National Newsletter Fall 2006

This is a transcript of the newsletter as published and distributed by CACS in November 2006 to all Diocesan movements.

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NEWS FROM ACROSS CANADA

Eastern Newfoundland & Labrador will be having a CO-ED Weekend in November. A special Ultreya of former Cursillistas was held with 250 in attendance.

Central Newfoundland - A special gathering was held in August in Gander, NL to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Cursillo in Central Newfoundland. Information about Central Newfoundland can be found on their website.

Nova Scotia & Prince Edward Island are planning for the celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Cursillo in their diocese, in 2008. The Diocese of Nova Scotia/P.E.I. has agreed to host the next Triennial in 2009.

Ottawa reported that the CLW held last year was most successful. As reported in the Spring Edition of the National News, Ottawa is going forward with their implementation of the deanery concept. 2006 marks the 25th Anniversary of Cursillo in the Diocese. A special service was held in June as well as an all day outdoor BBQ which was held in September in Morrisburg. The day included sports, fellowship and worship.

Niagara reported their CO-ED Weekends have been very successful. They have developed a "Code of Conduct" for those doing volunteer works as members of the Cursillo Community. A position of "Professor" on their Secretariat assists with the writing and presenting of the Weekend talks. The "Professor" also attends Weekends and is a backup in the event that a team member is unable to give their talk. For more information, please go to their website at www.niagaracursillo.org

Calgary held a special Appreciation Dinner for all clergy, and had their Bishop speak on his experience with Cursillo.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please keep these upcoming Weekends in your prayers.

CACS FALL 2006 MEETING

The meeting was held at Grace Anglican Church, Milton, Ontario, October 18 - 20. 2006. The Canadian Anglican Cursillo Secretariat extends thanks to the Rev. Mark McDermott, the Niagara Secretariat, and the parish members for their hospitality, the use of their facilities and the fabulous meals that were provided.

During this first meeting of the incoming CACS, we developed visions and goals of what we hope to achieve in our three year term. We used information collected both at the Triennial meeting from the small group discussions and from the Diocesan reports which we received to shape our vision and goals.

We also had the opportunity to meet with the Niagara Secretariat and discuss some of the new developments in their movement. Of particular interest was the newly developed role of "Professor," their Code of Conduct, and narrative budget. They are also examining the possibility of a Cursillo Weekend being good for one credit at a Theological College, and will waive weekend expenses for theological students.

CACS concluded their meetings in Niagara by attending the Friday night Ultreya in Guelph, Ontario. A heartfelt thank you to all Cursillistas in Niagara for their warm welcome to us, and for helping to make these meetings run so successfully. Your hard work and generosity is greatly appreciated.

Goals for this CACS

• To be demonstrated leaders in Cursillo
• To increase Cursillo involvement across our country, especially involving more young people and men.
• To have a successful Triennial in 2009.
• To ensure that CACS is financially sound.
• To seek Aboriginal representation for the next CACS.
• To improve communications with Secretariats, Dioceses and Cursillistas
• To initiate and strengthen CACS relationship and communication with Cursillo in other denominations, particularly with NECS and the Canadian Roman Catholic Cursillo.
• To support all Secretariats in their Fourth Day activities so that Cursillo Movements are not just weekend-focused.
• To encourage active Secretariats to meet with their Bishop at least once a year.
• To increase the recruitment of clergy to serve on Cursillo Weekends.

As this term of office proceeds, we will keep you updated on what we are doing to help us achieve these goals.

Ideas from across the country

• offer a "Day of Deeper Understanding" at multiple locations in your diocese thereby allowing local Cursillistas to participate more easily.
• for a boost to your Secretariat, invite another Diocesan Secretariat to join your meeting for a great cross fertilization of ideas.
• have a team from Cursillo Secretariat attend Clergy Conferences or Synod to talk about Cursillo, and answer concerns or questions.
• have a clergy appreciation dinner, and invite the Bishop to be the speaker.
• to increase clergy participation on Weekends, offer to pay for the overall cost of the Weekend, including babysitting, weekend expenses, alternate priest, etc.

