Inside this issue: The Official On-line Publication for the Episcopal Cursillo Ministry of the Diocese of Southeast Florida Published Quarterly Lay Director s Message 2 Volume 1, Issue 10 Summer 2018 Tell Us What You Think 2 Bishop s Message By Bishop Peter Eaton Spiritual Director s Message Cursillo Calendar Weekend News 4th Day Co-Chair Message Weekend News Community Celebrates Grand Ultreya Cursillista Celebrates 100th Birthday South Florida Cursilista Ordained in PA Cursillista Ends 50 Years Service Rule of Life Spotlight on Group Reunion Prayer Breakfast Invitation 3 3 4 6 6 7 8 8 9 10 11 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, We exist to make the transforming love of Jesus Christ come alive in our time and known to all people, everyone! This is our renewed diocesan Mission Statement, which we passed unanimously at our Diocesan Convention last November. It is clear, to the point, and focused on the transforming love of Jesus. And as we have heard from our Presiding Bishop, especially since the Royal Wedding, this transforming love is at the heart of the life of the Church the Jesus Movement. So it must be at the heart of all our activities and ministries. This love comes not from ourselves, but from God, who is the source of all love. We are called by our baptism to make this love real for others, so that from us they may know the love of God that we ourselves have experienced. How we shall make this love real for others will vary from circumstance to circumstance. But I hope that in your ongoing life as the Cursillo community of our diocese you are reflecting on how to do this. In the Scriptures love is always practical in other words, love always acts. It is never a feeling; it is a deed performed. We can see love in the things that we do for others. In your groups and meetings, I hope that you will explore our Mission Statement, focused on Jesus and his love, and ask how you may be ministers of that love among us. With every blessing, Peter See us on the Web www.sef-cursillo.org
Summer 2018 Page 2 Lay Director s Message By Karen Weeks Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, Our Cursillo community of faith is being filled with the Holy Spirit who is taking us on a wonderful, active journey of apostolic action! The positive energy of Christ s love is evident in our Fourth Day activities, within our parishes, and Christ s love will soon envelope this coming weekend of EMC #94! We are a gifted ministry with strong, talented leadership throughout the Diocese who engage and work with our community to strengthen our apostolic actions as we live into our Fourth Day. The Fourth Day the primary focus as, we, the Cursillistas of the SEF Diocese, propel into our Fourth Day, the beginning of the rest of our lives. Our emphasis this year and subsequent years will be to help Christians become effective apostles and grow as saints by strongly encouraging the Fourth Day Cursillo Method A Rule of Life, Group Reunion, and Ultreya. The Fourth Day is the unifying concept and force for the Ministry. The Fourth Day is the heart of the Cursillo Method and we will be working hard to keep it alive! We will be doing this under the direction of our Presiding Bishop, Michael Curry, and our Diocesan Bishop, Peter Eaton. Bishop Curry supports the Cursillo Ministry as being congruent to The Jesus Movement. We will be incorporating the concepts of The Jesus Movement into our Fourth Day education and activities, all of which support the Fourth Day Method of Cursillo. Please be sure to subscribe to Mail Chimp, if you aren t already receiving it, as we will be providing you with ongoing information to support this effort and of course, to keep you informed of all events, activities, and community information. Your leadership is excited about this Fourth Day focus and the revitalizing of our community throughout the Diocese. You, the apostles of Christ, have been sharing with us your excitement also, and your support for the direction we are taking. There is the love of Christ in our Cursillo Ministry! Our Diocesan Mission Statement is.. We exist to make the transforming love of Jesus Christ come alive in our time and known to all people, everyone! We, as Cursillistas, strive to accomplish this same mission through our Cursillo Ministry! In the service of Jesus Christ, Karen Is Counting on You keeping you up-to-date on what s happening in the Cursillo Community? Do you want to know more? Do you want to volunteer as a Parish Rep, Sector Rep or member of the Secretariat? Do you have other questions, comments or suggestions? Want to submit an article for the newsletter? We want to hear from you!!!! Email us at CursilloMinistryofSEFlorida@gmail.com
