Cursillo

The Cursillo program starts with a three-day weekend retreat. “Cursillo”, a Spanish word, means “short course” in Christianity. In the Fall River Diocese, Cursillos are being held at Stonehill College in Easton; they are held alternating a Men’s Cursillo followed by a Women’s Cursillo every 2 to 3 months, except in summer.

The leader of the weekend (called Rector on Men’s) and (Rectora on Women’s) is a layperson. Cursillo is a movement of the laity stressing a call to holiness and service in civilian ministry in all walks of life.

The Cursillo weekend starts on a Thursday night with prayer and an introductory talk. Each day of the retreat has its own theme: Friday, “Christ Has Died”; Saturday, “Christ Has Risen”; Sunday “Christ Will Come Again”. Four candidates and four team members sit at each table and participate. There are five “talks” a day, given by laypersons and priests. After each talk there is discussion at the table; poster making and other interactive devices are used.

People who have made a Cursillo weekend are invited to meet:
· weekly for an hour or so in a “Group Reunion” of 5 or 6 people; they compare notes on their challenges, successes, problems and solutions in living a Christian life over the last week.
· monthly at Our Lady of Victory for an “Ultreya”, a gathering of Cursillo graduates in the Cape area, often with a speaker on a topic of interest to the rest.

Cursillo requests that candidates have a Sponsor (one who has lived the weekend) to help candidates with their application. There are people who lived Cursillo in every Cape Parish! Costs for rooms and meals are shared by the participants.

For information see the following websites, call the Parish Office at (508) 775-5744, or send an email to ministries@olvparish.org:

www.capecursillo.org
www.retreathouse.org