Our "Leader's Prayer"

From Our Spiritual Advisor:

De Colores! 

My dear sisters and brothers in Christ, I would like to focus my reflections for this article on the LEADER’S Prayer. We say it often at the opening of our meetings, Secretariat, School of Leaders and perhaps at Ultreyas and even in some groups. Some of us know it by heart. I have often found myself saying the words and wondering after just what am I saying and what does it really mean. Is it a translation from an original Spanish prayer and what is its history? So I thought this would be a good opportunity to explore more about the LEADER’S Prayer. In searching website for the National Cursillo Movement Office, I found very little by way of explanation of the Prayer or any of it’s history but I will share what I did find.

First, the Prayer itself: Leader’s Prayer

† Lord grant that we may understand the necessity for depth in our Movement, rather than surface glory. Convince us of the truth that colorful programs do not constitute success.

† My God, give us a spirit of self sacrifice so that we may offer everything for Your cause: our time, our abilities, our health and even our lives if necessary. Instill in us courage in our initiatives, good judgment in our choice of the right means, and that determination, which in spite of failures, assures victory.

† Move away from us the tiny rivalries, sensitivities, discourtesies, pride, everything which distracts from You, everything which divides or discourages.

† Help us to maintain at a high level, a meaningful supernatural and mutual charity among ourselves, so that each one will seek by preference, the most humble task and will rejoice at the good performed by others, so that all our spirits, united in a common purpose, will have one single spirit, Yours Jesus, and that this spirit may let us see Your attractive goodness marked in all our faces, Your warm accents in all our words, and in our lives something superior to the world, something that proclaims Your Living Presence among us. Amen

† Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron of the Americas, Pray for Us.

† St Paul, Patron of the Cursillo, Pray for Us. 

Some thoughts: 

First: of all it is a prayer asking for God's help to avoid the temptation or belief that one can accomplish a mission on our own, or that we are incapable of making a change.

It is a corporate prayer rather than a personal prayer and it is a prayer seeking virtues: humility and a personal offering of one’s self in a total commitment; courage and good judgment in applying ourselves to the task of being a dedicated apostle; a person who puts all of his abilities in the service of Christ.”

Second: Setting aside our own ego, and letting others be in the spot-light while we take on the role of being servant to all. This is difficult because we have to be mindful of our own selfishness, pride and sensitivity to our own emotional ‘feelings.’ It is a constant conversion process, as Jesus taught us, “I have come not to be served but to be servant of all…” How often and how many former Catholics and Cursilltas do we know who left the community over hurt feelings?

Third: We ask for divine assistance to “put on” the mind of Christ in accomplishing our task, which is not only on the human level but is also on a spiritual plane provided for and guided by the Holy Spirit. Again, think of ourselves as “monstrances” showing forth Jesus by our life, love and genuine concern to bring Christ into all of our environments. In short we are living ‘sacraments’ in the world.

Fourth: While we pray together this prayer of supplication to the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we also include a prayer of intercession to Mother Mary and St Paul and through them all of the heavenly hosts, especially our family and friends who are living their “fifth” day in eternity.

A Cursillo leader's prayer may include:

• Palanca A prayer offered at various stages of the Cursillo Movement, including before, during, and after the weekend. Palanca is offered for the team, candidates, and new Cursillistas.

• Asking for contact with Christ A prayer that asks for contact with Christ through the Holy Eucharist, the Gospel, and homilies at Mass.

• Asking for contact with others A prayer that asks for contact with others, especially in the Group Reunion, to grow in faith together. 

The Cursillo Movement is a Catholic Church Movement that aims to help people live a Christian life. It was developed by men of prayer who were inspired by the Holy Spirit. So may it continue through our efforts. 

P.S. The National Election is 25 days from when this letter was written. I have no insight, divine revelation, or idea of how it is going to turn out and what the future might hold for us. But I do know that Jesus IS Lord and Savior and is in charge anyway, no matter what. He is my candidate! He is the ONE I am following and the Leader’s Prayer is helping me to keep that focus. Lots of love to all of you. 

Your brother in Christ,

 Fr Jim Brown

A River and Rocks

From Our Spiritual Advisor:

“I love you, Lord, my Rock, my strength, my fortress.”   Psalm 18

“The Lord showed me the river and bid me step in.”  - Rev. 22:1 

"There is a time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones together.”   Eccl 3:5 

Dear Friends and Journeyers, 

There is a park nearby where I like to go when I need wisdom, perspective and peace.  Its walking path is along the Sandusky River.  Due to the recent drought, the water level was very low when I went there recently and rocks were visible in the dried up parts of the riverbed.  I thought of a song by Peter Mayer. I’m including the lyrics below, but if you want to listen to it, here is the link:  https://www.letras.com.br/peter-mayer/god-is-a-river 

In the “river of life” we do, at times get overwhelmed by the chaos which surrounds us, in our personal lives or the lives of those we know and love, and surely in this tumultuous world, so we do seek out some solid ground on which to anchor ourselves.  Our faith is probably one of the largest rocks, but sometimes we also cling to other rocks: “the kind of world in which I grew up,” “the culture and traditions with which I am familiar,” “the code of conduct, ethics and morality which I was taught,” “the warnings and fears instilled in me by well-intentioned people,” “my personal opinions and preferences,” etc. 

