A NOTE FROM FATHER JAY REGARDING AN IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTOR TO TRENTON CURSILLO HISTORY

I recently discovered that Mary Ellen Cortright, of Wagram, North Carolina, died from cancer last month, October 2013. Please remember Mary Ellen and her family in your prayers. Mary Ellen had suffered from various injuries and health issues going back to when she and her husband, Deacon Bill Cortright lived here in Matawan and later in Brick, NJ. The past year there in NC, Mary Ellen was in and out of the hospital, and St. Joseph's Rehab Center where Bill serves as chaplain, several times over the course of many months. She suffered from breast cancer, and during the time of chemo treatment afterwards, a severe infection developed in her foot and ankle, resulting in amputation. But, the cancer spread, and she died from cancer this past October.

BILL AND MARY ELLEN CORTRIGHT more than anyone else are the persons God used to bring Cursillo to the English speaking people in the Diocese of Trenton. Bill and Mary Ellen and their three children, Cheryl, Bill Jr. and Bob moved from the area and Diocese of Buffalo, NY, to Manalapan, St. Thomas More, parish. Using the marvelous tool of Group Reunion, Bill and Mary Ellen began the prayerful process that led eventually to Cursillo #1 and #2 at the former Divine Word Seminary in Bordentown. (Our first " home "...nostalgia reigns ! )

Bill was grouping with a wonderful and holy man, the late Don Roudebush of Matawan, in NYC where they both worked. Bill knew a nun, Sister Anne Campanella of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Freehold, who was taking guitar lessons from him, and who had also previously made a Cursillo weekend. Well, Sister Anne knew a priest, Father Henry Hemmerling, who at that time was associate pastor at St. Anthony's in Hightstown, and who was the confessor for the nuns at St. Rose of Lima. Sister Anne knew Henry had made a Cursillo, so she told him what was beginning to happen. Well, Father Henry had made his Cursillo a few years previously in in 19767 in Brooklyn, NY. And, Father Jay Bowden had lived the same weekend there at St. Paul's Cursillo Center on Humboldt St. in Brooklyn.

So, Bill & Mary Ellen, Don ( & maybe his wife Patty ??), Sr. Anne, Fathers Henry Hemmerling and Jay Bowden, together with Father Jim Lynch, who Bill knew from NYC or North Jersey, together with Paul Richard and Mary Doty were, to the best of Father Jay's recollection and belief, the Original Group Reunion members who went to Bishop George Ahr in Trenton to get his blessing -- and some seed funds -- to begin the English speaking Cursillo in the Diocese of Trenton. Trenton Cursillo #1 was held at the SVD Seminary in Bordentown May 15 -18, 1972 ( Pentecost Weekend ) and #2 was June 8 - 11, 1972. There were two more weekends in 1972, and Trenton #5 and #6 were in January and February 1973 - " The times, they are a-changin'" as the song says !

My point here is that MARY ELLEN CORTRIGHT, together with Bill (he was ordained deacon later, in 1977 ), were so very instrumental in the beginnings and the first several years of Trenton Cursillo ! She was a wonderful lady, apostle, and friend !

Regarding the beginning Group Reunion above - I don't think that Patty Roudebush, Don's lovely wife, was part of that Group Reunion, though she was part of the early days of Trenton Cursillo. Don & Paddy had lived their weekends in Kansas City prior to 1971; I remember -- pretty sure, unless it was just wishful thinking on my part -- Don telling me that the SACRAMENTS TALKS on their weekend were SEVEN hours total in length !!

Frank and Sally McGough, who I think perhaps had made Cursillo in Philadelphia (?) were in early leadership, as were Bill & Chris Grippo who either made #1 & 2 here, or perhaps had made their weekends in Newark Diocese -- I think that is the case, but I'm not sure. But they were not in the original group reunion, to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Bill's address is: 28900 Honeysuckle Court, Wagram, North Carolina 28396 Phone # ( 910) 369-3595 and his email address is: CortrightW@windstream.net

De Colores, Father Jay

Mary Ellen's Obituary can be found at this link.

