“Report to the Bishop as received by Clergy of Niagara” can be viewed in “Reports…”.

 A New Model of Engagement for Cursillo in Niagara Approved by Bishop

In December 2020, Bishop Susan Bell approved a new parish-level collaborative Cursillo model for the Diocese of Niagara. This approval aligns with the first objective in the diocesan Mission Action Plan: “to discern and implement opportunities to ignite and strengthen faith.” Significantly, that is exactly what the Cursillo Movement has been accomplishing. Over 40 years, approximately 1,000 people have gone on Cursillo Weekends in Niagara Diocese.

Cursillo, or “Cursillos de Cristiandad” means “Short Courses of Christianity” in Spanish.  These courses motivate and support Christians to live out their baptismal covenant and to faithfully share the Gospel. The Cursillo Method involves attending a weekend course, joining a small discussion group that meets regularly, meeting with a spiritual director periodically and attending regional gatherings.

The new model provides a blueprint for how Cursillo will operate at the parish level. It sets out roles for various people, and it enumerates the steps to engage parishioners. The model depends upon close collaboration between the parish priest and local Cursillo volunteers.

The new model was developed by the Niagara Huron Anglican Cursillo Secretariat, in response to suggestions for change from a survey of Niagara clergy in 2019. God willing, the new model will be piloted in ten parishes, with a goal to recruit at least 20 participants from these parishes to attend the next Cursillo Weekend, scheduled for November, 2021.

Final January 29, 2021