19 Disciples Complete Short Course in Christian Living

From November 10-12, 2017, 19 disciples of Jesus from several communities gathered at the peaceful Star of the North Retreat Centre in St. Albert for a short course in Christian living.

The Men’s and Women’s Cursillo Weekend invited Christians, laity and clergy, to step back from the busyness of everyday life and experience the love of God in a supportive and prayerful setting. The retreat offered a series of talks, music, worship and rest (though, as one participant from Drayton Valley remarked “not enough sleep!”) designed to provide participants with a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christian in today’s world.

Bishop Jane Alexander presided at the Clausura Service, held in the St. Albert Catholic Parish Church on Sunday, November 12, assisted by the Rev. Colleen Sanderson, weekend spiritual director, and the Rev. Kevin Kraglund, chaplain. They presented each Cursillista with a handcrafted wooden cross to wear as a symbol of their commitment to bring the world to Christ in their communities.

The Cursillo community has been active in the Edmonton diocese for nearly 30 years. Embracing Bishop Jane’s call to use our gifts to proclaim the “Good News,” members of the 2017 Cursillo Secretariat adopted the theme verse of 1 Peter 4:10-11: “Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received…” Weekend participants often discover new ways to use their gifts at work, in their families, at social and leisure activities and as leaders in their church. Some serve as lay readers, parish wardens and members of vestry or ministry committees, while others have followed a faithful path to ordination, becoming deacons and priests.

During the past year, members of the Cursillo community have endeavoured to strengthen their community presence by visiting churches to give talks; supporting university students at the Worship Room; helping with building homes for Habitat for Humanity, supporting prison prayer ministries and attending and supporting various Truth and Reconciliation events.

In addition to holding monthly meetings on the third Friday of each month at St. Timothy’s in Edmonton, the Cursillo Secretariat is reaching out to rural communities with regular gatherings in Drayton Valley, Vegreville and Gibbons.

For more information about Cursillo, visit www.edmontoncursillo.ca