- Cursillo is a method of supporting and encouraging our
lives as Christians.
- Cursillo (pronounced "kur-see-yo") is a Spanish
word meaning a short course in Christianity.
WHAT DOES CURSILLO OFFER?
- An opportunity to grow in faith.
- A chance to know the love and grace of God and the joy of
Christian fellowship.
- A way of experiencing Christian community and helping one
another in our spiritual journey and in active witness.
- An opportunity to develop one's gifts of ministry
in the Church.
- It embraces the insights and good teaching of all the
traditions of the Anglican Church.
- It operates within the Church and not outside it, so it
works together with groups and organisations in a
parish.
WHO IS IT FOR?
- Any baptised member of the Anglican Church (laity or
clergy) who is.
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- Many married couples have found it helpful to attend a
Cursillo weekend together, but if this is not possible they
should not be discouraged from attending separate
weekends.
WHAT IS A CURSILLO WEEKEND?
- It usually begins on a Thursday evening and ends the
following Sunday afternoon (some bank holiday weekends run
Friday to Monday).
- During these three days those attending live, work and
worship together listening to talks given by different
people, both lay and ordained, and they share in various
social activities.
- You will hear short talks on subjects like Grace, Faith,
Study, Sacraments, Ideals, Evangelism, Christian Community in
Action. There are 15 talks in all.
- The talks usually lead to lively follow-up in small
groups.
- In addition, there is Holy Communion each day and a
number of chapel meditations.
- Learning, praying, sharing, singing, laughing and living
together is the basis for discovering what it means to say
"We are the body of Christ".
- From all this you will realise that Cursillo is very
different from a silent retreat - it is often described as
more of an advance!
HOW SHOULD I APPROACH A CURSILLO WEEKEND?
- There is no specific response expected of you - just to
be open to what happens.
- Be prepared simply to take a fresh look at what the
Church has always taught - the miraculous and joyful
discovery of Christ's endless, unconditional love for
us.
AND THEN...?
- The three days are not an end in themselves but very much
a beginning. The three-day weekend leads into..
THE FOURTH DAY
- The Fourth Day is where we continue our
journey together and is the most important part of Cursillo.
Each individual is encouraged to grow in faith and develop
their gifts of ministry through the support of:
- Group Reunions - frequent small group
meetings for mutual encouragement and support through
prayer and action. These are designed to help people live
out their faith in the Church, their community and
workplace.
- Area meetings (called
Ultreyas) -
larger gatherings 3 or 4 times a year for those who have
been on a weekend or who might be interested in going.
Here they can share, worship and learn together from each
other.
- Personal Spiritual Direction - people
are encouraged to find a spiritual 'soul
friend', lay or ordained, who, from their
experience and maturity, can help them along their
Christian journey
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO GO ON A CURSILLO
WEEKEND
- Cursillo weekends are run regularly by Oxford Anglican Cursillo. For dates of forthcoming weekends, see the Weekends page.
- Get in touch with someone on the Contacts page who will let you have more information and a
list of dates and venues.
- Pray about it and seek God's guidance.
- Start going to a local Cursillo reunion group to see what
it is like. Contact us by e-mail for more details.
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