A New Day
Transforming the World in Christ
The Diocese of
Harrisburg Cursillo Newsletter
Volume XXVII No 6,
November/December, 2000
A New Day
Transforming the World in Christ
The Diocese of
Harrisburg Cursillo Newsletter
Volume XXVII No 6,
November/December, 2000
Reflections on the Historic 70th Men’s Cursillo
By: Michael V. Ciccocioppo, Jr., Rector, Men’s 70th Weekend
During the Great Jubilee Year 2000, when the Holy Father and the bishops of the world formally entrusted the world and the entire third millennium to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a small band of 22 men (9 candidates and 13 team) christened the Saint Cyril Academy Education and Spiritual Center in Danville, Pennsylvania, with its first Cursillo. The entire weekend was dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary to show our love for the Mother of our Brother, Jesus, and to stand in unity with the universal Church during this historic weekend, October 5 – 8, 2000. Through the grace of God, the protection of Mary, and the generous Palanca of so many, peace reigned throughout the weekend and the men stayed absolutely focused on the call they had received from Christ that weekend.
The spaciousness of the facilities in Danville, and the magnificence of the Basilica of Saints Cyril and Methodius, added a certain sense of awe to the Cursillo. The holiness of the grounds and the presence of the grace-filled sisters provided a witness to the dedication of innumerable devout Catholics who have lived their lives for the greater glory of the Kingdom of God. So many factors must be considered when assessing the profound success of this weekend, that one can scarcely imagine all the natural and supernatural phenomena at work on these 22 chosen souls. But I would like to reflect on just a few for your consideration.
Clearly the Blessed Mother was a key factor in this weekend. Not only did the sacred entrustment take place in Rome that Sunday, but also, Saturday was the feast of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary. We prayed to Mary from the early stages of team formation, and all the way through the weekend, for her protection and intercession. Many of the team prayed the rosary and the novena prayer to Our Lady of the Holy Rosary for the nine days leading up to the Closura. Our two tables were named for Mary’s spouse, Saint Joseph, and for her servant, Saint Louis Marie de Montfort. A special lighted shrine to Our Lady with fresh red roses in our Palanca Chapel watched over the men as they came before the Eucharistic Christ in adoration. And the images of both the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary were at the front of the drill room as a constant reminder throughout the weekend.
The complete dedication of the team was evident during the period of team formation and right through the weekend. The Sisters have a contract food service company that prepares and serves all the meals at Saint Cyril’s. So there was no need for the traditional “kitchen crew” that we are all so accustomed to. But this meant a smaller team was in order.
Then, due to circumstances beyond their control, three team members could not be present for the weekend—including our beloved Vince Leone who was slated to be rector, and who had recruited and formed the team over two months time. This reduced the number of team to 11 laymen and 2 spiritual directors. Our first big test came in filling the responsibilities of the men who had to drop out. Team members generously responded, and all the gaps were filled. Another issue was how to ensure 24-hour coverage in the Palanca Chapel. Again, team members jumped at the chance to serve by agreeing to individually cover multiple hours. Team prayed before the Blessed Sacrament continuously, except during the group photo on Friday and during the Mass on Saturday. Sister Mary Gilbert, SS.C.M., herself a Cursillista, offered to cover these times so that we could all be together. Finally, each member of the team remained flexible during the weekend as we encountered little adjustments that had to be made to our normal way of doing things so that we could adhere to the rules of our newfound facilities.
A final, but certainly very important, consideration in assessing the success of this weekend had to do with the nine candidates themselves. These men were very diverse. They came from all corners of the diocese. Their ages ranged from fathers of young children to more senior men. They were single and married. And their work lives included a variety of callings. The one thing they shared in common was a sincere interest in discerning why God had chosen them, at that moment in their lives, to make a Cursillo. Beginning with the retreat Thursday evening, all the way through the Closura on Sunday evening, they were totally focused on each meditation, each prayer, each talk, each discussion, and each moment of grace. They opened themselves to Christ, and He filled every thought and every molecule of their being.
We are so blessed in this Diocese to have an active and vibrant Cursillo Movement. The lives of the men of the 70th, and the lives of every Cursillista, have been changed forever as a result. Never take the Movement for granted! Pray for its leaders, and do what you can to support and promote it every chance you get.
One Mighty Big Thank You!
I’d like to thank Rita McGinty (W-40), our recently retired editor of A New Day. Many of you know Rita, and are aware of her time consuming “Bag Lady” ministry. This ministry keeps Rita running many nights of the week, along with many weekends.
Despite the demands of being the Bag Lady, Rita still published this newsletter for at least three years (neither Rita nor I can remember how long she has been the editor).
