At the men’s Spanish weekend clausura a young man stood to witness and immediately broke down in tears. Without a moment’s hesitation two of the other candidates stood with him in solidarity, the congregation of the 4th day erupted in applause to show support and the musician rushed to find tissues. Compassion and the love of Christ filled the church in an instant. What a beautiful moment! PIETY
We recently had the opportunity to go to Creighton University to learn about the Institute for Priestly Formation. What a beautiful organization that’s been in place for 20 years helping seminarians on their journey to really learn how to pray and develop a relationship with Christ to nurture the love they have for the Lord and to help them continue on that journey of love for their lifetime. They experience an encounter with Christ and also work to heal the brokenness in their lives before becoming a priest so that they can serve more completely and fully as spiritual directors and shepherds of their parish communities. This organization was founded by four individuals who felt a call right after completing a 30 day silent retreat and came together in their common discernment to cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s call to make it a reality. STUDY
A young man from our church community has recently completed a drug rehabilitation program. A cursillo group has stepped forward to mentor and be the example of what a man of Christ should look like. He has many gifts and needs the community to help nurture them and encourage him to become all that he is capable of. We see this being done every week as he groups and also comes to our office to learn and share with wonderful Christ filled people. What a beautiful example! APOSTOLIC ACTION
It was time for the Saturday Palanca mass to begin during the July men’s weekend. At 9:30 the priest had not arrived. At 9:45 the priest had not arrived, but not to worry. Our newly ordained associate pastor, Fr Bruno was in the church and stepped in to preside. Deacon Tim Helmeke came up from the rollo room to assist. They just reached the altar and lo and behold our scheduled presider, Fr Bauer, arrived after being stuck in traffic. Now we had not one, but two priests and a deacon to bless us all at mass! Not only that, but now we have a new priest who is very interest- ed in Cursillo. PIETY
So you see, the pattern continues if we are intentional and active in our faith lives. This is food for the journey. It’s what helps to sustain us.
The Good Shepherd knows each of us by name. Not one of us is an anonymous or unknown person in the crowd to Christ. What are you doing to honor Christ by serving him through your weekly and ongoing PIETY, STUDY and APOSTOLIC ACTION? Don’t live your life as an anonymous person in a great crowd. Get out that three legged stool and make sure you are actively participating in all three. And while you’re at it, be sure to share what you are doing in a cursillo group to remain accountable not only to yourself but most especially to Christ.
And if we may be so bold, since you have had the great blessing of a Cursillo weekend encounter, consider how you can give back to the movement so that others may be blessed as you have been. It takes the commitment and work of many to make this beautiful gift possible. If the Holy Spirit is tapping you on the shoulder to serve in the work of this charism reach out and let us know. There are many ways to serve and many needs to be filled. We close with a quote by Fr Lon from this past winter retreat at King’s House in Buffalo. “We are called to serve and respond with joy and not portray our service of the Lord as a burden but as an opportunity to participate, engage and reach out in love of the Lord.”
May the Lord bless you.
Your sister & brother in Christ,
Bill and Justine Bojan
