A Shared Gift to the Toledo Cursillo movement

FROM OUR LAY DIRECTORS

De Colores Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

“O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.” Psalm 107: 1

About (40) years ago, a young priest in the Diocese of Toledo was assigned the parish my family belonged to, St. Mary, Millersville, OH. Little did we know the impact this young priest would have on our small, rural community.

I remember, back then, a lot of the congregation sat towards the back of church. Within the first week or so, this young priest, asked everyone at the beginning of mass to move up closer to the front of church so we would be more of a community, as opposed to individuals gathering for worship. This did, in my youthful eyes, make us feel like more of a community.

I also remember thinking what a beautiful voice this young priest had and how he made me feel like I was important in our small parish. He had a way of making you feel “visible”, not just like another kid (I was around 12 yrs old) at school and in the community.

He had this Spirit about him, like no other priest I can remember. Once I grew older, I was able

to understand his Spirit was like one of Christ filled with peace, gentleness, compassion, joy,

humility and love. With this beautiful Spirit he brought our parish together and made it feel more like a family to me.

This young priest brought my parents, along with several other couples in the parish to Cursillo, which in turn brought many of us youth to the TEC (Teens Encounter Christ) program. With people getting involved in these programs, our parish became on fire with the Holy Spirit and love for Christ! This young priest was and still is a God given blessing to all who have the honor to call him a friend or their pastor!!

It warms my heart and brings tears of joy to my eyes to celebrate Fr. Ed or Skip Littlemann, who has been a pivotal part of the flourishing of Cursillo in our Toledo Diocese. Fr. Skip was ordained in May 1969 and made Cursillo #16 just a month or so later.

He served as assistant spiritual director with (2) other priests on a men’s weekend in October 1970 and has been serving as a spiritual director ever since. In 1974 or 1975 Fr. Skip became an assistant spiritual director for the Diocese of Toledo Cursillo movement, with Fr. Charlie Ritter. In 1987, when Fr. Charlie stepped down, he became the head spiritual director.

In 1988 he asked Sr. Edna Michel and Fr. Jim Brown to join with him as a team of spiritual

directors for our movement. This dynamic trio also served as spiritual directors for region (5).

We’re not sure how many years they served, but this included parts of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. This does not include all the Cursillo teams Fr. Skip, Sr. Edna and Fr. Jim have worked as spiritual directors.

Please join me in thanking Sr. Edna and Fr. Jim for their (38) years of service as spiritual

directors for the diocese of Toledo Cursillo movement. We are so very blessed!!!

Also, join me in thanking Fr. Skip for his (50) years of service to the Diocese of Toledo Cursillo movement. God is so good!!

I am forever grateful to God for bringing Fr. Skip to our small parish at St. Mary Millersville! I’m certain many of you would say the same, as he served at many parishes over the years. And I am thankful for the wonderful changes he brought to our lives through his spirit and love for Christ.

Fr. Skip, thank you for your love, spirit, inspiration, joy, and service and for being Christ to us all! We love you and you are forever in our hearts!

Easter Blessings!

Karen Fritsch: kittyrg1967@gmail.com

Troy Peebles: tpeebles1007@gmail.com