FOR YOUR ACTION

From the Parish family of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold, New Jersey, 07728

Third Annual "Christmas Carol Festival"

Pope Francis recently said “I see clearly that the thing the church needs most today is the ability to heal wounds and to warm the hearts of the faithful; it needs nearness, proximity.”  Spending time with our church family gives us hope and lifts our spirits. One way we can come together to celebrate our common beliefs is to be a part of our third annual Christmas Carol Festival. Experience the joy of our holiday with an evening of singing favorite Christmas Carols and sharing precious memories.

Do you know someone who's been away from the Church? What a wonderful way to invite them to join you in a night of caroling and storytelling. Please feel free to personally invite them to this special evening, as we prepare for the great feast of Christ’s birth.

This year the Christmas Carol Festival will be held on Friday, December 6th. We will begin outdoors with the lighting of our new parish Christmas tree at 7:15 PM and will move indoors to the Parish Center for the remainder of the program, which should conclude at about 9:00 PM with fellowship and light refreshments.

Please R.S.V.P. at: comehome@strobert.com. 

Those of you who have been with us the last two years, know what a very special evening we shared. We would love to have you and your family join us again on December 6th!

TRENTON 123 WOMEN'S WEEKEND

Below is the latest palanca list and weekend information:

TO DOWNLOAD THE PALANCA LIST, CLICK HERE

Women’s Weekend  - Trenton 123

Theme:  Imitate Mary, Become Like Jesus and Live for the Triune God

November 21-24

Candidates/Sponsors:

Bayshore

Gail Sonatore / Janet Moscuzza

Forked River

Marilyn Stufano / Hilary/Gordon Reinold and Linda Capobianco

Lakewood/Brick

Soledad Fox / Mary Weis
Olivia Mata / Mary Weis

Ann-Marie Miragliotta / Jean Tierney

Pennington

Diane Negri / Kimberly Moore

Tinton Falls

Juliana Chemali / Pat Burke

Team:

Rectora: Marie Garrett (Beyond Cursillo/Total Security)

Assistant Rectora: Kathy Tucker (Piety)

Assistant Rectora in Training: Paddy Morris (Leaders)

Father Ed Blanchett: Spiritual Advisor

Sister Clara Schroeder: Spiritual Advisor

Auxiliaries: 

Peggy Fleming (Study)

Joanne Hendersen (Christianity in Action)

Jean Tierney (Action)

Liturgist: Pat Burke

Angel: Adelaide Sangiorgi  (Study of the Environments)

Prayer: Terri D’Andrea (Laity)

Palanca: Bonnie Carcionne (Ideals)

Weekend Information:

Opening - to welcome our candidates.  Thursday November 21 @ 7:30PM @ Stella Maris

Note: All Palanca must be brought to Stella Maris on Thursday night.

Saturday Holy Hours: Check with your ulteya for local plans

Closura -  to greet the new Babe Chicks!  Sunday November 24 @ 3PM @ Stella Maris

Note - a Closura is the closing of a weekend without a Mass.  Please attend Mass at your parish.

A NOTE FROM OUR LAY DIRECTOR by Ronnie Martella

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Yesterday, at the Region 2 Encounter, I began my report on the Diocese of Trenton in this way- I told those present that we have a women's weekend scheduled for next month and that we are still praying for candidates but we will serve whoever the Lord sends to us!  And what servants our team members are.  Their yes to the Lord is whole hearted with no room for what they want-only room to serve. 

YES- we will have a women's weekend.  But there is room for more candidates! We heard a lot at the Region 2 Encounter about our "moveable square meter" that surrounds us and is our environment.  Juan Ruiz, Spanish language coordinator for National Cursillo, spoke to us about the Charism of the Movement and the moveable square meter and friendship were at the core of his talks.

I used the computer to find out how big a square meter is.  According to one place it is a square with sides of 39 inches, 39 inches.  That is not much bigger than a yardstick.  So for me the word moveable is the key.  When our son Arthur was 9 he played a little baseball with the local PAL league.  He learned more there about sportsmanship and enjoying the game than he did about how to play.  I went to pick him up after one practice and the coaches all came running toward me..."He's ok, he's ok" they kept saying.  Why wouldn't he be ok I was thinking -  then I saw him with a fat upper lip and two broken front teeth.  It seems that when the ball was popped up near Arthur, he looked up, and stuck out his glove.  But the ball wasn't headed for his glove, it was headed  for his mouth.  He never moved they told me and took one in the face.  

