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I know what you are thinking—Yes, Christmas has been over for awhile already. All the decorations are packed away till next year, but what if I tell you “The Real Work of Christmas is just beginning”…

We are all called by God. But what is God calling us to do, what is he calling us to look for, are we looking for the same things God wants us to look for?

We look for so many things in this world to find our happiness and those things that would satisfy us. Only to find out later that those will not satisfy us, so we look again and again. And it seems that the looking for mystical formula seems endless.

Why? Maybe because we are often seeking the wrong things—the material things—things that cannot provide lasting satisfaction and contentment. For instance, can money, power, and other earthly pursuits truly satisfy us? These worldly things are incapable of providing the peace and contentment we seek.

Maybe God is telling us to seek different things, things that will give us satisfaction and make us feel content. There is a Poem written by Howard Thurman called, “THE WORKS OF CHRISTMAS,” and it goes like this…

When the song of the Angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the Kings and the Princes are home,
When the Shepherds are back with their flocks,
The Work of Christmas begins,
To find the LOST…
To Heal the BROKEN…
To Feed the HUNGRY…
To release the PRISONER…
To rebuild the NATIONS…
To bring PEACE among the PEOPLE…
To make Music in the HEART…

This poem tells us that when everything has returned to NORMAL after the holidays the REAL work of Christmas Begins.

In a world where we hear many voices telling us what to do, let us hear God’s voice.

The story of Samuel reminds us that God has a way of getting our attention. God makes himself known through a whisper in the wind or a quiet call in the night. He doesn’t bark orders; rather, He invites us to seek Him—just as Jesus in today’s Gospel invites followers to “Come, and you will see.” No pressure. No demands. No rolling thunder or flashes of lightning. God may give us a nudge. But He wants us to find Him on our own.

Are we willing to look?
Are we willing to listen?
Are we open to the possibility of an unexpected call in the night?

Let us respond to God’s voice this year with the words of a song I listen to all the time…

Here I am, Lord
Is it I, Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night
I will go, Lord
If You lead me
I will hold Your people in my heart…

God Bless us All, Everyone…

In a scripture reflection I read in America Media, Michael Simone, S.J. recounts a tale about his sponsorship of a young man who had no religious affiliation, but said he was a fan of Christianity as a social force and for Father Simone’s ministry as a priest. At one point when the young man was talking about how much he respected the positive things that Christians had done for the world, Fr. Simone thought he saw an opportunity for evangelization. So he told the young man “You know, you could join us whenever you want!” The young man quipped “Mike, I respect the New England Patriots too, but I’m not going to show up at practice to run drills and take snaps. C’mon!” Fr. Simone wrote that the young man had intuited a truth about discipleship that he had never articulated to himself, i.e. Anyone can be a fan. It takes a different level of commitment to join the team – to be a teammate!

How about us? Have we been “fans” of Our Lord Jesus? If we are reading this reflection, we think of ourselves as followers of Jesus. We have great admiration and gratitude for Christ, but could we
be doing more in terms of our commitment to try to follow Him in our day to day living? Could we be better “teammates” of Christ?

In reading about the conversion of St Paul, I came across the words that Ananias said to Paul right after he told him “Saul, my brother, regain your sight”. In Acts 22:14-15, Ananias told Paul: “The God of our ancestors designated you to know His will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear the sound of his voice; for you will be his witness before all to what you have seen and heard.”
Having made the Cursillo, we learned and we know how much we are loved by God. We have heard His voice, and we know His will. And we have read in St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, “For we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God has prepared in advance….”

In preparation for the upcoming 2024 baseball season, pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training for their first workouts on Valentine’s Day, Wednesday, February 14th. It is also Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent and our chance to renew/rededicate ourselves to our spiritual workouts. If we want to make the team, we know what it takes: PRAYER – RECEIVING THE   SACRAMENTS (especially the Eucharist) – READING GOD’S WORD – GOOD WORKS – SELF SACRIFICE.

Christ calls us to be perfect as His Father in heaven is perfect, BUT no matter how much we desire to spread the Light of Christ and be His witnesses in our world today, our humanness will still get in our way at times. He knows us and loves us and our efforts anyway. May each of us put in the effort to be better teammates! DECOLORES!!!

I am so grateful for our commitment to Cursillo and how we continually fight for it’s existence! I am proud to share OUR story— of how we keep our programs going. We believe in this powerful,
essential need of God’s Friendship in our lives & the Cursillo experience is something that no other program is!

Since becoming a 501c3 non-profit company, St. Paul’s Cursillo & Retreat Programs, Inc. has a Board that meets regularly to review expenses & other business requirements. The Board is comprised of members from the Cursillo Community that represent all of our initiatives = programs, follow-up, finances, gathering spaces, etc. Recently, the Board needed to review the cost for running our programs. Expenses like retreat centers, supplies, insurance, etc. have increased. We had to make the difficult decision to raise the cost of our Cursillo weekends in 2024.

