, Heart Cath, Health Gone to Worse, Kidney Failure, Fell, Hit Head, Fractured Skull, Bleeding, Serious Health Issues, Testing, Diagnoses, Monitor for Heart and Lungs, Watch When he Sleeps, Leukemia, Car Accident, Arteries Blocked, MS, Treatments, Internal Organ Problems, Severe Bladder Problems, Hard Time Breathing, Chest Catheter, Cured of Cancer, Aggressive Treatments, Progressing, Graduated Owens, Gain Back Health, Baby's Heart Ceased to Beat, Peace, Comfort, Heart Attack, Stress, Bone Scan, Cancer has Come Back, Heart Breaking, Stroke, New Cancer Treatment, Fractured Pelvis, Leg Amputated, Trache, Knee Surgery, Safe Travel, Surgery on Left Foot, No Chemo, Heart Condition, Cancer Treatments, Deaconate Formation, Cancer of the Cervix, Antibiotics, Infection in Knee, Ankle Surgery, Head Injury, Coma.
January, 2015 Ark P a g e 8 Ultreya Location St. Clement Parish, Jeager Hall 2nd Sunday of the Month, 2:00 PM Tiffin St. Frances Home January 25, 7:00 PM Lima St. Gerard Periodic, 7:00 PM Bucyrus/Crestline/Galion/ New Washington/Bethlehem 2nd Wednesday of the Month 7:30 PM Contact Ron and Carol Plenzler carron@buckeye-access.com Betty and Bill Obringer wobringer@woh.rr.com Dale Fair kfair@woh.rr.com Connie Kehres blessedarewe37@gmail.com Words of Wisdom Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death. ~Debbie Macomber We re concerned with how things turn out; God seems more concerned with how we turn out. ~Philip Yancey (Share your favorite quote, positive thought or words of wisdom..email Jane at disteljl54@gmail.com) NATIONAL CURSILLO INFORMATION: www.natl-cursillo.org. Read about Cursillo news, palanca requests from around the world, or read the national newsletter. CURSILLO WEBSITE: www.toledocursillo.org Go here to view news of upcoming events, read the current month s Ark or download forms. To request prayers from our fourth day community, email Barb Grycza: graceps8412@gmail.com.