Last Friday the department I belong to at work had an off site that involved a picnic (yes it was cold and windy but we are hardy group!) and games.  One of them that I was in was the frisbee toss.  The team next to me and my partner were two guys I know, great guys, very competive.  During the warm-up (in every sense of the words) and practice one would toss it and the other would run to where it was going to be (not easy on a windy day).  But when that guy threw it back, the other guy would put out his arm and never really move.  The one who threw it was YELLING - "YOU HAVE TO MOVE!!!!"  Now I have to tell you, the guy who never really moved is a great soccer player!  He can run!  But this wasn't his game.  And maybe sometimes the "winds" of life blow things around, away from where we want them or think they should be- we adjust.  Remember the quote from Sir William Arthur Ward - 

"The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails."

Maybe this isn't the way you have thought about environments but like my co-worker (who started to move and they went on to do well) we can learn, we can try a new way and see where the Holy Spirit leads us!  

So you get it - we have to move.  The square meter that is our environment will go with us and when it/you come into contact with someone and say hello, smile, strike up a conversation or continue one with someone you already know, evangelization is happening.  We say "Make a friend, be a friend and bring that friend to CHRIST!"  Not necessarily to Cursillo.  But we must be open and aware for the time when Jesus says to us, "Now, this friend is ready to discover or to deepen their relationship with Me.  Please bring them along so I may gift them as I have gifted you."

More later on the Region 2 Encounter but for now, please get any applications you have to Lisa Klarmann at 18 Tomahawk Dr, Burlington, NJ 08016.   And pass this along to everyone you know in Cursillo especially those who do not have e-mail.

I know you are lifting up the teams and candidates with PALANCA - prayer and sacrifice wrapped up in love.  Let us lift them even higher!

De Colores,

Ronnie

SCHOOL of LEADERS SUMMARY by Rick Klarmann, Assistant Lay Director

You should have been there! Wow!

Two powerful talks by Sister Clara Schroeder and Mary Weiss.  I can honestly say that I came to School of Leaders exhausted but left refreshed. 

We started the evening off with prayer and meditation led by Pat Ivanko.  Then, after having small group reunion, we heard Sister Clara talk about Spiritual Direction. She had us with ‘spiritual direction being a journey where we walk with a director who encourages a closer walk with Christ’.  Many times over the past year or so, we have heard about our Fourth Day being a journey. Sister went on to note that a spiritual director helps the directee to recognize God in the everyday.  Routinely we are able to see His presence in the awesome, the sun peeking through the clouds, looking into the face of new born or a loved one, but we can get so busy that we miss Him in the everyday events of our lives.  

Sister Clara shared with us what spiritual direction had been in the past and how it had changed.  At one point spiritual direction was very directive.  The spiritual director would listen and then tell the directee what they needed to do, but that is no longer the normal practice for spiritual direction.  Today it is a journey where, the spiritual director listens to the directee and discerns question that will help the directee into a deeper relationship with God. Some of the world’s religions see spiritual direction in much the same way as Catholics do.  Spiritual directors helps others—individuals or groups to see God working in their lives even in the simplest of events. 

Sister Clara reminded us of the words of James asking, “What good is faith without works?”  Faith is evident in our prayer.  Our willingness to talk to God about everything—our hopes, our needs our fears, what needs to be changed in our lives. We seek answers to all of our questions in prayer and our answers can come through prayer. But once we have discerned what we need to do, we must then act on faith and be willing to follow Gods will for us.  

Spiritual directors walk with us on our journey toward a closer relationship with God, pointing out God’s presence when we are unable to see His working in our life.  And as a companion on that journey they can be that loving reminder of where we are and how far we have come, and can encourage us on. Sister Clara also reminded us, that when we seek a spiritual director to look for one who also seeks spiritual direction.  

Mary Weis then provided the talk on Leadership as a Vocation.  Initially, Mary spoke about characteristics often seen in a leader, e.g. assertive, bold, and confident.  Immediately, I thought about Presidents like Lincoln, and military leaders in our history.  Mary also mentioned other leaders like Steve Jobs.  But then she added other traits of a leader, such as, compassion, humility, charity and others.  Immediately, Mother Theresa came to mind.  Two very different sets of traits belonging to very different types of leaders; Mother Theresa was bold but her boldness came from her inner strength and not the power she wielded.

