Latest Headlines
from
The VOICE
 
The Diocese of Newark Online

Diocese of Newark Episcopal Cursillo

Cursillo Sponsorship and Weekender Information

For Sponsors

Instructions: Print out the Weekender Information and Application and give them to your weekender. The weekender should fill out the first section of the application and return it to you. If you are aware of a special need (such as hearing problems) that the weekender may not have indicated, please highlight this in the appropriate space in the application before returning it to the registrar. Our current facilities are handicapped accessible. You are responsible for filling out the sponsor section and having the clergy section filled out. Once the application is complete, please return it, with the $25 registration fee, to the registrar listed at the top of the application.

Guidelines: Identify potential weekenders. Thet should be stable, mature Christians with the potential for leadership withing their own environment. Be sure to talk to God about your friend before you talk to your friend about Cursillo.

The Cursillo Method is intended for those who seek a deeper understanding of the Christian life and a greater commitment to Christian action. Cursillo proposes no new type of spirituality. Rather, it introduces a proven method through which ones spirituality may be developed, lived and shared in today's world. It concentrates on the person of Jesus Christ and His teachings and gives a living understanding of basic Christian truths and a greater desire to serve the Church. The Cursillo weekend is not designed to solve serious personal problems, e.g. marriage difficulties, alcoholism, emotional disturbances. Any adult, upon recommendation of his or her priest, may attend Cursillo.

Pre-Cursillo:

  1. Explain the purpose of Cursillo (Bring our environments to Christ).
  2. Explain the purpose and role of the three-day weekend (to supply people for Group Reunions)
  3. Explain reunion group structure and sharing
  4. Share the following:
    • The weekend is structured and organized
    • It's safe because Jesus is there.
    • Look forward to fun and fellowship
    • The schedule is full and mentally stimulating.
    • Try to be will rested before the weekend
    • There will be 15 talks (10 by laypeople and 5 by clergy) with discussions
    • There is prayer support all weekend
    • There is some quiet and private time, but not much.
    • The food is great.
    • Music and song are a real blessing.
    • Several priests are on the team and available for individual conferencing, if desired.
    • You, the sponsor, will be there to meet them at the end of the weekend.
  5. Offer to babysit
  6. Bring weekenders to the weekend and pick them up
  7. Be open to weekenders (there are no real secrets about Cursillo)
  8. Discuss the financial obligations of the weekend: (a) There is a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee due with the application. This may be paid by the applicant, the sponsor, a Group Reunion, or the Parish. (b) Upon arrival Thursday night to the weekend, the $100 weekend fee is due. If this fee is a problem, explain the availablitiy of a scholarship fund for financial assistance. Contact the treasurer for details.
  9. Aside from wine at Eucharist, no alcohol is permitted on the weekend.
  10. Avoid (if possible) sharing the following information about the weekend: The mountaintop experience analogy (it may not happen); Forget the phrase "Don't anticiapate"; Palanca, posters, Las Mananitas, prayer vigil, footwashing...

Cursillo: Prayer and notes are your primary Palanca. If you have small gifts to offer to your weekender, please save them for after the weekend. Additional donations of food or money may be arranged with the weekend coordinator.

Post Cursillo:

  • Follow up on the Fourth Day, organize reunion group opportunity or help find your weekender a group reunion.
  • Assist your weekender in going to Ultreya, especially the Instructional Ultreya - make an invitation, offer a ride
  • Keep in contact, especially during the first six months

Sponsor Resoponsibilities:
In addition to the guidelines, you have the following responsibilities:

Pre-Weekend:

  1. To lead an active Christian life through personal withness
  2. To assure a weekender's current suitability for a Cursillo Weekend
  3. To fully discuss the forthcoming Cursillo weekend with the weekender

Cursillo:

  1. To ensure that the weekender is fully prepared for the weekend and to provide transportation to and from the location of the weekend
  2. To work with the weekender in order to assure that any personal problems are cared for while they are away
  3. To assure that the weekender is fully sustained through prayer and personal support
  4. To attend the Closing and encourage others to do the same

Fourth Day

  1. To Assume responsibility for the weekender in his or her Fourth Day through assistance in becoming part of a Group Reunion and encouragement in attending Ultreyas.
  2. To assume responsibility for getting the weekender to the Instructional Ultreya

The Weekender Information and Application are provided in PDF format so that they may be printed out by anyone using any computer. The PDF format requires that you have a copy of the Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is available as a free download by clicking here:

Click here for the Weekender Information

Check back here for a current weekender application form when it becomes available.