Welcome to our Cursillo community — a place where friendship, faith, and simple daily witness help us grow closer to Christ and one another. Whether you’re new to Cursillo or reconnecting, we’re glad you’re here.

If you have any questions or comments, please write us at trentoncursillo@gmail.com.

What is Cursillo?

Cursillo is a movement within the Church that helps people discover—or rediscover—the joy of living as intentional Christian disciples. Rooted in friendship, prayer, and simple daily witness, Cursillo equips ordinary people to bring the Gospel to the environments where they live, work, and serve. Through its three‑day Weekend and ongoing community life, Cursillo nurtures a deep, personal encounter with Christ and encourages a lifelong journey of faith, fellowship, and mission.

What is the charism (a gift of the Holy Spirit given for the good of others and the building up of the Church) of the Cursillo Movement?

The charism of the Cursillo Movement is the joyful proclamation of the Gospel through the power of personal witness and authentic Christian friendship. At its heart, Cursillo helps ordinary people discover that they are loved by God and called to transform their everyday environments—not through grand programs, but through simple, steady, Spirit‑led living. Its charism emphasizes piety, study, and action, lived in community, so that Christians become leaven in the world, bringing hope, encouragement, and the presence of Christ wherever they go.

What is piety, study and action?

In Cursillo, piety, study, and action are the three simple, steady practices that help a Christian grow and live their faith in daily life. Piety is nurturing a real, personal relationship with God through prayer and the sacraments. Study is opening the mind and heart to learn more about faith so it can shape everyday choices. Action is bringing Christ to the world through small, intentional acts of love, service, and witness. Together, they form a balanced way of living the Gospel with joy and purpose.

What is the origin of the Cursillo Movement?

Cursillo began in Spain in the 1940s, when a group of young laymen and clergy sought to renew Christian life in the aftermath of war and cultural upheaval. Their desire was simple but bold: to help ordinary people discover the love of Christ and become apostles in their daily environments. Through prayer, study, and a deep trust in the Holy Spirit, they developed the first Cursillo Weekends and the method that still shapes the movement today—one rooted in friendship, authenticity, and the joyful transformation of the world from within.

 

What are some elements of the Cursillo Movement?

Cursillo Weekend

A Cursillo Weekend is a three‑day encounter with Christ that helps people rediscover the depth, joy, and simplicity of living the Gospel. Through talks, prayer, sacraments, and authentic community, participants experience God’s love in a personal and transformative way. The Weekend doesn’t end on Sunday—it launches a lifelong journey of growing in faith and bringing Christ to the places where they live, work, and serve.

Friendship Group

A Cursillo Friendship Group is a small, steady circle of companions who meet regularly to share their spiritual lives with honesty and encouragement. In this simple rhythm of prayer, reflection, and accountability, members help one another stay rooted in grace and faithful to their personal piety, study, and action. It’s a place of trust, support, and joyful perseverance on the Christian journey.

Ultreyas

A Cursillo Ultreya is a joyful, community‑building gathering where Cursillistas come together to share faith, encourage one another, and stay connected to the Cursillo spirit. Through brief witness talks, small‑group sharing, and prayer, the Ultreya helps people keep moving forward—“onward”—in their spiritual lives and in their daily mission.

School of Leaders

School of Leaders is a small, ongoing formation community where Cursillistas deepen their understanding of the Cursillo method and grow as servant‑leaders. It’s a place of shared prayer, study, and action. The School helps leaders stay rooted in the movement’s charism, strengthen their spiritual lives, and support one another as they animate the wider Cursillo community with humility, joy, and purpose.

Diocesan Mass

A Cursillo Diocesan Mass is a celebration of the Eucharist that gathers Cursillistas from across the diocese to pray, worship, and renew their shared mission. Rooted in the joy and simplicity of the Cursillo charism, this Mass strengthens unity, deepens spiritual friendship, and sends the community forth to live the Gospel with renewed purpose in their daily environments.

