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Specifics of Pastoral Plan
PASTORAL PLAN FOR THE ENGLISH CURSILLO MOVEMENT OF THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE
OF ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA
The goal of the Cursillo Movement is the apostolic renewal of our society. Cursillistas are encouraged to participate actively and intentionally in the ministry of evangelization.
Cursillistas should develop their personal spirituality and live in a way that is fundamental to being a Christian. Group Reunion and Ultreya offer support to those who have made the three-day Cursillo weekend.
Our local movement strives to maintain the spirit of Cursillo in its implementation in accordance with national norms and directives.
We are committed to growing in holiness and mission in accord with the vision of our Bishop.
THE PRECURSILLO
Goal: Educate and prepare sponsors.
Objectives- To emphasize the importance of prayer in discerning who would be a good candidate to go on a Cursillo weekend.
- To challenge sponsors to be mentors who live the Cursillo method.
- To make sponsors aware of their responsibilities toward their candidates: attend Grand Ultreyas with them, assist them in joining a
- Group Reunion, and encourage their attendance at regular Ultreyas.
- To encourage parish representatives and group reunions to work together in seeking qualified candidates for a Cursillo weekend.
Strategies
- Send revised diocesan sponsorship guidelines to all sponsors. Have copies of the sponsor booklet available at Ultreyas and School of Leaders.
- Schedule workshops for sponsors as part of the School of Leaders.
- Have PreCursillo Committee members acquaint themselves with sponsors through personal interviews.
- Remind sponsors that they should be in a Group Reunion and faithful in attending Ultreya.
Goal: Emphasize the evangelization of the personal environments of Cursillistas.
Objectives- To prayerfully identify individuals who are natural leaders in their environments and who could be asked to make a Cursillo.
- To modify the current age distribution of Cursillistas to reach candidates in the 25 to 50 age group. Identify potential candidates in: parish RCIA and retreat groups; Parish Councils; other diocesan and parish programs.
- To uphold a consistent description of the Movement and the Cursillo weekend for potential candidates at formal information nights to be developed and scheduled by parish representatives and area coordinators.
- To expand the Cursillo community in Schuylkill and Carbon Counties.
Strategies
- Meet with the PreCursillo Area Coordinators to provide assistance and support for PreCursillo objectives and activities.
- Designate a parish representative for each parish to assist area coordinators in establishing information nights, and to be sponsor contacts.
- Schedule information nights proactively in the five deaneries of the Diocese of Allentown.
- Encourage veteran Cursillistas at Ultreyas and School of Leaders to seek potential candidates through personal contact.
THE CURSILLO
Goal: Select and prepare carefully the teams that serve our weekends.
Objectives- To populate the team selection committee and teams with members representing all diocesan geographical areas.
- To ensure that Cursillistas who serve on teams are well grounded in the movement and exhibit the qualities of idealism, charity and self-surrender.
- To have team members commit to attendance at team meetings and Ultreyas.
Strategies
- Select team members who meet required criteria from the Cursillo community. Criteria should include pursuit of holiness and
- witness to a life in service to Christ.
- Choose team members based on their experience and their participation in Fourth Day activities, including School of Leaders, Group Reunion and Ultreya.
Goal: Complete team formation, facility and resource preparation and the three-day Cursillo weekend.
Objectives- To produce schedules and communicate progress and changes for team formation, talk reviews, and candidate transportation.
- To select participants to serve on Hearing Committees, who will review and honestly evaluate talks. Members must clearly communicate changes speakers must make..
- To secure facility and resource requirements, information manuals and hand-outs for the Cursillo weekend.
Strategies
- Schedule Masses and community prayer services; encourage Palanca to support Christ-like team formation and a successful Cursillo weekend.
- Schedule and conduct required meetings to develop the goals of the Cursillo.
- Determine and secure needed resources including facilities and inventory.
- Document and communicate schedules, schedule changes, manuals, and resource (inventory) schedules.
- Support and encourage Cursillistas to be apostolic Christians who have a unified vision of how to bring Christian life to environments.
THE POSTCURSILLO
Goal: Assist new Cursillistas in their Fourth Day.
Objectives- To provide the means of support for Cursillistas to live the Christian life within their own unique place where God planted them.
- To guide new Cursillistas to a small group with whom to meet regularly to share their respective fourth days.
- To have sponsors, team members and Post Cursillo work together in assisting new Cursillistas to integrate the method of Cursillo into a way of life.
Strategies
- Provide support and encouragement for Cursillistas through witness speakers at Ultreyas.
- Promote environmental group reunions, and the opening of group reunions to other, new Cursillistas.
- Promote a more active and permanent Fourth Day via personal communication with new Cursillistas.
- Integrate all Cursillistas into an expanded communication network (telephone tree, web page, e-mail)
Goal: Ensure a link between the School of Leaders, Group Reunions and Ultreyas to encourage apostolic action.
Objectives- To encourage Cursillistas to work toward their individual, ongoing conversion..
