Mission:

Cursillo is a movement of the church. Its purpose is to help those in the church understand their individual callings to be Christians Leaders.

The leadership may be exercised in work situations, in the family and social life, in leisure activities, and within the Church environment.

Leadership, in Cursillo, does not mean power over others, but influence on others; all of us need to be aware that we can exert a positive influence on those around us.

Goal:

The goal of Cursillo is the goal of the Church: to bring all to Christ. This is done when informed trained leaders set out with the support of others having a similar commitment.

Program:

The Cursillo weekend brings together a diverse group of Episcopalians to share the richness of many modes of worship and to broaden each one’s appreciation for our Church.

Lay people conduct the weekend with two or three members of the clergy functioning as spiritual advisors.

Cursillo presumes that those who attend are already well grounded in the faith. It is not intended to be a conversion experience but an enriching and deepening of what is already there.

It often provides new insights into our faith as well as fostering ministry among lay people.

The weekend begins with Thursday evening spent in the Chapel with meditations, discussions, and Compline.

Then blessed silence is kept until after the worship on Friday morning. After breakfast participants are assigned to table groups for the weekend.

The three days are filled with talks and group discussions with emphasis on the doctrine of Grace, the Sacraments, and the great Cursillo tripod: Piety, Study, and Action. Plus there is fellowship, singing, good food, and time for privacy, meditation, prayer, and walks. The Eucharist is celebrated each day.

Calendar:

The Cursillo Secretariat hopes to schedule two Cursillo weekends each year, one in the North and one in the South. In Spring 2003 there are plans to offer another at Toddhall Retreat Center near Columbia, IL.

Inquiries:

Anyone wishing further information on the Cursillo movement in the Dioceses of Springfield or Quincy may contact the Lay Director:

Mrs. Helen Blackburn

304 St. John Drive

Belleville IL 62221

Telephone: 618-235-7181

Email: ehblackburn@aol.com

Or the Spiritual Director:

The Very Rev. John C. Bettmann

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Carlinville/St. Peter's, Chesterfield

415 South Broad

Carlinville, IL 62626

Telephone: 217-854-6431