Secretariat

The Cursillo Secretariat is the servant‑leadership team that guides, supports, and safeguards the Cursillo Movement within a diocese. Working in prayerful collaboration, its members help keep the movement faithful to its charism, coordinate key events like Weekends and Ultreyas, and provide direction so that Cursillo can continue forming Christian leaders who bring the Gospel to their everyday environments with joy and purpose.

When are upcoming Cursillo Weekends?

Who are the current members of the Trenton Cursillo 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

How do you remember deceased members of the Trenton Cursillo?

We remember our deceased cursillistas at this link.

Who are 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)

 

Where can I get an application to a Cursillo Weekend?

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

 

How do I contact Trenton Cursillo? 

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

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.

CHRIST IS COUNTING ON US by RICK KLARMANN

FROM SCHOOL OF LEADERS (MAY, 2024)

Recall at the end of your Cursillo weekend there was a commitment ceremony. During the ceremony you received your Cursillo cross with the Spiritual Advisor saying, “Christ is counting on you.” Then you replied, “I am counting on Christ.”

As I was preparing for this School of Leaders, those words were on my heart and mind. “Christ is counting on me, and I am counting on Christ” but for what? What is He counting on me for? What am I counting on Him for?

The obvious answer is a general one—we call it the great commission—spreading the good news of Jesus Christ. But what specifically does He have in mind for me? This book and where I am in life have caused me to consider not only what I am doing but why. Jesus says in John’s Gospel. “I am the vine; you are the branches. He who abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) I realized that getting back to basics—making sure I had a good foundation—was just as important at the beginning of my Fourth Day as it is today.

Before I go on, Kathy will recap some of the material we have covered at School of Leaders so far.

I made my weekend in 1981 and my memory of how I lived my Fourth Day immediately after my weekend is a little fuzzy (for good or bad). I recall the fellowship, the Palanca, our chapel visit, the cross ceremony and many other aspects of that weekend. But I do not recall having a clear understanding of what Jesus was asking of me or what I was expecting of Him. I knew it had to do with the “great commission” but what that meant specifically, I wasn’t sure. So, I did what came naturally; I started doing. Sometimes I did the right thing and sometimes I’m not sure.

Last month Kathy spoke about a Venn diagram (SCROLL DOWN TO SEE DIAGRAM BELOW) and that image has haunted me. Yes, haunted.

I must confess that I am not a reader, but I have been reading a lot of Cursillo material—the Leaders Manual, the Articles of Operations from the National Cursillo website and other documents—lately. I know I need to better understand our Movement. So, I was researching Precursillo. If I were to ask you what you believed Precursillo was responsible for, I wonder if you answer would be the same as mine; that Precursillo was concerned with sponsors, candidates, and applications, but the more I read the more I realized that Precursillo is so much more.

 We’ll get into that in the coming months but leads me to the Venn diagram and the haunting. I started seeing the connections, overlaps, and individuality in the three sections. We use the tripod to help us understand our Piety, Study, and Action; that all three components must be present and in balance—not focusing on one or two areas at the expense of other areas. The Venn diagram helps me visualize the connections, and if my focus is on one area over another, the balance is off.

 Let me give you an oversimplified example. Let’s say we need three ingredients—flour, eggs and milk—to make bread. If you have milk and eggs but no flour you have scrambled eggs but not bread. If you have milk and flour but no eggs you have paste—sticky glue. I’m not sure what you get with just eggs and flour, but it can’t be tasty. My point is everything is necessary and in the right proportion. I will NEVER forget Pharisaical Phil who is so heavenly minded that he is no earthly good.

This book has been asking me (us) to reflect on our Movement and our place in it. And Kathys inspiration about the Venn diagram helps me, a visual learner, to see the connections and overlaps in Cursillo.

So, let’s back up to our Weekend. There were three encounters—first with Jesus, then ourselves, and finally with others. The first encounter causes us to ask some tough questions, “Who am I? Why am I here?

