Welcome to
New Hampshire Cursillo
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Upcoming Cursillo Weekends
Date: March 7-10, 2024
Location: Camp Sentinel
29 Sentinel Lodge Rd, Center Tuftonboro, NH 03816
Date: April 18-21, 2024
Location: Camp Sentinel
29 Sentinel Lodge Rd, Center Tuftonboro, NH 03816
To attend a Cursillo, download the Applicant / Sponsor Form and return completed forms to the address at the top of the form.
What is Cursillo?
Cursillo, or “Cursillo de Christianidad,” is defined as a "short course in Christianity.” Begun in Spain in 1949, but now a world-wide movement within the Catholic Church, Cursillo shares the fundamentals of being a Christian as an individual and in community. The Cursillo helps people discover and fulfill their personal and spiritual vocations while fostering groups of Christians who leaven their various/daily environments with the Gospel.
The Cursillo makes it possible for anyone in the world to live a Christian life in a natural way. It is the means through which men and women are able to live the Gospel. “Cursillo is an instrument raised up by God for the proclamation of the gospel in our time.” – Pope Saint John Paul II
Since it is a movement of the Church, the Cursillo Movement has the same apostolic purpose as the Church. As baptized lay Christians, Cursillo prepares men and women to go forth as apostles to proclaim the Gospel. It provides everyone with the training and tools needed to sustain their mission. As Pope Saint Paul VI said: "The Church exists to Evangelize..."
The work of Cursillo is not confined to a three day exercise, but is meant to assist Christians in their apostolic action to make Christ known, loved, and served everywhere. Through our natural gifts, we can all influence our daily environments to be more Christ-like. Cursillo is not an organization one has to join, but is a movement that asks people to live as Christians and be apostolic by using the learned Method on the 3-Day weekend.
The world can be renewed and transformed by Christians who are conscious that they are children of God, brothers and sisters of Jesus Christ, and temples of the Holy Spirit in whatever they do and with whom they associate. Cursillo is, thus, an instrument of renewal for the world at the disposal of the Church. Laypersons and clergy alike are important instruments of “Christian leaven” in this endeavor in civic, social, and economic life.
There are 3 stages in Cursillo:
Attend Ultreya
Ultreyas are held around the state every month. Below is an Ultreya near you.
| Ultreya | When | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Greater Manchester Ultreya | 7 PM - First Friday of the month Ultreya Contact |
St. Catherine of Siena Parish 207 Hemlock St, Manchester, NH 03104 |
| Greater Concord Ultreya | 7 PM - Second Friday of the month | Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish 180 Loudon Rd, Concord, NH 03301 |
| Lakes Region Ultreya | 7 PM First Friday of the month Ultreya Contact |
Location Changes monthly:
|
| Franconia Ultreya | 7 PM - Last Monday of the month | St. Rose of Lima Parish
77 Clay St, Littleton, NH 03561 |
| Berlin Ultreya | 6:30 PM - 12/16/2023 | St. Anne Catholic Church
345 Pleasant St, Berlin, NH 03570 |
What is Ultreya?
"Ultreya" is a Spanish word, derived from the original Latin, meaning “Onward!” It was in common use by pilgrims to greet and to encourage one another while walking along the Camino de Compostela in Spain. This word is now used by the Cursillo community to signify the meeting which is held after a Cursillo experience. This meeting may be between Cursillistas from one or several communities, usually once a month.
In a climate of friendship, members share their life experiences based on the three tenets of Cursillo life: i.e.: Piety, Study and Action. This sharing can be contemplative in nature or may deal with an evangelizing experience. These sharings from real-life experiences, serve as examples to all of us of the challenge which Jesus lays before His followers: "Go and do likewise."
As its name implies, the Ultreya is a call to move forward and to keep the flame of the Cursillo burning brightly.
What are Small Group Reunions?
A gathering of a few friends on a regular basis (either before or after a Cursillo weekend) to share their natural friendship and common problems, goals, their work, and daily lives. They also share their recent spiritual journeys in 3 areas: Piety, Study, and Action, and to encourage and give insights as to how to grow in these areas. They may also gather for other activities to deepen their bonds of friendship with each other.
School of Leaders
Cursillistas are encouraged to continue learning about the Cursillo Movement, since everything cannot be covered in a weekend experience. Various layperson and spiritual topics are covered and discussed, so that through deeper understanding of the Movement and the Founder’s charism, each person can grow more deeply as a Christian, and thus, bring this deeper knowledge to others.