This document provides the agenda and materials for a School of Leaders meeting for the Diocese of Birmingham, Alabama Cursillo movement in September 2013. The agenda includes Bible study, prayers, talks on apostleship and discussion. One talk discusses how Cursillistas are called to be apostles through their baptism and by spreading the Good News through friendship. The document also announces upcoming Cursillo events and reviews proposed bylaw changes regarding Secretariat member roles and terms.

1. Grouping
Diocese Of B
irmingham Alabama
School of Leaders
September 2013
“A Cursillo Leader, therefore is a dedicated apostle; a person
who puts all of his abilities in the service of Christ.”
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2. Agenda
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Bible Enthronement
Leader’s Prayer
Reflection & Floating Group Reunion
Doctrinal Talk
Technique Talks: Apostleship
Discussion Items
Announcements
Closing Prayer
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3. Leader’s Prayer
† Lord grant that we may understand the necessity for depth in our
Movement, rather than surface glory. Convince us of the truth that
colorful programs do not constitute success.
† My God, give us a spirit of self sacrifice so that we may offer
everything for Your cause: our time, our abilities, our health and
even our lives if necessary. Instill in us courage in our initiatives,
good judgment in our choice of the right means, and that
determination, which in spite of failures, assures victory.
† Move away from us the tiny rivalries, sensitivities, discourtesies,
pride, everything which distracts from You, everything which
divides or discourages.
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4. Leader’s Prayer con’t
† Help us to maintain at a high level, a meaningful supernatural and
mutual charity among ourselves, so that each one will seek by
preference, the most humble task and will rejoice at the good
performed by others, so that all our spirits, united in a common
purpose, will have one single spirit, Yours Jesus, and that this spirit
may let us see Your attractive goodness marked in all our faces,
Your warm accents in all our words, and in our lives something
superior to the world, something that proclaims Your Living
Presence among us. Amen
† Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patron of the Americas, Pray for Us.
† St Paul, Patron of the Cursillo, Pray for Us.
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7. Apostles-Background
† The word "Apostle“ is from the Greek apostello, meaning “to
send forth, to dispatch; a delegate entrusted with a mission”
† Everyone who receives a mission from God can be called an
Apostle
– Christ selected the 12 original Apostles
– the term was extended to other servants of God (Paul,
Barnabus)
– But term has been unevenly used since the original 12
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8. Disciples-Background
† The term disciple comes from the Latin discipulus; which is scholar
or teacher
– The New Testament uses the word disciple in the sense of a
pupil, adherent, one who continues in the Master's word (
John 8:31).
– The 72 who were sent out were called disciples
– In the Acts of the Apostles, the term disciples was used to
describe converts (6:1; 9:1, 10:19)
† Our Lord used the terms almost interchangeably; in John 6:13 He
chose his disciples and designated the 12 Apostles
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9. Baptism and One’s Apostolate
† During our baptism we are anointed Priest, Prophet and King
† Being a Priest calls us to be like Christ; to offer the events of
our day as an offering to God in thanksgiving
† As a Prophet, we do what Jesus would do, giving witness to
our faith
† Being a King is to cultivate the kingdom of God, to be a
partner with God in the transformation of the world
† Our Baptismal vows call us to know the Lord and to be sent
forth in His name
† It makes us both Disciples and Apostles
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10. Called to Apostleship
† Need to find ways to maintain our commitment to grow as
apostles
† Those “ways” are the habits of discipleship, particularly
– A dedicated and deep prayer life
– Continuous study AND
– Spreading the Good News
† Therefore, a connection can be made that we must love and
study God (be disciples) so we can be sent out (Apostles)
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11. Called to Apostleship
† Discipleship is “dead” if it does not bear fruit and become
apostleship, otherwise, we will be judged and found wanting
and sent to eternal punishment
– Judgment of God (Matthew 25:31-44)
† But God is not a vengeful, taskmaster God, rather He holds us
accountable for using what He has graciously given us
– Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30)
• Taught by Jesus in the verses JUST prior to Last Judgment scene
• Gives according to our ability
• YET, God also gives us additional graces to do His work
– “For to everyone who has, more will be given and he will grow rich; but from
one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
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12. The Church and Lay Apostolates
† The Church is founded on the firm foundation of Apostleship
established by Jesus Himself
† Consecration of the world is the work of the laity, and Lay
Apostolates derive from the Church’s mission to preach the
Good News to the world
† Cursillo is a Lay Apostolate of the Church—the charism uses
friendship to share Christ’s Good News to evangelize and
transform the world
† Therefore, each Cursillista is called to be an apostle
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13. Apostles living DeColores
† The Charism of Cursillo is to have an apostolic hunger, like being baptized,
to communicate the great news of the Love of God to the most people in
my environments through the means of friendship
† The methodology of Cursillo becomes the instrument through which we
fully implement the missions we are given at our baptisms; to be priests
(piety), prophets (those who know God’s message-study) and Kings to
bring forth the Kingdom of God (Evangelization), and thus become
apostles within our moveable square meter
† Therefore, to live “DeColores” is to be filled with grace, giving testimony
in our movable square meter that surrounds us by the best means
possible--Christian friendship.
