Cursillo movement offers men's, women's retreats

Friday, Jun. 21, 2019

SALT LAKE CITY — The Cursillo movement in the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City will present men’s and women’s weekend retreats that are open to anyone who wants to join or learn more about the Cursillo movement in the diocese, said Rita Stelmach, part of the Cursillo movement.

Cursillo is a Catholic apostolic movement that began in 1949. A Cursillo has its own charism; it is a pilgrimage back to the Father and eternity. Its purpose is to save souls and build a Christian community.

Both retreats will be at St. Vincent de Paul Parish’s Benvegnu Center. The men’s Cursillo retreat will take place July 11-14; the women’s retreat is scheduled for July 25-28.

“People should attend the retreat to encounter spirituality with Christ,” Stelmach said.

After the retreat, those who are interested may join the Cursillistas’ weekly prayer groups.

“This helps them to keep nourishing their spiritual life. It’s not that you go to a retreat and forget about it,” Stelmach said.

Once a month, the Cursillo groups gather for prayer and fellowship.

“It’s like a community type of group; this keeps us all focused,” Stelmach said.

Last year one of the diocesan seminarians, Anthony Shumway, participated in the retreat. 

“The Cursillo is a group of men and women who are interested in getting to know Christ and live out the gospel better,” he said.

The journey with the Cursillistas begins when people decide to attend the retreat in which the participants learn how to pray for and support each other, Shumway said. 

“I had the experience to go on one of these retreats last year, and as a seminarian I can say this: The information presented is not some new radical teaching, it’s authentic words derived from tradition and the Gospel,” said Shumway, adding that he felt the presence of the Holy Spirit throughout the whole weekend.

“I felt him in the speakers, the leaders and the people who cooked for us,” he said. “At the end of the weekend retreat, I found myself with a new group of Christians that, like me, just want to get to know Christ more and to foster our relationship with him.”

The Cursillo groups in Utah are “dedicated to spreading the love and compassion that Jesus Christ taught us to do, and I encourage anyone that is interested in bettering your relationship with Christ to take advantage of this group and take the retreat in July,” Shumway said.  “You won’t be sorry, and it will open you to another level of Christ’s family.” 

WHAT: Cursillo Men’s Retreat

WHEN: July 11-14