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  • March 31, 2016 7:39 PM | Deleted user

    Our fifteen year-old daughter, Berit, attended the March for Life 2016 in DC and our heart is full with all the ways God was working through the march and infamous Turnpike Mass! Berit showed us through her two years of attending her Pro-Life Club meetings, her commitment to fundraising for the trip, the pink and blue cupcakes she and her friends made to increase Pro-Life awareness at Holy Family High School, that this most definitely is her cause. What a beautiful realization for us to see that God has been calling her to serve Him in this way and we, her parents, had absolutely nothing to do with it!

    While Berit was in Washington we noticed every text,Tweet and Facebook post had the hashtag #FORTHEBABIES. We were floored when we received a video of our shy Berit, screaming a follow-back chant during the March with hundreds of people an-swering her "I BELIEVE " with "I BELIEVE WE ARE PRO-LIFE". We were so grateful that God was working on Berit in ways we never expected.

    The nights spent on the Pennsylvania Turnpike were stressful but we knew God was holding all those kids in his loving arms and we didn't have to worry. We will never forget her excitement as she relayed the story as it was unfolding of building an altar along the Turnpike so they could celebrate Mass. The God moments were not lost on her. She explained that God must've wanted that altar in a certain spot so the Mass-goers could stand on the hillside because they tried packing snow in many different areas along the road and failed. When they reached the right spot the snow packed perfectly for them! They asked a couple of priests off of other buses who each had just a few hosts, and they celebrated Mass right there along the roadside. They had just enough hosts for the hundreds of stranded pilgrims from across the country who at-tended. When the group returned home she told one of the news reporters that she was happy they were stranded so the Turnpike Mass could happen – otherwise the March For Life news story would have been completely lost because of the "Snowmageddon".

    Greer & Scott Hussey


  • January 28, 2016 11:16 AM | Deleted user

    New Years Day. Cursillo Winter Retreat at Christ the King Retreat Center. The Year of Mercy. This year, those three ideas came together for the "Perfect Storm," albeit it the "Perfect Retreat" this year for the Cursillo Community. New Years Day was on a Friday this year, which is the day we start the Cursillo Winter Retreat which is held at Christ the King Retreat Center.

    The Theme for this year was Sowing Seeds of Mercy. Fr. Tony Dummer started us off with his talk, "Mercy: The Life-style of Jesus." Mmmm, that alone is a good nugget to medi-tate on for the year. Mercy was/is the lifestyle of Jesus.

    Then Fr. Dummer challenged us with Luke 6:36 "Be merciful as your Father in Heaven is merciful."

    He dwelt on how the image of God as a "punishing" God is an illusion. When we study the life of Jesus, we see for-giveness, healing, and restoration. He pointed out that there is a difference between ANGER and HATRED. Anger is simply an emotional response to a given situation and is pre-sent in God and Jesus as the visible image of God. Hatred, on the other hand, is brooding over anger and making deci-sions to resent, react, and relish the hurt and sadness brought about by the injury - real or perceived - toward the one who has harmed us.

    Sr. Brenda Rose Szegedy talked of "Liberating Mercy". She talked of how liberating forgiveness is for us. For-giveness is not a benefit for the other person, but for our-selves. When we look at another through God's eyes, we see compassion, love, and look for the goodness in that person. Then we sense God looking at us with compassion, love, and the goodness God wants to bring out in us.

    Sister Brenda Rose brought out that to be a person without mercy is to be a person without an honest aware-ness of our own humanity. "Each day, God invites you into the Galilee of human need," she reminded us.

    Fr. James Deegan spoke to us of "Heartfelt Mercy." His first quote was from Isaiah 58:6-9 and he reiterated to us the benefits of mercy:

    Your wounds are healed.

    Your light will shine.

    God will hear your cry.

    What you give you will receive in abundance.

    I think I will work on sowing seeds of mercy this year. Those promises of the Harvest seem pretty good to me.

    Stu Walker


  • January 01, 2016 12:00 AM | Deleted user

    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

  • November 01, 2015 12:00 AM | Deleted user

    Written by Eric Volden:

    Even though there are a lot of activities going on in Twin Cities Cursillo between now and then, it’s not too early to be thinking ahead to the 2016 Winter Retreat. Mostly because there are a few “little wrinkles” in our schedule for January 2016.

    Traditionally we have always arrived on Friday evening after the dinner hour and begun our program around 7 PM. However, this year Friday is the New Year’s Day Holiday. Because King’s House has many annual returning groups like ours, moving the weekend was not an option.

    We now know more details to the two main changes to the tradi onal schedule. We will still be able to arrive at King’s House on Friday evening. However, respecting that it is a holiday and people may have other plans, we will not start the formal retreat schedule that evening. Instead we will have an Ultreya that evening and I invite anyone and everyone to think and pray about being the speaker for that evening.

