DeColores!

Happy New Year!!! OK, we know it is February, but it is a new year for us and the members of the Secretariat. We want to welcome our newest Cursillistas from Cursillo #120, “THE BEST ONE YET!” Hopefully you have already attended your welcome home meetings and are anticipating your first candlelight from “the other side.” Trust us, the anticipation of seeing the pilgrims walk thru the door on Saturday evening is an awesome feeling. Please plan to also join us for the Reunion meeting on Saturday afternoon at FUMC Alexandria at 2:30 p.m., as well as Clausura on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. We encourage you to attend as many events as your schedule will allow.

The Secretariat made a decision last year to stop scholarships for the pilgrims. This was a tough decision, but the right decision. We were coming up short about $1500-$2000 each Cursillo. The economic crunch affects everyone and everything, including Cursillo. Please remember, the pilgrims are paying just a portion of the cost; it will still cost the community approximately $125.00 per pilgrim for the weekend. Please continue to give financially to Cursillo. We are still looking for ways to cut costs, without taking away from the weekend.

Remember the Building Fund. We are asking for each Cursillista to give a minimum of $300.00 (the cost of a “happy meal” per month) over the next 18 months to fund about ½ the cost of the new building. Please make a notation on your check if this is money for the Building Fund. We are to the point of asking for bids for the construction. Hopefully, by #122, you will be able to see construction has begun.

We want to add a personal note or two at this time. First, our thanks and unending gratitude to Lewis & Cheryl Smith, 2007 Co-Chairs, for their wonderful leadership this past year. They have communicated with us on every single detail and passed on the torch. Pray for us that we will do the same. Also our thanks to Ron & Linda Stephenson (Registrars), Linda Simmons (Secretary), John & Charlotte Clifford (Weekend Reps.,) and Kenny & Stephanie Kaufman (Post Cursillo Reps.) for their work on the Secretariat. Also, a word of thanks to Barney Babin, the Webmaster, for his great work with the website. The 2008 Secretariat is listed elsewhere in the newsletter.

I hesitate to do this, but I want to share something with you that only a few people know. I received word of Rev. Bob Peterson’s death on Sunday afternoon, December 23rd. Bob had planned his service and asked me to play. (What an honor.) I believe it was the second time I was on staff, Bob was one of the Spiritual Directors. He was also my prayer partner. His prayer for me at overnight was amazing and truly humbling. On Saturday evening, following Candlelight, we have that time of reflection in the chapel. My job was to just provide soft piano music. I just tried to concentrate on playing, but I cried for a long time. (Yep, I still cry like a baby at every Cursillo. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!) I am about to tell you what I think Cursillo is all about. During that time, one of the pilgrims came quickly up the aisle, (she was sobbing,) she sat next to Bob, and buried her head on Bob’s chest. Bob wrapped his loving arms around her and held her so close. Bob was, for that pilgrim, the hands and feet of Jesus. For me, that was a perfect image of Christ’s love for me and you. I think of that picture often in my daily walk. As we continue on this journey, may we be the hands and feet of Christ for the pilgrims, our church members and all we come into contact with.

ULTREYA!

Judy & George Gross, Co-Chairs

Rector and Head Cha-Cha for 2007/08

From Our Treasurer         General Fund:          Staff Fees                                                       6,750      Donations                                                       5,924      Pictures                                                          594      Guides, CDs                                                          940   Total #120 General Fund Receipts                                                       14,208 Cursillo #120 Expenses                                                     (16,698)           Overage (Shortage) this Cursillo                                                       (2,490)         Building Fund donations received this period                                                     3,440 Capital One Cash Summary as of 11/1/07     Beginning Balance                                                     39,220   Receipts                                                     17,898   Disbursements                                                   (17,198)   *     Ending Balance                                                     39,920                  Building Fund Allocation                                                     54,620   *Building Fund Donations are included in Ending Balance   Hibernia National Bank                                                     39,920   LA UM Foundation Building Fund                                                     52,539   LA UM Foundation #2                                                     28,080     Donations were made to Cursillo #120 by: Anita Dinwiddie, Ann and Derwood Duke, Ann Watkins, Anna Stvens, April C. Sanchez, Asbury Methodist Church, B and Y. Lee, Barney Babin, Barraza Construction LLC, Baton Rouge Ultreya, Beverly Sue Kamm, Carl and Delane Darion, Central LA Ultreya, Charlotte S. Clifford, Clint and Connie Crossier, Cynthia G. Wann, D. T.Caldarera, Daniel and Charlotte Parker, Danny and Jill Cole, Dayna Deette Dalrymple, Dayton C. McCann Jr., Dennis R. Salter, Donald Hall, William Corcoran, First UNC, Fran Thigpen, Frank Darsey, George and Judith Gross, Georgia Demoss, Gilbert Springer, Gina and Joe Sanford, Jr., Gordon and Loretta Greenwood, Greater New Orleans Ultreya, H. C. Miller III, J. W. and B.J.T.Dimmick, James G. Russell III, Janet and Loris Ward, Janet Pope, Janette R. Taunton, John and Sarah Higginbotham, Karen K. and Timothy E. Lindsey, Kelly and Bo May, Kevin and Jana Smith, LA Cursillo Northwest, Larry and Diane Mason, Laura and Dean Sawyer, Lewis and Cheryl Smith, William C. Cummins, Donald S. Isham, Dot Kuebler, Dr. J. H. Humphries, Dr. and Mrs. Frank Pearce III, Dr. Keith and Sarah Kruetziger, E. A. Storey, Earl Taylor, Edgar S. or Beth L. Dawson, F. Desiree Vogenthaler, Linda A. Gregg, Linda and Bill Derby, Luther and Katherine Douzart, Mabel B. Foster, Mandy O’Dell, Margaret Owens, Margaret H. Frazier, Mark A. Bugg, Mark and Gae Riley, Martha L. Gary, Mary B. Dean, Toni D. Gilboy, V. Ann, West Central Ultreya, Willa S. Cristina, Timmy G. Duplechain, Michael G. Miller, Michael and Rhonda Tomb, Michael R. Norman, Mildred Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Philip K. Thomas, Mr. And Mrs. David E. Stiles, Mr. and Mrs. James M. Goins, Mr. and Mrs. James L. Hinckley, Jr., Mrs. Manship N. Williams, Mrs. Robert Hines, Sr., Nathan and Marguerite Roberts, Jr., Northeast Louisiana Ultreya, Renee and Chris Swalm, Rev. Antonio and Cynthia Ranero, Richard C. Hootoon, Richard J. Higgins, Robert Handy, Jr., Roger and Catherine Brunell, Ronald and Linda Stephenson, Russell S. Clunan, Sara L. Simmonds, Stephen and Claudia Bennett, T.J. and E.K. Dunn, Terresa M. Ellis, Thaddeus C. Mayo.   Donations can be mailed to: Lisa McMullen 3600 Maplewood Drive Sulphur, LA 70663