We are grateful for the support we receive from donations & fundraising. The Cursillo Community is so generous—you support everything that we ask! Because of your generosity & support, we
have money reserved for scholarships. We NEVER want someone to not make a Cursillo, or work as a Team Member, because they cannot afford to. The money you give—raffle tickets, free will
donations, donations for remembrance of loved ones, T-shirt & gift purchases—all go to supporting everything, especially those who need assistance.

All this leads to sponsorship—what we need to do to get others interested in making a Cursillo, and what’s needed to make that Cursillo experience the best it can be. As Cursillistas, we need to
commit to sharing Cursillo, inviting others to consider making a weekend. It involves giving candidates all the information they need to make a Cursillo & following up with them about it. Please
know that you can ask for help with sharing Cursillo with others. Our Program Directors & Team Members will talk to anyone & everyone about Cursillo. Last year was so tremendously successful
with four Cursillo weekends—let’s continue those blessings in 2024!

On Tuesday, December 5, 2023, the Cursillo Community came together to experience the multimedia presentation for Advent. The evening was a joint effort from members of the Floral Park and Manorville Ultreyas to promote our unity as a Cursillo community. Held at the Brentwood Academy, it was the first time since Covid that we were blessed to gather in person for this annual evening of prayer.

The theme this year was, “Advent: A Season of Holy Waiting.” There were personal reflections from Jo Anne Ayers, Mario Cannariato, Tracey O’Reilly and Ann Marie Dodd. Joanne Lauro and I shared prayers and introduced the program. We even had some surprise giveaways for a few of our attendees in the true Christmas spirit of gift giving. As each of our presenters lit the Advent candle to introduce their piece, it announced to our community that Hope, Peace, Love and Joy abound, not only around us but within us during this season.

When I presented the theme, I said that Advent is a time to wait—to be in suspense, a holy waiting. It is a time between now and not yet, a time when we are very aware of what is behind us but not sure of what lies ahead. Holy waiting is active, not passive. Holy waiting begins with listening. We listen to God. We listen to our own inner promptings.
Here are some inner promptings from our presenters after the fact, sharing their experience and how it impacted their
own Advent journeys:

“To be celebrating our Advent service in person was a beautiful prayerful experience.”– Jo Anne Ayers
“The Advent evening of prayer was a perfect way to start the season, allowing me to focus on hope, joy, love, and peace, and hold on to the stories shared. It helped me to slow down while I was holy waiting for our Savior to be born” – Joanne Lauro
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to reflect on my abundant blessings this season. I entered Advent with a deeper, more meaningful, and prayerful way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. To see each candle lit ignited that feeling in me. It was less about the external decorations and more about my interior journey”– Tracey O’Reilly
“As I was preparing for the prayer service I was focused on Joy. As they say, God always gives you what you need. In that preparation and reflection, I was able to stay in joy throughout the season of Advent. It was enlightening for me as I don’t recall in years past that I gave it much thought. My favorite line from that piece was … joyful anticipation. It is in the waiting that we can experience the joy. So, I stayed focused on being in Advent, staying present and mindful as the days and weeks went by. I entered several different stores as Christmas was coming and I needed to prepare in a few different ways, I entered
each store reminding myself to experience the joy. And you know what, I did! It was such a grace for me.”
“I am always humbled to work with my Cursillo brothers and sisters doing anything for our community. My take on this advent season was the line in my section that read “Are you waiting for peace or are you waiting in peace?” Reflecting on that line led me to think how blessed we are as Christians to be given the gift of our Lord coming to us each year. This God of ours thought of everything, each year we celebrate our Savior’s birth, and we celebrate his death for all humanity” – Mario Cannariato

This Christian Community was certainly a gift to me this Advent season. These words from Ann Marie Dodd express the gratitude of all of us involved: “And finally, I want to say how much I was truly touched by the in person gathering. Bringing the community from the East and the West together in one location and in person was truly wonderful. At first, I was skeptical, and I had even bet someone that if “X” amount of people showed up I would do a “jig”! Imagine that! Well guess what folks, more than I expected did show up and that was a wonderful grace as well. I look forward to the opportunities for our community to come together to have the opportunity to prepare for and pray during Lent and Advent. Thank you to all who came in person and on zoom. It was a beautiful evening. I look forward to the opportunities to pray together in community, it is such a blessing for each of us.”

I am already looking forward to our next in person gathering for our Lenten Evening of Prayer on March 5,2024. Let’s see what dance we can get Ann Marie to do that night!! Save the Date. Details to follow—Stay tuned!!

Happy New Year!

