Weekend 32

WEEKEND #32 - LAY RECTOR'S REPORT

Some time ago Jane Coan asked me to consider and pray about whether I felt that God might be calling me to be the Lay Rector of London Cursillo #32. After much prayer and reflection, I found myself at the helm of a wonderfully happy staff team, leading a group of pilgrims who brought such joy and enthusiasm to the weekend. 

The statistics were: 
Staff/pilgrim ratio 3:1 
Male/female ratio 1:4 
Average age under 60 

Our Pilgrims came from St Lawrence, Eastcote, St Mark’s, Dalston, Church of the Ascension, Wembley and St Martin’s, Ruislip. 

Felden Lodge and it’s 32 acres was bathed in bright summer sunshine, with good weather, no cold rooms, hot showers in every room, lovely food, soft linen and of course we recognised the efforts of the hardworking staff in the time honoured tradition. 

The Rollo room was a constant hum of worship, song and sheer fun. Our light spacious airy room was home to the tables representing and dedicated to the life of Saints Catherine of Alexandria, St Dyfrig, St Gwynno (our comfort table saint) and the weekend dedicated to St Ignatius of Loyola). 

My lasting memory of our Spiritual Advisors Julie and Rosemia, was their mischievous fun perfectly blended with timely reflections and leading services in a thoughtful way. I can still picture them both walking in the grounds in the late afternoon sun and wondering what goodies they were planning. We soon found out! 

Cursillo #32 was a wonderful experience - we smiled a lot and shed some tears together as we pondered what God is doing in our lives. We felt filled with the Holy Spirit and I am truly blessed to be part of the Cursillo movement. Many thanks to everyone who participated, who prayed for us all and who came to support us at the Clausura, and my gratitude to our Lay Director Dee Davis for her guidance and considerable wisdom. 

Paul Bevis-Knowles 
Lay Rector London Cursillo #32 
31st May to 3rd June 2018 

Pilgrims Report

When I was told about the Cursillo 3 day weekend, I thought ‘OK, I’ll go on it’ – never realising what it was going to be like! The first day was almost a disaster, driving there in the rain, and then finding the road was closed so had to drive all the way round to the back way. Then on Friday morning I overslept! After that everything went well. Everyone was very kind and friendly and I was touched by the Spiritual Advisers. I shall never forget the letters and prayers we received from so many people; I thought ‘What! How do all these people know me?’ It reached down into my soul. It was fantastic - one of the greatest ever weekends ever.
- Audrey Perkins

When my friend invited me to participate in this event I did so with reluctance as I thought I could not “live like a Nun” even for a weekend, going to a place I had never heard of on my own and not knowing anyone or what to expect. However, I was very glad I decided to go as I had the most wonderful and uplifting time. Although very spiritual there was also time for fun and it was good to meet so many people and make new friends. When I received messages of prayer and knew that so many people everywhere were thinking and praying for me by name I was overwhelmed and tears welled up in my eyes. I was so grateful for all the kind thoughts and gifts. It truly was a blessed occasion where I learnt so much more to assist me in my spiritual life. 
I came away with the message “God depends on you and I on Him” very much in my thoughts and knowing I can do anything with Him by my side and in fellowship with my Christians brothers and sisters. Ultreya! 
- Lynda Corbin

How wonderful it is when God knows what is right for you, even if you don’t. So it was that I found myself driving down a worryingly narrow country lane to Felden Lodge for a Cursillo weekend. Of course, I had googled ‘London Cursillo’ and read about the history of the movement, but I had little idea of what lay ahead. 
Perhaps most striking, was the sense of being held in God’s love and in so many prayers. I still struggle a little to get my head around why so many people would come together and give up so much of their time for 5 pilgrims – but I am so glad they did. 
What an intense and amazing weekend it was. At one point on Friday morning I wondered how I was going to make it to the end? By Sunday afternoon, of course, I didn’t want it to be over. So much incredible input and gentle but challenging discussion. Then, there were the prayers and good wishes from around the globe, a genuinely humbling reminder, if we needed it, of God’s grace. Ultreya!
-  Glenn Burchell 

I came to my Cursillo weekend not knowing what to expect. A bit of a leap of faith. I lead a very busy life, working full time, in a fairly challenging job, and having a few issues to deal with in my home life, like many of us. 
I am what some would describe as sleep deprived and have not made the time to reflect on my spiritual wellbeing. I felt compelled to accept the invitation. But even during my journey to Felden Lodge I had doubts about whether the experience was going to be right for me. Would I feel comfortable, would it be relevant, would I be needed elsewhere? 
My answers came thick and fast virtually from the moment I arrived. It was a wonderful journey into faith for me. It was a thought provoking weekend shared with likeminded people. I felt valued and special. Receiving spiritual guidance, gifts and prayers from total strangers was overwhelming. 
On the final day I meant to thank everyone for what had been so generously provided but was so lost for words all I could do was sob. It’s therefore so special for me to have been given this opportunity to thank everyone involved in opening up this opportunity to me. Thank you and God bless you all. 
Ultreya
- Angela Dennie

I’d known about Cursillo for a long time, but this year felt like the right time to come – I needed a boost, something different. I was excited as the weekend drew near – my sponsor had been preparing me – and on arrival at Felden Lodge everyone was very friendly and helpful, putting me at ease. On the first night I wasn’t too sure how things were going to go – but everything just got better and better and better! Being surrounded by so much love, receiving so many letters and prayers, being part of something – being part of this shared experience of love – was amazing! These things are still in my mind – as well as the art work!
- Alison Cummins