Diocese of Fall River, Mass. † Friday, February 7, 2025
Living the Cursillo changes lives of local Christians
He said that Jim Orcott, who passed away in 2023, had a similar experience after attendjoandwarren@anchornews.org ing Cursillo and opened My Brother’s Keeper, FALL RIVER — When Deacon Joe Hara vibrant, welcoming Christian ministry which rington’s friend Jim Orcutt told him about a delivers furniture and food to families in need. life changing “retreat” he attended, Joe wanted At the recent January men’s Cursillo, Deato share in the experience. Jim and his wife con Joe served on the team after being asked by Terry had attended Cursillo, a three-and-aretiring Brother Paul Feeney. half-day weekend where attendees learn the At every Cursillo, there are priests and deeper meaning of being deacons on the team, in Christian. addition to lay ministry Cursillo is a Catholic team members. Sponmovement that encoursorship by a person who ages Christians to deephas attended is a prereqen their faith and beuisite. come better evangelizers Those who have in their communities. ‘‘lived” Cursillo say it is In the Diocese of Fall an experience of living River, Cursillo is held at and sharing with others the Holy Cross Retreat in a loving and caring House in Easton. Christian community, After attending the realizing that this can be weekend in January of extended into everyday 2000, Joe wondered why life. he hadn’t gone earlier. The motto of Cursil‘‘People had asked if lo is to make a friend, they could sponsor me be a friend and bring a for at least 10 years; that Welcoming doors to the Chapel at the friend to Christ. I should do it. Sometimes Holy Cross Retreat House in Easton. Cursillo (pronounced it takes a few people to kur-see-yo) is a Spanish mention it before you go. word meaning a short It opened my mind up to ways I can serve the course. It is an abbreviated form of Cursillo de Lord,” he said. Cristiandad (short course to prepare ChrisA few years later, Joe Harrington became tians). a deacon. He attributes living Cursillo as an It is not a theoretical course but, an exinspiration in studying to be an ordained deaperience that must be lived. It is said to be a con. life-changing experience, which brings with it ‘‘I discerned the diaconate through it. Since the discovery of the basis of Christianity and then, I have been asked to become a team its fundamental significance to life. member (a group that helps out during CursilTo speak with someone who has lived lo retreats) and have sponsored many people Cursillo, explaining it to someone who has over the years.” he said. By Joan D. Warren Editor
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Bishop speaks out on immigration enforcement Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha S.D.V. |issued the following statement on Friday, January 31, 2025 “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me” (Mt 25:35).
A foundational teaching of our Catholic faith makes clear that every person from conception to natural death is made in the image and likeness of God and, as such, deserves to be treated with dignity. It is through this lens that we are called to reflect not only on our own actions but also on those of our society including our government. In its first weeks, the new Administration in Washington, D.C. has prioritized immigration enforcement through new orders, and an emphasis on the need for mass deportations. To be clear, our government has the responsibility to secure our borders and to keep its citizens safe. As Bishop Mark Sietz of El Paso, chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Migration wrote last week, “Church teaching recognizes a country’s right and responsibility to promote public order, safety, and security through well-regulated borders and just limits on immigration.” At the same time, as the Administration moves forward with immigration enforcement 8 Turn to page two February 7, 2025 †
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