De Colores and Happy New Year! As we move into our role as Lay Directors, we would like to reflect on the various servants in our Cursillo community.

Our year as Assistant Lay Directors was a blessing. Our first several months involved listening and learning. Larry and Jeanne Bendzinski and the group of past Lay Directors welcomed us so warmly. This movement is in really good hands with that group choosing to remain involved in various areas such as the 4th Day Encounter. We appreciate their support.

At the Secretariat we learned about the duties of the various positions as the Secretariat members gave their section reports. All of the Secretariat members generously give of their time and talent to further the Cursillo movement and are committed to carrying out their responsibilities.

Our Ultreya reps attend School of Leaders (SOL) where they can express concerns and participate in discussions regarding Fourth Day activities and take back to their Ultreyas announcements and other pertinent information. They learn more about the Cursillo by listening to the talks given at SOL. We became Ultreya Reps about ten months after we made our weekends. Serving as Ultreya reps was a great way for us to get involved and give back to the Cursillo community.

We are grateful for the priests, nuns, deacons, and deacon wives who have served as spiritual advisors on the Cursillo weekends, for the priests who celebrate Palanca Masses for the fourth day community and for the many other ways in which the aforementioned support our movement. The Sacraments are an important part of our Catholic faith. Please, personally thank these servants of God because our movement cannot exist without their continued involvement.

There are many other Cursillistas serving our movement, some in visible ways, such as our dedicated musicians and the Kindling editor, and not so visible ways, e.g. custodian of the trailer and the custodian of the Mass kit to name a few. We are thankful for your service.

As you can see, the life of our Cursillo movement depends upon the participation of each and every Fourth Day member. As St. Paul said in the first letter of Peter: “As each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1Peter 4:10.

Perhaps the Holy Spirit is prompting you to become involved in the leadership of Cursillo. We encourage you to talk to those who are currently serving in leadership or someone who served in the past to learn more about how you may assist. Volunteer for a Cursillo leadership position and see first-hand how God can use your talents for the building up of his kingdom.

The Cursillo is a gift from the Holy Spirit. It is only through the Holy Spirit that it will continue to thrive and grow. Please continue to pray for this movement and its leaders at all levels.

Yours in Christ,

Tom & Diane Repucci