I want to share with you some reflections on prayer and preparing for the weekend which I had the privilege of living with 28 fellow Cursillistas who were part of the team and the 23 new Cursillistas who made weekend 354. What a lovely privilege! First of all, I learned to surrender and let the Holy Spirit, the process, and the team each do their parts on the weekend. My part was to pray, and pray, and pray some more. Just like it says in the Core Team manual used for the weekend; I prayed for Core team in early July and within a week, I had a Core team including our musicians. I prayed for team and the team came forward. I prayed about what positions people should be placed in and the answers were there. When I started making my team calls to let people know what position I believed the Holy Spirit was asking them to fill on the weekend, everyone answered. Each person considered the position requested and said yes. Rollo team members wrote really wonderful talks that were just right for the weekend. The Kitchen team prepared wonderful meals and there was abundance. The Palanca team prayed and sustained us as our CPU: Central Prayer Unit. The Holy Spirit knows what he is about and he really does lead the weekend.

Issues did come up. They always do. With prayer, we always seem to know the right solution to smooth out the issues and proceed with the weekend. When something good is about to happen, the devil has a way of challenging our commitment and resolve. With prayer we are always sustained through the trials and persevere. I want to share a couple of my thoughts regarding Total Security, the final talk which the Rectora gives on the third day of the weekend. As you know, Total Security is about living the Cursillo method in the 4th Day. We make piety, study, and action, the way we live.

As I reflected on how important my Group and my Ultreya experiences have been, I realized that it is consistency that makes the difference. Grouping isn’t just for me. It is for my groupies too. I share… my groupies share… and we need each other. My groupies listen, love and encourage me. God, the Holy Spirit, Jesus, Mary are always with us and show us in countless ways how much they care. Our grouping helps us to be more aware of those close moments. Often times, I recognize the close moment happened in the moment of sharing. Luke 11: 9-10 “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “

I made my weekend five years ago. In these five years, I have loved getting to know my Cursillo family. I have found unconditional love and acceptance here. I have shared my stories in weekly grouping, monthly Ultreya, the annual 4th day encounter, the Summer picnic, the Winter retreat, and Evening of Renewal. Cursillo events bring me great joy. I can’t attend every event but when I do attend, I am never disappointed. Sometimes, I may group with one other person. Sometimes I am at an event with hundreds. Of one thing I am certain, Jesus loves when we come together guided by the Holy Spirit. He loves that we seek Him together.

My time as Rectora for weekend 354 will always hold a very special place in my heart. I truly love the team and each of our new 23 Cursillistas that I had the privilege of serving. One of the things I continue to pray for is that each one of them finds a welcoming group of women to group with. Please be welcoming and seek them out.

Make time to seek out our Cursillo events and attend when you can. Be yourself. Be welcoming. Your life and ongoing conversion (Metanoia) will be amazing. Galations 6:9 “Trust in the Lord for ever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.”

De Colores,
Jane Marie Rief
Church of St. Patrick