What is Cursillo?
Cursillo is a Spanish word, which best translates as “Short Course”. The full title is Cursillo de Christiandad, a “Short Course in Christianity”.
The Cursillo Movement, inspired by the Holy Spirit, began in Spain in the 1940's, it came to the United States in 1957, and to the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese in 1962. With the recognition and blessings of the Popes and Bishops the Cursillo Movement has now spread worldwide in several different languages.
The reason many people have not heard about Cursillo, is because it was not inspired or meant to be an upfront, visible organization like Knights of Columbus, Altar Society, etc; rather Cursillo is simply a Lay Movement of the Catholic Church to serve in the apostolate. Its mission is exactly the same as the Church's – Evangelization, just carried out in a very natural way in our normal everyday lives.
Cursillo Weekend
Cursillo begins with a 3-Day Weekend of joyful sharing and living out what is fundamental to being a Christian – a very adult Catholic catechesis if you will.
Everything during the Cursillo Weekend is authentically Catholic. There are Morning and Evening Prayers, Meditations, Rosary, Stations of the Cross, and a short period of silent retreat. Mass and Reconciliation are celebrated.
Each day there are several talks given by both clergy and lay persons. The talks are directly based on the teachings of the Catholic Church and Holy Scripture. Following each talk there is time for shared discussion.
During the Cursillo Weekend one experiences and discovers how to fully live out the Baptism and Confirmation responsibilities as a Life in Grace – expressed naturally and joyfully in our everyday love of God and neighbor.
Cursillo Weekends begin at 6:30 PM Thursday evening and conclude Sunday evening around 7:30 PM. Cursillo Weekends are held at various times and locations throughout the greater Kansas City area. There are separate weekends for men and women.
A free-will donation is taken up on Sunday during the weekend to help cover the cost of those attending. Following the teaching of our Church, each just gives according to their means and blessings received. Scholarships are available for anyone needing financial assistance – so money is NEVER a reason for someone to not attend a Cursillo Weekend.
After the Cursillo Weekend
God understands it's not easy to live and grow spirituality in the world, and to share our faith with those around us. Therefore, the Cursillo Movement was inspired with a proven “voluntary” perseverance method to assist and sustain us on our spiritual journey for the rest of our lives. This method allows us to maintain close contact with a small group of spiritual friends, and provides accountability.
In summary, Cursillo is a spiritual encounter with ourselves, Christ, and others around us. It enables us to:
Please give prayerful discernment to Christ’s invitation – Come and see for yourself.
For more information, please visit our website at www.cursillo.net (contains an approval letter from Bishop Johnston), or contact James Newkirk at 816-807-7700 or Judy Newkirk at 816-806-1997.
Thanks & God Bless!