    The formal retreat schedule will start on Saturday morning with registration for the Saturday arrivals at 6:30 AM, breakfast at 7:30, an opening prayer service at 8:00, and gathering for the first conference at 9:00. All of the elements of this retreat that we have enjoyed over the years will be in the schedule.

    The fee this year is $155 per person and will be the same for everyone regardless of individual arrival times. Scholarships are available to cover the cost. We want everyone to attend who wishes to. Contact Justine Bojan at 952-250-2398.

    So come Friday night if you can. Come Saturday morning if you need to. Just come.

    In spite of these changes, what won’t change is the fine leadership and guidance of the staff at King’s House.

    You will be able to register and pay on line by clicking here, or you can register in the traditional method by mailing a $20 deposit check made out to;

    Twin Cities Catholic Cursillo
    c/o Ken Weyandt
    1594 9th St.
    White Bear Lake, MN 55110

    Please get in touch with me at 612-803-5220 if you would be willing to speak at the Ultreya or if you have any questions or concerns.

    The Peace of Christ to you all,
    Eric Volden
    Retreat Host 


  • September 01, 2015 12:30 AM | Deleted user

    Written by Tom Frazer:

    The opening group topic for the Secretariat meeting held August 17th was, "What was your close moment as a Cursillo leader?” I wasn't aware of the question before the meeting, but instead of my usual deer in the headlights reaction, I had two! The first was at our last Ultreya when Linda Corrigan made a two hour round trip drive to make a presentation to our group on the new method for sponsoring candidates. She's in the process of visiting all of our Ultreyas. No one asked to her to do this. She saw a task that needed to be done and then did it. At that Ultreya I sat somewhat humbled by Linda's example. 

    The second close moment was an offshoot of the first. One evening a month for the last two years my wife Patti and I have shared a table with Linda and fourteen people cut of the same cloth. They live out the saying "if you want something done ask a busy person". They had sons and daughters involved in scouting and were adult leaders. If their kids were active in sports they were volunteer adult assistants. They are all very active members of their respective parishes. To a person these individuals on Secretariat are people who recognize the value in certain organizations and see the importance in taking their turn to contribute to its life. Patti and I had something wonderful happen on our weekend in 1985. It wouldn't have happened without the gift of time and labor of many. It has been a rewarding time in our spiritual journey for Patti and I to sit at the Secretariat table for these two years. Paul Mordorski, thank you for taking over the task of Men's music leader. Patti is grateful Mary Beth Maki stepped forward to take over responsibility for the Secretary position. We walk away very thankful to have known and worked with you all. We have been richly blessed and we are better for our experience. Patti and I entered the Secretariat positions with little or no previous experience. As it turns out everybody else who signed up to serve was in the same boat at one time. We were quickly comfortable contributing input. 

    If you too had "something wonderful" (and long lasting!) happen at your weekend please consider the next logical step and taking your turn at a Secretariat position. 

    De Colores
    Tom and Patti Frazer
    Weekends #105 and #106 


  • September 01, 2015 12:00 AM | Deleted user

    Written by Larry Smith:

    One of the gifts I recently received for my 70th birthday was the book The Boys in the Boat, a Depression era story of nine young Americans and their epic quest for gold in the 1936 Nazi controlled Berlin Olympics. For me, a Southern Minnesota farm boy with no prior interest or experience in eight-oar crew, this book was much more than an irresistible story about beating the odds and finding hope in the most desperate of times.

    At one point a coach took the main character aside and told him that there were times when he behaved like he was the only fellow in the boat, as if it was up to him to row the boat across the finish line all by himself. He pointed out that a well-oared race was like a symphony, and each crew member was one player in the orchestra. If one player is playing out of tune, or playing at a different tempo, the whole piece would naturally be ruined. In rowing, what mattered more than how hard a man rowed was how well everything he did in the boat harmonized with what the other fellows were doing. A winning crew must, by necessity, be made up of crewmates who care for, love and open their hearts to one another. When he really starts trusting the other boys, he will feel a power at work that is far beyond what he ever imagined. “Sometimes, you will feel as if you have rowed right off the planet and are rowing among the stars.”

    As a visual person, this was a “wow moment” for me. A reminder of what I know intuitively, but have a hard time always keeping front and center. The coach was talking relationships. He was talking friendship, trust, loyalty, support and love. Only when these virtues are present can one “row right off the planet!”

    Over the years, I have had a number of “rowing among the stars” experiences in my many environments of community, college, work, family, grandchildren, parish, Cursillo, etc. In these times, life seems to be on automatic pilot and little more could I ask for.

