Belleville Cursillo Movement at PO Box 331, Saint Libory, IL 62282 US - Cursillo Secretariat Minutes – November 15, 2011

Pat led the meeting and called it to order.  Prior to the prayer it was acknowledged that Fr. Ken York had presented a Sacramentary with the new translation of the Roman Missal.  Fr. Gary Gummersheirmer had given us a chalice and cups, and the members signed a “thank you” card for him.   

We opened the meeting with the Leader’s Prayer. 

The minutes from the 9/20/2011 meeting were discussed.  A motion to approve the minutes was made by Susan, seconded by several members, and the motion carried. 

We recited the Holy Spirit Prayer and read from scripture Matthew 25: 14-15, 19-21, the parable of the three servants.  A discussion of the passage was held. 

The Grouping topic was “How am I best using my time and talents for the Holy Spirit in my life?” 

The Thanksgiving Prayer was recited. 

Spiritual Advisor:  A new Spiritual Advisor has not yet been selected.   This was discussed further under New Business.   

Alex provided the Treasurer’s report. Account balances as of 11/15/2011: 

Itemization:

Checking                          9/20/11              $1,217.99     Balance
                                         deposits            +      20.00     Candidate 
                                          debit                   -    400.00     See detail below

                                                                   $     837.99     Ending Balance

Debits (approved 9/20/11 meeting):

St. Joseph in Freeburg (meetings, formation, etc. $100),
St. Peter Cathedral (Ultreya-$75),
St. Agatha in New Athens (Ultreya-$75),
St Mary in Mt. Vernon (Day of Recollection- $75),
St. Andrew in Murphysboro (Grand Ultreya -$75).

Savings                             9/30/11             $  2,984.71   Ending Balance             

Money Market                 10/31/11             $ 7,071.38   Ending Balance

The CD matured 10/17/11 and was redeemed with a balance of $7,070.26.  The proceeds were rolled into the Money Market account bearing an interest rate of 0.25% as of 10/31/11.  Discussion of maintaining sufficient liquidity for the funds needed for the weekends.  Deposits for the weekends are $1,000 for each weekend.

DISCUSSION:

News from Pre-Cursillo:. The men’s weekend will be March 1 through March 4; the women’s weekend will be March 8 through March 11. These dates have been sent to the parish bulletins.  The theme for the women’s weekend will be “Called and Chosen”.  As of this date, we have one candidate for the women’s weekend.  A letter will be sent to confirm her reservation.  The estimated cost for the weekends will be $150 this year.

News from Cursillo:  Dave said no contact with the DuBois Center is needed until mid-December.  Inventory on the supplies has been done, and the trailer has been reorganized.  A list of items needed for the weekends will be presented in January, when we have a better idea of how many candidates will be attending the weekends.   The lists for the teams have been provided by Bob and Alex.  The Novena has been completed.

The deadline for making a decision whether to cancel the Weekends does not need to be made until late January or February, possibly as short as 2 weeks before the Weekends.  Dave will clarify this deadline, as well as whether they require a minimum number of attendees, with the DuBois people when he contacts them in December.

News from Post-Cursillo:  After a prayer and discussion, nominees were suggested to replace Mary Feurer as Chair of Post-Cursillo, and the nominee(s) will be contacted to ask if he/she will accept the role as Chairperson. 

During the discussion of Public Relations, the dates for certain events were discussed: 

• The second annual Day of Recollection is tentatively set for April 21, 2012 in Mt. Vernon.   Fr. Gary has indicated his willingness to participate in that event whether or not we have a new Spiritual Director by then.  We hope to schedule this event at St. Mary’s Parish in Mt. Vernon. Ralph will call Fr. Gary and Fr. John Iffert to see whether that date is acceptable to them. 
• The Reunion for the Weekends is tentatively set for March 25, 2012, in the afternoon, possibly in New Athens.  Susan will make contact to see whether that date is available there.
•  Palm Sunday is April 1, Easter is April 8, so the Weekends in early to mid-March leave limited choices for scheduling. 
• Also the School of Leaders is expected to resume meetings in April. 
• It was agreed that all regular event dates (School of Leaders, Secretariat, Ultreyas, etc.) should remain as-is until we see whether a new Spiritual Director would require different scheduling.

News from Public Relations:   Susan said she has made contact for placement in the parish bulletins and The Messenger, with dates for the Ultreyas, Secretariat and School of Leaders.  As discussed above, all dates for publication will remain as-is pending selection of a new Spiritual Director.

News from the Evangelizer:  Robin confirmed that the deadline for articles in the next issue is November 22, 2011.  A Sponsor Form and Candidate Form will be included as an insert in the Evangelizer for December and next September.  

News from School of Leaders:  Ralph said the School of Leaders will meet on November 21, 2011, but will then suspend meetings until April 16, 2012, in consideration of Advent, Christmas and the preparations and activities related to the Weekends.  We are reading/discussing Catholic Christianity by Peter Kreeft.  Participants read the book at home and discuss it at the meetings.  We are up to the “God” chapter, and Ralph said these meetings are a “joy-filled time.”  The School meets on the 3^rd Monday of each month at 7:00 pm, and all Cursillistas are welcome to participate.  Ralph will email Roni Juracek with the 2012 dates when confirmed.

New Business:   A brief discussion was held regarding the process of selecting a new Spritual Director.  We have 5 priests who are Cursillistas in our Diocese.  The national rules require that the Spiritual Director be a Cursillista, but this can include a deacon if necessary.  Several nominees were mentioned, and Pat will make contact with them to see who is willing to accept this role.   Fr. Gary said he would serve on the 2012 Weekends, if we cannot find a replacement by then.  It was suggested that we might consider adopting a “team” approach, or a “term of succession” approach, to make the commitment a bit more limited in time and scope and, thus, more acceptable for our busy clergy.  It was suggested that we ask for a minimum of 3 years’ commitment, but not as a strict requirement for the position.  Pat asked for prayers for the efforts by the Search Committee.

Alex passed around a pamphlet from the Quincy Cursillo, as a suggestion for a similar pamphlet that the Belleville Cursillo might find productive to generate interest in Cursillo. Pat said we have a pamphlet, but ours could use some updating and graphic improvements.   After a brief discussion, Ralph said he would work on the computer with this format and pertinent graphics for consideration at a future meeting.

Next Secretariat meeting:  January 17, 2012

Next Evangelizer: Articles due November 22, 2011

The Meeting was closed with prayers.

Minutes drafted and submitted by John I Schaberg, Secretary, 1/8/2012.
Minutes accepted 1-17-2012