Belleville Cursillo Movement at PO Box 331, Saint Libory, IL 62282 US - A Witness
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A Witness March, 2012 |
My name is Phyllis Lang. I began my Cursillo Journey 29 years ago on Belleville Women’s Cursillo # 5 and I sat at St. Theresa’s table. The Cursillo that I made was the first Cursillo on the west side of our diocese. Prior to this time all were held in Mt Carmel on the eastern border with Indiana. My Cursillo Weekend was the only Cursillo held at St Henry's Seminary and I can still see the heavenly faces of those ladies who came from Mt. Carmel to bless us. It was l983 when I made my Cursillo. My husband Nick and I have been faithful to the Cursillo Method for 29 years We had talked about wanting to find a group of friends to share our faith and a simple phone call gave us that opportunity. Cursillo began a wonderful journey for us. First, I truly had to know who I was in Christ's eyes. How could I get to know myself? The answer I found was God’s grace, spiritual direction and prayer. Thankfully I received the grace to search my heart and soul to get to know myself better and understand where I was in my life as a Catholic, a follower of Christ. At the present time in my life, I choose to emphasize the grace I’ve received and continue to receive from the Holy Spirit. Much has been resolved in my life that frees me to keep moving ahead on my spiritual journey. I continue to examine myself and strive to see where I stand in God’s eyes through prayer and meditation I finally realize that my time on earth is to do his will and not mine. That was a long time in coming. This is one woman that thought she was self-sufficient for a long time Not any more. Nick and I have stayed true to the two fold purpose of the Cursillo Movement as we understand it. First, it is to provide a foundation for us to live what is fundamental for being Christian---love of God and love neighbor. Second, it is to bring Christ into all our environments through three essential encounters; the encounter with self, the encounter with Christ and the encounter with others. We pray that by being constant to group reunion and Ultreya as well as faithful to our ongoing piety, study and action, that it will provide us with a more authentic, continuous and progressive Christianity. Christ has become a living person in our lives for many, many years. The Bible is a must read for us each day and we are so thankfully for Our Lord’s mandate that it is the inspired work of the Holy Spirit. Let me read a short parable that is a favorite of mine. Matthew 13 v.31&32. Somewhere else The Holy Spirit pointed out to me as he often does a very meaningfully explanation of this parable. As you know our job is to plant the seed. We might never know how people will react to a witness. God says that no seed will end up fruitless. God even guaranties that his word will go forth and accomplish the purpose for which it was sent out. It is important that the person we speak with will know that we love and care for their spiritual well being. As I come to a close I can’t stress enough about how continuous study has been the backbone along with prayer that has Nick and I continuing on our ongoing journey. We thank the Holy Spirit for putting into our heart a yearning for more knowledge of Scripture and tradition of Our Holy Catholic Church. Most helpful to us recently are:
Listening has never been a strong virtue of min, but since I've concentrated on listening it is marvelous to see how God can speak to me in quiet moments. Spending quiet moments of prayer, study and listening has opened my eyes to the Lord’s will at surprising times. The more I surrender myself to His will the easier it has been to do His work. Two instances recently have shown me how He has used me. The first was speaking up at a Town Hall Meeting at our parish to encourage others to join the welcoming committee in our parish. I said how important it is for all ages to be at the doors as our community comes together for Mass. Another opportunity for God to use me came about spontaneously at St. Luke’s a few weeks ago. I saw a group of four women gathered together visiting after Mass and I joined the group and asked if this wasn’t a good year for them to make their Cursillo. One of the ladies supported me and then two of them said we really ought to do that. I happened to have two applications with me and gave them each one. A friend had been talking to them about Cursillo so he will be their sponsor, which is great. It was just a day later that another of the ladies asked me about the weekend and she has turned in her application, too and a friend of the first two ladies decided to sign up. It just sort of came together. The Holy Spirit was truly working in their lives.