What's in His Name

From Our Lay Directors:

Friends, summer of 2024 is just about over! And fall is right around the corner. It seems like only yesterday we were all celebrating Memorial day. Where has the time, the days gone? Hopefully and prayerfully you have been able to enjoy the days gone by.  

One thing that life has been good at teaching me is that I need to live today to the fullest. And that can have different meanings for different people. We as Christians know that we need to live for Jesus. As it is so often said at a Cursillo weekend, we are Christ’s hands, feet, ears, mouth! We are His body on earth, and He is counting on us to share His love with the rest of the world. So often I think, I can’t do that. I don’t have the strength or enough knowledge or faith to do it. But the Bible reminds us that faith the size of a mustard seed is all we need to move a mountain. Hmmm, what mountain(s) am I up against? Remembering that I am not moving the mountain, but my faith in Jesus Christ is moving it. “Apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5 Jesus says this as He was talking about being the vine. That brings up another thought to ponder. What words do I use to describe Jesus? Here’s a few that we talked about in grouping a few weeks ago. And these are only a few. 

Love, Healer, Forgiveness, Ideal, Study, Caring, Understanding, Savior, Teacher, Welcoming, Thankfulness, Compassion, Trust, Powerful. 

Maybe take some time and reflect on what words come to your mind when you say “Jesus”. Such a powerful word! Such a calming word when we are in the midst of turmoil and don’t know where to turn or what to do! “Jesus”. I invite you to try it. Really try it. Give it a shot. Nothing to lose. Especially if you never have said that powerful one word prayer “Jesus”. 

Live today for today! Proverbs 27:1 “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring”. 

God’s peace and love to all of you, fellow workers in God’s fields. 

John Lyons and Kathy Otermat

Growing in Cursillo

From Our Spiritual Advisor:             

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, 

It’s been a wonderful time being with and sharing in our next men’s Cursillo team meetings (#295).  I’m enjoying time and time again our learning, sharing, and growing – even when I have faulty hearing and also speaking!  It proves to me that our Lord will use all kinds of persons as precious tools in His hands.  I get wonderful new ideas to amaze me as we share so much personal faith growth with one another.  When shared as one’s own personal faith experiences, we can see how they all fit together to actually BE the whole Body of Christ alive and well. 

So… I’m becoming even more and more aware of how important it is that I make extra efforts to invite others to live our weekends and grow in our groupings and ultreyas. Our current generation is just as much in need as any previous ones were. And with the growth of the internet and AI and more ways of connecting, what we’re all about in sharing the gift of faith is more challenging and can even be more powerful while still very personal.  Discussing things like this can help us each (and all) grow and glow!!! Let’s be great encouragers……! 

DE Colores, 

Fr. Skip

August a Month of Yes

From Our Spiritual Advisor: 

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, May the Lord give you His peace as we continue to bask in His love, and in this summer fun weather.  My prayer is that all of you have enjoyed lots of good times with family and friends over these summer months, and that you have allowed yourselves to be those warm rays, special sparks, refreshing draughts of Christ’s powerful presence to those who most need Him. 

August is one of those months wherein we are blessed to encounter so many brothers and sisters of Faith who said “yes” to God’s call and walked the path of open receptivity and generous service, laying the foundation and building up the Kingdom of God.  Knowing that we could not have any offer of salvation without the Son of God being born into our humanity, we gladly celebrate the one who gave her trusting “Yes” to the angel Gabriel and became the mother of our Savior, Mary of Nazareth.  As we love to sing the song, De Colores, Mary joyfully sang her Magnificat, giving praise and thanks to Almighty God and calling to a life of service those who would come to believe in our Savior.  Mary’s life of faithful service culminated in her Assumption (8-15) and Queenship (8-22). 

Mary said, “Yes” and others followed.  Here are just a few.  St. Alphonsus Liguori (8-1) would say “Yes” and become a Bishop and Doctor of the Church.  St. Dominic (8-8) would say “Yes” and become the founder of the Order of Preachers, helping men and women of the 13th century, and today, to hear and understand the Word of God in a more meaningful way.  St. Lawrence (8-10), would say, “yes” and become a deacon and martyr of the very early Church after he was asked to hand over the treasury of the Church to the pagan Roman authorities and instead brought together the poorest members of the Church and presented them to the authorities.  St. Maximilian Kolbe, (8-14) franciscan priest and martyr, would say, “Yes” as he was arrested by the Nazi gestapo in WWII, imprisoned in a death camp, and offered himself to die in place of another prisoner.  St. Bernard (8-20) would say, “Yes” as he sought to reform monastic life in the 12th century by emphasizing the power of a personal, loving relationship with Jesus.  St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, a Jewish convert to the Catholic faith and a Carmelite nun, would say, “Yes” to Jesus by offering her life in the death camps of the Nazis in WWII.  St. Monica (8-27) would say, “Yes” as she yearned and cried for the conversion of her son, St. Augustine (8-28) to the Christian faith.  These are just a few of the Faithful followers of Jesus whom we celebrate in August and try to emulate all through the year. 

None of this could happen without the first disciples of Jesus who witnessed His transfiguration (8-6).  Peter, James and John were privileged to experience the glorious reality of Jesus as He was joined by Moses and Elijah on the mountain.  The three disciples heard the voice, “This is my beloved Son; listen to Him.”  Coming down from the mountain Jesus helped them to realize that the glory they saw could not be achieved without the Cross.  Jesus seeks to help us learn this powerful lesson in our daily lives, that new life comes only through the transition of dying, in one way or another.  Let’s not be afraid to walk the journey of New Life.

De Colores!   

Fr. Jim Morman