Cursillo – Diocese of Jamaica & The Cayman Islands

“Growing Christ-Centered Leaders”

What is Cursillo?

The 3-day Cursillo weekend is intended to help Christians learn and live what is fundamental to Christian life and to help these same Christians discover and live out a personal vocation. Cursillo is a movement of the Anglican Church under the authority of the Diocesan Bishop. The goal of Cursillo is to bring the world to Christ by empowering adult Christian leaders through the use of a specific method, which equips and encourages Christians to live out their Baptismal Covenant to serve Christ.

Cursillo – A Movement of the Anglican Church

In 2008, the Diocesan Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Alfred Reid, invited the Diocese of Southeast Florida and the Diocese of the Bahamas and the Turks & Caicos Islands to assist in exporting the Anglican/Episcopal Cursillo Movement to Jamaica. A local Secretariat has been formed with the task of bringing Anglican Cursillo to this Diocese.

The local Cursillo community is working hard to establish strong, vibrant support Reunion Groups. It is focusing its spiritual energies, along with our overseas brothers and sisters and Roman Catholic supporters, to establish a successful Anglican Cursillo Movement in Jamaica. There are almost 200 Anglicans in Jamaica who have attended a Cursillo weekend either with the Roman Catholics in Jamaica or have attended weekends overseas in Florida, Ohio, Arkansas or Long island.

What is the Purpose of Cursillo?

Its purpose is to help those in the church understand their individual callings to be Christian Leaders. The leadership may be exercised in work situations, in the family, in social life, in leisure activities, and within the Church environment. Leadership, in Cursillo, does not mean power over others, but influence on others; all of us need to be aware that we can exert a positive influence on those around us.

What Does Cursillo do?

Cursillo helps to renew and deepen Christian commitment. Many people have said Cursillo provides an important learning experience which causes many to feel like newly made Christians with a purpose and with support. 2 Corinthians 5: 17,18
What is the Cursillo Movement About?
Cursillo is patterned on Jesus’ own example. He searched out and called a small group of potential leaders (pre-Cursillo); He trained them by word and example and inspired them with a vision (the 3 day Cursillo weekend); He linked them together and sent them out into the world to bring the world to Him (the Cursillo 4th day)

Pre-Cursillo

During this period, sponsors identify and recommend Anglicans who are leading an active Christian life to attend a 3-day weekend. This is a time when selected candidates are informed of what to expect at the weekend and are assisted in appropriate preparations.

The 3-Day Weekend

The weekend brings together a diverse group of Anglicans to broaden candidate’s appreciation for our Church. Lay leaders conduct the weekend with 2 or 3 members of the clergy functioning as spiritual advisors. Cursillo presumes that those who attend weekends are already well grounded in the faith. It often provides new insights into our faith as well as fostering ministry among lay people.

4th Day

The 3-day weekend experience is not an end to itself. It is a starting point that lasts the rest of one’s life. It is a springboard to a long-range practice of the Baptismal Covenant in the life of the church called the 4th Day.

The Group Reunion, the heart of Cursillo, is a small group of friends who meet regularly to hold each other accountable for their spiritual journey. A bond develops that institutes a strong support group for life.
The Ultreya, which is usually held monthly or quarterly, is a “reunion of reunions.” It provides support and builds community by allowing the sharing of communal experiences.
Spiritual Direction is an important element of the Cursillo Movement. It is a commitment to seek out spiritual direction to provide help in deepening one’s union with Christ.

What People Are Saying About Cursillo

………. “Cursillo was a life-changing experience for me.” ……….
“At Cursillo I really came to know that God loves me and that I am important to God’s work.”
………….. “I never knew life could be so rich, so exciting.”
Through the instrumentality of Cursillo, human spirits are refreshed and workers for the Kingdom are born.

Are There Cursillo Secrets?

Potential candidates have been told by some, who have attended the Cursillo weekend, that they cannot tell you what it is all about or what goes on during the weekend. THIS IS NOT CORRECT. Everything that goes on during the weekend may be told to anyone. Sometimes the weekend experience touches the candidates emotionally and joyfully in a way that may be difficult for some to describe. This is why some may just say “you will have to experience the weekend for yourself.”

What Cursillo can accomplish in The Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands

For Congregations, Cursillo can:
Contribute to the process of conversion for some lay persons
Enable new ministries and help members discover their God given gifts and talents
Build leadership in individuals and teams
Encourage diversity by outreach emphasis and activity.
Inspire people to share their gifts of time, treasure and talent
Help the clergy accomplish their goals of building communities that seek to live out the Great Commission

For the Diocese, Cursillo can:

Grow Christ-centered leaders to help the Bishops/Clergy fulfil their apostolic plans
Build ministers who participate at every level of Diocesan planning and ministry
Encourage generosity toward the Diocese as a response to God’s generosity
Work to incorporate new populations into the life of the diocese
Encourage partnerships between Clergy and Laity
Help train evangelists to share the Good News of Jesus Christ
Foster inter-congregation communications and relations

The first Anglican Cursillo hosted by the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands took place at the Hillcrest Diocesan Retreat Centre, Brown’s Town, starting with the Men’s Cursillo – July 15-18, 2010 and the Women’s Cursillo – July 29 to August 1, 2010. The candidates were most appreciative of the experience and the outpouring of love and generosity which accompanies any Cursillo event. The new friendships made, new families acquired and the tangible expressions of God’s love and grace were very special.

CURSILLO BROCHURE – LAITY

APPLICATION FORM

For more information or inquiries about Cursillo please contact the following:

The Rev. Michael Elliott Spiritual Director

Sonia Reid Lay Director

Tel: 876-379-3535

Email: smreid@cwjamaica.com

Anglican Cursillo Movement
(876) 998 1937 or (876) 995-5434 (876) 749-5783 or cell (876) 582-1179
e-mail: mike_ell63@hotmail.com e-mail:

Mail enquiries should be addressed to:
Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, Church House, 2 Caledonia Avenue
Kingston 5, Jamaica, West Indies – Telephone (876) 926-8925, Fax (876) 960-9624