A WITNESS BY DEACON TONY MARTUCCI

Thank you, Community, for all of your prayers for me over the years. Here is an update and a witness to the Glory of God. 

Last March 28, I had emergency surgery for a strangulated hernia. During surgery the doctor found complications- a perforated upper bowel, and a VRE (Infection that does not respond to antibiotics). A call went out to community for prayers. 

I was in the hospital for 10 days and left with an open wound that had a wound vac to assist in my healing. After two months I started to see a wound care specialist every week for treatments. Two more months of visits and the wound vac came off. Other treatments were used to try to close the wound. 

Through the fall and winter I continued to visit the doctor and the wound gradually began to shrink, but stubbornly refused to close completely. Finally, on February 8 the wound appeared to be healed. I returned to physical therapy on February 12 to get my knees back into shape. The wound reopened. My wound doctor suggested that I continue therapy so I could use the stairs and move more easily, he continued to treat me.  A week later the wound doubled in size. On Tuesday, March 6, the doctor debrieded the wound again. The following morning, Pat & I attended a healing Mass. At the homily, Fr. Richard mentioned that faith is necessary for healing to take place. Although we have attended numerous healing Masses over the years, and even used St Pio's glove, but I never expected a healing. When I heard what Fr. Richard said, I was reminded of what the blind man said to Christ, "Lord, if you will, you can heal me." Christ answered, "I do will it. Be healed. Your faith has saved you. "And so I said to Christ "Lord, if you will, you can heal me.

Father then laid hands on us, then anointed us.

As Pat and I left the Church and walked to lunch,  I said to her, "I am healed." She looked surprised and a bit suspicious. The following day, Pat changed the dressing on the wound and said, "I can't find the wound!" On the following Tuesday the surgeon confirmed that after almost a full year the wound is totally healed. 

Thank you to all of you and to the power of God and Faith. I now know how I need to pray. I know how to pray in FAITH.

A MEDITATION FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY IN LENT by DEACON TONY MARTUCCI

YOU CAN FIND THE READINGS FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT AT THIS LINK.

When I was a teenager in high school, I answered the phone one night and learned that my mother won a car in a raffle held by a Church organization. I excitedly ran to tell my father. I won’t tell you what he said to me exactly, but he didn’t believe me and basically said I was joking. Dad went to the phone and heard for himself. All of us were excited beyond belief and couldn’t wait to pick up the new Buick. It was a beautiful car that brought us a lot of happy memories.

What great news that was at the time! But like all things in this world, it didn’t last forever. We had a lot of fun in that car, but eventually, it got old and we traded it in for another car.

Today, you are getting a message, great news. You have won the biggest lottery of all time. In all three readings we learn that, through Jesus Christ, God has offered us eternal life with him. Things in this world come and go. We are not created for this world but for everlasting life with God himself. We are here to prepare us to know, love and serve God and his people and to be happy with him forever in heaven.

In the first reading from 2nd Chronicles, we heard about God’s love and patience with the people of Israel. After giving them many chances to turn back to him, God allowed them to be taken into exile and their temple to be destroyed because of their obstinance. Later, out of his love, he returned the People of Israel to their own lands and Temple.

St. Paul also speaks of God’s love and his great gift for us:

“Brothers and sisters:
God, who is rich in mercy,
because of the great love he had for us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —,
raised us up with him,
and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,
that -in the ages to come - He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.”

Notice, Paul says we ARE raised up with Christ and seated with him in heaven- present tense- NOW- by the grace of God- a free gift. Christ comes to us to live within us today.

Finally, the Gospel reminds us of the famous John 3:16-

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.”
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The gift is ours if we accept it. All God asks is that his people love him and love our brothers and sisters. St. John also tells us that we can reject the gift of God

“...People preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God..”

Do not be like the ancient Hebrew people who rejected God and chose false Gods. Use your gifts and talents to share the wonderful gift we have been given.

SCHOOL OF LEADERS by KATHY TUCKER, ASSISTANT LAY DIRECTOR

We had a wonderful School of Leaders Saturday Feb 17, 2018.

Father Jay Bowden gave a synopsis of his journey with the Cursillo Movement. Starting the Cursillo Movement in the Diocese of Trenton with a contingent from Buffalo NY approximately 45 years. We owe it all to Father Jay. Without his belief and total commitment to the Movement we would not have accomplished 126 Weekends since his journey began. Thank You, Father Jay.