Page 3 Spiritual Director s Message By Father Bernie Pecaro Dear Cursillistas and Friends of the Cursillo Ministry, Do you ever get the sense that God is calling you to accomplish something but you re not quite sure what that something is? Or, if you have an idea of what God may be calling you to do, you re not sure how you are going to get it done? Well, if you have had such experiences welcome to my world! There has been a deep-seated need for me to better proclaim Jesus to my parish, our diocese and the greater Episcopal Church. Yet, I was uncertain how God was calling me to share this Good News. After all, Jesus was not at the tip of our tongues when it came to talking about our faith. We could easily articulate theology, liturgy and social action. Yet, when it came to naming Jesus as the reason for it all we, as a denomination, had fallen short of putting Him up front. That is until recently. Our Presiding Bishop has been heralding for our beloved Church, The Jesus Movement. He is encouraging us all, through our faith and in our action, to put Jesus up front: allowing Jesus to be the purpose for who we are and what we do. At our last diocesan convention, we joined with the Jesus Movement and unanimously affirmed, We exist to make the transforming love of Jesus Christ come alive in our time and known to all people, everyone! I am now certain of the purposes of God for serving you in the capacity of Spiritual Director. In my humble estimation, there is no greater ministry of evangelism for putting Jesus up front than the Cursillo Ministry. By its very nature Cursillo is all about the Fourth Day. The Fourth Day is all about changing our environments through Jesus, for Jesus and in Jesus. In short, putting Jesus up front! To this end, I endeavor to faithfully work with you. In His Love and Service, Father Bernie Ed Note: Click on this icon to see Fr. Bernie s talk on The Jesus Movement & The 4th Day at the Grand Ultreya. Cursillo Calendar July 19-20 Secretariat Planning Retreat, Duncan Center August 23-26 Hispanic Co-Ed Weekend #1 September 14-15 ECLW (Episcopal Cursillo Leaders Workshop) St. Benedict s, Plantation October 4-7 EWC #113 October 18-21 ECM National Conference, Houston, Texas November 10 Prayer Breakfast & Fundraiser, St. Thomas, Kendall March 23rd, 2019 Grand Ultreya, Church of the Good Shepherd, Tequesta May 30 - June 2, 2019 EMC #95 September 26-29, 2019 EWC #114
Summer 2018 Page 4 EMC #94 May 31 - June 3, 2018 Greetings my fellow Cursillastas, Our Team Song, taken from Psalm 119:105 set the stage for the beginning and the end of EMC#94: Your Word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ blessed EMC#94 with a team that was happy to be servant of all. He also blessed us with 29 Pilgrims that were humble, trusting, positive and confident. Jesus was with us at all times. I felt his presence and I could tell from the glow on each man s face as each listened intently to the Rollos, engaged in discussions and participated enthusiastically in other activities. WEEKEND NEWS On Thursday evening our Pilgrims were strangers. After evening worship in the Chapel our Pilgrims, in silence, were probably asking themselves: What am I doing here? On Friday morning our Pilgrims began to make friends with each other and our team. Soon the laughter began, followed by cautious hugs as we began to trust each other. Saturday came with more activities and more hugs and laughter and then the tears of joy. By Sunday, nobody was ready to go home. This was expressed at Clausura and it was quite evident that our newest Cursilliastas were still on the mountain top. There were many moments during the weekend when Jesus manifested His presence amongst us. Such as when about half of the Pilgrims simultaneously burst into song in the Chapel during a meditation period, or when the Pilgrims, on their own in the Rollo Room, began singing De Colores in acapella. These were close moments for me. In closing, I thank my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who prepared me to serve as Rector of EMC#94. Thank you to the Team and our newest Cursillastas. Thank you to our Community, our