- To promote vibrant group reunions that use the Cursillo method.
- To provide for Ultreya in each major area of the diocese.
- To prepare workshops that teach the Cursillo method to new Cursillistas, as well as provide support to veteran Cursillistas.
Strategies
- Seek witness talks from members of the School of Leaders.
- Provide workshops for Ultreya leadership.
- Seek ways to support and facilitate entry into the Fourth Day for new Cursillistas.
- Encourage members of the Secretariat and interested Cursillistas to attend regional and national meetings.
Goal: Promote Palanca as an integral part of the life of the Cursillo community.
Objectives- To aid the spiritual growth of Cursillistas through acts of Palanca for others.
- To encourage Palanca for the movement and its leaders..
Strategies
- Emphasize the importance of Palanca in the Fourth Day by the spoken and written word..
- Utilize an active prayer chain to provide ongoing Palanca within the Cursillo community.
Goal: Actively pursue the involvement of clergy and religious at Ultreyas and other gatherings.
Objectives- To increase personal contact with clergy and religious in order to promote the Cursillo movement.
- To increase opportunities for spiritual direction for interested Cursillistas.
Strategies
- Deliver message consistently regarding events and activities within the Cursillio community.
- Invite our Cursillistas priests to extend invitations to other priests to make a Cursillo weekend.
- Create opportunities for contact by personal invitation.
- Promote knowledge of Cursillo and spirituality by maintaining contact through e-mail, letters, fax, telephone calls and the Cursillo web site.
- Emphasize the role of Ultreya coordinators in communicating with the community.
THE SCHOOL OF LEADERS
Goal: Provide a core group of leaders who are committed to being a community of service to the Movement.
Objectives- To prepare leaders who serve the needs of the Ultreyas.
- To prepare leaders who give life to the whole movement.
- To prepare leaders who guide the movement and are faithful in fulfilling the purpose of the Cursillo.
Strategy
- Encourage Cursillistas to be leaders who infuse their home, workplace and social environments with the Christian message.
Goal: Encourage, empower and train leaders in the Movement.
Objectives- To prepare leaders who work to develop a loving, vibrant community.
- To nourish and charge individuals to be infused with Christ and have a desire to lead.
- To invite Cursillistas who have a willingness to serve the movement to participate in one of the sections of Cursillo.
Strategies
- Provide grounding in spirituality, methodology, doctrine, Christian community, formation and the Cursillo mentality.
- Develop a common vision among members.
- Encourage more involvement in National and Regional Encounters.
- Encourage subscription to ULTREYA magazine.
Goal: Stimulate an interest in Cursillistas to attend the School of Leaders.
Objectives- To have veteran Cursillistas promote a renewed understanding of Cursillo methods.
- To develop a resource of leaders for future Secretariat and team positions.
Strategies
- Foster a renewed understanding of the School of Leaders among all Cursillistas.
- Initiate personal contact and invitation to the School.
- Welcome and encourage all Cursillistas in their Fourth Day.
- Encourage Ultreya coordinators and Parish Representatives to attend the School.
- Ensure that a doctrinal talk by a spiritual director is given at each School of Leaders.
Goal: Provide well-grounded individuals for positions of responsibility in the Movement.
Objectives- To populate the Secretariat with women and men who represent all areas of the diocese.
- To populate the sections of Cursillo with members from different backgrounds and experience.
Strategy
- Choose all Secretariat members from active Group Reunions and the School of Leaders.
Goal: Develop leaders to form a stronger community.
Objectives- To provide opportunities for a progressive state of conversion for all Cursillistas through the School of Leaders.
- To evangelize more environments through the activities of the School of Leaders.
Strategies
- Encourage Cursillistas to commit to ongoing formation by attending the School..
- Implement the plan for penetration of environments through a combined effort of all Cursillistas.
- Support the preparation of candidates who can be leaders in society and in the Movement.
- By word and action, demonstrate to clergy the value of Cursillo to their priesthood; encourage all priests to have the laity consider becoming Cursillistas.
THE SECRETARIAT
Goal: Oversee the authenticity of the Diocesan Cursillo Movement and unify its activities, while encouraging and leading with a spirit of service.
Objectives- To select members from various areas of the diocese who are willing to guide the movement prayerfully and selflessly.
- To manage the organizational business of the movement.
- To embrace the diocesan Cursillo Pastoral Plan and work on its goals.
- To be responsive to the Bishop's call to holiness and mission, as well as to the goals set by National Cursillo and Region II.
- To encourage and assist Cursillistas who are living the Fourth Day in a secular world.
- To empower the School of Leaders to guide the movement onward into the future.
Strategies
- Share responsibilities of leadership by setting and respecting term limits of members.
- Prepare an annual report for the Bishop, which can serve as the basis for a meeting with him.
- Encourage Secretariat participation in Regional and National Encounters.
- Critique the Pastoral Plan annually and keep the community informed of its goals.
- Promote the School of Leaders and its agenda through every communication means possible.
- Secretariat approved