Ft. Wayne-South Bend Diocese Cursillo - Sponsor Guidelines


	Sponsorship Guidelines for the Diocese of Fort Wayne/ South Bend Cursillo Movement To be a sponsor is a privilege as well as a serious Christian responsibility. Sponsoring someone for a Cursillo (short course in Christianity) is not a haphazard circumstance. It should be deliberate act to make Jesus Christ part of our daily life. Therefore, you must know your candidates very well. Before sponsoring a candidate, a number of important items need to be considered. Whom to Sponsor? - The Candidate Remember that Cursillo is a movement of the Catholic Church, not just a weekend experience. The candidate should be a person who will lead in the transformation of his/her environments to Christ. The weekend is not for someone who is looking only for a retreat experience and is unwilling to make a commitment to the Cursillo Movements' Fourth Day of life, i.e. using Group Reunion and Ultreyas to help persevere in his/her efforts to live the Christian life. It is also important to remember what Cursillo is Not. It is not group therapy for emotional problems. It is not a cure-all for personal problems. The Cursillo movement recommends that out of love and fairness to those having problems, they should be referred to people with the proper training. Whom to sponsor should always be a result of discerning prayer. How to Sponsor? What should potential Candidates be told? Prior to giving a potential candidate an application, each sponsor should explain the 3 day weekend, e.g., several talks by lay people and spiritual directors, discussions and sharing after each talk, meditations, liturgies, reconciliation and the Cursillo method of Piety, Study and Action. Stress the beauty and importance of living the Fourth Day. Take your candidate to Ultreyas before you give him or her an application. Invite him or her to join your group reunion. Important: The Cursillo is not a secret- never imply that it is. Co-Sponsors are recommended. "The Fundamental Ideas of the Cursillo Movement," the basic book of the worldwide Cursillo movement, says: "It really should be a group or a community that sponsors and supports the candidate, because the living witness of community life adds so much to the effectiveness of the preparation. The ideal would be for the candidate to be already a part of a community conducive to his or her union with other Cursillistas in the post-Cursillo. Co-sponsors are essential for all Cursillistas, especially for those who plan to sponsor a candidate who is not from within your parish or Ultreya community. A co-sponsor from the candidates’ local community will help with the necessary Fourth Day contacts after the weekend. If group or co-sponsorship is not possible, the sponsor can be an individual. But for new Cursillistas, it is recommended that you be active in your Fourth Day Group Reunion and / or Ultreya for at least 6 months after your Cursillo weekend before taking on this responsibility. It is highly recommended that they be a co-sponsor who has been following the Fourth Day life for a number of years. Applications If you have discussed Cursillo with both spouses and both wish to make a Cursillo, applications should be submitted at the same time. Although applicants are called to be candidates based on the dates their applications were received, every effort is made to get the spouses on the two closest available weekends. After a potential candidate completes application, and the sponsor completes the sponsor application, forward both to Mr. Donald Napoli 1841 Adams Street, South Bend. In. 46628. A deposit of $25 should accompany the application. The balance of $100 is due from either the sponsor or applicant by the weekend. The $125 covers the cost of meals and lodging during the Cursillo weekend. What are the Commitments of Sponsorship Actively attending Group Reunion, Ultreyas, and Cursillo activities (such as closings) to grow in Christ with the community and to reinforce oneself for expressing the gospel messages through actions and words within ones’ environment. Prayerfully select those persons who will lead in the transformation of their environment to Christ, and then be willing to sponsor people for the 3-day Cursillo, and, if necessary, help the candidate shoulder the cost of the weekend. Transport your candidate to the Cursillo site on Thursday evening of the weekend and introduce your candidate to a weekend team member. Ensure your candidate has had dinner before arrival for the weekend. Attend the Cursillo Closing on Sunday evening and provide transportation home for the new Cursillista. Help the new Cursillista find a Group Reunion. It is best to do this before the weekend. Introduce your candidate to Ultreya before and/or after the weekend. Actively support the new Cursillista in the Fourth Day for at least 6 months, through prayer, frequent contact, encouragement to attend Cursillo activities, etc. "Make a Friend. Be a Friend. Bring your friend to Christ"