Throughout the day I am asked to consider if my life, with all of the good and bad in it, were a movie, would it be something I would want my spouse, children or loved ones to see? Day one had the Ideals talk, Grace talks, and ends with Piety. Everything happening on this day reminds that a life of Holiness is possible (” …with God all things are possible.” MT 19:26)

Having encountered myself, the next encounter was with Christ. The question “Who I am (to Him)?” is further explained as we were reminded that we are loved by a God who would do anything for us so we could be with Him. Throughout that day we were guided to know Him better (Study) and His gifts for us the Sacraments.

Then after another short sleep, we begin the third encounter—with others. No, I’m not talking about being wakened by singing but that we have a mission to be the Good News for everyone we meet. Mary Ann would call it our moveable square meter or the hula-hoop effect. All the talks taught us that this apostolate we call Cursillo is not something we should be doing from time-to-time or when we have time, but it should become part of our lives (Action).

As we continue this year at School of Leaders, my hope is that we will all see the three encounters as the heart of our Piety, Study, and Action as well as the heart of all that we do in Precursillo, Cursillo, and Postcursillo.

The lever that helps us do the impossible is prayer, Palanca. Recall as we were preparing for the last weekend, David spoke to us about Palanca. He reminded us that we are supposed to be people of Palanca—not just in preparation for a weekend but all the time. We pray for our Movement, our leaders and all of the special intentions we are aware of. Therefore, as we approach Pentecost, I ask that each of you commit to praying the Prayer to the Holy Spirit for nine days (your personal Novena to the Holy Spirit) asking the Holy Spirit to pour out His Grace, His Gifts on the Cursillo Movement in the Diocese of Trenton to:

•  Discern His will and give us the strength to do it.
•  Bring about a deeper commitment to the Cursillo apostolate.
•  Be a living invitation to join us in the Cursillo apostolate.

In June and July, the School of Leaders will dive deeper into Precursillo in the form of a Friendship and Sponsors workshops. We will try to keep the workshops to about two hours, but they might go over a little. We are not restricting any potential candidates from attending these workshops but realize these two sessions will be geared more for community than candidates. Please join us.

 

 

 

 

Deacon Tony Martucci Homily for the 6th Sunday in Ordinary Times

A.M.D.G. 6th Sunday of O.T

As a Christian Community, we try to always see and feel and experience what is
happening in the world and in our own personal life against the background of what God has done for us in Jesus Christ. So, we are a people of hope, a people of joy, a people of action. As a Christian Community, we gather together to celebrate the Good News of Jesus Christ: that God loves us and wants us for His own. Together, we continuously raise the question, "How do we respond to this Good News? What do we do about it? How do we apply it for our life, make it our own?"

Students of the New Testament know that the teaching is divided into two parts. One is
the "kerygma," which is the announcement of the Good News. The other is the "didache," which is the instruction on what we do about it. Often the language of the New Testament Lessons sounds confusing to us. We hear the "kyrygma" announcement of the Good News that God loves us -- we understand it perfectly. The language is clear. But when we hear the "didache" -- the instruction on how we are to respond -- the message sounds garbled. It has no more meaning for us than baby talk, or babbling. One point at which this is likely to occur is when we hear Jesus' introduction to the Sermon on the Mount. This is part of the "didache," the instruction.

Jesus, assuming that we have heard the announcement of the Good News, is telling us how to apply it for our life, how to make it our own. He is telling us how to become fulfilled, "blessed" persons because of it. Christ begins each Beatitude with the word "blessed." What does it mean? The New Testament Greek word for "blessed" is "makarios." The Greeks called the Island of Cyprus  "Makarios Island" because its climate was so good and the growing conditions were so right that a person could live a fulfilling life there. How blessed you will be, how complete you will be, how whole will you be, how fulfilled you will be, Jesus is saying in the Beatitudes --if you do certain things in a way that can make God's Presence real in your life. You will be a blessed person, Christ says in the first Beatitude, if you are poor. What does that mean? Luke's version of this Beatitude says it directly: "Blessed are you poor; the Reign of God is yours" (Lk. 6:20). But we're fighting poverty these days. We don't want to be poor. Someone has said, "During the course of my life I have been rich and poor, and I can tell you from personal experience that rich is better."