Mary shared that she had been both kinds of leaders.  She had authority over people and when she asked for something to be done, it was done.  But after making her Cursillo, her leadership style changed—assertiveness mixed with compassion and charity, boldness and confident mixed with humility.  She still wanted things done properly but she also wanted to know more about the people who were doing what she asked.  

Mary reminded us of St Francis who could have been a very powerful and prominent leader in the town of Assisi but chose another path.  Had he followed the path that was available to him, his name might have made one sentence in a paragraph in the history books.  However by leaving all that wealth and power behind he founded a religious order and is one of the most well-known Saints.

These few notes do not do the talks and follow up discussion justice.  We ended the evening with a meditational song and prayer led again by Pat Ivanko.  Between the two talks, Pat was installed as the new Liturgist for Trenton Cursillo replacing Robert Lauricella.  Please join me in welcoming Pat as out new Liturgist and thanking Robert for making the School of Leaders, and Masses joyous occasions.    

Before the evening ended Ronnie gave the news that several of the candidates for the upcoming women’s weekend have said that they could not attend.  She reminded the community that if we are going to have a weekend in November we need additional candidates and would be reaching out to the Ultreyas for any names they may have.  Although this was sobering news, it didn’t change the spirit of the evening.  Yes we have our work cut out for us, but God is with us.  He definitely was in the room with us at School of Leaders.  I can only say that you should have been there!  

God bless, Decolores 

FOR YOUR STUDY

John Toman has written a thoughtful article about voting. It can be found at http://allentownknights.org/

FOR YOUR PIETY

Marty Weisman writes: "The Parish family of St. Robert Bellarmine would like to invite the Cursillo community, to Pray and experience the "Rosary of Healing" for peace and healing in our own lives and throughout the world."

"The month of October is dedicated to the Holy Rosary. The Liturgy Committee and the Legion of Mary of the Parish Family of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold, New Jersey, 07728, invites you to come and Pray the Rosary of Healing for peace and healing in our own lives and around the world, at 7:00 pm in the Church.

Friday, October 4th - The Joyful Mysteries 

Friday, October 11th – The Luminous Mysteries 

Friday, October 18th – The Sorrowful Mysteries 

Friday, October 25th – The Glorious Mysteries 

The recitation of the Healing Rosary combines meditations, music and images and is truly inspirational. It is the perfect way to end a hectic week and begin a weekend. 

Pamphlets will be available in the gathering area of the Church with a guide to Praying the Rosary. Please feel free to take one or more to share with your family and friends. 

Recitation of the Rosary makes us rich in virtue and enables us to live a more serene, peace filled life. We look forward to Praying the Rosary together with our parish family."  

FROM SCHOOL OF LEADERS by Ronnie Martella, Lay Director

Spiritual food for the journey, that is what we need and what School of Leaders provides for us.   Rick opened School by asking us to reflect on this potential situation…someone asks this question “Why would I want to live a Cursillo weekend?”…what would we say?  While grouping we had a chance to share our answer with the others in our group, to clarify in our own mind how we would respond to the question, to get different perspectives and ideas on how we might engage someone in that discussion.  Food for thought, food for the journey.

Sister Simon spoke on prayer- a subject we are all familiar with and yet there is never a time we can’t grow in our prayer life, learn to see it in a different way.  Sister offered the words of   Julian of Norwich,  “The greatest honor we can give Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love.”   Sister then went on to stress some elements of prayer- take yourself where you are, be yourself in prayer and remember sometimes we need to use our will to give ourselves to God.  We need to STOP and give ourselves to God, to be content with the imperfect self.

