SAN BERNARDINO DIOCESE ENGLISH CURSILLO

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Last year was a great year which included the celebration of 50 years of Cursillos in Christianity in the United States.  We, of course, were also saddened by the loss of our founder, Eduardo Bonin, during this last year.  Eduardo is with the Lord in his fifth day and his message asking us to stay with the original Charism given him by the Holy Spirit has been heard loud and clear.  This was obvious from the mood and direction given at the recently concluded National Encounter.

We are honored and thrilled to report that during the National Encounter held in Washington, DC it was announced that the 2009 National Encounter will be held In San Bernardino at Cal State San Bernardino.  We are all very excited about being the Hosts for the National Encounter.  The dates are July 30 through August 2, 2009.  This, of course, brings with it a lot of preparation and work.  The Filipino, Spanish and English cultures will all be working together to make this a special Encounter under the leadership of John Casarez , our Chairperson for the Encounter. 

If you would like to help with the 2009 Encounter, committees are being formed and we would appreciate you letting us know of your intentions.  Please contact either John Casarez at Lvcnqrs@aol.com or myself at bthurin@benefitsresource.com.  We are in need of at least 100 volunteers.

Most of you are aware of the “Leaders Formation Workshop” held earlier this year at St. Anthony’s in Upland.  The Regional team did an excellent job and many from the English and Filipino communities were in attendance and enriched by the experience.

Please mark your calendars for the Multicultural Mass and Grand Ultreya which will be celebrated by Auxiliary Bishop Rutilio del Riego on Saturday, November 8, 2009, at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Chino Hills.  Mass will start promptly at 9:30 AM.

Please remember in your prayers your brother and sister Cursillistas, those new Cursillistas and all those who have gone on to their fifth day.  We certainly need each other’s support and prayer to help bring the message of Jesus Christ to the environments in which we are planted.

God Bless You All,

Bill Thurin

Lay Director