Catholic Diocese Tucson

CATHOLIC OUTLOOK 3 JANUARY 2020 By MICHAEL BROWN Managing Editor Everything old is new again. At least, that’s the hope of Deacon David and Alma Clark, the couple leading a resurgence of the English- language Cursillo movement in the Diocese of Tucson. “We are trying to get the movement going again,” said Alma in December. Cursillo – “short courses” in Chris- tianity – started out as a movement in Spain in 1944. It quickly spread around the world, including the US where it served English- and Spanish- speaking Catholics. It had been active in the Diocese of Tucson through 2018, when existing leaders stepped back without leaders to succeed them. After some discernment and inter- views, Alma was appointed diocesan lay director, and Deacon David, her husband, was named spiritual director. The Spanish-language component in the Diocese, which suffered no change in leadership, continues to be led by Malena Amaya with Hispanic Ministry Coordinator and Dominican Sister Gladys Echenique as its spiri- tual director. Alma announced several town hall meetings to meet members who have experienced a Cursillo weekend retreat and who want to work to renew the movement in southern Arizona. The town hall meetings also are open to anyone who would want to learn more about Cursillo and attend a future weekend. The first meeting will be at St. Au- gustine Cathedral, Tucson, on Sunday, Jan. 26, beginning with Mass at 1 p.m. It will be followed by a potluck at Cathedral Square, then the meet- ing. Another meeting will take place Saturday, Feb. 1 at 1 p.m. at Immacu- late Conception Church in Yuma. It will feature a prayer service or adora- tion, followed by a potluck and town meeting. “There won’t be any pointing of fingers,” Alma said. “We just want to see what the people want.” “I am also not there to say, ‘This is what we need to do to fix this.’We don’t know what needs fixing,” she added. Alma, who made her initial Cursillo in 2001, said that movement has been successful in drawing Catholics who left the Church back into the fold, and encouraging those who have never left to become leaders in their communi- ties. It’s been an important tool to help “people wanting to go back to Church,” she said. She estimated that nearly 1,000 men and women have attended Cursillo retreats in the Diocese from 2013-18, and their input is essential in revitalizing the movement. “That’s an astonishing number. That’s why we are asking ourselves, ‘Where are they?’” Alma said. “I’d like to hear from everybody but I definitely want to hear from the Cursillistas.” The Cursillo structure requires a “secretariat” structure for each diocese and recognizes two language-based communities under a single secre- tariat. Each secretariat is comprised of experienced Cursillistas who have undergone additional formation in a Cursillo School of Leaders. The mem- bers of the School of Leaders usually meet monthly to continue formation and build community. Alma said there is no prescribed length of study, but it usually takes about six months attending for mem- ber bonds to form. She asked that anyone wishing to attend either of the events to contact her by email (tucsonyumacursillolay- director@gmail.com) or by phone at (928) 581-0543. When spiritual renewal needs renewal: Working to revive Cursillo Outlook photo courtesy of Alma Clark Deacon David and Alma Clark, the couple leading a resurgence of the English-lan- guage Cursillo movement in the greater Tucson area Schedule for Cursillo School of Leaders in the Diocese Yuma School of Leaders - First Saturday of the month at Immacu- late Conception, 505 S. Avenue B, 1 p.m.; and on the 3rd and 4th Wednesdays of each month, normally held at St. Francis Catho- lic School, 700 W. 18 th St., class- room 7, 7-8:30 p.m. For more information, email Debbie Aguilar at debert57@gmail.com . Tucson - Every 1st and 3rd Monday at St. Margaret’s, 801 N. Grande Ave., 6-8 p.m. For more informa- tion, email Rogene Small at another. brother.in.christ@gmail.com . Casa Grande - Every Tuesday at St. Anthony of Padua, 201 N. Pica- cho St., 6:30-8:30 p.m. For more information, email Alex Mejia at alex.mejia1960@gmail.com . Sierra Vista - Every Tuesday (ex- cept the 1 st Tuesday) at Our Lady of the Mountain, 1425 E. Yaqui St., 6-8 p.m. For more information, email Zina Justiniano at svsolcur- sillo@gmail.com .