What is Cursillo?
Cursillo has its origin within the Roman Catholic Church in Majorca, Spain in 1949. The first Episcopal Cursillo in Oregon was held in the spring of 1976. The movement, sponsored by the Bishop of the Diocese of Eastern Oregon, is primarily a lay movement which is directed by the Cursillo Board, an elected group of lay persons and clergy.
What does Cursillo Offer?
- An opportunity for Christian growth.
- An experience of Christian community.
- A means of renewal within the Church.
- A way to help bring the Church to those in the world around us.
- A focus on responsibility and mission beyond Cursillo
Who will be at Cursillo?
- People like yourself, who are curious, searching and growing.
- Team: A group of lay persons who will lead, speak, pray, cook, set tables and generally help and serve you in any way possible during the weekend.
- Spiritual Directors: Two or three clergy who serve as part of the team.
Pre-Cursillo
During this period, sponsors (i.e. those individuals that have been to the three-day Cursillo weekend and are living the Fourth Day) identify those Episcopalians who are leading an active Christian life and are a living witness to their love for Christ, recommending their candidacy. It is also the period that selected candidates are informed of what to expect at the three-day weekend and assisted in appropriate preparations.
The Three-Day Weekend
TALKS:Talks are given by team members and spiritual directors to bring new insights that help us understand and love our Christian faith. Discussion groups follow each talk.
WORSHIP: There will be many different forms of worship used during the weekend, daily Eucharist, morning and evening prayers, silent time for meditation, and others.
MUSIC: Lots of opportunity for singing throughout the weekend.
How do I Approach Cursillo
- Be curious.
- Be open to what happens.
- Be honest with yourself as to where you are in the pilgrimage
- Know that a specific response is not expected of you.
- Allow others to respond in their way and yourself in yours.
And then...?
The weekend is not an end in itself but very much a beginning. Its purpose is to lead us into...
The Fourth Day
The Fourth Day is where we continue our journey together, and is the most important part of Cursillo. We support and encourage one another as we seek to live and work to Gods praise and glory.
Sound too good to be true?
Then come and see for yourself!
. . . But grace was given to each of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. And His gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ . . .
Ephesians 4:7, 11-1
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