A Day of Deeper Understanding Booklet #5

Transcription

1 GROWING CHRIST-CENTERED LEADERS BEYOND THE THREE DAY WEEKEND A Day of Deeper Understanding Booklet # Order #216

2

3

4 WHAT IS A DAY OF DEEPER UNDERSTANDING? A Day of Deeper Understanding (DDU) is a Fourth Day Cursillo Program whose purpose is to provide Cursillistas with a comprehensive understanding of the Cursillo Movement. The intent of the DDU is to reinforce the message that Cursillo is focused on the Fourth Day - providing a method for Christian growth that includes Christianizing our environments. The Fourth Day is a model for the rest of our lives. Cursillo begins with the Three Day weekend, but continues forward by living a victorious Fourth Day for Christ. The DDU is designed to orient and educate Cursillistas who have just completed the Three Day Weekend with an understanding of what awaits them beyond the Weekend. Sponsors and team members, as well as the community at large, are also encouraged to attend. The DDU was developed because of a perceived need to reinforce the instruction given during the Three-Day Weekend with a special focus on the tools of the Fourth Day. A suggested structure is given for the DDU, but the leadership of a Movement should tailor the program to meet the needs of their community. The DDU is a Diocesan Program that is offered by the local Cursillo community. HOW DOES THE DDU ACHIEVE ITS PURPOSE? Cursillo is built on a Strategy of structuring the Christian life which provides a Method to assist Cursillistas in living the Fourth Day. The DDU accomplishes its purpose by: 1. Building Community a. The participants are seated in table groups that provide a group format for discussion questions and responses in a relaxed atmosphere. COPYRIGHT 1989 by the National Episcopal Cursillo Committee of the National Episcopal Cursillo. Printed in the United States of America. All rights reserved. No part of this booklet may be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission. National Episcopal Cursillo Reg. U.S. Pat. Off 1

5 b. The Cursillistas are generally still excited by what they learned and experienced at the Weekend and are eager to listen, learn, and share. c. The Cursillistas reconnect with others from the Weekend and continue building relationships. d. The intention is to keep people involved and interested as well as to build a sense of the larger Fourth Day Community. 2. Clarifying Misunderstandings a. The DDU fills in gaps in the understanding of the candidates who often miss or forget information presented during the Three-Day Weekend. b. The emphasis is on the concept of the Fourth Day as central to our Christian lives. c. Education is the key to formation and commitment. 3. Building Future Leaders a. The effective Strategy and Method of Cursillo are reintroduced during the DDU. The Strategy explains the three components of Cursillo: The Pre-Cursillo, the 3-Day Weekend and the Fourth Day. The Method consists of: Group Reunion, Ultreya, Spiritual Direction and a Rule of Life. All aspects of the Cursillo method are the foundation on which we continue to live out the Fourth Day. b. The role of the Movement in the Church is addressed. DDU reminds participants that Cursillo is not separate and apart from the Church, but exists as an instrument of the Church. c. The participants are encouraged to live a fuller life, embracing their Baptismal Vows as Christians by witness and ministry to others. 2

6 3. Introducing the Cursillo Heritage The story of the Cursillo heritage is often related in order to make the connection from the past to the present. New Cursillistas are often awed at the discovery that Cursillo has such a powerful heritage and that its history is still being written by active Cursillistas. They learn that the Movement itself was not just a well worked out human product but rather a story of how God initially taught a group of men to work for God s Kingdom in an effective way, a way that bears fruit. Cursillo was formed by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit working in individuals who had dedicated themselves to the mission of bringing others to Christ. The DDU deepens the understanding of how to accomplish this mission. PLANNING THE DDU The local Cursillo Secretariat, with the help of the Servant Community leaders, is responsible for scheduling the DDU with the approval of the Diocesan Bishop. The Secretariat needs to notify their Cursillo community of the date of the DDU several months in advance. Ideally, the DDU should be scheduled four to six weeks after the Three-Day Weekend. Forming the Team The selection of the team is primary to the success of the DDU. The most important element to the success of any Cursillo program is the quality of the community leading the event. In most Dioceses, the selection of the team is the responsibility of the Fourth Day or Servant Community Chairperson under the direction of the Secretariat. It may be those designated leaders choose only the Team Leader who, in turn, chooses the team. The team leader should be well versed in the Cursillo Movement, an active leader in the community and preferably has attended an ECLW. In some Dioceses, the DDU Team Leader is the Weekend Assistant to the Rector who therefore knows the majority of the new Cursillistas. 3

