"24 of 24"

"Time flies when you are having fun!"  That old adage accurately describes our two years as Lay Directors for Twin Cities Cursillo.  It seemed like just yesterday Mary & John Jelinek kicked us from the nest and told us it was time to fly on our own.  Looking back over the past two years we are able to see the many blessings that have come our way.  The friendships we have made, the prayers offered, and all your support have truly made us realize the beauty of this community.  You have guided and inspired us.  You are the hands and feet of Christ and your unending energy lifts all.

The offering of Genuine Palanca, prayer and true sacrifice, is a challenge we would like to leave with the 4th-Day.  The offering of Genuine Palanca will strengthen Twin Cities Cursillo and bring our 4th-Dayers closer together.

Plan to attend a couple Ultreyas in 2010.  We need to mark our next 12 Ultreya dates on our calendars now.   Our schedules force us to make choices.  Can we make a true sacrifice for Cursillo and let Ultreya trump a couple other “calendar-conflict” events this year?  If we answer yes, we grow and Cursillo grows.

Let’s be sponsors.  Plan to share Cursillo with others that may benefit from a weekend with Christ. Sponsoring is Genuine Palanca because we place our plans second to Christ’s.  When we sponsor He asks us to share His love, drive a bunch of miles, attend Palanca masses, participate in Closura, and to stay close to our candidates over time.  All these activities take a real sacrifice on our part and that sacrifice brings us closer to Christ and it helps to grow His Cursillo.

We will have numerous opportunities over the coming year to enter into community with Cursillo.  Our Evenings of Renewal occur in any month that has a 5th Thursday.  These evenings are a great way to come into Christ’s presence and connect with the 4th-Day.  We should plan to work on team this year.  Formation and serving the candidates as His hands and feet never seems to grow old. We will also have opportunities this year to serve as Ultreya Reps or take a position on Secretariat. We need to pray about these service opportunities should they come our way.  We are all leaders and we are all capable of doing His work.

It is through the Genuine Palanca of those that have gone before us that all of us are able to enjoy Cursillo today.  Now He calls us to carry the load.  By saying yes to the opportunities above, along with countless other ways, we bring our minds, hearts, and actions into closer alignment with Christ.  May this be a year that finds His will being done through the prayers and actions of our 4th-Day.

We would like to echo the Jelinek’s words from two years ago in their last article.  The Lay Director’s position is nothing but a single link in the Cursillo chain. The past two years brought us more blessing input than there was work output.  Whether it’s at Secretariat, The School of Leaders, Closurea, or any other Cursillo event, when you are with the 4th-Day you are in good company -- you are in God’s company.

And now it is Sonia & Mark Lager’s turn to leave the nest and fly on their own.  Or, maybe more accurately stated, it’s our time to leave the nest yet again and get out of their way.

Blessings to all and thank you for all you have done for us.

Wendy & Mark Mitchell