I am breathing a sigh of relief that the frantic part of the holiday season is done. I don’t think I am alone in that sentiment. Over the last few years, I had really begun to reevaluate what the true meaning of the season meant for me. This year, especially, the greatest lesson I have learned is to keep my mind on Jesus. As Advent progressed, I intentionally focused on the theme for that week. I was hard pressed when it came to joy. Grief from the death of my father this past summer lightly drifted in and out of moments in my days. I was grateful that in those moments I knew God wasn’t a far away God, that He was right there with me. So, God and I had plenty of quiet time with one another, sometimes not so quiet- at least not on my end.

Somewhere in all that, I began to consider my vision for the upcoming year. What would I like to see happen in my life? What needs to change? What am I willing to do about any of it? Putting the laundry list of future broken resolutions aside, I laughed when it dawned on me to ask, “God, what is your vision for my life?” This is the real-life definition of Holy waiting. Partially yes and partially no – I do believe I am living out His vision for me each day. I trust God will reveal all that and so much more in His time. As I continue to ask God to mold and shape me, His vision becomes my reality.

In 12-Step Recovery, we strive to live our lives 24 hours at a time—each day is a new beginning, a clean slate, a “do-over”. I believe that is precisely what living life in deep relationship with Christ is for me. So, at the clock strike of midnight this past New Year’s Eve, I unhitched the U-Haul truck of 2023’s worst moments to embrace to new vision God has in store for me.

I will continue to contemplate what God is calling me to do this new year with every invitation. In your prayer time you might want to consider:

What is God’s vision for your life? What is He calling you to do in this new season? What dreams does He want you to pursue? What matters of your heart does He want to work on healing? In what areas does He want you to grow?

On December 6th, fifty-two men gathered at Our Lady of Hope Church, Carle Place, NY, for our Annual Men’s Christmas Mass and Dinner. Our main celebrant was Fr. Tom Moriarity, a recent Cursillista, who has such zest for the Cursillo program! He has helped us with the last two Men’s weekends and plans to be on every one going forward! A good deal for us!

During this liturgy ,one of our recent Cursillistas was Baptized and Confirmed. How special this was for all of us to witness. The spirit was so alive at this celebration. The gentleman’s name is Kumar. He chose Paul as his Confirmation name in honor of St. Paul who touched him so much on his weekend. He asked us from now on to call him Paul Kumar!

After Mass, we went to the church basement where a fantastic dinner was set up—catered by Toskana on Post Avenue in Westbury and overseen by our two Christmas Elves, Darlene McGovern and Catherine Amato. They kept the men full of food fun and spirit. We had our sharing session which always leads to such great discussion, as we reconnected with men we haven’t seen in a while—as well as faithful ones who are there all the time. Ending with coffee, cake and candy to make this event just perfect. Until next year, may you all have a wonderful New Year!

DeColores!

On Wednesday evening, November 8, twelve couples came together on a Zoom call to attend the Married Couples Reunion. This meeting was for all married couples regardless of whether or not they have made a Married Couples Weekend or a Cursillo Weekend. Rich and Norma Scally were the speakers. They spoke about some of the challenges in a marriage. They pointed out that lack of communication can lead to misunderstandings and hurt feelings. They stressed how important it is to communicate with each other and with God. They also spoke about the importance of being kind and understanding to your spouse, the need to forgive – small and large matters, and the importance of accountability to each other. After Norma and Rich spoke, the couples were asked to turn off their audio and visual and discuss the following questions: How do you resolve conflicts?; Describe the first time you met each other and the feelings you had; How do you express your love towards your spouse and is there something you need to work on; What are some of the kindest things your spouse has done for you?

All the couples agreed that it was a good exercise. So many times there are topics we don’t think about discussing with our spouse. Being a part of this meeting helps couples come closer to each other and to God.

Please consider attending the next Married Couples Weekend; April 5-7, 2024.

On November 11th, 2023, ninety three people gathered together to celebrate at the Saint Paul’s Cursillo Communion Breakfast. This Cursillo family was able to pray together, receive the Eucharist and then enjoy a wonderful meal with their fellow Cursillistas.

In the past few years, this event has been held at the Immaculate Conception Center in Douglaston. However, due to a new policy, we were not able to use that facility. Luckily, we found a beautiful church at Our Lady of the Snows parish in Floral Park. This church was going to be the setting for the Mass.

However, as often happens, due to the unexpected scheduling of two funerals and two weddings in the church that day, the Communion breakfast was held in the lower level hall and school cafeteria. As always, the people of Saint Paul’s Center just rolled with the punches and we had a wonderful mass in the large hall and then a delicious breakfast / brunch in the school cafeteria decorated for the Thanksgiving season. It was decided to have a combination breakfast/ brunch meal and this was catered by Iavarone Brothers. Nothing but great compliments were heard with reference to the food and many people brought food home when they left that afternoon.