Next was a talk about friendship from Janet Moscuzza.  She spoke the words we have heard many times, but never tire of hearing, never stop needing to hear…Jesus calls us and He sends us out to make disciples.  Janet noted that some will be friends and some will be acquaintances but all will be those that God has put in our path, our square meter that surrounds us, our environment and we are meant to reflect His love, caring, understanding and friendship.  After listening to Janet, I recommend to you the Book of Sirach, chapter 6 verses 5-17 for more thoughts on friendship.   Friendship is an art, an art we can learn and strengthen, as we move in our environment, being authentic witnesses to God’s presence in our lives.  It is often that witness that will draw others to us.  These people, with whom we find a commonality, are the people God puts in our lives to share our journey with Him and to Him.

The sharing after each talk is a wonderful way to reflect on what we have heard, get even more insights and deepen our relationship with God and our sisters and brothers in Christ.  We may have heard the same words before but each time we hear, share, listen-we are in a different place than the time before and we never know when God will give us what we need, what He has for us to do.  We never know if that conversation, talk, discussion will spark us, move us forward, lighten our load, open us up.  In the words of Dr. Seuss  “Oh The Places You’ll Go!”.   Let’s go together, let’s go with God.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

“The greatest honor we can give Almighty God is to live gladly because of the knowledge of his love.” 

“...the goodness of God is the highest object of prayer and it reaches down to our lowest need.” 

― Julian of Norwich

FOR YOUR ACTION

Our brother and former Trenton Cursillo Lay Director, Len Capobianco writes asking for prayers and help for a new ministry.

He writes: 

“Oh that you would bless me indeed

and, enlarge my territory

that Your hand would be with me,

and, that you would keep me from evil…”

1 Chronicles 4:10 (The Prayer of Jabez)

About three years ago I received a gift which was a book, “The Prayer of Jabez-Breaking through to the Blessed Life”. The second line of the Prayer of Jabez, “and, enlarge my territory” has become part of my daily prayer life. That line refers to ministry as territory. In March of this year I decided to retire as I had suffered another heart attack and thought it was time to sit back and relax. I’ve been praying to our Lord to expand my ministry beyond my current involvement in Kenosis (Prison Ministry). As I ask in my prayer “Lord you know my limitations”. 

On July 24, I set out for Yardville State prison as it was the fourth Wednesday of the month and that is when Kenosis meets with the inmates who have made a Kenosis. That evening is like Ultreya for the Kenosis participants. As has been custom for the past several years I met with one of my Kenosis brothers (from the outside) at Mastoris restaurant for dinner before going into the prison for our 7pm reunion with the inmates. As I sat down at a table I noticed Rev. Ray DuBois having dinner. I went over to Rev. Ray to extend a Christian greeting, and we started to reminisce about the early days of Kairos’ beginning in the late seventies. Rev. Ray was instrumental in getting Kairos started in this state as he was a full time Chaplain in the NJ State Prison system. After exchanging pleasantries Rev. Ray told me that he was currently ministering to veterans suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). Rev. Ray is also a certified counselor who worked for Carrier Clinic for many years. Rev. Ray noted that it would be a wonderful thing if we could put together a “weekend” for the veterans that he is ministering to that are suffering from PTSD. I told Rev. Ray that I would think about that possibility and call him. After our meeting at Mastoris I went to Yardville and after waiting for the normal security check I was denied access as my name was not on the visitors list. That was the first time since 1981 that I was denied access. It was a simple administrative error, but I had traveled nearly forty miles for nothing. Or did I? My thought on the ride home was, Lord are you answering my prayer after three years, (“and enlarge my territory”). Last week after several weeks of prayer I called Rev. Ray and we set up a meeting which we had today. After sharing our thoughts we both determined that such a weekend would be possible, and it could fulfill a serious need in the veteran community. Was my purpose that evening to only meet Rev. Ray DuBois? 

During today’s meeting Rev. Ray said that the weekend would be very similar to a Gennesaret, as the TEAM would have to consist of several counselors who specialize in treating PTSD, along with other veterans who have experienced either, a Cursillo, Tres Dias, or Kairos/Kenosis, and several clergy. The candidates could be veterans that have served in the Viet Nam, Dessert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts that are suffering from PTSD many of which have difficulty with “forgiveness” issues. As Christians, we know that all is possible through the Love of Christ. And so that would be the message/theme of the weekend, FORGIVENESS.