7 Team Members Responsibilities Team Leader Selects the location of the DDU in consultation with the Secretariat. Forms the team to implement the DDU and schedules meetings of the team as necessary. Informs all team members of the planning and implementation of the DDU. Selects coordinators and serves as timekeeper for the DDU or appoints a timekeeper. Assigns individuals to give the talks in cooperation with the Spiritual Advisor for the DDU. Serves as a resource person and provides guidance to the coordinators and presenters. Selects Table Leaders--uses the team members from the recent Three-Day Weekends and other experienced Cursillo leaders if needed. Welcomes the participants to the DDU, introduces the flow of the DDU, introduces himself/herself, has the team introduce themselves and encourages attendees to introduce themselves. Prepares an Evaluation Form for the participants to fill out at the end of the program. Brevity is a must. Prepares an evaluative summary of the DDU synthesizing the evaluative comments by the attendees and adding his/her own observations. Spiritual Advisor Assists and supports all team members. Delivers clergy talks and the Gospel response at Ultreya. Plans all worship services with the help of lay leadership. Is available for spiritual direction. Other team positions required for the success of the program include persons to serve as Coordinators. Some Coordinators may enlist another person or persons to help them accomplish their responsibilities. 4

8 Coordinators Publicity Coordinator Writes and sends an article to the local Cursillo newsletter editor describing the DDU. The article should contain a signup slip to be mailed back to the Coordinator and a way to sign up electronically for the DDU. Include an item on the signup slip or electronic registration indicating whether child care is needed. Includes a descriptor of the DDU and the signup slip with the application for the Three-Day-Weekend. In this way candidates know in advance about the date and the expectation that they should attend the DDU. Includes a reminder notice about the DDU in the packet of information given to each candidate during the Three-Day Weekend. Include in the packet a listing of what the new Cursillistas should bring to the DDU, such as name tags and songbooks. Sends a flyer about the DDU with registration information to each sponsor. In the flyer, encourage the sponsor to bring his/her candidate to the DDU and pay for any expenses incurred by the candidate for the DDU. Prepares and distributes a flyer with signup sheet for general distribution to all Cursillistas. Places a notice on the local Cursillo web site and makes announcements of the DDU at local Cursillo events. Writes and mails invitations to the Diocesan Bishop, clergy serving on the Secretariat and to the clergy where the event is taking place. It is appropriate to include a short note describing the DDU. Registrar/Treasurer Keeps a current roster of the attendees. Sends a letter of confirmation to those who have registered. Provides a sign-in roster for use as people arrive-- offers blank name tags for those who forget their Cursillo name tag. Provides a cash box with money for change for those paying late. 5

9 Arranges for childcare if necessary keep in communication with the Session Coordinator regarding these requests. Session Coordinator Assigns Lay Witness and Responders for the Ultreya portion of the DDU. Distributes handouts required for Ultreya, The Three Day Weekend and The Fourth Day talks. Assures that talk outlines are available for the speakers. Prepares the packets for participants and team members. A copy of the design and printed materials for the packet should be sent to the Team Leader for review. Copies the packet material to a computer disc for the planning of upcoming DDU s. Housekeeping Coordinator Organizes and recruits a housekeeping team. Prepares the meeting room with tables, chairs, lectern, microphone, paper supplies and any requested needs. Assures that the facility is clean. Cursillo Materials Coordinator Orders the brochure entitled Flow of the Three Day Weekend brochure and all of the Fourth Day Cards from the NEC Office. A few NEC Libraries should be available for Cursillistas to inspect and to purchase. Check with the local Secretariat s supply person who may have some of these items available. Has a copy of the The 4 th Day Magazine available to show the attendees and encourage them to subscribe to it. Displays other NECC materials, such as Meditation Guides, and has order forms available for these materials. The NEC contact information is or 6

