Cursillo

(From May, 2001 Nativity Tidings newsletter)

(This is the third installment of a multi-part series on Cursillo. Part of the information comes from a brochure and part comes from members of our congregation who have participated.)

What is expected of Cursillo participants?

A brochure replies:

	to be open and willing to respond to what you experience, to share your feelings with others, and to allow them to share their feelings with you. To make a genuine effort to discover where you are and how you can grow in your Christian life.
	to feel secure in the knowledge that you are accepted where you are and as you are, and to know that a specific response is not expected of you.
	to be curious enough and thirsty enough for spiritual exploration and nourishment to acknowledge a need to commit a weekend of your life to Christ.

Some of our parishioners added:

	Nancy John Langdon: “They should come with an open mind. They will not be asked to do anything they would be uncomfortable with. They won't be asked to speak or commit to anything that they're not comfortable with. It's a stepping out in faith.”
	Joanne Marino: “What's expected of them? Nothing. They are not supposed to do anything. They're just supposed to sit back and enjoy the experience.”
	Bill Stoner: “Be open to what you hear and pray that God will help you understand. Some people are apprehensive, but they shouldn't be.”
	Liz Stoner: “Come with an open mind. They should not expect to get too much rest, but they should expect lots of good food.”

Jim and Margaret Murphy had some excellent comments. “We had witnessed changes in those who had attended Cursillo, especially our youngest son. They appeared to have a happier outlook on things and a better relationship with one another,” they said.

“We wanted to experience it for ourselves. One person in particular came back with a big smile on his face that never seems to leave,” they added.

“We knew it was supposed to better our relationship with our Heavenly Father, and it did,” they concluded.