Monsignor Thomas Caserta was the celebrant and our guest speaker for this event. Monsignor Caserta has a long history with Saint Paul’s Center starting with his attending the co-ed Young Adult Christian Awakening program in 1972. Since that time, he held many different positions at Saint Paul’s Center leading up to becoming the Director of Saint Paul’s when it was located on Humboldt St. He has also served as a faculty member at the college level seminary, a pastor at parishes in Brooklyn and now that he is retired, he continues to teach theology at St. John’s University.

Many people commented on how wonderful his homily was at the mass. He brought the readings to life and was able to relate them to both our daily existence and our St. Paul’s experience.

As the guest speaker during the luncheon, Tom chose to talk about the obligation, the responsibilities and the joy every person can experience during their 4th day. He spoke about the need for prayer, study and action and that each individual should be challenged by the phrase many of us heard on our weekends “Christ is counting on you.”

Hopefully this event will continue to be well supported by the Saint Paul’s family as it is a wonderful opportunity for old friends and new friends to pray, worship and enjoy each other’s company.

Historically, I was never a huge fan of waiting. When I was younger, I demanded immediate gratification. Waiting was a fool’s game – if you want it, make it happen; if it doesn’t, well, on to the next. Time spent waiting was wasted as far as I could tell.

I spent several years in the throes of alcoholism and drug addiction. My life was spent waiting for the next substance that would remove me from myself and the world. Waiting was time spent feeling sick and desperate. Get me what I need – I simply can’t wait any longer.

Then I got sober, and I waited for things to get better. Waiting was necessary, but painful. I was told that if I was patient, did the work of getting to know and trust God, and waited, there would be promises and rewards of a better life. It was the first time I can recall that waiting had to be accompanied by faith. If I didn’t believe in the promise of recovery, I never could have withstood the waiting. It was too hard, too uncomfortable. But they told me that God had my back, that He was waiting with me; it would be ok. And it was.

Waiting took on a new dimension. It was no longer dead time – it was time spent preparing for what was to come. Time spent learning how to exist in the new reality that I was waiting for. Waiting became productive and intentional. And when I did it around a community of other people who understood and could support me, it became a shared experience of love. Still rough at times, but always hopeful.

This is the kind of waiting that I now actually look forward to in Advent. It is an intentional time, during which I can reflect, do the work of repentance, observe myself and see how I am doing at living the life God has asked me to live. I am reminded what it means to be a player in the new reality, the new life that Jesus promises. It is a time of both eager anticipation and peaceful wonder – yes, we know what’s coming, but that never makes it any less awe-inspiring, any less profound. In my church and in the Cursillo community, we wait together in a shared experience of love. Waiting has ceased to be a task, a drudgery. It is time gifted to me to bask in God’s love and mercy – to remember what it means to be called to know, love and serve the Lord.

On the fourth Sunday of Advent we hear about the Annunciation, the beginning of the greatest love story ever told. God become man. God giving flesh to love. God loving us so much that, in human form, he suffered and sacrificed everything, all for the love of man. For the love of each of you. For the love of me.

I’d say that’s worth waiting for.

On the weekend of November 2-5, 2023, twenty-two women came to experience an encounter with Christ and deepen their relationship with our loving God at the Seminary in Huntington. Truly God was present in this place. From the time they arrived on Thursday evening, throughout the weekend, the Spirit of God moved in each of the candidates as the Team shepherded them on their journey.

An incredible team of faith-filled women came to serve this weekend, women who continue to say yes to the invitation “Christ is Counting on You”! Our Rectora, Silvia Madison, led the women throughout the weekend with a peaceful, gentle presence. Our table team consisted of Cathy Klimar, Cathleen Bauer, Lorraine Paceleo, Anne Haffey, Rosemary Maikis, Darlene McGovern, Maria Sullivan, and Lorraine Kosinski who graced us as a walk-on. These women live their life in Friendship with God as was very evident in their talks and in the service. The Angel Team was led by Head Angel Missy Lewis along with Nikki Longo, Joanne Lauro, Norma Scally and Lorraine Esposito. Their loving presence and attention to the women on the weekend earned them their halos this weekend. Lisa Eastwood shadowed our Rectora, Silvia as she prepares to be the Rectora for the July 2024 weekend. Our Spiritual Team included Beth Barker, Angie Vazquez, Jo Anne Ayers, Lisa Brogan, and Theresa McHugh.

A weekend cannot happen without the village of the St. Paul’s Community. ‘It takes a village …’ is a proverb that carries a profound message about community and shared responsibility. It is a proverb that the St. Paul’s Community brings to life as it is members of our community who sponsor candidates, come to greet on Thursday evening, offer prayers and Palanca and come to welcome our Cursillistas to their 4th day at the closing. The closing was full of joy, laughter, and grace-filled hearts. It was a beautiful testimony to what took place between God and those twenty-two women.

To the women of Cursillo #291, welcome to the village of St. Paul’s Community!