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WHAT CURSILLO MEANS TO ME
CARL WESTOVER:
Living as a Catholic
Christian on the surface was fine for me, however something in me
wanted,
craved more. I wanted to go deep with Christ in an intimate spiritual
way
through prayer and action. How could I
get there? Enter Cursillo, defined as a short course. In 2015 I put
aside a
weekend for Christ, after all He did die on the cross for me, right?
The
weekend was a short course and the beginning of my lifelong journey
with Christ
in my heart, mind, and body. The depth in my faith I sought was
fulfilled and
continues day by day. Yes a weekend is a big commitment, but the worst
thing is
you will eat good food, meet nice people, however maybe, just maybe
change your
life for the better.
CYNTHIA PEREZ:
My life has been
profoundly affected by the quality of people I associate with... That
being
said...
I want to thank
Bill Grippo for inviting me to attend the Metuchen Cursillo in November
of
2019. I was not sure what to expect but willingly accepted his
invitation. Bill
and I first met in passing several years ago. I was his granddaughter’s
bible
study teacher during summer camp (Summer Sondays) at Saint Matthias. We
then
formally met when paired for the Live Lent group in 2018. I remember
when Bill
spoke about the Cursillo movement, his eyes lit up and his voice became
much
more joyful.
As I was pacing
back and forth in my foyer waiting for Bill to arrive. I was growing
more nervous;
I was telling God I need a sign to help calm my nerves. Shortly
thereafter two
young men dressed in professional attire approached my front door
offering a
prayer card. I excitedly told them I was leaving for my Cursillo
weekend and
asked if they could pray for me. They began praying, provided their
well wishes
and went on their way. In the 15 years I lived in my home, I never got
a visit
like this. That was the “sign”. At that moment, I placed my fears in
God’s
hands, got in the car and drove off with no apprehension.
The experience at
the Cursillo was immensely powerful and life-changing. I was
overwhelmed with
grace and could not contain myself. I conversed with everyone at the
Cursillo;
it felt like I had known them a lifetime. They were my teachers in
faith and as
it is written in Proverbs 24:6 “for by wise guidance you can wage your
war, and
in abundance of counselors there is victory.” I cried tears of joy that
entire
weekend. I was watching my life through a new pair of lenses. I could
not put
the feeling into words, but it was complete affirmation. The inner
voice
pounding in my heart that I am a servant. There is a greater purpose…
We are God’s
hands. Galatians 2:20 says, “It is no longer I who live, but it is
Christ who
lives in me.” I invite you my brothers and sisters to join the next
Cursillo
for your own divine experience! De Colores!
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