Holding cursillo

Conducting a 3 day experience in order to highlight the dynamic communitarian and personalistic aspects of the Catholic Christian faith. This experience is centred around the Mass and involves 40 persons from all parts of society and many different racial and social backgrounds. It is animated by lay and clergy leaders.

The Cursillo began in Spain in 1949 and spread throughout Spain, Latin America and North America. It formed a movement of Church renewal through the late 50's and 60's, and is a spiritual exercise centred around the Mass. Five talks, five meditations, and five lessons on Christian doctrine are given by the priests. There are ten lessons in which lay members of the team give practical illustrations of the talks, followed by small group discussions. A spirit of conviviality, marked by group singing and skits, is encouraged.

The Cursillo has been used as a way to highlight aspects of the Catholic faith that are not normally covered through study, clubs, or the participation of the liturgy. It requires 30-40 people to be effective.

1. The Cursillo has been a way for the Church to illuminate the relevance of the Gospel and the Christian community in a time of social change. It has also been a way for the Church to activate the layman in the liturgical life of the church.

1. The Cursillo can only involve 30-40 people at a time and in a parish of 2,000-5,000 usually involves only a small number of the committed members. It does not have a self-generating quality, as it depends on the personality of the priest conducting it.

1. Intentionalizing group gatherings

1. Uniting religious groups