    But what about the troughs of life? All the environments of my life contain relationships with my God and people. In trough times, I seem to be out of sync with the rest of my orchestra. Am I thinking I am the only oar man in the boat? Am I trying to do everything myself? Have I moved from God? Am I loving unconditionally, if at all? Am I caring for and opening my hearts to others? Am I even trying to work in harmony with those around me?

    I now have new tools, new questions to ask myself when I am down. In the meantime, please step into the boat of love and trust with me. There is room for all. 

    Larry Smith W/E #77 Mary, Mother of the Church 


  • March 20, 2015 5:56 PM | Deleted user

    Written by Wayne Waldera:

    During those winter days of the week of February 22nd, I noticed my feet being very cold. I didn’t think too much of it given the sub zero temperatures. A couple days into the week, my toes started to hurt. That Friday my wife Debra took a look at my feet. They were clay in color and I just about hit the roof when she tried to touch my toes. That night we decided to soak them in some warm water. I had all I could do to let my feet soak. Debra was drying my feet and discovered purple and red spots on the bottom of my toes.

    Off to Urgent Care the next day. The doctor was miffed as to what was going on and she recommended two things. First, see my primary doctor and second, wear some nice heavy soft socks at home. We made a stop at the mall on the way home for some nice heavy soft socks. My primary doctor was off the next week (Murphy’s Law). I spent part of my birthday seeing his colleague. He had seen similar things like this and recommended I see a specialist.

    The good Lord provided me with an opportunity to see the specialist in just two days. Her diagnosis was chilblains. This is a cutaneous disorder characterized by the development of cold-induced erythrocyanotic skin lesions. Say what? With my medication, my toes are getting better and the pain has decreased a great deal. Those soft heavy socks that I purchased at the mall ended up too small for me. This was a disappointment.

    My home parish, The Cathedral of St. Paul is collecting socks. On Friday, March 6, I took my socks with me to morning Mass. My intention was to donate them to the Cathedral and their cause. Jesus has something else in mind. While westbound on I-94, I take Exit 241A to get on Marion Street. As I sat at the red light, there was a homeless man standing at the corner. We made eye contact and Jesus told me that he wanted this man to have my socks. I rolled the window down and gave him the socks. He said “This is exactly what I need! Thank you and God bless you!” My response was “You are welcome and God bless you!” As I waited for the light to turn green, this was one of those “close moments” we all talk about as I was seeing Christ in the flesh standing on a corner.

    Once in the Cana Chapel for Mass, I couldn’t take my eyes off the Crucifix. The pain in my toes brought me back to our Holy Land Pilgrimage two years ago and to ponder Christ’s passion. I have been struggling with some tangible almsgiving this lent. Jesus has asked me to purchase socks and be prepared to give them to the homeless when I see them on the street corners.

    That Friday morning March 6th has been a Metanoia for me. I never thought I would be giving to the homeless on our street corners. In the past, I actually wished I wouldn’t see the homeless on the street corners. Now I have a bag of white gold toe socks in the back seat of my car. I am ready, excited, and willing to roll down my window, see Christ in the flesh, and give some socks away.

    Wayne Waldera

     


  • March 19, 2015 5:55 PM | Deleted user

    Written by Gordy Palzer:

    At some time in the early 90s, the Highland Ultreya (no longer in existence) hosted an Evening of Renewal, but, because the annual Science Fair was going on at Highland Catholic Grade School, Nativity Parish generously offered its facilities for the event.

    At the conclusion of the Mass, the quite-hungry-by-now Fourth-Dayers were gathered in the back of the dining area, to pay for their meal and line up for the buffet line (in those times, caterers were often hired to prepare the meal, and the fifth Thursday of the month was always the date). It was the usual mix of people, from various Ultreyas, some in work/office garb, others in casual wear—except for one unkempt man who “fit” the profile of a homeless person, an interloper who seemed to have wandered in from outside, perhaps to escape the cold. This shabbily dressed man sported the usual many layers of clothing and heavy, worn boots, with a pair of empty tote bags draped over his shoulder.

    As people queued up in the buffet line, this unkempt guest—though he had not paid at the registration table—took a place in line and moved steadily toward the buffet spread, perhaps greeted by a few people but, for the most part, solitarily. He staked out a remote table for himself in the dining area, removed his tote bags and outer coat, set things down on the table, and began eating, head bowed, keeping to himself. And everyone let him be just that—by himself.

    Until Jesus, in attendance at that Evening of Renewal (as He is at all of them) in the guise of our friend Laureen, saw him sitting there alone and said to her husband, "Skip, look at him sitting there all by himself; that isn't right. I am going to go over there and eat with him.” And so she did. She chatted amiably with him, doing her best to make him feel welcome. Their conversation continued, until the plates were cleared, bathroom breaks were taken, the conversational hum quieted, and the Ultreya MC made his way to the microphone to introduce the evening's speaker.