clergy and to my wife, Avonelle and our Holy Trinity, WPB family for their support. God was with us throughout this weekend working out his purposes through each of us. He has blessed and strengthened us to endure and to persevere throughout our Fourth Day The rest of our lives. Ultreya! Reflection on Men s Weekend By Brave Fung My name is Brave Fung. I worship at the church of Holy Sacrament in Pembroke Pines. I attended Episcopal Men s Cursillo number 94, and I had the privilege of sitting at the table of St. Andrew. I also had the privilege to share on this experience with some truly great people. On Thursday May 31 st 2018, I was sent off along with the rest of the group on this journey. Berkley Some of us were there for the first time. Others had traveled down this road before, but all of us at that moment the same. All of us on a pilgrimage to find what God may have in store for us next. Full of uncertainty and with some skepticism, I arrived early Thursday evening and from the moment I got there, it was very clear this was going to be an experience of surrender and discovery. As I sat in the church, I was not expecting so many people to be there. I was about to be embraced by the continued on page 9
Page 5 WEEKEND NEWS Hispanic Co-Ed Weekend #1 August 23-26 De colores! My name is Ana Angulo. My family and I worship at what we believe is the very 1 st Episcopal Hispanic Church in Miami Iglesia Episcopal Todos Los Santos. I attended Episcopal Women Cursillo #106 Where I sat at the table of St. Ruth. Huge thanks to everyone who is supporting our 1 st Co-Ed Hispanic Cursillo weekend. God has blessed us, our team is just getting amazing, we are looking forward to have a great Weekend Retreat on June 23 rd & 24 th at Iglesia Episcopal Todo s Los Santos Miami. As we approach the weekend, the needs are many, but the most important need is Prayer. When we humbly quiet ourselves and bring prayers and petitions before our God, he answers them with protection, provision, and His glorious presence. I also ask that you prayerfully consider sponsoring a Pilgrim. Remember, make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ. Ask the Lord about the person you are considering and allow Him to guide you and them. Cursillo is amazing when God s timing prevails. Let s talk a little about PAL- ANCA. Palanca, Es un signo visible de amor de la comunidad y es parte importante de la experiencia del fin de semana. Palanca plays a big part in the weekend and we always need it. The hand written palanca is best and very meaningful if you are able. We also need green palanca, candy palanca, soda palanca, poster palanca, pillow palanca, and on and on and on.. Please pray about serving or giving in one of the above areas to support Cursillo. The Cha-Cha s responsible for the receiving and monitoring the palanca gifts are listed below. Please make an effort to contact them. General Palanca Cha: IRENE KANE irenekanetello@icloud.com 561-315- 6261 Food Palanca Cha: ROSA LEBRON rlebron777@hotmail.com I thank all of you in advance for your willingness and support. Much Love and Blessings, ULTREYA!!, Ana Anguloana@hotmail.com 786-478-8731 Querido Hermano & Hermana - Si nunca has asistido a un CURSILLO, te invito, a que no te pierdas esta oportunidad de renovar y profundizar el compromiso cristiano. Cursillo es uno de muchos ministerios de renovación. Muchas personas han dicho que Cursillo brinda una importante experiencia de aprendizaje que hace que muchos se sientan como cristianos recién hechos con un propósito y con apoyo. Comunicate con tu pastor en la Iglesia o con el representante de Cursillo. La aplicacion la puedes encontrar aqui en este enlace: http://www.sef-cursillo.org/
Summer 2018 Page 6 4th Day Co-Chair Message By Carmen Chang De Colores All. Since the beginning of the year, the Secretariat has been working hard to refocus our Ministry on the 4th Day First and improve communications to re-energize and reconnect with the Community. Personal parish visits and recruiting more Parish Representatives play critical roles in this effort to Evangelize our Environments and rebuild the Community. On Cursillo Sunday, May 6 th, Delois Howell, the South Sector Representative, and I visited St. Andrew Episcopal Church in Palmetto Bay on the invitation of Fr. Potter. We met with members of the congregation and explained to them about the Cursillo Ministry. There were a few members that already