In order to get the weekend started we would need to find a location for a two or three day retreat (two or three days to be determined). A military base that could house the retreat might be the best environment. We would need minimal funding for supplies. Rev. Ray will recruit the PTSD counselors. I am requesting any Cursillo or Tres Dias community with past or present military service who would like to volunteer as part of the team contact me. Clergy does not have to have past military experience, although it would be helpful. Anyone who knows any contacts that may help in any of the requirements or would like to extend their help may contact me.

In closing, I thank you for any consideration you may extend to these needs.

Your Brother in Christ, Len Capobianco  

Len can be reached at (732) 608-7277 (home), (732) 600-1286 (cell) or Lencapo@AOL.com

FOR YOUR ACTION

Marie Garrett writes: "The Pope convokes a day of prayer and penance for peace in Syria." You can read about it HERE.

Patty Baylog alerts us that the Pope is asking for a day of prayer and fasting for peace throughout the world. Details are HERE. 

DIOCESAN MASS THIS FRIDAY NIGHT

A reminder that on this Friday, September 6, 2013 we have Diocesan Mass at St Anthony of Padua, Hightstown NJ @ 8pm. Directions can be found HERE. Please bring a friend!

A MESSAGE FROM LAY DIRECTOR, RONNIE MARTELLA

Make a friend, be a friend, bring that friend to Christ.  We have all heard that many times.  Have you ever noticed that the last line is bring that friend to Christ...to Christ, not to a Cursillo weekend.  But what about candidates for any weekend like the two we have scheduled for November and next February.

If we are a relationship with someone, we share about our life with them and they share theirs with us, if we are supportive and witness to our journey with the Lord, then when the time is right the natural outcome of that relationship might very well be that they are ready to live a Cursillo weekend.

So let us continue to establish relationships with others that will allow for us to share our life in Christ with others.  Invite that person to Ultreya, perhaps a friendship group reunion, Cursillo activity or Diocesan Mass.  And be aware and open for the time to be right for that person to live a Cursillo weekend.

If you have a relationship with someone who is ready, please get that filled out and signed application to your Ultreya leader so they can pass the application on to the Pre-Cursillo section and the information to the Cursillo section. 

As always -  we continue our palanca for the candidates and teams of the upcoming weekends.  Hoang Tran, who is the National Cursillo Service Administrator, said at the National Encounter "Palanca is prayer and sacrifice wrapped in love".  What better description is there of Cursillistas?  How do we continue to serve God; to reach out to others with the best news of the best reality...the Good News of God in our world;  to sacrifice our time, talent, energy?   Because, again from Hoang Tran, our common denominator is...LOVE as sisters and brothers in the Lord.

DeColores,
Ronnie

CALENDAR UPDATE

Please note the September 22 "Igniting the New Evangelization in Your Parish" with Ralph Martin has been cancelled.

FOR YOUR STUDY

An announcement from The Diocese of Trenton's Ministry of Catechesis and Evangelization

Announcing an exciting event you won’t want to miss. Spend time immersed in Catholicism – attend the East Coast Catholic Family Conference on Saturday September 21st. 

• Saturday offers a great slate of Catholic speakers culminating in the celebration of the Mass by Bishop David O'Connell.

2013 EAST COAST CATHOLIC FAMILY CONFERENCE – Saturday, September 21st
from 8:30 am - 6:00 pm @ Sun National Bank Center, 81 Hamilton Ave, Trenton, NJ 08611

“Follow Me: A Call to Authentic Discipleship” featuring:

• Johnnette Benkovic
• Ralph Martin
• Dr. Ray Guarendi

Includes:

• Mass
• Confession
• Inspiring Speakers
• Vendors
• Local Musicians: Martha’s House, Saint Mary’s Singers, Trenton Diocesan Choir and More!!

Get your tickets now at Sun National Bank Center: advance purchase $25; at the door $35; Special advanced Sale Prices for families and groups.

To purchase tickets: www.SunNationalBankCenter.com

For more information call: Domestic Church Media, 609.882.9357 or www.DomesticChurchMedia.com

FOR YOUR STUDY

On the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, read the article  "Mary is with us in our struggles, Pope Francis teaches."  Click here to read the article.

For a chance to hear the talks from the National Encounter 2013, along with other information, go to the National Cursillo website at www.cursillo.org and click on CURSILLO® RESOURCE CENTER.