National Cursillo was held in Newcastle NSW on the weekend of 11- 13 June 2010 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the coming of Cursillo to the Diocese of Newcastle.

“The gift of the Cursillo movement reminds everyone that we are called to the work of Jesus, to serve in his name”, said Bishop Kay Goldsworthy, Assistant Bishop of Perth as she addressed the Cursillo National Gathering. She went on to ask us…”What has been sown in you by your Cursillo experience and journey and what is God bringing to harvest through that experience and journey? Are your seeds being sown for God’s harvest?”

The Cursillo National Gathering met in Newcastle for three days in June 2010 with up to 200 Cursllistas from Adelaide, Bathurst, Bendigo, Brisbane, Bunbury, Canberra and Goulburn, Grafton, Melbourne, Newcastle, Northern Territory, North Queensland, Perth, Rockhampton, Tasmania and Wangaratta gathering to celebrate together at what was also the 20th Anniversary of Cursillo coming to Newcastle.

The Gathering opened with a welcome to country by the Reverend Di Langham followed by Bishop Brian’s welcome of everyone to the Diocese of Newcastle. Phil Ashley-Brown then interviewed Bishops Kay Goldsworthy, Keith Slater and Brian Farran with his gentle questioning allowing the Bishops to unwrap and share some of their journey, their most challenging moments, and, quite humorously, their most embarrassing moments (none of which will be shared here).

Bishop Kay delivered two speeches over the weekend on the theme of the “Sower and the Reaper rejoicing together” (from John 4:36) and at the Gala Dinner when she shared with us some more of her journey into becoming a Bishop. Bishop Kay called this ‘Turning Purple’!

Bishop Brian reflected on Bishop Kay’s invitation in her talks “to ‘sow’ so that we may richly ‘reap’’, as he asked us “to be on our guard against becoming a ‘monument’ rather than a ‘movement’ as we fulfil our calling to Apostolic Action.” A challenge we must hear.

20 years ago Bishop Alfred Holland brought Cursillo to the Diocese of Newcastle. Unfortunately he was unable to be with us but wrote the following message…“in the late eighties I began to notice some men and women in the parishes who had completed their Cursillo in other dioceses who were exemplary followers of Jesus and doing excellent work in their parishes in Newcastle......Now 20 years later, I thank God for the many individual men and women that have been touched by His Spirit so may Cursillo long continue, My wife, Joy, joins me in all this.”

The Gathering was a time of welcome, fellowship, and community, where we could rekindle our calling to apostolic action as we acknowledged again that ‘Christ is Counting on me’. “I was so amazed at the joy, excitement and sharing of everyone who attended this Gathering; it was a magnificent sight throughout the weekend as we shared together” said Jim Cooper, the Organising Team Leader.

At Bishop Kay’s concluding address she asked “What is God’s future? Whatever it is, be encouraged to continue to grow your gifts, and the seeds that you can plant for God’s harvest. I believe that the spirit of restlessness that accompanies the Cursillo movement will help us devise the new maps needed for living and telling the good news which has loved us into God’s future”.

Bev Birch

For photographs from this event click on National Cursillo June 2010

Continuing the Journey as one, Hobart, September 2010

" We were pleased to welcome the National Lay Director, Alan Reed, from Perth who was able to give us input from a national perspective. The focus for the 42 people present was " Communicating the Vision" to Clergy, all Anglicans and the Christian general public. Emphasis was placed on our need to attend group reunions, Ultreyas and participation in Servant Community etc to continue to equip us to work within our church communities. During the question and discussion times we were able to think more deeply as to what role God has for each one of us. We also had a lot of singing and fun, particularly when table groups were required to build a high structure with marshmallows and toothpicks. We thank God for an inspiring weekend where we got to know Him and each other in a more meaningful way. "

For photographs from this event click on Continuing the Journey, Hobart, September 2010

The Anglican Cursillo Movement in Australia Turns Thirty

In October 2009, the Anglican Cursillo Movement in Australia celebrated its 30th birthday.

On the Weekend of 14-16 September, thirty year ago, Men's No 1 Cursillo was launched in the Diocese of Canberra/Goulburn at Bishopthorpe Goulburn; a wonderful weekend in the life of the Anglican Communion in Australia.

A 30th anniversary celebration was held on Saturday 3 October 2009 at St Saviour’s Cathedral Goulburn.

For photographs from this event click on birthday.