It is easily forgotten that our service sheet is a catalyst for the daily renewal of those three encounters and our Group Reunion provides the encouragement and support to live out our daily encounters with a growing love. Bonnin said, “The most difficult encounter is with self, the first one.” No doubt St. Augustine agreed for his prayer was, “Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know thee.”

I use the words of Mary who can, “Deliver us from the evil one.” (Mt.6:13), Mary, Jesus’ Mother, words that she has used repeatedly at Lourdes and Fatima, and other times and places, “Pray, Repent, Sacrifice, Fast,” and I add, do Palanca. If you and I are going to turn this world around, that is what we have to do. There are no short cuts. There is no ‘easy’ solution. And, we have to do it all in Great Joy, since joy is a true sign of a Christian.

We may think we know ourselves but the truth is we spend our whole lives in the process of achieving that goal. Let’s face it, that is a key part of the spiritual journey, is it not? To know ourselves requires wisdom and humility beyond most of our capacities and the only way we can grow in this wisdom is to stand in the light, to see ourselves as the Father sees us, to claim both our brokenness and our son ship or daughterhood at the same time. Then we can come to fully realize that the Father loves us just the way we are, right now, we don’t need to earn anything. I recently read: “Faith is, first of all, believing that Jesus has the power to heal me.”

Having that faith is the first step, the second step, and the very important one, is ’knowing ourselves and humbly believing that we need to be healed by Jesus the divine healer. It’s an ongoing process. Our weekend was not the end of that exercise, just the beginning.

“Jesus, that I may know myself and know you.”

Ken Kluener

Pre Cursillo thoughts…

“Ecclesia in America” was written in 1999 by Pope john Paul II and he spoke directly to us when he said, “The renewal of America will not be possible without the actions of the laity, they are largely responsible for the future of the Church.” He knew that the task before us was an evangelization that had to be, “new in ardor, methods and expression.” Success depends on the creativity and dedication of the lay faithful who are willing to commit their personal lives, their families and their associations in witnessing to the good news of the Gospel. Is there a better description of what happens in the Cursillo Movement and on a Cursillo Weekend?

- De Colores ! Tom Schweitzer

Post Cursillo thoughts…

What a wonderful time of year, a time of hope and new life.

The joy of the risen Christ and the awakening of the earth with God’s gift of flowers, birds, and joyous children and grandchildren receiving candy and eggs, mysteriously delivered to them. I love their innocence and smiles.

As Cursillistas, we can experience the very same gift — the joy of the risen Christ — throughout the entire year. This gift can easily be nourished, as we continue to grow in our lives with Christ, by utilizing the incredible gifts of the Holy Spirit — the Group Reunion and the Ultreya. By sharing the day to day experiences of our spiritual lives (the ‘highs’ As well as the ‘lows’), with one another, our spirits are awakened to receive this never ending joy of the Risen Christ.

What experiences will you share with your brothers and sisters in Christ? Is there someone waiting to see His joy living in you? You may find that ‘someone’ sitting right beside you at your Group Reunion or Ultreya! ‘Christ is counting on you!’ Decolores

Lou & Kay Lunne

Let us pray…Lord, may those we serve in your name find in us, the Fourth Day Community, the warmth of your love, the example of service you call each of us to and the great desire to draw closer to you through our journey together. Amen.