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14. Summary
“…in Christianity, leaders are those who, having
heard Christ’s call, throw themselves
decisively into apostolic action with the
capacity to influence others guiding them to
encounter the Lord.”
– (Leaders Rollo, Three Day Weekend Manual)
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16. By Law Changes
† RECOMMENDED Bylaw changes: NOW IMPLEMENTED
– Addition: the Cursillo Chair must have served as a rector
– Change: All Secretariat positions will serve a 3 year term; at the end of
the term they must wait at least one year before serving again
– Addition: All amendments must be presented to the SoL prior to
Secretariat voting on changes to the bylaws
† Secretariat Rotation:
– 2013: Lay Director and Treasurer
– 2014: Chairman SoL, 3 Day Chair, Secretary
– 2015: Pre Cursillo and Post Cursillo Chairs
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17. SoL 2013 Schedule
Month
(2013)
SoL Meeting Location
June
Combined-Cullman-Sacred Heart
Jul
Satellite – Hsv and B’Ham
Aug
Satellite – Hsv and B’Ham
Sep
Combined-Cullman-Sacred Heart
Oct
Satellite – Hsv and B’Ham
Nov
Satellite – Hsv and B’Ham
Dec
No SoL
Jan
Combined-Cullman-Sacred Heart
Comment
Quarter 3
Quarter 4
Quarter 1
Remote SoL 1st Thursday each Month; 1900
Go to Cursillo.org/birmingham for details
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18. Announcements
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Nominations for the Secretariat positions of Lay Director and Treasurer will be
held at the October SOL meetings. Nomination procedures and the ByLaws with
descriptions of Secretariat positions have been emailed to Ultreya Facilitators and
are posted on the website.
Diocesan Rosary for Life and Vocations, Sun, Oct 6th, 2pm, Lourdes Grotto, Our
Lady of Angels Monastery, Hanceville.
Next Cursillo Region VII Encounter, October 25-26, Mobile, AL diocese. Link to
Registration form and other info is on website.
Cursillo Day of Reflection, Saturday, November 16, 2013, 9:30am-4pm, Casa Maria
Convent and Retreat House, Birmingham. Cost $35. Link to register is on Cursillo
website or contact Casa Maria directly.
Women's 3 Day Cursillo Weekend is now confirmed for April 3-6, 2014 and will
occur at Sacred Heart Monastery (Benedictine Sisters) in Cullman. Mary Ellen
Roberts has accepted the position of Rectora for Cursillo #130.
Reserve the dates! Cursillo de Cursillos weekend will be 25-28 September 2014 at
St Bernard’s Retreat Center.
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20. Closing Prayer
† Dear Lord, we must have fraternal charity, or we can accomplish
nothing for you.
† In loving you, help us to have a genuine concern for one another, a
generosity in sharing one another’s burdens, a gallantry in
defending the reputation of our group, a sincere sympathy in
sharing one another’s suffering and sorrows, and a joy in sharing
their spiritual growth.
† By this shall all men know that we are your Apostles. Amen.
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