So how do I respond when a 26-year old grandson who has always been thoughtful, prudent and sincere wants to transgender?  What fears and instincts are triggered in me when a few Haitian, Iraqi, or Central American families begin to live in my neighborhood?  Doesn’t America belong predominantly or exclusively to the descendants of white Europeans? Weren’t we better off in former decades when women weren’t allowed to be educated and couldn’t be trusted to make wise choices? Notice the rocks we cling to. 

The challenge is to discern which rocks are necessary to cling to and which ones God is bidding us to let go of. While we have a solid and dependable basis of Church teaching that points out time-tested truth, the Church also says that these teachings need to be interpreted in and for each generation because our faith is a living faith, responding to the needs of the times. So then the question becomes, how do we discern?  

Here I believe Pope Francis is leading the way by calling for a Listening Church, a Synodal Church.  If we sincerely, openly, and humbly listen to the hopes, desires, and sufferings of people, we will find a way forward.  We will discover God’s Truth.  We cannot live into the future by facing the past; by clinging tightly to the ways we’ve grown familiar and comfortable with.    It’s scarier to step into the unknown, into the River, but I think it may be where God is calling us at this time. Let’s pray for the Synod on Synodality this month in Rome, and let’s also pray for the discipline of genuine, heartfelt, sincere listening on our part.  “God is the river, swimmer, so let go.” 

Love,  

Sr. Edna 

God Is A River -  Peter Mayer 

n the ever-shifting water of the river of this life 

I was swimming, seeking comfort; I was wrestling waves to find 

A boulder I could cling to, a stone to hold me fast 

Where I might let the fretful water of this river ‘round me pass 

And so I found an anchor, a blessed resting place 

A trusty rock I called my savior, for there I would be safe 

From the river and its dangers, and I proclaimed my rock divine 

And I prayed to it “protect me” and the rock replied 

God is a river, not just a stone 

God is a wild, raging rapids 

And a slow, meandering flow 

God is a deep and narrow passage 

And a peaceful, sandy shoal 

God is the river, swimmer 

So let go 

Still I clung to my rock tightly with conviction in my arms 

Never looking at the stream to keep my mind from thoughts of harm 

But the river kept on coming, kept on tugging at my legs 

Till at last my fingers faltered, and I was swept away 

So I’m going with the flow now, these relentless twists and bends 

Acclimating to the motion, and a sense of being led 

And this river’s like my body now, it carries me along 

Through the ever-changing scenes and by the rocks that sing this song 

God is a river, not just a stone 

God is a wild, raging rapids 

And a slow, meandering flow 

God is a deep and narrow passage

And a peaceful, sandy shoal 

God is the river, swimmer 

So let go 

God is the river, swimmer 

So let go 

Bloom

From Our Lay Directors,

Welcome, October! I love this time of year when the air starts to be crisp, the leaves turn to a blaze of many vibrant colors, and the crops in the fields finish their final drying process prior to harvest. So many opportunities for us to be filled with awe and wonder. 

If you had the opportunity to attend the closing for the Cursillo #295 men’s weekend, you know that the weekend was a time of awe and wonder. The men who attended were certainly touched by the love of God. We all know their experience, because it is an experience we all share. 1 John 4:16a “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us.” It is so good to be able to more fully understand the love that God has for each and every one of us! 

We are called to share that love that we have received. As Paul tells us in Colossians 3:12 “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” What’s the next step?   

We learned on our Cursillo weekend that our mission as followers of Christ is to spread the love of God by “making a friend, being a friend, and bringing that friend to Christ”. Most of us are not called to live that mission in far off locations. “Bloom Where You’re Planted” is an older hymn often sung years ago, but its message is still valid. God has placed us where He wants us to be, where He needs us to be, for His plan of salvation. Who in your family, your workplace, your church, your neighborhood could benefit from being your friend, learning about the love of God through your love for them?  

The at verse from Colossians reminds me of my mom. She certainly had a compassionate heart, and her humility, gentleness, and patience were obvious. (Especially to her 5 children. We were a handful!) As a result, people were drawn to her, regardless of their age. As a kid growing up, my friends loved her. Her positive influence and genuine love for others made such a difference in the circles where she was “planted”. Let us all take a closer look at those places where God has planted us and see where we can make a difference in the lives of those we touch. 

As you may know, the costs for the weekends keep going up because that’s how it is in the world. We’re asking everyone to consider giving a small donation on a monthly or annual basis to help future candidates and team members to be able to participate without as much of a financial burden. (Our treasurer is Barb Stager, 4159 Grantley Rd., Toledo, OH 43613.) In addition, the movement also provides the “extras” for the weekend (Pilgrim’s Guides, crosses, etc.) that are not included in the cost for the weekend, relying on what is received through donations given at closings and Focus Days. Your help is appreciated! 

Ultreya! 

Kathy Otermat

John Lyons