Montreal United Church Cursillo What is Cursillo? What does it offer? Whom is it for? What is a Cursillo weekend? Upcoming Cursillo weekends Like to go on a Cursillo weekend? Where to find out more about Cursillo?

- Cursillo (pronounced “kur see yo” meaning “short course” in Spanish) is a large, growing, international movement within the Christian churches including, in Canada, the Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and United Churches. Cursillo encourages us to reflect on our faith and values and acts as a supportive community as we live our faith and convictions in our daily lives.

- One becomes part of the Cursillo community by participating in a three day faith-sharing weekend (separate weekends for men and women) which is a personally rewarding and enriching experience.

- Cursillo is organized and operated by lay people who are part of the Cursillo community supported by spiritual advisors from the ordained clergy.

- Cursillo is a means of supporting and encouraging us in our lives as Christians. Members of the Cursillo community form lifelong friendships. Many couples both choose to become members of the Cursillo community which enriches their lives and their relationship.

What does Cursillo offer?

- An opportunity to grow in faith;

- A chance to experience the love and the grace of God and the joy of Christian fellowship and sharing with others;

- A way of supporting us as we live out our Christian values in the various environments of our daily lives including family, work situations, our leisure activities, and our life and engagement in our neighbourhoods and communities;

- Provides an understanding and conviction concerning what is fundamental for being a Christian while opening our hearts and minds to others of the Christian and other faiths;

- Strengthens us to live out that understanding, supporting one another on our spiritual journey.

Whom is it for?

People just like you – laity, clergy, anyone who is …

  - curious

    - searching

      - discovering

        - growing and learning

           - wanting to be glad and
                 confident in their faith and
                     open to others.

What is a Cursillo Weekend?

- It is a 3-day weekend spent in a retreat setting from Thursday evening until Sunday afternoon. During these three days, those attending live and work together, and engage in talks given by different people, both lay and ordained. There is much sharing.

- Learning, praying, sharing, singing, laughing and living together produces an environment where Christ’s presence is felt and available to all for direction and understanding.

- You will engage in talks on Ideal, Grace, Piety, Faith, Study, Action, Leadership, Sacraments and Christian Community. The talks lead to lively discussion in small groups.

- It is experiencing Christianity in action in community.

- We support and encourage one another as we seek to live and work to God’s praise and glory.

When I attend a Cursillo weekend, what is expected of me?

        Just be

           open to

                             what happens!

Is that really all?

- Yes. It is difficult to explain such a personal experience. Words are inadequate to explain the deep and meaningful journey just traveled. Come to the weekend. Jesus’ yoke is easy and His way is beautiful.

- You aren’t expected to know or do more, just reflect on being more!

And then  .  .  .  ?

- The weekend is not an end in itself but very much a beginning.

- After the weekend you will be invited to a short evening celebration (2 hours) during the week following your Cursillo at a church close to you.

- Your sponsor, the one who invited you to this weekend, and the Cursillo community will continue to support you on your Christian journey.

- Life will remain pretty much the same as before with all its successes and failures. However, most people seem to become more engaged in their commitment to the church. They tend to be clearer about their commitment to Christ and His mission. Often they become more involved in their church life and some come to a role of increased leadership. All have made new friends and/or deepened existing friendships and relationships and have become part of the Cursillo community.

What to do if you like to go on a Cursillo weekend?

In most cases you will be invited by a friend, who can give you more information about Cursillo and may give you a pamphlet (click PDF for this Cursillo Pamphlet). Once you decide to go on a Cursillo weekend, this friend, your sponsor, will ask you to fill out an application form (click PDF or DOC for the Cursillo Application Form).  Your sponsor will submit your application form, together with a sponsor form (click PDF or DOC for the Cursillo Sponsor Form), to the Montreal United Church Cursillo. The costs are currently $150, which covers lodging, meals, use of the facilities, various supplies, etc.

You are going on a Cursillo weekend. What to bring along?

    - a smile
        - an open mind
            - a listening ear
                - an instrument, if you play one
                    - ...

In addition to these, more mundane things such as comfortable clothes and shoes, toiletries, towels, facecloth, etc., in other words, all the things you need when you go away from home for a few days. Bedding is provided, and so is good food (to nourish both the body and the soul).

By the same token, there are a number of things that you should not take along, such as:
work (leave it at the office), your computer, cell phone, ipod, etc.