Penecost is a season of great joy and hope because we know that the Holy Spirit is truly amongst us and enabling us to do the Lord’s work. Today, as I write these notes, the 19th of May is the Feast of Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury in 988. The readings today are particularly suited to us in Cursillo so I would like to share them with you:

Ecclesiasticus 44:1-7

Let us now sing the praises of famous men,

our ancestors in their generations.

The Lord apportioned to them great glory,

his majesty from the beginning.

There were those who ruled in their kingdoms,

and made a name for themselves by their valor;

those who gave counsel because they were intelligent;

those who spoke in prophetic oracles;

those who led the people by their counsels

and by their knowledge of the people's lore;

they were wise in their words of instruction;

those who composed musical tunes,

or put verses in writing;

rich men endowed with resources,

living peacefully in their homes--

all these were honored in their generations,

and were the pride of their times.

As I read this lesson today I was struck by its call for us to praise and honor famous people. We have lost two pillars of our movement here in Virginia within the past month, Carol Peleuses and Bob Thomas. Both of these individuals believed strongly in the power of our Risen Lord and in their Holy Spirit-given gifts to influence their environments. They were, in their individual ways, shining examples for us all in their faith and dedication to service in our Lord. Another thing about this lesson which struck me is its focus not only on the exalted leaders but by extension, those of use working in the “trenches” of Christianity. We have all been trained through this Method of Cursillo to be leaders by example and to pronounce the Good News to those we meet. The Psalm appointed for today should be the song on our lips as we go forth doing what we do best…impacting our environments for Christ.

Psalm 57:6-11 Page 664, BCP

Miserere mei, Deus
Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *
and your glory over all the earth.

My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; *
I will sing and make melody.

Wake up, my spirit;
awake, lute and harp; *
I myself will waken the dawn.

I will confess you among the peoples, O LORD; *
I will sing praise to you among the nations.

For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, *
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, *
and your glory over all the earth.

As part of this effort to be ambassadors for Christ, Kathleen (my wife and former Lay Director) and I were invited to speak at the Diocese of Rhode Island’s 27th anniversary of Cursillo Grand Ultreya last month. We traveled north to Providence and spoke to them about living their Fourth Day daily and in an intentional manner. Both of us were struck by the fact that many of the issues we face here in Virginia are similar to the ones being faced in Rhode Island. Both places face an aging population and inertia in participation at Ultreyas and for team service. We shared with them that living the Fourth Day does not mean holding weekends but being Christ’s body where we and they live. We told them and I share with you now, that this Movement can be grown without ever holding another weekend.

Before you shout for my head for this radical statement, let me remind you that weekends were not where this Movement began. It began with small groups (Group Reunion) for study and accountability in the individuals’ walk with Christ and with larger gatherings (Ultreyas) where the individual groups gathered together for encouragement and greater sharing. Here is where we bring friends to Christ after first making a friend with God (thank you, Fr. Robillard, for this clarification) and being a friend to that individual. What happens after that is the sustainment of our journey through the tools of Group Reunion and Ultreya and Spiritual Direction. This disciplined approach has worked for centuries in many variations and is a form of religious structure that can and does keep us focused on God and His Son Jesus Christ. Because it works so well, when practiced regularly and faithfully , it is something that other seekers will want to know about and we know that we have been equipped to tell them our own stories. The weekend is simply a training time for all the rest of what we do with our lives for Christ.

Lest you despair, we are going to be holding a co-ed weekend this October 13-16 at the 4-H Center in Front Royal. The core team and those already called to serve on Weekend 129 that was supposed to be held in May have graciously agreed to serve on this October weekend. The team is essentially complete, less one, as I write this and begins team formation in June. Now is not too early to be preparing your friends to be candidates and submitting their applications.

The Secretariat has decided to postpone the Community Weekend this year because I am asking you all to seriously consider attending the National Cursillo Seminar which this year is being hosted in our own backyard in Virginia Beach, October 21-23. This seminar is where fellow cursillistas from around the country and around the world will be and where you can attend quite excellent workshops on things Cursillo. This is an excellent opportunity for you to participate in a community weekend, although larger than we had envisioned! It is rare that we have the chance to have the seminar so close to us. You can get further details by calling Sue Davis at the national office at 1-877-ULTREYA or 1-877-858-7392 or emailing her at NECOFFICE@episcopalcursillo.org.

As always, please share all this in your local communities and continue to hold each other up in prayer. I remain your servant,