WORLD ULTREYA OUTCOME RESPONSE LETTER
Dear Friends:
We did it again! We gathered in the name of Jesus... We got to meet people we’d never seen or heard from/about before, but with whom we have so much in common. And we got to meet in person, people we’d heard from/about before, in this world of distant communication, but who were only a name for many of us.
We did it within the normality of our lives… Enjoying the friendship we shared with one another. Sharing our intent of bringing the gospel, incarnated in us, to those with whom we share the square meter were God planted us, (as Eduardo Bonnín would say) “…so they know that Christ loves them…” The very basics of our Foundational Charisma!
The event itself could be defined in different ways. The same as we define the (personal) Cursillo each one of us got to experience. It was a wonderful experience! It had (like our Cursillo) the joy and the meaning each one of us put in and harvest from it, and it had the individual blessings that The Holy Spirit sent our way. Some are yet to be discovered, as we look back and reflect on the experience we had this time, and especially on its theme.
In our current times, we often experience gatherings were the central figure is some well known pop star, some well known band or sport team, etc. In those a common element is often the flashy, artificial presentations. An Ultreya, or any Cursillo activity is far from a flashy artificial show… It is a gathering where the central element is sharing our love for Christ & one another, to encourage one another to continue, to carry on… in one word “ULTREYA!”
We started the Ultreya in prayer, guided by Mons. Tod D. Brown, Bishop of the Diocese of Orange, CA. Minutes later, we gathered in small Group Reunions, to reflect on the theme of our Ultreya.
Following the Group Reunions, Juan Ruíz, President of the Executive Committee of the OMCC gave a formal welcome, sprinkled with words about his time (and of his team) in the Committee. A tenure which will conclude at the end of this year. In the next stage of our Ultreya, we got to hear the recognition and support from the Holy See, through the message from our Pope Benedict XVI, and through the words of Prof. Guzman Carriquiry Under secretary of the Pontificial Council for the Laity. During Mass, in his Homiliy, Card. Sandoval Iñiguez, the OMCC’s Episcopal Advisor, reminded us of the basics of our Charisma and the most basic needs for us to succeed in our Christian life. We then got to hear how that Christian life becomes flesh in each one of us, as we heard the witnessing from people of different cultural background & different languages. Dale Platteter, Soo Elizabeth Kan, Aireen Macatula, José Salvador Soto Chacón, Tam Nguyen, and Stefania Lucent shared with us a glimpse of their fourth day… All wrapped up by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, national Episcopal Advisor for the US Cursillos.
As the afternoon advanced, the Cursillistas of the World joined in songs, applause, and joy. Our plurality was also manifested in the cultural presentations from different parts of the world. Approaching the end, the crowd emotionally sang together “Que detalle”(what a detail), followed by “Un día a la Vez” (one day at a time), a song that reflects so much our IV Day.
Then, we took time to focus on the work ahead. The seat of the OMCC had been in the United States as the assigned country (according to the protocol) by the members of the North American & Caribean Region. It now moves to another one of the four regions of the world. In this case, it moves to Australia in the Asian /Pacific region. Juan Ruiz introduced to the world the oncoming members of the Executive Committee. They’ll take over the responsibility of leading the OMCC in the next four years. Their tenure will start officially in January 2010. Let’s always pray for the success of their mission.
Our IV World Ultreya approached its closing… The whole crowd exploded with joy! With everyone signing “DE COLORES!” The song that have became the anthem (code word) of the Cursillo Movement... Followed by, the also typical song, “Llegó el Amor” (Love has arrived).
Then it was time to pray again, as we started the Ultreya… As we always do! Let us be thankful to God for making possible this IV World Ultreya.
Let us give thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make it a reality. Let’s give thanks, especially to the Executive Committee of the OMCC that represent the many who worked through the logistics & the hurdles to allow us to gather in one Spirit. Let us be thankful to all of those who joined hands across the horizons, & hearts around the world to pray for the Ultreya. May it fruits linger for years to come.
In closing, let us commit to reflecting on the theme of this IV World Ultreya. Let’s pray that Our Lord would allow us to, every day, re-disco
“ The Beauty of Being a Christian (and) The Joy of Communicating it!
God Bless The Cursillo Movement! Amén!
(hit to move top of page)
~ WORLD ULTREYA 2009 SPECIAL UPDATE ~ 
HIT YOUR PREFERED TOPIC FOR A HYPERLINKWORLD ULTREYA INFORMATION
BOB & ALICE OUTCOME RESPONSE LETTER
DeColores
My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“God is Good - all the time
All the time – God is Good”
Can you imagine 620 Spanish, Vietnamese, Filipino, Korean, Canadian and English speaking Cursillistas chanting this beautiful expression of their love of the Lord together? Well, Bob and I had the pleasure to be witness to it. We just returned from attending the National Cursillo and the World Ultreya held in California. It will be very difficult for me to put my feelings into words, but you know me I will give it a try. First of all it was one of the most exciting and joyous Cursillo events we ever attended. To begin we had a speaker sharing his witness of conversion as did St Paul. Powerful! Then there were three witnesses on Piety (Holiness), Study (Formation) and finally Action (Evangelization). They are being sent to me via email and I will in turn forward them on to you for you to read for yourselves. After each talk we broke into small groups and shared amongst ourselves which was wonderful because we met other Cursillistas from throughout the US and Canada. Following our discussion a representative from each group shared to all what they came away with. It was so incredible.
That evening we attended the “Fiesta”. This was a Blast! There were singers and dancers from every nationality performing. The highlight was a group of young Korean men and women doing a dance to a rock song called “Superman”. It was so upbeat and the best was their Pastor lead them dressed as they were in their Superman outfits. Too funny!
Like our Cursillo Weekends the food was incredible and once again you were given an opportunity to meet and share with other Cursillistas.
The final day was when we were bussed to the World Ultreya where we were part of the 5,000 Cursillistas that attended. They were from Europe, Australia, Asia, South America etc etc. It brought tears to your eyes and warmth to your heart to be part of such an experience. We received a message from the Pope, attended Mass with 4 Bishops and 150 priests and Deacons. The mass was incredible to watch, attend and be part of. Afterwards we heard witnesses from Cursillistas both young and old like we do in our own Ultreya. All sharing in their own native tongue.
I could go on and on about the three days we experienced but what I truly hope for is that all of you will be able to attend a National Encounter or World Ultreya someday. It would really be cool if the Diocese of Venice as a group could attend like so many other groups did. The next National Encounter is in Kansas from 7/29-8/1/2010 and the World Ultreya will be in Australia in 4 years. What a vacation that would be!
So let’s pray that we will be well represented at both.
Thank you for all your prayers because we truly felt God’s presence each and every moment we were in California.
God Bless,
Alice Hofer
Proud Lay Director
Diocese of Venice
(hit to move top of page)
