May, June, July 2010 ________________Issue #4______ Stockton Diocese Region XI Cursillo Events! Photo of World Ultreya 2009 Secretariat Regionals Fresno 2010 By Nikki Quismondo- The Stockton Diocese Secretariat team spent a 3-day weekend, April 2325, 2010, to learn the National Policy, Regional Structure guidelines and Article of Operations for the U.S. Catholic Cursillo Movement. Victor Lugo- National Executive Director and spokesperson for the U.S. Cursillo movement was a major inspiration and gave testimony about the Cursillo Movement. Sister Irene Quismondo was one of the fortunate ones to meet with Lugo: “I was given the chance to sit with Victor Lugo to reach and search for advice about how we as a team can better our mission. His advice was that we as a team need to branch out to different areas in our diocese through having Ultreyas that way; we will be able to find our Pre-Cursillo candidates. He said that we need to move forward. It was also reassuring to know that our diocese is actually following the guidelines! I learned that we are on target and are following the authenticity of the Cursillo Movement. My favorite part of the retreat was realizing that we are so blessed as a movement.” The Secretariat members are: Lay Director, Liz Chitiva, Secretary, Mary Karim, Vice Lay Director, Mary Helen Rodriguez, Treasurer Rosalinda Aguilar, School of Leaders Chair, Tim Gaughren, Palanca Chair, Judy Ethridge, Communications Chair, Irene Quismondo, 3Day Proper, Sandy Galardo, Pre-Cursillo Chair, Lisa Martinez, and Post-Cursillo Chair, Leslie Quismondo. Please continue to keep the members of the Secretariat in prayer. 2010 Issue 4 Stockton Diocese, Region XI Cursillo Talent! The Friday Night Guitaristas! By Sandy Gallardo- A group of Christian pilgrims have been meeting Friday nights in Modesto. The faith from a small request and the desire to become more is driving these pilgrims forward. The Friday Night Guitaristas number about 18 people. They are mastering guitar chords, guitar strums and adding fellowship and prayer in their journey as Christians. There is still room for more people who want to learn the guitar and to praise the Lord in song. Brother Pete Padron and Sister Sandy Gallardo are sharing what they know so that the Friday Night Guitaristas will succeed in their endeavors. The Children’s Liturgy Room at Holy Family Church in Modesto, located at 4220 Dale Road, is the site for classes and they begin at 7 PM. If anyone is interested in joining the pilgrimage, please call Sandy 209 543-3740 or Pete 209 571-3711 for more details. On the journey are: Danny and Rosalinda Aguilar, Mary Helen Rodriguez, Ralph Guerrero, Teresa Gallardo, Monica Martinez, Carlos Perez, Sue Toste, Paula Calderon, Rigo Linares Adriana Guerrero, Carmen Guerrero, Tina Wallace, Richard Hartnell, learning the tambourine— Loretta Hartnell and Lindana Perez. Song Lyrics to Word of God Speak Word of God Speak would You pour down like rain washing my eyes to see your majesty to be still and know that You’re in this place, please let me stay and rest in your holiness, Word of God Speak… Mercy Me Visit these Links: Immaculate Heart Radio- 1420 a.m., www.klove.com, www.ewtn.com If you like Christian music, you may want to try listening to these Christian artists: 1. Mercy Me 2. JJ Heller 3. Francesca Battistelli 4. The Katinas 2010 Issue 4 Stockton Diocese, Friendship Group Reunions! “A friend is a present you give to yourself”- Robert Louis Stevenson Friday Night Group Reunions By Leslie Quismondo- Our friendship group consists of new and different levels of experience in friendship, we have veteran cursillistas, new cursillistas, slightly seasoned cursillistas and new friends. We learn from each other and while also learning to maintain our journey with Christ, we take each other’s experience and provide support. We also help each other plan out our mission for the week ahead. That is where the apostolic plan comes into effect. Although we know we are at different levels, we can work at a plan that fits our own pace. What is an apostolic plan? It is planning your week ahead to ensure that you are filling you mission to do Piety, Study, and Action. Our friendship group does not judge one another when we experience pit-stops or bumps in the road, we simply support each other to get back up and try again, give advice on what we can do better and most importantly pray for one another. The most important aspect of ensuing that we meet our plan is by making a devotion to pray for one another during the week so as to uplift each other in our Cursillo Mission. Who’s in our friendship group? Sister Jeana Saccomagno graciously opens up her home to us on the 2nd, 3rd and 4rth Fridays of the month at 7 p.m. Our group consists of Sister Irene Quismondo, Sister Nikki Quismondo, Sister Cammille Navarro, and a new layperson from presentation church, Sister Rachel. What is recommended if you don’t have a friendship group is to go to Cursillo Ultreyas, see who you gravitate towards and find out where their friendship groups meet. Advice I can give to friendship groups are that, make sure you do your apostolic planning, it is the key ingredient to spiritual growth and apostolic action! Group ReunionPiety- what moment did you feel closest to Christ? Study- What have you done to better know God’s Gift? Action- What apostolic success did the Lord want to accomplish in His Church through you this week? 2010 Issue 4 Stockton Diocese School of Leaders! A movement is as good as its leaders- Leader’s Manual – United States Catholic Cursillo Movement Just as the Ultreya is the hub around which the friendship groups revolve, so that School is the hub around which the whole Movement moves through the “Spokes”—Leader’s Manual School