FAQ's ABOUT CACS

WHO/WHAT IS CACS?

CACS is the national Secretariat for Cursillo is Canada, and consists of 10 members. Eight people represent the four provinces of the Canadian Church, and there is also an Episcopal advisor from the House of Bishops and a Chairperson. Members of CACS are elected by active Diocesan Cursillo Secretariats at the Triennial National General Meeting, for a three year term.

WHY DO WE HAVE A NATIONAL SECRETARIAT?

1. To ensure that the Cursillo movements in the Anglican Church of Canada follow authentic guidelines, as per our licensing agreement.
2. To help ensure that local diocesan leaders are knowledgeable about the Cursillo method, and that they conduct authentic Weekends focusing on the importance of the Fourth Day.
3. To assist leaders in local movements to grow in their faith, evangelize their environments, and walk the walk in their own lives.
4. To ensure that Diocesan Secretariats understand Cursillo licensing agreements. To assist in the establishment of new Cursillo movements.

HOW DO WE DO THIS?

1. By developing and sharing educational resource materials and guidelines,
2. By conducting Cursillo Leaders Workshops (CLW's) and SENT workshops,
3. By facilitating the sharing of resource materials, resource people, and ideas among Diocesan Movements.
4. By communicating on a regular basis through the Diocesan reps, our newsletter, our website.
5. By assisting individual diocesan Secretariats with information and resources.
6. By promoting the authentic Cursillo.

HOW IS CACS FUNDED?

The National Secretariat is a registered non-profit organization. All donations to the CACS are used solely to promote its purposes. None of the members of the National Secretariat are paid for time spent on CACS activities. Members of CACS are reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses to attend CACS meetings, which are held no more than twice a year.

Without your Diocesan and individual donations there would be no National Secretariat and Anglican Cursillo could not operate Canada.

WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT YOUR NATIONAL SECRETARIAT BY SENDING YOUR DONATIONS TO THE CACS TREASURER. Individual donations will receive a charitable tax receipt.

Please send donations to the Treasurer:

Terry Gushuliak
18 Woodlake Road
Sherwood Park,
Alberta T8A 4B5

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR DONATIONS.

WHERE CAN I FIND CURSILLO RESOURCES?

CACS has available for sale the following resources:

• "To be a Pilgrim" - a fourth day handbook for new Cursillistas
• CACS Library of Guidelines for Cursillo in Canada
• NECS Libraries
• NECS Lay Talk handbooks
• ** NEW : NECS Spiritual Advisor talk books

All these resources are available from Terry Gushuliak (CACS Treasurer)

MESSAGE FROM CAC SECRETARIAT

We pray that all the upcoming Weekends will be a joyous one for both Candidates and Team and that your walk with Christ will be strengthened and enriched. We also pray that you will accept all of the challenges of your Fourth Day.

As the celebration of the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ approaches we, the members of your National Secretariat, wish you and yours the most joyous and blessed Christmas and New Year.

Father of all humanity, we rejoice in the gifts of working together, of fellowship, of learning from each other, of sharing and mutual support and of the gift of one another.

We thank you for the gift of your Spirit that fills us with the creative diversity of thought, temperament and ability that so enriches human life.

Most of all we praise You for sending us Your Son, the incarnation of Love, whose presence can make each of us a small but significant reflection of You.

Amen

To copy and distribute this newsletter to Secretariat members and Cursillistas, use one of the printer-friendly versions linked at the beginning of the newsletter.

NATIONAL CURSILLO PRAYER CYCLE

The Cursillo Prayer Cycle is a permanent part of this website, and is not repeated in the online version of the newsletter.

YOUR CANADIAN ANGLICAN CURSILLO SECRETARIAT

The contact information for the CAC Secretariat is a permanent part of this website and is not repeated in the online version of the newsletter.

DIOCESAN WEBSITES

The list of diocesan cursillo movements and contact information is a permanent part of this website, and is not repeated in the online version of the newsletter.