Extraordinary Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi.

From Our Spiritual Advisor:

Dear friends, 

I want to share something that is dear to my heart as a follower of St. Francis of Assisi.  This year we celebrate the 800th Anniversary of the death of Francis (October 3, 1226) -which Franciscans are referring to as the Easter of St. Francis.  To honor this saint and the impact he still makes on the Church, Pope Leo XIV has declared 2026 an Extraordinary Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi.  These words are from the Official Proclamation of this year: “If it is admirably true that “there is no other name under heaven given among men” (cf. Acts 4:12) except Jesus Christ, Redeemer of humanity, it is equally extraordinarily true that between the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, in an era of so-called holy wars, relaxed morals and misguided religious fervor, “a sun was born into the world”: Francis, who, as the son of a wealthy merchant, became poor and humble, a true alter Christus on earth, providing the world with tangible examples of evangelical life and a real image of Christian perfection. Our times are not very different from those in which Francis lived, and precisely in light of this, his teachings are perhaps even more valid and understandable today. When Christian charity languishes, ignorance spreads like bad habits, and those who extol harmony among peoples do so more out of selfishness than out of a sincere Christian spirit; when the virtual takes precedence over the real, social discord and violence are part of everyday life, and peace becomes more uncertain and distant every day; may this Year of Saint Francis urge us all, each according to our own possibilities, to imitate the Poverello of Assisi, to mold ourselves as much as possible on the model of Christ, to not let the intentions of the Holy Year just passed be in vain: may the hope that saw us as pilgrims now be transformed into zeal and fervor of active charity.” St. Francis urged all these followers to forgiveness and mercy because of God’s great love. He once wrote to a fellow friar: “And in this I want to know if you love the Lord and love me, his and your servant, if you will do this, namely: that there may never be any friar in the world, who has sinned as much as he could sin, who, after seeing your eyes, may go away without your merciful forgiveness, if he asks for it.” Francis understood the power of love and compassion and how it is expressed in forgiveness – by God and by us!  

So extravagant is the love of God!  When Lent is over we once again indulge in our favorite food or pastime.  Immeasurably more does God indulge in extending love and mercy toward us!  That’s the real meaning of indulgence. Unfortunately, indulgences have, over the centuries, taken on a quantitative character and the faithful may have gotten too caught up by the logistics of gaining an indulgence and missed the main point; e.g.,   take all these steps and you’ll gain a “thing”  called an indulgence.  Maybe we would do better by saying: “Come, with a sincere heart, aware of your need for God’s healing and mercy - and yearning for it, then put “feet” into your desire by showing up, by visiting a pilgrimage site if possible, and you will be graced beyond measure.  You will receive forgiveness and you will be strengthened in all you need to be a more faithful follower of Jesus Christ.” 

Three pilgrimage sites have been designated in our diocese:  the Portiuncula Chapel on the grounds of the Franciscans’ motherhouse in Sylvania, our motherhouse grounds and Blessed Sacrament Chapel in Tiffin, and the Basilica of Our Lady of Consolation in Carey.  As Cursillistas many of you have already experienced the grace of these places.  God is indulgent here in many ways.  Maybe it’s time for a pilgrimage; Cursillistas are already familiar with being pilgrims and after all, the Cursillo movement was born during a pilgrimage to Saint James Compostela in Spain.   See information on the enclosed flyer and posted in your parish churches. 

During this Jubilee Year of St. Francis may we as faithful Cursillistas along with every faithful Christian, following the example of the Saint of Assisi, become a model of holiness of life and a constant witness of peace. 

De Colores! 

Sr. Edna

Cursillo so Hard to Explain

From Our Lay Directors:

De Colores Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

When googling “Cursillo Movement”, this is what comes up.

The Cursillo Movement is a 3-day Catholic retreat or “short course in Christianity” (Cursillo de Cristiandad), designed to deepen faith and train laypeople to bring Christian values into their daily environments. Originating in 1940’s Spain, it focuses on friendship. Prayer, and talks by priest and laypeople, aiming to foster a personal encounter with Christ.

When asked by someone (a potential candidate), what a Cursillo is, what do you tell them? Do you find yourself tongue tied and hesitate, not knowing what to say? Or you know what you want to say, just not how you want to put it into words?

I tell them something like this; It’s a good way to grow your relationship with Christ. The weekend consists of some talks and discussion, down time for yourself, good food and music. You can participate as much or as little as you want, but you may get more out of the weekend if you choose to participate a little more. The weekend is for you, no one else. It’s a chance to grow closer to God! Then, if they ask, I go on to tell them how it starts Thursday evening and ends Sunday early evening and so on. But unless they ask more questions, I just make sure they know I’m available to answer any other questions and can get them more information if they’d like.

Whether you pray for your friend (and potential candidate) before you ask them, or after they ask you about a weekend does not matter. The important thing is giving them to God and asking His guidance along the way.

First and foremost be the light of Christ to everyone you meet. Be the Priest, Prophet and King you were baptized to be! By doing so, by being God’s hands, feet, voice, ears and heart you will attract those looking for Christ in their own life. And these people become friends and potential Cursillo candidates.

Easter Blessings!

Karen Fritsch kittyrg1967@gmail.com Troy Peebles tpeebles1007@gmail.com

A Moment On Lent

From Our Lay Directors:

De Colores brothers and sisters in Christ! 

“Only your personal and profound union with Christ will assure the fruitfulness of your apostolate, whatever it may be.” Fr. Jean C.J. D’Elbee 

I received a wonderful book for Christmas, I Believe in Love by Fr. Jean C.J. D’Elbee. It is a personal retreat based on the teaching of St. Theresa of Lisieux. And WOW, just this first chapter has so much… here are some more snippets I feel compelled to share.

“Gods loved us first that we might love Him. That is the explanation of it all. He did not create us out of necessity: He did not need us. He did not create us out of justice; He owed us nothing. No, it is to His sheer love that we owe our existence. 

“That first sin, rejection of an infinite love, could not be repaired by any but an infinite love…. Jesus bought a twofold right on Calvary at the price of all His Blood: the right, for Him, to love us in spite of, or even because of our sins, our unworthiness; and the right, for us, to love Him from the depths of our immense misery and to contemplate His divine attributes, including His justice, within His infinite mercy. 

“Bethlehem, Nazareth, Gethsemane, Calvary, the Eucharist… My sins on Him, His Blood on me… After Gethsemane came the horrible scourging, the crowning with thorns and Calvary. Jesus looked with merciful love at those who had wounded His hands and His feet, because those wounds were the doors to Heaven- even for those who made them.” 

I’m going to make this a stopping point, as I feel this is a good place to leave off for now. As we continue our Lenten season, our prayer, fasting and alms giving, I pray some of these words meld to you and help make it a more meaningful Lent.  

Yours in Christ, 

Karen Fritsch (kittyrg1967@gmail.com)  Troy Peebles  (tpeebles1007@gmail.com)