made a weekend and were currently not in a reunion group or actively involved in 4 th day activities. We were introduced to Wendy Ernst a Cursillista who expressed a willingness to take on the role of the parish representative. There were two ladies that said they would be willing to attend the Women s Weekend #113 in October. A couple also said that they were interested in both the Men s and Women s Weekend for 2019. PHOTO The visit was wonderful, and we just need to follow up with Fr. Potter and Ms. Wendy Ernst to get the group established. Please let me know if you would like to take the Apostolic Action to act as the Cursillo Representative for your parish. Put the Lord in front and he will lead the way. Carmen Chang- 4 th Day Co-Chairperson carmenchang15@aol.com WEEKEND NEWS EWC #113, October 4-7 Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, My name is Mary Ann Harman. It is truly an honor to be called as the Rectora for EWC #113. I am blessed to have a fantastic Team in place. We had a good Rollista briefing last month. Mary Barzey led us in a Spirit filled Team Builder this month. I am excited about all that God has planned for this Team and the Pilgrims that will be entrusted to us. I look forward to the Critiques and Trainings during the summer. I pray that God s peace will shine through us as we do the work God has called us to do. Please keep us in your prayers. DeColores! Blessings and Peace, Mary Ann
Page 7 Community Celebrates Grand Ultreya By Tom Harman On Saturday, April 21st, over 140 people attended the annual Diocesan Grand Ultreya hosted this year by Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church in Fort Lauderdale. Lay talks were given by Brother Angel Gabriel Roque and Douglas Jackson. The Clergy response was given by Reverend Gerard Klingenberg, Priest-in-Charge of Saint Ambrose. Lay Director of the Cursillo Ministry, Karen Weeks read a letter from Bishop Eaton explaining his absence and expressing his support for our Cursillo Ministry. Spiritual Director, Bernie Pecaro, spoke on the Jesus Movement and how it impacts the Fourth Day. Watch his talk on You Tube at https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=u&video_id=szkq2qu-m0m The food was plentiful, The Mighty Band of God provided spirit filled music and a wonderful time was shared by all. Mark your calendars for next year s Grand Ultreya which will be hosted by Church of the Good Shepherd in Tequesta on Saturday March 23rd, 2019. Check out videos on our new YouTube Channel
Summer 2018 Page 8 Brother Lawrence Celebrates 100th Birthday By Mary Barzey Guess who will be turning 100 years on June 12, 2018? Believe it or not, Mr. William Lawrence from St. Kevin s Episcopal Church in Opa-Locka. William was born in the Republic of Panama in 1918 and as a young 5-year-old boy, he was sent to live with his grandfather in Barbados until 1945. As an adult, he migrated back to Panama and worked with the United States Government in the Canal Zone for 38 years. Mr. Lawrence had 11 children and was married in Panama to Dora, a still dedicated wife of 60 years. They migrated to Miami and Mr. Lawrence became a member of St. Kevin s in October 1984. Brother Lawrence attended Cursillo, EMC #64 in October 1990 where he sat at the table of St. Matthew. He has a great passion for Cursillo and has served faithfully in many capacities. He still sings in the choir and attends Bible Study - just to name a few. All Cursillistas are cordially invited to celebrate Mr. Lawrence s 100 th birthday and St. Kevin s 63 rd Patronal Anniversary. Date: Sunday, August 12 th, 2018 Where: Jubilee Ballroom & Banquet Hall 12345 Pembroke Rd, Miramar, FL Time: 6 10 p.m. Price: $60.00 Contact Mary Barzey, Parish Rep at marybarzey06@bellsouth.net and/or Carmen Ahmed at 954.431.1457 South Florida Cursillista Ordained in Pennsylvania By Bob Anderson On June 14th, Rick Bauer, a Seminarian from St. Mark s in Ft. Lauderdale, was ordained to the priesthood at historic, St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster Pennsylvania. His ordination was part of a historic event at this 274-year old church where 15 adults were confirmed or received 2 of whom were baptized right before confirmation. Rick attended EMC # 90 in 2013. At that time he was the con- temporary worship music leader and a religion teacher at St. Mark s Episcopal School. He spent the last 3 years at Virginia Theological Seminary.