10 Food Coordinator The number of meals to be offered depends on the time of the program. The meals for a Friday evening through Saturday afternoon program will differ from what is needed for a single day program. The meals and snacks could be catered, prepared by a committee, or provided by the Cursillistas who will be attending. Many Dioceses, for example, ask participants to bring their own sack lunch and snacks for a one-day program. Arranges for food and drinks available during the day. Supplies utensils, napkins, paper plates, table cloths. Cleans dining area and kitchen. Music Coordinator Recruits musicians. Selects the music in consultation with the Team Leader and Spiritual Advisor. Housing Coordinator Arranges for housing if overnight accommodations are necessary. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE POSITIONS MAY BE ADJUSTED AS APPROPRIATE. THE TALKS There are six talks with program content and talk outlines offered in this resource booklet. The local Movement may wish to substitute other talks that address areas of local concern and need, such as a talk on The Servant Community. The suggested order of the talks and the titles of the talks may be changed. A talk called Personal Contact and Sponsorship could combine content from two of the talks into one. 7

11 The Format of the Talks Each presented talk is intended to be delivered by an individual speaker. Talks should be limited to 15 minutes. Each talk is followed by table discussion. If the group is small, a general discussion would be an appropriate alternative. These talks should not be known as Rollos or to the speakers as Rollistas. English terms are preferable. Remember, we are beyond the Three Day Weekend now! Be open to the workings of the Holy Spirit as the community reflects on the talks. A few minutes of additional discussion may be needed to deepen the participants understanding of the topic. Keep in mind that the DDU is about a deeper understanding of the Cursillo Movement. The talk assignments are at the discretion of the Team Leader with advice from the Spiritual Advisor. When selecting people for the talks, make sure that they are living the Fourth Day and are active leaders who are knowledgeable regarding the subject they are presenting. The Content of the Talks The First Talk: THE INSTRUCTIONAL ULTREYA This talk introduces the basic Ultreya in detail in addition to having the Cursillistas experience an Ultreya. The Floating Group reunion, the lay witness talk, and the responses essential for an Ultreya are explained and demonstrated. The format presented here may also be used as an instructed ultreya for geographic or parish ultreyas. See the NEC library booklet entitled Ultreya. 8

12 The Second Talk: THE ROLE AND STRUCTURE OF THE MOVEMENT IN THE CHURCH This talk should be given by the Bishop of the Diocese or the Spiritual Advisor for the Cursillo Movement in the Diocese. If neither of these persons is available, the talk may be given by the DDU Spiritual Advisor or a clergy person active in Cursillo. If no clergy person is available, a lay person immersed in the subject, using the provided outline, can give the talk. This talk helps the participant understand that Cursillo is a Movement of the whole Church and that its purpose is identical to the purpose of the Church. The talk should introduce the Pastoral Plan for the Movement in the diocese. The talk also includes a discussion of the structure and purpose of the Secretariat, the General Council, the National Episcopal Cursillo Committee, and the Servant Community. See NEC Library booklets: What is Cursillo?, Secretariat, Pastoral Plan, and Servant Community The Third Talk: THE THREE DAY WEEKEND This is a talk given by a layperson. The purpose of this talk is to explain why Cursillo uses the format of the Weekend and the place of the Weekend in the total structure of the Movement. The goals and purposes of each of the days should be explained as well as how the various Rollos and meditations contribute to the goals and purposes. (Note: This talk should include the handout, The Flow of the Three Day Message, available from the National Episcopal Cursillo Office.) See NEC Library booklet Authentic 3 Day Weekend The Fourth Talk: THE 4 TH DAY: THE GROUP REUNION, ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP REUNION, RULE OF LIFE AND SPIRITUAL DIRECTION This lay or clergy talk repeats some of the content of the Group Reunion talk on the Weekend. The major emphasis is on helping people understand the importance of the Group Reunion to the Christian life. This talk encourages everyone to become a member of a group reunion. The presenter should also encourage each person to follow a personal rule of life 9

