We just attended the National Cursillo Encounter in Joliet, IL. The theme for this year centered on a word that states exactly what we are called to do as Christian leaders. That word is kerygma, which simply means to proclaim, to announce, to preach the Good News. Rollos expanded on how the kerygma works in and through pre-Cursillo, the 3-Day weekend, and post-Cursillo.

By virtue of baptism, we are graced to be disciples of Jesus, another way of saying we are Christian leaders. Our purpose as Christian leaders is to share the Good News with others. As Cursillistas, we make friends, live our lives as Christians, and walk along with our friends on their journey. The way we respond

to life’s events will eventually catch the attention of our friends, and then we can proclaim the Good News to them.

After we each live our 3-Day Weekend, by following the Cursillo method of grouping and Ultreya we should continue to grow. Following the method of sharing piety, study, and action through grouping allows each of us to grow in Christ, understand His will for our lives, and desire to share Him with others.

We become true evangelists by befriending those who need a friend not just those who we desire as friends.

Practicing the Cursillo method makes individuals, groups, and Ultreya communities open for God’s purposes when we are sufficiently ready and strengthened by each other. Our continuous progressive conversion leads

each of us to a more mature spirituality where we accept God’s gifts and graces and return them to Him as gratitude by our willingness to serve Him. Continuous progressive conversion leads us into full Christian leadership.

As a Christian leader, making friends is the pre-Cursillo phase of the relationship. Look around you. Who do you see that needs a friend in their life? Are you open enough to let the light of Jesus shine through you, to see Jesus in this new friend? After a time, your new friend will trust you enough to hear you sharing the kerygma. Perhaps that friend will even be able to live a 3-Day Weekend. But even if they do not, you have still been a Christian leader and shared the Good News. You also have a vital, growing relationship with your friend.

In the post-Cursillo phase of relationship, if your friend has lived a Weekend, then you will continue to be friends within the broader 4th Day community, accompanying them to Ultreya and other events, and grouping together (or finding them a group). All the while, we support each other and the community as we grow through progressive conversion by living the Cursillo method, strengthening each person as Christian Leaders to enter into the pre-Cursillo phase again with more new friends.

God bless you friends!

Larry & Jeanne Bendzinski