Page 9 Cursillista Ends 50 Years Service With St. John s Church Homestead By Carmen Chang Carolyn Pratt continues to be an active member of the Cursillo Ministry in the Diocese of Southeast Florida for 50+ years. Carolyn made Episcopal Women s Cursillo #8 in 1977 and from that date until the present she remains faithful to the ministry. Carolyn also was the Rectora of The Fabulous Florida Keys Episcopal Women s Cursillo #55 in 1985. Many of the members of her team are still serving in the Diocese. On her team were Patty James, Assistant Rectora, Spiritual Directors, Rev. Leopoldo Alard (deceased Bishop) and Rev. Paul Rasmus, Janet Fierro, Head Cha Cha, Helen Carr, Food Palanca Cha, and Brenda McGintis, Rollista. Carolyn s music graced not only the church, but St. John s Episcopal School where she taught music for fourteen years. Carolyn s weekend team where my Mom and I served was one I remember with much joy. Her Bible verse was from Galatians 6:2, Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. The Rollo Room was filled with bears and the Palanca demonstrated the love of Christ through Teddy Bears being everywhere. Carolyn and Gary (deceased), her husband, remained steadfast members of the Cursillo Movement for many years before he became ill. After Hurricane Andrew many of the members of St. John s dispersed throughout the US and the Cursillo Movement suffered as a result. Carolyn has been the impetus for revitalizing the movement at St. John s. Carmen Chang, our Secretariat 4 th Day Chair in the Central and South Sector recalls that when she first met Carolyn she was the most gracious and spirit filled person who always tried to help in any situation she was asked. We honor and applaud Carolyn for the revitalization of the Cursillo Ministry at St. John s and for being a faithful minister of God s amazing Grace during her 50 years as organist, and 41 years as a Cursillista in the Diocese of Southeast Florida. Reflection on Men s Weekend (Continued from Page 4) love of so many. It was going to be impossible to try to go through this experience as a spectator from a safe distance. I searched my heart and took a leap of Faith, Trust, and dove right in as we had been called to do. As it turns out, this has been one of the most amazing paths in my journey of Faith. I was given the opportunity to recommit myself to what I be- lieve is our true purpose as Christians. We are given this gift to be able to share God s love and bring His kids a little closer to Him through our actions and our words. We are awakened so that we can follow on Jesus footsteps with the inspiration and strength of the Holy Spirit, and become instruments for God. I am forever grateful to God for allowing me the opportunity to experience His Grace and His Love through all of you. To be able to share, pray, reflect, and grow within this family. And most important to have the honor and privilege to reap and sow along with you. I am humbled by the immense Love in the heart of every cursillista and I pray that more people get to experience what I have experienced on this journey. De Colores!!!
Page 10 Rule of Life: Spotlight on Group Reunion By Jim Wells (Excerpted from material supplied by Episcopal Cursillo Ministry) THE FOURTH DAY IN ACTION Group Reunion The Group Reunion comes first. It reflects the practice of our Lord when he paired his disciples as he sent them out into the world. It claims Jesus promise to be with us whenever two or three of us are gathered together in his name. [Matt. 18:20]. Grouping also reflects a need to share life with a circle of friends and to get support from friends in the struggle with the challenges of life. The Group Reunion Card should be part of each group s life. The purpose of the physical Card is to remind Cursillistas that they are accountable to God and to each other for their growth and witness. It provides a simple and natural checklist which can help focus the efforts of each person, a kind of personal inventory. The Card also engages Cursillistas with one another and permits trust and mutual support to develop. PHOTO OF REUNION CARD Those who have spent years within a group testify to its power. The most vital and vulnerable moment in the life of the new Cursillista comes in the days immediately following the Weekend. If grouping begins here, it is likely to reinforce the Message of the Weekend and to result in a fruitful life in the Fourth Day. If a new Cursillista does not become quickly grounded in a group, that Message and impact may evaporate. So, it is vital for sponsors to incorporate their candidates into a Group Reunion immediately following the Weekend, if not before. Spiritual Advisors and Rectors should also take the initiative to write notes to the new Cursillistas following the Weekend to encourage them to become part of a Group. Such notes can drive home the Message which often is only barely heard and understood in the last day. The task and the responsibility of the sponsors, Spiritual Advisors, and Rectors, does not end with each Weekend. This puts the Fourth Day first! Don t Miss Out. Join the Cursillo Email List The Cursillo Community of SE Florida stays informed via email through MailChimp. To be in the loop, join the distribution list. To access the MailChimp subscription form, Click on the E-Newsletter icon.
Page 11 PLEASE JOIN US FOR OUR SOUTH SECTOR FUNDRAISER DIOCESE OF SOUTHEAST FLORIDA CURSILLO MINISTRY November 10, 2018 10:00 am St. Thomas Episcopal Church 5690 North Kendall Drive Coral Gables, Florida 33156 Cost: $15.00 Contact: Carmen Chang - 305-505-0935