Slideshow image

What is better than a welcome back BBQ? A welcome back BBQ with ice cream!

The Cursillo community kicked off our fall season with hamburgers and all the fix’ns followed by ice cream for dessert. We met at St. Timothy’s in Edmonton on Saturday, September 27, for good food, fellowship, praise, and prayer.

With the 2025 weekend coming soon, the Welcome Back Ultreya was designed to encourage community members to approach someone to attend. What better way to be inspired about the weekend than to hear Bishop Stephen talk about his Cursillo experience in 2018?

Bishop Stephen talked about how his Cursillo weekend gave him 4 L’s: love, learn, listen, and laughter. He spoke about how the entire weekend was enveloped in love; love was palpable in the space and in every word. He found it to be a great opportunity to learn through the talks and fellowship. He felt listened to; the participants and team members really were there to listen to each person. And there was so much laughter, spreading joy throughout the space.

We discussed Bishop Stephen’s talk about our personal experiences of Cursillo. There, two more Ls came through: longing and letting go. A Cursillo weekend can quell a longing to come closer to God. It can also be an opportunity to let go of all those things separating us from God so we can let God be the center of our lives.

We discussed how each experience of Cursillo is unique. For some, it's life-transforming, while for others, a tiny seed is planted. We all agreed that a Cursillo weekend has the power to change lives, and there is a deep desire to share that experience with everyone.

So, we ask Cursillo community members to consider with whom they might want to share their Cursillo experience, and encourage them to attend.

If you have never attended a weekend and feel a twinge that you want to know more about Cursillo or you would like to attend, reach out to your parish priest or someone you know who has attended and just ask. This may be the moment for you.

The upcoming weekend is:

Friday, November 7 (early afternoon) until Sunday, November 9 (later afternoon)

Star of the North Retreat Center, St. Albert

- Janie Seguin