Down deep inside we believe that. The word Jesus uses for poor is a heavy one. It
means absolute, total destitution: utter poverty. That becomes a problem, until we realize that Christ is not telling us to aspire to total, utter destitution. Matthew's version of the Beatitude reads, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven" (Mt. 5:3). Jesus is saying that everything in life that has any meaning to us is ultimately dependent on God, the Source of life. And the person who is most blessed is the person who recognizes how poor, how empty she or he is apart from God. This instruction, even when it is made clear to us, does not go down easy. We are a proud people. We are proud of our self-reliance, proud to be called "self-made" men and women, proud of our dream of winning at any cost. Therefore, when we
hear Jesus saying that it is necessary for us to admit our poverty, our helplessness, our
emptiness, there is something inside that cries out "No! I am not conditioned that way. I am the master of my fate." But if Christ is to be believed, the only way we can begin to find wholeness of life is to empty ourselves of self-centeredness, egoism and pride and throw ourselves upon the Power and the Love and the Grace of God.

Blessed are the poor ... blessed are the poor in spirit ... blessed are those who acknowledge their dependence on God for their life and their way of life, both; the Reign of God is theirs. We might help ourselves to understand this teaching if we think about an ostrich egg. Ostrich egg symbols are hanging from the ceilings of most of the Christian Churches in the Middle East. The story of the symbolism is that when the mother ostrich lays her egg, she buries it in the sand, and very carefully covers the spot, disguising it so that none of her enemies will be able to find it. The trouble is, the egg is so well hidden that if the mother ostrich takes her eye off the spot, she too will lose it. So she stands staring with absolute, undistracted attention at the spot where she has buried her egg. The life of the baby ostrich depends totally upon her doing this, and nothing short of killing her will force the mother ostrich to look away. Thus, the ostrich egg symbol is placed in the Churches in order to remind the worshippers why they are there. They are there to look at God with absolute, undistracted, undivided attention. Nothing Is to cause them to look away from God. Jesus will not let us use    anyone or anything as an excuse for taking our eye off God. Jesus will not let us use our spouse or our children as an excuse. Jesus will not let us use our career or our job as an excuse. Jesus will not let us use our longing for passing pleasure as an excuse. Jesus will not let us use our ambition for security as an excuse. Poverty of spirit is to will one thing. Just as that mother ostrich looks at the place where she buried her egg so we will look at God and nothing will pull usaway.

And the Reign of God will be ours! The Kingdom of Heaven is ours! That is Christ's  clear, unadulterated message. And if it still sounds strange to you, if you are still hearing it as so much "baby talk, or babbling," there is something in your life that is pulling you away from the Lord God Almighty.

    

THE CELEBRATION CONTINUES!

Over thirty-five individuals gathered on Sunday, September 18^th for an afternoon of piety, study and action and to celebrate the Cursillo movement.

The afternoon included opportunities for singing, praying, sharing and playing a trivia game that reminded us of the beauties of our faith. The questions provided lots of laughter along with reflection on the questions asked. There were also great snacks!!

A highlight of the day was grouping on these two questions:

• Our closest moment - When was I most aware of Christ’s presence and why?
• What are the joys that have come from living a Cursillo weekend? 

How would you answer these questions?

Ronnie and Al Martella thank Robert Lauricella, Bob Morris and Secretariat for their support and encouragement for this day.

Thank you to Luis Quinto for his reflection on Cursillo, Bob Morris for his witness and Rick Klarmann for his guitar playing!

We also thank David and Alice Riggio for their hard work on publicizing the day and everyone who helped with setup, cleanup and providing yummy refreshments!

It was wonderful to see old friends reconnect and new friends in Christ made. We can’t wait to see what the Holy Spirit has planned for our next get together!

DeColores, Ronnie and Al Martella