When spiritual renewal needs renewal: Working to revive Cursillo

When spiritual renewal needs renewal: Working to revive Cursillo
 
By MICHAEL BROWN
Managing Editor
 
Everything old is new again.
At least, that’s the hope of Deacon David and Alma Clark, the couple leading a resurgence of the English-language Cursillo movement in the greater Tucson area.
“We are trying to get the movement going again,” said Alma  in December.
Cursillo – “short courses” in Christianity – started out as a movement in Spain in 1944. It quickly spread around the world, including the US where it served English- and Spanish-speaking Catholics. It had been active in the Diocese of Tucson through 2018, when existing leaders stepped back without leaders to succeed them.
 
After some discernment and interviews, Alma was appointed diocesan lay director, and Deacon David, her husband, was named spiritual director.
The Spanish-language component in the Diocese, which suffered no change in leadership, continues to be led by Malena Amaya with Hispanic Ministry Coordinator and Dominican Sister Gladys Echenique as its spiritual director.
Alma announced several town hall meetings to invite members who have experienced a Cursillo weekend retreat and who want to work to renew the movement in southern Arizona. The town hall meetings also are open to anyone who would want to learn more about Cursillo and attend a future weekend.

The first meeting will be at St. Augustine Cathedral, Tucson, on Sunday, Jan. 26, beginning with Mass at 1 p.m. It will be followed by a potluck at Cathedral Square, then the meeting. Another meeting will take place Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Yuma. It will feature a prayer service or adoration, followed by a potluck and town meeting.
“There won’t be any pointing of fingers,” Alma said. “We just want to see what the people want.”
“I am also not there to say, ‘This is what we need to do to fix this.’ We don’t know what needs fixing,” she added.

Alma, who made her initial Cursillo in 2001, said that movement has been successful in drawing Catholics who left the Church back into the fold, and encouraging those who have never left to become leaders in their communities.
It’s been an important tool to help “people wanting to go back to Church,” she said.

She estimated that nearly 1,000 men and women have attended Cursillo retreats in the Diocese from 2013-18, and their input is essential in revitalizing the movement.

“That’s an astonishing number. That’s why we are asking ourselves, ‘Where are they?’” Alma said.
“I’d like to hear from everybody but I definitely want to hear from the Cursillistas.”

The Cursillo structure requires a “secretariat” for each diocese but will recognize two language-based communities under a  single secretariat. Each secretariat is comprised of experienced Cursillistas who have undergone additional formation in a Cursillo School of Leaders. The members of the School of Leaders usually meet monthly to continue formation and build community.
Alma said there is no prescribed length of study, but it usually takes about six months attending for member bonds to form.

She asked that anyone wishing to attend either of the events to contact her by email ( [email protected]) or by phone at (928) 581-0543.