From the Spiritual Advisor
Deacon Joe Olsen
Catholic Cursillo Ultreya – What Happens? Why Attend? Ultreya – All Catholics Invited
The Ultreya for a Catholic Cursillo is the gathering of Catholics, those who have lived a Cursillo weekend and those who have not yet lived a Cursillo weekend but are interested in finding out more about the Catholic Cursillo Movement. For those Catholics who have lived a Cursillo weekend, the Ultreya is the opportunity to gather with a group of men and women who share a common experience.
For those who have not yet lived a Cursillo weekend the Ultreya is an opportunity to see the friendship of Cursillo in action; an opportunity to get comfortable with the Cursillo; a place to decide to live a Cursillo weekend. If you come to a Catholic Cursillo Ultreya you will likely be asked if you would like to live a Cursillo weekend but there will be no high pressure; you can come as often as you wish. We think that having a Catholic Cursillo Ultreya that is open to all Catholics will be good for everyone!
Ultreya – What happens?
Every Catholic Cursillo Ultreya follows the same pattern. The participants are different, but the Ultreya is the same. We open the Ultreya with prayer, a song and short introductions, something like, “Hi, I am Deacon Joe Olsen, my parish is Saint Elizabeth Seton in Rohnert Park, I lived my Cursillo in Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1979.” If you have not yet lived a Cursillo weekend you would just introduce yourself by name and parish.
Sharing
After the opening prayer and introduction we sit in groups of three for a time of sharing. In the Catholic Cursillo we realize that a balanced spiritual life consists of piety, study and action. In our small groups we take time sharing what is going on in our lives focusing on these three topics; piety, study, and action. Everyone has the chance to share, but no one is required or forced. The sharing helps us encourage one another to be men and women who live balanced spiritual lives.
A key concept of the Ultreya is confidentiality. What is said at the Ultreya stays at the Ultreya.
Witness Talk
After our sharing as small groups we gather together for a witness talk. The witness talk is given by a person who has already lived a Cursillo weekend. They share for 5 to 10 minutes about something that is going on in their spiritual live; perhaps a moment of closeness to Christ, an apostolic success or a human failure. Remember with confidentially, what is shared at the Ultreya stays at the Ultreya.
Following the witness talk 2 people are asked to provide a brief echo, or reflection, about the talk they just heard. Each echo is for 1 to 2 minutes. The echoes reflect what was heard, and how it touched their life.
The Spiritual Advisor closes the time of sharing by adding a spiritual reflection to what was presented in the witness talk and the echoes.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
During the final portion of our Ultreya we visit the Blessed Sacrament. Depending upon the particular circumstances at the location of the Ultreya we might have silent adoration and prayer; or we might be able to have adoration, prayer, and benediction. We always try to have our Ultreyas where we can spend time with the Blessed Sacrament.
Social Time
The Ultreya from beginning introductions until the conclusion of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament take approximately one and a half hours. We know that everyone has a very busy life so we start at the scheduled time and finish in a timely fashion.
However, people who come to the Catholic Cursillo Ultreya often like to take a little time after Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament to socialize; perhaps a snack of cookies or fruit, a cup of coffee or a glass of water; but mostly time to meet new people and catch up with friends. Some people have to hurry and others can linger, we understand that everyone’s life is different.
Where do we have Ultreyas?
Saint Elizabeth Seton in Rohnert Park
Large Meeting Room
3rd Saturday of each month
2:00 – 4:00
Saint Eugene's Cathedral in Santa Rosa
Faith Room
First Wednesday of each month
7:00 - 9:00
