Lay Director (Each month, one of our Lay Directors will write an article.)
As I ponder what best addresses what’s in and on my heart these days, it’s HOPE. Cursillo weekends are scheduled to take place soon. School of Leaders and Secretariat have met in person. The weather is expected to be more comfortable. Family reunions are occurring again. I’ve been to my county fair. Such blessings!
In the midst of these blessings, I can also easily be weighed down by the struggles of this world. We are not free from disease, distrust, and disenchantment. But I can turn to the Lord speaking to me from Scripture with the only balanced view: Psalm 42:12 “Why are you downcast, my soul, why do you groan within me? Wait for God, for I shall again praise him, my Savior and my God.”
This is the call for the followers of Christ - not to pretend that all is well when it’s not, not to proclaim that all is bad because it’s not. It’s to remember that God is in control, that His plan for us is best. It may not be the easiest, or what we would choose if we were given a choice, but it is the best. One of my favorite Scripture passages that has carried me in tough times, and given more reason to rejoice in celebratory times, is from Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I am so blessed to have experienced Cursillo - the weekend and the 4th Day. Both have been integral to my life in Christ. I have learned from the witness of my dear friends in Christ to see and appreciate the gift of HOPE that I have received. From Isaiah 40:31, “They that hope in the LORD will renew their strength, they will soar on eagles’ wings. They will run and not grow weary, walk and not grow faint.”
These are changes for the upcoming weekends:
1. The weekend will be mask optional.
2. The team will be predominantly mask free.
3. The team and candidates will be in close contact the entire weekend.
4. A form will be emailed to the sponsors for the candidates to sign that indicates that they are aware that masks are optional and distancing is optional. The candidates will have that form when they arrive.
5. Team members will be staying together, 2 to a room. The candidates will have separate bedrooms.
6. The week before the Cursillo, teams and candidates are to be especially observant of keeping themselves safe, sequestering if at all possible.
7. If a team member doesn’t feel good, regardless of what their role is, they are asked to STAY HOME. It is better to have a smaller team or delay the weekend, if necessary, than to make people sick.
8. The Secretariat will make the decision whether a weekend would be canceled.
9. 4th Day bringing Palanca to the weekend will be placing it in a drop box outside the building near the Palanca Chapel (at the rear of the building). People who are not candidates or on the team will not be going into the building.
10. If the 4th Day wants to spend time in prayer while coming to drop off Palanca during the weekend, they will be directed to the Basilica.
11. The Serenade is currently planned to be outside.
12. 4th Day will be asked to wear masks at the Closing, which will be held in the White Church. There will be no Embrazio.
May the peace of Christ always disturb your life! De Colores!
John Lyons lyons5876@gmail.com Kathy Otermat kotermat04@gmail.com
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