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Cursillo is a very special weekend retreat held annually the last weekend of September. It's all about discerning your calling as lay ministers of the church, and as Christians in an increasingly secular world. Cursillo (pronounced Koor-see-yoh) is a Spanish word meaning "little course". Thus a :Cursillo in Christiandad" is a short course in our Christian faith. Cursillo originated in Majorca, Spain in the 1940's with the Roman Catholics as a method of reviving Christian commitment after the Spanish Civil War. The first English language Cursillo was held in San Francisco in 1960. The weekend includes talks that help answer questions like these:
If you think you might like to attend or would just like more information, please contact Floyd Farlow. You can also get some information about Cursillo in the Santa Clara Valley at our community's web site, www.sccursillo.org. Another way to learn about Cursillo is to attend an Ultreya.
"Ultreya" is a call of encouragement that was given to Christians in the middle ages as they made pilgrimages. It's a call to "keep on going, don't give up." At an ultreya, a speaker gives a witness talk ... how they've lived out their Christian vocation, or some way in which God acted in the speaker's life. We reflect on that and then have music and refreshment. Check our community's Cursillo web site, www.sccursillo.org, for information on upcoming Ultreyas. The goal of Cursillo is to leaven environments with the gospel. What does this mean? It's about how to you can bring your faith into the everyday environments you live in - your home, your work, your church, your social activities, etc. ... and not with a sledgehammer - it's not about proselytizing - but with a clear understanding of your own faith and Christ's call for unconditional love. Cursillo Resources:
Vocare is latin word meaning "to call". It is a Christian renewal movement of the Episcopal Church for young adults. The movement addresses the individuals calling to live a Christ-centered life and deals with issues such as WHAT IS A CHRISTIAN, YOUR RESPONSE TO CHRIST, EMPOWERMENT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT, SINGLE MINISTRY, MARRIAGE, and much more. The Diocese is planning it's first Vocare for March 2003. There are two parts to the Vocare ministry. The first part is the Vocare weekend which is similar in nature to a Cursillo or Happening weekend, but geared more toward Christian concerns of people in the Vocare age group. All who are interested throughout the Diocese are invited to apply. The second part of the Vocare Ministry consists of periodic gatherings (once or twice a year ) simply known as Cornerstone. These get-togethers involve fellowship, fun, sharing, and discussion. A Vocare weekend is staffed by young adults and a few clergy. This team prepares for the weekend by working and praying together. In their planning sessions, they design a series of talks and discussions which will hopefully help us to become more aware of our being "called by God" and to help each other in answering this call. These talks will focus on subjects such as: spiritual growth, faith, vocation, community, and prayer. In addition to the talks and discussions, we will pray, eat, sing and play together. There will also be opportunities for personal reflection and speaking with the spiritual directors. During the weekend you are encouraged to ask questions, speak up, laugh, and enjoy the presence of God in our midst.
Vocare
Prayer Check the diocesan calendar for upcoming dates. HAPPENING is a weekend presented by teenagers for teenagers. The weekend is spent in a relaxed, fun, informal, loving environment sharing your faith in a Christian atmosphere. A young person who acts as "rector" leads the weekend with the help of clergy and a staff of mostly young people. HAPPENING encourages teenagers to relate to the foundations and message of the Christian faith to their world. A HAPPENING weekend is just a beginning. The idea is to get closer to God during the three-day program and continue to grow in the Christian way of life. HAPPENING encourages participation in the local parish. The format of the weekend includes talks and discussions on the basic elements of Christian life and its application to daily living. The sacraments of the church also play an integral part throughout the weekend. Experience It!
Catch the Spirit! HAPPENING weekends are coed and open to high school students grades 10 through 12 and adults who work with youth. Check the calendar for upcoming dates. New Beginnings is a weekend program similar to Happening but intended for youth in grades 7-9. The weekend starts Friday night and ends Sunday afternoon. There are a series of songs, skits, tapes, talks (by youth and adults) and small group discussions. These focus around subjects such as Self, Friends, Parents, Siblings, School, God's Love, Prayer, Who is Jesus? What is the Church? There is also plenty of playing, laughing, creating and sharing. Participants will not only learn and grow, but will also have the time of their lives. |
