Cursillo movement celebrates 50 years in Phoenix
By Janice L. Semmel | Sept. 17, 2009 | The Catholic Sun
Ultreya, a word used by the Cursillo movement, embodies its spirit in many ways.
Ultreya, which has its origins in Latin, more or less means “onward.” It’s used to identify meetings members have after their weekend retreat, or Cursillo, which means “little course.”
Cursillo, which puts the faith into focus, isn’t meant to be just a weekend experience, but a connection to God that must be lived out every day. From this day onward, participants’ faith is changed.
In some ways, then, the Ultreya held at St. Joan of Arc Parish Aug. 29 wasn’t that much different. The meeting was just bigger — 450 cursillistas showed up. And it marked the 50th year of Cursillo in Phoenix.
“It doesn’t matter how many mistakes we make or how many times we fall but how many times we stand up,” said Eduardo Lopez, who told the group about his four-day retreat.
Bishop Thomas J. Olmsted concelebrated Mass with Fr. Don Kline, spiritual director of the Cursillo movement in the diocese.
“Be strong in carrying out the mission that Christ has given to you,” said Fr. Kline in his homily. “We carry the mission of Christ to the world. We are invited to be strong like John the Baptist.”
Speaker Ted Cruz, who surveyed the history of Cursillo in Phoenix, also looked to the future.
“We need to pray for the movement,” he said, noting that while the population in Phoenix has increased, fewer English-language Cursillos are being held.