We also had Bill Grippo give his talk on his journey through Cursillo. He relies on Study to inspire him with his daily living. Nick Grippo gave a wonderful talk about Bridging the Gap between generations. How this generation gets their information through Electronic Media (i.e.: Instagram, Twitter and other social media).
(NOTE: YOU CAN READ NICK'S TALK IN THE NEXT ARTICLE BELOW.)

I also put up a picture gallery of all the Weekends. 

Everyone really enjoyed the gallery bringing back fond memories of past and more present weekends. From the black and white to color. 

DeColores, Kathy

STUDY by NICK GRIPPO, TRENTON 125

One year ago, I made my Cursillo weekend: Trenton 125!  It’s been an amazing spiritual journey as I continue to live out my fourth day.  Also within the last year, I had the privilege of working on the team for Trenton 126.  Several personal obstacles tried to get in the way of me working with the team that weekend, but the Lord cleared the way, I said yes, and Rick, Al and others supported me and helped me join the great men of Trenton 126.  What a year.

Today I want to speak to you about the importance of study in our lives as Christians.  In my view, it is the foundation of the Cursillo movement.  Study can take many forms: reading; listening; and speaking.  Every person is different, and study may mean different things to different people.  The key is to develop study habits and to dedicate a set amount of time on a regular basis to studying the principles of our Catholic faith.  It does not have to be a lot of time; even a few minutes could suffice.

Why is this so important?  Study is a mechanism to develop tools to successfully address the challenges that life throws at us every day.  As Matthew Kelly says, life is messy.  When we are equipped with the tools of our faith, and a vibrant spiritual life, we are more prepared to handle the mess that life can create from time to time.  Health challenges, family dynamics, relationship troubles, work stress, etc.  The list goes on and on.  Studying our faith gives us the knowledge to combat these difficulties and to create hope in times of distress. 

As noted, study can take many forms.  At the most fundamental level, it is reading scripture.  That is an essential part of the study process.  Everything grows from that starting point.  Beyond that, there are endless spiritual guides, such as the Dynamic Catholic series of books and videos, which provide practical daily lessons on Catholicism and creating hope in our lives through Christian methods.

Study is particularly important in my life because I am an attorney and, as an attorney, I spend significant periods of time studying the law and then applying it to the facts of a particular case.  Being successful in law requires a relentless commitment to study.  The purpose of such rigorous study is to be as prepared as possible in handling a case.  Study in our spiritual lives serves a similar purpose – being prepared to address life’s challenges through Christian methods.  It also prepares us to go out into our communities and have a positive impact.

In thinking about study, I note that today’s young adults are part of an information generation.  We should consider ways to better deliver the Catholic message to the younger generations.  Social media, webinars, and other forms of electronic communications can be effective ways of sharing our message and the study aspect of our faith. 

In closing, my Lenten challenge to each of you is to increase your study habits over the next few weeks (in addition to, say, giving up sweets, coffee, or wine!).  If you do not have a set routine of studying our faith and learning more about it, try to start a routine.  Spend 10-15 minutes each day reading anything you elect to read that you believe will help your spiritual growth.  If you already have such a routine, try to add to it or just maintain it during Lent.

Thank you, God bless and DeColores.    

Nick Grippo            

A MESSAGE FROM MARY WEIS, LAY DIRECTOR

DeColores, Cursillistas!

It is with great pleasure to announce that we are sponsoring in partnership with Metuchen Diocese Cursillo a Cursillo de Cursillos (CDC). The CDC is a Diocesan Workshop intended for those Cursillistas who are the leaders in the Diocesan Cursillo Movement. Cursillistas who have the desire to learn about the Foundational Charism are encouraged to attend. The Cursillo Spiritual Advisors are also encouraged to attend. This can be an excellent opportunity to recharge and energize your evangelization the Cursillo way.


The CDC team consists of Regional Members and our own beloved Ronnie Martella will be on team. DATES    March 15 to 18, 2018TIMES    Thursday evening to Sunday afternoon (same as Cursillo weekend)
LOCATION    Blue Army Shrine Washington NJ  (we can carpool)
COST    $200 per person

There are two beds per room and open to both men and women.  Men, of course, will room with men, and women with women, unless they're husband and wife.

If you are interested, please contact me at weismary@yahoo.com or call me at 732-939-0172. Rooms are limited.