Calendar
Men's Weekend
Oct. 4-7, 2007
St. Anthony's, Okmulgee
Coordinator:
Danny Brennan
Women's Weekend
Oct. 18-21
St. Anthony's, Okmulgee
Coordinator: Lori Hahn
First Friday 7:00 pm
hosted by St. Mary's
Third Friday 7:00 pm
hosted by St. Benedict's
Fourth Sunday 3:00 pm
Bilingual, hosted by
Sts. Peter and Paul (Tulsa)
Third Sunday 4:00 pm
on odd numbered
months hosted by
Sts Peter & Paul (Cushing)
First Thursday 7:00 pm
St. Benedict's
Third Thursday 7:00 pm
St. Mary's
First Friday
All Night Adoration
Sts. Peter and Paul (Tulsa)
from 10:00 PM Friday
until
8:30 AM Mass Saturday
from the Summer/Fall 2005 Cursillo
Newsletter
15th National Cursillo Encounter - “Be Messengers
of Joy!”
by
Mary Sadler
The experience of the national encounter sparkles in our memories like multi colored Christmas lights. From the opening blessing of Bishop Tamayo, our National Episcopal Advisor, to the joyous energy of the closing Fiesta – the love and friendship between 650 Cursillistas was palpable.
Some highlights:
Singing that “raised the roof” of Saint Benedicts Church of Atchison, Kansas, during opening Mass! Korean, Philippine, Vietnamese, Spanish, English – the Our Father prayed in all it’s universal glory! The “tripod” of ways Jesus was present – in the written Word – in the Body of the Word made flesh – in the Body of Christ celebrating together – awesome!
Twelve Cursillistas from the Tulsa Diocese shared the grace-full experience!
Father Pedro Garcia, our retiring Spiritual Advisor, stated that he was celebrating 40 years as a Priest…and 41 years as a Cursillista!
Archbishop Jose Gomez, in his talk on “The Year of the Eucharist,” declared that he strongly believes that coming back to faith in this country will be through Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. He acknowledged that he was the “black sheep” of his family because he was the only person who was not a Cursillista!
Dr. Jeronimo Dominguez looked like what we imagined Saint Peter might look like – wiry physique, long grey beard, passionate in movement and speech. In his keynote address, “Be Messengers of Joy,” he took us on a journey from what he called the “mind-blowing” reality of Jesus being in us - GOD in us; through understanding that suffering is essential to real joy, “Pain is a good weapon to get you into heaven”; to reminding us that Jesus offered the ultimate palanca in his crucifixion. Dr. Dominguez exhorted us to always pray and offer palanca FIRST, then act.
Juan Ruiz talked about precursillo, “Make a Friend.” He asked us if our lives resonate with the announcement that “men are loved by God!”; suggesting that when our best friend is Jesus Christ we are not big enough to hold that friendship in us and we have to share it!
Ceferino Aguillon, in his talk, “Be a Friend,” reminded us that our witness needed to be 24/7 or we were just “appearing” to be Christian. He challenged us to share the BEST news of the BEST reality that God the Father, through Christ, LIVES – communicated by the BEST means, which is friendship!
Father David Smith, in his keynote, “The Mentality of the Charism” explained that the mentality of the charism is friendship and friendship is the charism, so the mentality IS the charism! He said the structure of Cursillo evolved out of friendship and we grow as Christians in friendship encounters with ourselves, with others, and with Jesus Christ.
In his talk, “Bring a Friend to Christ,” Alan Pires described friendship as the living mortar that holds Cursillo together. He said that friendship is the deepest form of sharing, that friendship requires deep respect, frequent contact, devotion, confidentiality, and MUST include friendship with Jesus. Alan stated that “group reunion is friendship converted into permanent actual grace.”
Our own Steve Krause talked about “Friendship in the School of Leaders.” Steve’s full talk is in this issue of the newsletter.
Ted Vaughter’s talk on “Laity in the World” had each table attempt to come up with a statement encapsulating the message of the encounter to take home….in 10 words or less. Three that we enjoyed were:
“Messengers of Christ in all aspects of life without exception.”
“Christ is counting on us to bring others to Him.”
“Walk the walk – talk the talk – and know why.”
Reverend Deacon Joseph DeLeon, in the final keynote, “If You Love Me, Feed My Sheep,” spoke of how friendship, for Jesus, is a serious thing. He said that love takes the worst thing that can happen to you and makes it a part of your salvation. His example was Peter’s betrayal of Jesus making him heartsick because he had lost his greatest love – Jesus. Peter was angry with himself, it was eating him up. Jesus healed him with his love, by having him focus on love: “do you love me? – feed my sheep.” He was telling Peter to stop crying and get back to his work – bringing about the kingdom. What was Peter to feed them? Hope. Jesus is talking to us when he talks to Peter. Feed his sheep. Wash each other’s feet. Walk in his footsteps. Touch a dirty humanity in his name.
The Fiesta was fabulous. Our new Spiritual Director, Father Ochoa, amazed us with his singing talent. He had us roaring with his ability to hold a note - long and loud! Several Vietnamese women wore traditional dress and danced for us while others sang. We had a rousing chorus taught to us in Philippine to sing between verses the Philippine Cursillistas sang for us. Our Korean Brothers and Sisters were all smiles with their native songs. And our Hispanic crew knocked our socks off with their energy and joy – we found ourselves doing “conga” lines throughout the gym/conference gathering room. The hugs were frequent and spontaneous, smiles were the language of love that everyone was speaking. Who needs Margaritas? We had the energy of love – the Holy Spirit!