FROM BOB MORRIS, CURSILLO LAY COORDINATOR

 

60 Cursillistas (and a few future ones) from the Dioceses of Trenton, Camden, Metuchen, Newark, and the Staten Island Ultreya came together as one community this past Sunday, November 16 and had a wonderful time at our Grand Ultreya at St. John’s parish in Lakehurst.

It was so good to see so many people and to meet many Cursillistas from different places. The presence of the Holy Spirit was evident throughout the day. After a half hour of enjoying appetizers and fellowship, we kicked off the festivities in song led by our liturgist Tara Mika. After welcoming remarks from yours truly and a blessing from Father Lou Papera, we broke into 15 groups for Group Reunion.

We then had a powerful witness talk from John Bonviaggio, who gave amazing and moving testimony of how since making his weekend he has lived a life of bringing Christ to others. His witness was a perfect example of living the Environment talk.

Following some reflections on John’s talk, we sang another song and then current Lay Coordinator of Metuchen and the 4^thLay Coordinator of Trenton Bill Grippo gave a brief history of Cursillo in the Diocese of Trenton and some encouraging words.

We concluded in song and prayer and then enjoyed a delicious potluck dinner with so much food that we all ate and took food home.

I’ve heard only overwhelmingly positive feedback on the day and how impactful it was.

Many thanks to our Secretariat for planning the day, especially to David and Alice Riggio, who spent so much time putting this day together and did a super job coordinating everything. Special thanks also to the volunteer kitchen crew of St. John’s for their help and support the entire day!

Photos coming soon! 

 

God Bless everyone and if you couldn’t make it, we hope to see you soon.

Upcoming Events:

Quarterly Diocesan Mass-First Friday of Advent-7:00 PM, December 5 at Visitation Parish in Brick. Mass celebrated by Father Ed Blanchett followed by refreshments and fellowship.

School of Leaders: 10:00 AM Saturday, December 20 at Visitation Parish in Brick. We will celebrate Christmas with breakfast, grouping, a witness talk, and Christmas carols. We will provide bagels, rolls, and coffee. We invite everyone to bring breakfast items.

In this month of November, please pray for the deceased cursillistas from Trenton Cursillo. 
A full list can be found AT THIS LINK. 

 

WELCOME TO TRENTON CURSILLO

"Cursillo" is a spiritual experience that helps our hearts and minds grow with the great love that Jesus has for each of us. The purpose of the Cursillo ("Cursillo in Christianity") is to help us grow in faith and to help us to live a fully Christian Life.

UPCOMING CURSILLO EVENTS

SCHOOL OF LEADERS

School of Leaders is held at Visitation Parish. The start time is 10:00 on Saturday, December 20.

For anyone that would like to attend Mass at Visitation, they have Mass at 8:15 on Saturday mornings.

Please come for some group sharing, great talks, and information.

DIOCESAN MASS

The December Diocesan Mass will be held at Visitation Parish at 7pm on Friday, December 5,  2025.

If you like to sing and/or play an instrument and would like to be part of the music at Cursillo events such as Mass and School of Leaders, please contact Tara at 908-278-3909.

 

ULTREYAS

All are welcome to join us at any of our Ultreyas. "Ultreya" is a Spanish word, derived from the original Latin, meaning Onward! It was used commonly by pilgrims to greet and to encourage one another while on journeys. This word is now used by the Cursillo community to signify the meeting where we come together to share on the tripod of Piety, Study and Action.

BAYSHORE - JANET MOSCUZZA - 2nd SATURDAY @ 10 AM.
For more information: email newdawnjm@aol.com or call 732-671-7248

MANCHESTER - DAVID & ALICE RIGGIO - 3rd THURSDAY @ 1PM. For more information: call 914-629-7299

PENNINGTON - RONNIE & AL MARTELLA - 2ND MONDAY @ 6:30PM. For more information, email trentoncursillo@gmail.com

POINT PLEASANT/BRICK - BOB AND PADDY MORRIS - LAST THURSDAY @ 6:30PM. The Morris family will be starting an Ultreya at their home in Point Pleasant, NJ. All are welcome. For more information, email paddyk170@yahoo.com.

 
TINTON FALLS - KATHY TUCKER - 2ND and 4TH THURSDAY @ 7PM. For more information, email ktucker1rrtrpsg@gmail.com or call 908-415-6006

SECRETARIAT

The work of the Cursillo in a diocese requires coordination by a small group of clergy and laity. They are called the Secretariat.

Priest Spiritual Advisor - Father Ed Blanchett
Deacon Spiritual Advisor - Deacon John Clymore
Deacon Spiritual Advisor - Deacon Joseph B. Gorini
Diocesan Cursillo Coordinator - Bob Morris
Assistant Coordinator - Rick Klarmann
Pre-Cursillo Section Head - Barbara Kittle
Cursillo Section Head -
Post-Cursillo Section Head - Alice and David Riggio
Secretary/Treasurer - Lisa Klarmann
Music Minister - Tara Mika

 

WE REMEMBER

We remember our deceased cursillistas at this link.

 

PAST DIOCESAN CURSILLO COORDINATORS (LAY DIRECTORS)

We celebrate our past Diocesan Cursillo Coordinators (Lay Directors)

Bill Cortright (1971 & 1972)
Frank McGough (1973 & 1974)
Joanne and Bill Blohm (1975 & 1976)
Bill Grippo (1977 & 1978)
Ray Suszenski (1979 & 1980)
Cass DeFalco (1981 & 1982)
Harry DiSeveria (1983 & 1984)
Rich Tomkovich (1985 & 1986)
Len Capobianco (1987 & 1988)
Dick Hemler (1989 & 1990)
John Cifrodella (1991 & 1992)
Gordon Reinold (1993 & 1994)
Jo DeFalco – Tholenarr (1995 & 1996)
Frans Tholenarr (1997 & 1998)
Cheri Price (1999 & 2000)
Richard Andrejack (2001 & 2002)
Al Martella (2003 & 2004)
Cynthia Diamond (2005 & 2006)
Pat Martucci (2007 & 2008)
John DiStefano (2009 & 2010)
Mary Ann Dowd (2011 & 2012)
Ronnie Martella (2013 & 2014)
Rick Klarmann (2015 - 2017)
Mary Weis (2018 & 2019)
Kathy Tucker (2020 & 2021)
Robert Lauricella (2022 & 2023)

 

NEED AN APPLICATION?

DOWNLOAD AN APPLICATION to attend a Cursillo Weekend at this link.

 

CONTACT US

Please email us at trentoncursillo@gmail.com. GOD BLESS YOU!