of Leaders By Nikki Quismondo- The primary goal for the school of leaders is “to build leaders in the Cursillo Movement so that they can evangelize Catholics who may have fallen away; we want to bring them to the movement”, according to Tim Gaughren, the School of Leaders Chair person. “The School of Leaders also enables me to listen to spiritual guidance from others and it gives strengths to things we may struggle with and trials we might have plus it helps us become unified.” The School of Leaders teaches Cursillo members how to be leaders in the movement. It also provides the techniques one needs to make Cursillo their apostolic action. Join the School of Leaders today! School of Leaders meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month at St. Linus Church. For more information contact Brother Tim Gaughran at: [email protected] or contact Sister Leslie Quismondo at: 209-474-7099 Cursillo Literature for your Study visit www.natl-cursillo.org 2010 Issue 4 Stockton Diocese Cursillo Ultreya! St. Linus Hall, the First Thursday of the Month at 7 p.m.! May 2010 Ultreya Come and Join the Fun! Next Ultreya will be hosted by Sister Irene Quismondo, June 3, 2010 with Witness Speaker Jeana Saccomagno 2010 Issue 4 Stockton Diocese Prayer Requests! Prayer Requests By Irene Quismondo- Every time I get a prayer request I feel humble and ready to serve. I take it very personal when I read so many emails with people suffering and requesting prayers. I put myself in their place and think about how I would feel. Many prayer requests are from people I don’t know, but when I read their requests, I feel as though I know them and think about how I can get my brothers and sisters in Christ to share in the prayers for the good of our community. I love getting responses especially from those who had healing and prayers of thanksgiving. I think God chose all of us to pray for each other. I see the need, felt the desire to pray. I pray before I send a prayer request and think of my family and people I can count on. If you have a prayer request, please email your request to Sister Irene Quismondo at [email protected] Divine Mercy Novena By Nikki Quismondo- The Servants of the Divine Mercy Association invited the Cursillo Movement to host and sponsor one of the 9 day novena nights for the Feast of the Divine Mercy on April 2 through the 10th. Sister Irene Quismondo hosted and sponsored a night at Presentation Church in Stockton. The theme was “For the Souls of Preists and Religious.” Deacon Louis Juarez gave a witness talk passionately asking for lay people in the church to have more of a fruitful relationship with their priests, starting with welcoming them with a hug. The Novena for the Feast of the Divine Mercy was just one event in which Cursillo Members were happy to participate in, they were able to meet with people in other ministries and invite other laypeople to Cursillo Ultreyas. The Feast of the Divine Mercy was a beautiful experience! For those who have yet to experience a Novena or pray the Divine Mercy, give it a try one day, there are many miracles and blessings that come from the Mercy of Jesus. Happy Mother’s Day Remember that the month of May is Mary’s month! Honor her by praying the Rosary! 2010 Issue 4 Stockton Diocese Cursillo Movement participated in Walk for Life, San Francisco, California 2010 Prayer for the Dignity of Human Life Lord and giver of all life, help us to value each person, created in love by You. In Your mercy, guide and assist our efforts to promote dignity and value of all human life, born and unborn. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord. Amen. 2010 Issue 4 Stockton Diocese Calendar of Events! Cursillo Sponsor Work Shop- TBA call Sister Lisa Martinez at:209-679-3822 for more information! Stockton Diocese Cursillo Ultreyas- Held at St. Linus Hall the first Thursday of every month at 7 p.m. for more information contact Irene Quismondo, Communications Chair, at 209-474-7099 Friday Night Guitaristas- call Sandy 209 543-3740 or Pete 209 571-3711 Note from the Editor Thanks to all the contributors who helped with this issue! The next issue will be available the first week of August 2010. Please consider being a part of the next issue by contributing your articles, photos, ideas and letting us know about upcoming events! Also, stay tuned as the Stockton Cursillo Diocese will soon have a website available to the public! Remember to join a Friendship Group Reunion, attend the School of Leaders and be a part of our Monthly Ultreyas! The Cursillo Movement must continue and grow so please continue to keep our Movement in your daily prayers! Share your talent and treasure with us by contributing to future issues. Email me at [email protected] or give me a call at 209570-7910. See you next issue! YSIC Nikki Quismondo 2010 Issue 4 Visit Chitivas Salsa & Sports Bar and Grill Today! 445 W. Weber Ave # 122 Stockton, Ca 95203 Phone 209-941-8605 The Stockton Diocese Cursillo Crab Feed is held every year at Chitiva’s Sports Bar and Grill. This year, it was a most fabulous turn out and the movement was able to raise enough funds for future Cursillo retreats! Chitivas is a fabulous place to learn how to Salsa dance, or to simply enjoy the fine tunes of Reggae by the water, have special events, parties and watch sports! Chitivas is located in the heart of Stockton’s beautiful Downtown Waterfront. Visit their website at: http://www.chitiva.net Support our Sister Liz in her efforts to maintain a positive and friendly restaurant atmosphere and fun experience! Sister Liz has been serving our community in the Cursillo Movement for many, many years and she is committed to Stockton’s excellence! Enjoy a fun and pleasant dining experience, and visit Chitivas today!