Participants of the Cursillo National Encounter gathered together in Canberra from 16–18 October. Photo: Supplied
By Mark Reidy
The Australian branch of a Catholic movement, which began in Spain in 1944, held its biennial National Encounter in Canberra from 16-18 October.
Members of the Australian Catholic Cursillo movement gathered at the Greenhills Conference Centre to celebrate their charism with a series of talks, meditations and related activities.
National Coordinator, Joe Jambor, said that the National Encounter, which focused on the theme The Joy of the Pilgrim Heart, had been a tremendous success, with participants appreciating the thought-provoking talks, the address delivered by the Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn, Christopher Prowse, as well as the presentation in story and song by songwriter Peter Kearney.
“We were blessed with many wonderful, inspirational presentations during the Encounter,” Mr Jambor told The eRecord. “A highlight was a challenging address by Archbishop Prowse.”
Mr Jambor went on to say that Archbishop Prowse also emphasised that an “encounter” encompasses a meeting with Jesus, with others and with oneself.
Cursillo, which means “short course” in Spanish, had its origins in a course originally aimed at preparing for a pilgrimage to the Shrine of St James at Compostela. From this course Eduardo Bonnin and a group of friends devised a method aimed at living and witnessing the Christian life.
The then-newly appointed bishop on the island of Mallorca (Majorca), Mgr Juan Hervas, actively supported and became involved in a three-day Cursillo weekend which sought to emphasise the reality of a Christian life to others, including those who did not think that they were Christian. With his official support and encouragement, the movement grew quickly.
The Cursillo movement, which provides ways in which the Gospel can be lived in everyday life, began in Australia in the mid-1960s in Sydney and can now be found in more than 60 countries throughout the world.
Mr Jambor said that the Cursillo movement’s greeting of “ultreya”, meaning “let us go onwards”, was an encouragement for each person to go forward, to keep the flame of Cursillo burning brightly.
“We witness God’s love and the Gospel message by sharing with others our friendship with Jesus and by how we live out the Gospel message in our daily lives,” he shared. “The radiance of God’s glory in our lives is what impresses and attracts others.”
He said that the National Encounter served as a reminder of the importance of prayer, persistence and patience when listening to the heart and, as pointed out by one of the presenters, the need for courage to accept and follow God’s plan.
“Our lifelong pilgrimage to God deepens our intimacy with Jesus as we experience God’s love and grace through the divine assistance and empowerment of the Holy Spirit,” he said.
For further information, contact Joe Jambor, National Coordinator, Australian Catholic Cursillo Movement, PO Box 28, CURTIN, ACT 2605, or email at irmandjoe@gmail.com.