CURSY-WHAT???

It must be more than two years ago that I first heard the word "Cursillo." I felt a mild curiosity about it who doesn't when they haven't given it a try?! I had difficulty in pronouncing it and nobody was inclined to explain much about it so I pushed it out of my mind and got on with the Bishop's Course.

You meet the nicest people on the Bishop's Course. It was surprising to me how many nice people I met that kept on about Cursillo and smiling mysteriously advising me to try it.

"You ought to go," they said, and smiled some more, "You'd love it." But dates for the week-ends never coincided with the gaps in my diary. However, the seed was sown. Then my priest also began to talk about Cursillo and he wouldn't explain either, just muttered something about "it would be good for you," and "you're ready for it." (Why does the leaflet encourage us to ask questions when no-one will tell us the answers??!) I decided at the first opportunity to "Go for it." (one of my sayings) 27th April 1995 was the first opportunity. I "went for it!"

"I'll keep an open mind," I told myself, "I've done other week-end things in Chester Diocese, this will be good." I thought I knew what might be coming! Oh, the arrogance!

I finished work early, packed my case (including something to read at night!!!) and headed into the Spring sunshine and the hills above Macclesfield. My spirits soared or I thought they did, the phrase you "ain't seen nothing yet" now springs to mind! I was wrong all along the way! The only thing I got right was to try to keep an open mind. I thought I would enjoy the week-end, I thought my spirits soared. (And we all know what thought thought don't we!). As the week-end unfolded I learned how high and up-lifted one could be. I also learned that words cannot describe a "mountain-top" experience. I learned too that "enjoyable" is insignificant when describing how that week-end was for me. More importantly I learned a little of letting go and letting God (and I am still learning how to do that) and I learned about being totally enfolded in Gods accepting love, the same love that Jesus has for each one of us and that He calls us to share with one another. I was totally bowled over by a wave of this love throughout the week-end. It picked me up, spun me around and pointed me in the right direction.

Now when others ask me about Cursillo, I smile broadly and say "Go for it," "Treat yourself to a Cursillo week-end" and "You'd love it" and I feel myself light up inside at the memories of my Cursillo.

Julie Withers

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These pages are maintained by Geoff Riley.
If you have any queries or comments about the Chester Cursillo pages, please feel free to email cursillo@arcturus\.geoffandcarole.co.uk.