Almost 30 years in the ministry and I had never been to a Cursillo gathering-up to now. This past Sunday evening I was asked to officiate at the closing ceremony for the first Cursillo held in this Diocese in about 10 years. Saying that I was impressed would be an understatement.

For those of you who have never heard that term before, Cursillo is a movement that started in the Roman Catholic Church in Spain in 1944. The name means "short course" in Christianity, and is intended to be a highly intense and personal recommitment to one's faith. The movement has spread to other Christian denominations (the first Episcopal Cursillos were held in the 1960s). Those who complete the four-day course (during which time they are instructed by and cared for by the alums of the course), recommit their lives to Christ at the closing ceremony where they are welcomed by their families and other members of the program.

Before the Eucharist service began, each of the attendees (in this case eight men-traditionally men and women meet on separate weekends) spoke about what had happened to them over the weekend. Some were so moved they had trouble speaking. One remarked, "I have always wanted brothers, now I have found these, my brothers in Christ." It was clear that for all of them, their weekend was a life-changing experience.

What especially struck me was the liveliness of the service. We not only sang some great praise music, but it was all done with a joyfulness and energy which is often missing from much Sunday morning parish worship. One could truly feel the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Cursillo is not for everyone, but for me it serves as another example of God's powerful movement in the Diocese of Arizona. I know those eight men will return to their parishes as "spiritual sparkplugs," helping to ignite the life of their respective congregations. If you are in their parish, your life will be enriched.

So, if you have never heard of Cursillo, give it a try! But at least give thanks for the new life and vitality it will bring to our congregations (and check out the great pictures on our website!)

+Kirk

On the Net: http://cursillo.azdiocese.org/index.html

 
A Final Thought

Finally, we are beginning to see some great YouTube-style videos produced by our church, and one of the best I have seen was done by a videographer at Trinity Cathedral! It was made for Ash Wednesday, and "Remember That You Are Dust" is now on the Cathedral Website (www.trinitycathedral.com).

Look under the "What's New" button. And while you are on that site, don't forget to check out the new video on the procession trip to Naco, Sonora.

+Kirk