By Megan Erbacher
The Message editor
For the past 50 years, Bishop Joseph M. Siegel said the Cursillo Movement has had a major role in bringing Christ’s love to countless people in the Diocese of Evansville.
On Aug. 10, Bishop Siegel celebrated Mass, a Grand Ultreya, at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Cursillo in the Diocese. A Grand Ultreya is held annually for Cursillistas to join in worship and enjoy fellowship to “keep on going” or continue growing in their faith. Cursillo is defined as a “short course in Christianity,” according to Cursillistas.
Before Mass, Father Alex Zenthoefer, Diocesan Vicar General and Rector of St. Benedict Cathedral, welcomed Bishop Siegel and everyone present, including the Cursillo community.
“We’re certainly grateful for your presence, and we’re happy you joined us for the Eucharist this evening,” he said.
During his homily, Bishop Siegel said through the Cursillo methodology of make a friend, be a friend and lead a friend to Christ, many Cursillistas, their spouses, families and parishes have been impacted by their deeper encounter with Christ and the church. He continued and explained that as the Diocese works to establish pastoral priorities for the next five years, the Cursillo methodology helped inspire a pastoral emphasis on encountering, deepening and engaging in the work of evangelization.
Bishop Siegel shared a brief history of how Cursillo was born in the Diocese. He said a debt of gratitude is owed to the late Father Bill Lautner, who first taught and learned about the Cursillo Movement in 1970. A year later, Father Lautner invited other diocesan priests to join him for a weekend trip to Owensboro, Kentucky, to introduce others to the Cursillo Movement.
With the support and encouragement of then Bishop Francis R. Shea, and the hard work and promotion of his fellow fervent priests, the Diocese of Evansville hosted its first Cursillo weekend in 1974 led by teams from Owensboro. The Owensboro teams then trained local parishioners in our Diocese who continued to train many more over the years.
Through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Bishop Siegel said this small beginning produced tremendous fruit, and over the past five decades, nearly 215 weekends have been held, and more than 6,670 people, including 185 clergy and religious, have participated. In recent years, Cursillo has also impacted our Hispanic community and hosted nearly 15 Spanish weekends.
For many diocesan permanent deacons, lay ecclesial ministers and Teens Encounter Christ adult leaders, Bishop Siegel explained participation in Cursillo was formational in their spiritual renewal and set them on the path to service in the church.
Bishop Siegel thanked God for the rich harvest of the past 50 years of Cursillo and expressed gratitude to all who have answered God’s call to accomplish the good work of the Cursillo Movement. As he’s learned how many months of preparation are required for each Cursillo weekend, along with the time often required from work and family for the weekend itself, Bishop Siegel said he is deeply impressed by the depth of the faith-filled commitment shown by all involved.
On behalf of the Diocese of Evansville, Bishop Siegel offered thanks to Cursillistas, and he said he prays God may continue to bless them in their good work for the next 50 years.
After Mass, a gathering, which included dinner, music and guest speakers, followed in St. Benedict School.
To learn more about the Cursillo Movement, visit evansvillecursillo.com.