    He announced that there was an apparent glitch at work, that the guest speaker was a “no show,” and he suggested that anyone who felt they had a simple witness to give or story to share should feel free to stand up and share with the group. In the usual uneasiness and reluc- tance that rule in such instances, the crowd surely was stunned when Laureen's new friend, the "homeless man," jumped to his feet and said he had a story to share! As he weaved his way amid the tables to the dais, a murmur ran through the crowd. And then he began to speak, sharing with the Cursillistas how he had lost his job, spent time in prison, rode with a motorcycle gang, and, finally, gotten his act together, gone back to college, and become a spokesman for the homeless and the poor. He was, in fact, the witness speaker for the Evening!

    What this speaker shared was indeed important, but I am sure that the few who saw Laureen welcoming a stranger as Jesus himself would, went home with the memory of a Christian witness that will far outlast their memory of what that speaker had to say. Here was Laureen, who had somehow seen Jesus in the guise of the poor and gone over to be company to him as he ate—in effect, being Jesus to this "uninvited" guest. Those who saw this loving act carried out were witnesses to the words of Jesus being driven home before their very eyes: His answer to the question from the righteous in Matthew 25, "When did we see you a stranger and invite you in?..."

    To wit: (Hebrews 13:2), “Do not neglect hospitality, for through it somehaveunknowinglyentertainedangels.” Amen.

    Gordy Palzer #115 


  • January 26, 2015 5:53 PM | Deleted user

    Written by Roger and Gayle Fickbohm:

    Roger: Being a 1st time “retreater”, I wasn’t sure what was in store for me! My wife (Gayle) encouraged me to go and paid the down payment. (The commitment was made!) Friends had told us what a great experience they had on retreat at King’s House. However, I was not sure it was for me...

    Checking in on a cold Friday, we realized we didn’t bring a check for the remainder of the retreat cost, and credit cards were not accepted. We were told this was not a problem, and given a scrap of paper with a name and address to mail the check to, when we returned home. Trust. It reminded me (Roger) of growing up on the farm in northeastern Iowa back in the 60’s, when trust was a big part of doing business among local farmers and business people.

    The balance of Friday was spent getting settled and oriented to our surroundings. (I.E.: Where the snacks and coffee were located! Oh, also the meeting room, dining room, and chapel.) We had an opening session with our hosts and teachers, Fathers Jim, Tony, and Lon, and Sister Brenda Rose. We also had time to introduce ourselves to each other, in the customary cursillo way.

    Saturday’s schedule included Mass, as well as morning and afternoon talks followed by “grouping” and reporting our “take-aways” to each other. (Music and singing were incorporated throughout.) We had a beautiful Reconciliation Service followed by dinner and an equally beautiful Healing service. The day ended with Adoration in the chapel. Sunday began with a later breakfast, a wonderful talk from Sister Brenda Rose, then Mass, lunch and departure. Throughout the weekend, we were given permission to take time for ourselves, even missing sessions if that’s what we needed. (For us, the sessions were so good we just didn’t want to miss a single one!) We sensed God’s presence with us and were enveloped in His love and peace. An added bonus was the opportunity to meet with one of the priests or Sister Brenda Rose, for spiritual direction. There were so many wonderful learnings! How can we communicate it all to you? The answer is, we can’t. Which just means you will have to sign up for next year’s retreat and experience it for yourselves! 


  • January 04, 2015 5:52 PM | Deleted user

    This poem, written by Fr. Gene Pouliot, was his homily at the 5:00pm Mass at Church of the Risen Savior in Burnsville on Saturday, January 3.

    'Twas the night before Epiphany, and all through the house,
    Every creature was stirring, yes even the mouse. 

    The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
    But now put away till the season next year! 

    The ornaments were boxed & put on the shelf,  
    But don't box up Jesus next to the elf. 

    For God has become flesh, not just for a day,
    It's up to us, now, to give him away!

    Not wrapped in swaddling clothes, or covered with paper;
    But manifest now through us & our neighbor. 

    Bright little epiphanies yes, are we all,
    To shine Christ's light and follow his call.

    On pilgrimage are we, like the wise men three,
    To glow in His light,  from darkness set free.   

    We come bearing gifts, like our savior, still giving,
    Forgiveness and love and peace to the living. 

    From the table of Eucharist & Word do we feed,
    To offer our service to others in need.

    Wherever we journey, near or far,
    United are we who follow His star.   

    From house top to house top, believing with cheer,
    Let's shout Merry Christmas, For He always is near.


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