13 and seek spiritual direction. The talk introduces environmental group reunions as a means of reaching out into specific environments. An environmental group reunion includes persons who share an environment and meet together in Christ to encourage, support, and witness in that environment (i.e. workplace). If individuals are not in a reunion group, some assistance may be provided to help them get into a group. (Note: This talk uses the Group Reunion Order of Reunion card as a reference that is available from the National Episcopal Cursillo Office.) See NEC Library booklets Group Reunion, Spiritual Direction and Rule of Life service sheet The Fifth Talk: PERSONAL CONTACT TECHNIQUE This lay talk emphasizes that effective apostolic action is a planned, intentional act which takes place one-on-one in a context of prayer, sensitivity, and Christian love for the other person. See NEC Library booklet Personal Contact Techniques The Sixth Talk: SPONSORSHIP The purpose of this lay talk is to develop effective and responsible sponsorship practices in the local community by laying out the ideal approach to sponsorship. Sponsorship does not end with the Weekend but continues throughout life. Another emphasis should be how quality sponsorship affects the effectiveness of the Cursillo Movement in the Diocese and in the greater Church. See NEC Library booklet Sponsorship 10

14 SUGGESTED PROGRAM SCHEDULES The program schedule that follows should be viewed as a suggested format only. The program should be adjusted to the needs of the local community and the dynamics of the particular day as it unfolds. The talks are arranged and scheduled in a manner that allows them to build upon each other. Two suggested schedules are given one for an evening and succeeding full day. The other is for a single day program. Evening and Full-Day Program Evening 7:00 pm Registration, fellowship, and music. 8:00 pm Opening remarks/housekeeping details, etc. 8:15 pm First Talk Instructed Ultreya 9:30 pm Compline Following Full Day 6:30 am Wake Up 7:15 am Morning Prayer 7:45 am Breakfast 8:30 am Second Talk 8:45 am Table Discussion/General Discussion 9:05 am Break 9:15 am Third Talk 9:30 am Discussion 9:50 am Break 10:00 am Music 10:15 am Fourth Talk 10:30 am Discussion 10:50 am Fifth Talk 11:05 am Discussion 11:25 am Noonday Prayers 11:35 am Break and Lunch 12:30 pm Sixth Talk 12:45 pm Discussion 1:05 pm Summary/General Question and Answer Session 1:30 pm Eucharist 2:30 pm Dismissal 11

15 Single Day Program 8:00 am Registration, Coffee, Fellowship and Music 8:30 am Morning Prayer 9:00 am Opening Remarks/Housekeeping details, etc. 9:10 am First Talk on Instructed Ultreya Presentation that includes holding an actual Ultreya 10:10 am Break 10:20 am Second Talk 10:35 am Table discussion/general discussion 10:50 am Third Talk 11:05 am Table discussion/general discussion 11:20 am Break 11:30 am Noonday Prayer 11:40 am Lunch 12:20 pm Fourth Talk 12:35 pm Table discussion/general discussion 12:50 pm Fifth Talk 1:05 pm Table discussion/general discussion 1:20 pm Break 1:30 pm Sixth Talk 1:45 pm Table discussion/general discussion 2:00 pm Summary/General Questions and Answer Session 2:20 pm Break 2:30 pm Eucharist 3:30 pm Dismissal 12

16

17 National Episcopal Cursillo 2683 Highway 701 N #4 Conway SC Phone: Toll Free 877-ULTREYA Fax: necoffice@episcopalcursillo.org