Rita, thank you very much, and may God continue to bless you and shower you with His graces. ---- Steve Cordier (M-46)
Welcome to Our New Cursillista
Brothers and Sisters
Men’s 70th Weekend
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Doug Burger St. Patrick, Carlisle
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Casimir Erzegovich Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick
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Robert Fulton, Jr. St. Joseph, Danville
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John Grady St. Francis Xavier
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Michael Howe St. Columba
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Rick Souders St. Joseph, Lancaster
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Joseph Strouse St. Theresa
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Drexel Wright St. Columba
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John Yagel St. Monica
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Women’s 63rd Weekend
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Julia Becker St. Pius X
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Catherine Bennick St. Joseph's, Danville
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Patricia Bubnis St. Columba
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Lila Welliver St. Columba
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Mary Muolo St. Pius X
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Sandra Mash St. Catherine Laboure
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Beverly O'Neill St. Katharine Drexel
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Denise Pisarcik St. Joseph's, Danville
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Roseann Quick St. Joseph's, Danville
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Helen Raski Christ the King
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Susan Risner St. Bernard's
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Patricia Scardigli Christ the King
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Ruth Ryan St. Pius X
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Dee Pytko St. Joseph's, Danville
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Mitzi Ruszkowski St. Katharine Drexel
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Chris Sheridan St. Theresa's
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Sharon Trani St. Joseph's, Lancaster
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Conchita Vivas St. Columba
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Catherine Wallace St. Joseph's, Danville
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Mary Kline Christ the King
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Catherine Leiphart St. Pius X
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Elizabeth Luise St. Bernard's
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Marge Murphy St. Columba
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Elizabeth Hnylanski St. Columba
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| Dorothy Fox
St. Monica
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Barbara Graham St. Katharine Drexel
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Mary Ann Hackenberg St. Joseph's, Danville
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Suzanne Haile St. Columba
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Ann Hanincik St. Ann's Byzantine
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Adelina Capitan St. Basil the Great
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Assunta Castellucci St. Monica Church
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Helen Durso St. Monica Church
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Elizabeth Fink Cathedral Parish of St. Patrick
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Wilma Fleshman St. Katharine Drexel |
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2000
Secretariat - Diocese of Harrisburg Spiritual Advisor
Msgr. Thomas
H. Smith St. Joseph
Church 440 St.
Joseph Street Lancaster,
PA 17603 (717)397-6921 Assistant Spiritual Advisor Father
Francis Menei PO Box 3094 Shiremanstown,
PA 17011 (717)761-3096 frmenei@aol.com Lay Director Brenda Wilt 249 Redwood
Lane Carlisle, PA
17013 (717)795-2954 beryl3of5@pa.net Lay Director Elect - Vacant Pre-Cursillo Committee John Rossi 3 Holly
Drive New
Cumberland, PA 17070 (717)774-0353 jar2455@aol.com Cursillo Committee Tom &
Lois Wonsiewicz 110 Rodney
Lane Camp Hill,
PA 17011 (717)761-8313 lgwons@aol.com tjwons@aol.com Post-Cursillo Committee Sheila Quinn 1380 Third
Avenue Chambersburg,
PA 17201 (717)263-0464 Treasurer Bob Nelson 814 Hillaire
Road Lancaster,
PA 17601 (717)898-7783 corvairmonza@msn.com rnelson@high.net School of Leaders Coordinator Bill
Rockwood 1211 E.
Powderhorn Road Mechanicsburg,
PA 17050 (717)697-2189 ebrockjr@earthlink.net Secretary (Communications) Steve
Cordier 14 Creamery
Road Boiling
Springs, PA 17007 (717)258-6296 scordier@pa.net
2001 Spring
Cursillo Weekend Dates Men’s
Weekend (June 7-10, 2001) Women’s
Weekend (June 21-24, 2001) Both
weekends are scheduled to be held at Saint Philip’s in Millersville. Don’t
delay, beat the Christmas rush, get your candidate applications to
John Rossi. John’s address,
email address and phone number are in the Secretariat section of this
newsletter. 2001
Winter Social January
27, 2001 After
the 5:15 PM Mass St.
Patrick’s, Carlisle Marsh
Drive Church / Social Hall Get READY - It’s A Sock Hop More
information to come next month! Team Application Clip and mail to Tom & Lois Wonsiewicz
(address listed above)
Email Address I am interested in working (Please Circle):
Men’s Spring
Women’s Spring Important
Dates and Information School of Leaders/Secretariat (2nd Saturday) Dec. 9 and Jan. 13 - 9:00 AM - Diocesan Center, Harrisburg Secretariat meeting immediately following the School of Leaders (approximately 11:00 AM). Contact Bill Rockwood for more School of Leaders information. Ultreyas
- Call your contact in case of inclement weather. Bloomsburg/Danville - Next Ultreya TBD. Contacts - Sharon Hartzell, 570-389-9220 and Karen Konkolics, 570-389-0456, email: krepent@bwkip.com Chambersburg
- Combination Ultreya/Christmas Breakfast Dec 2 after 8:00 AM Mass.
Contacts - Sheila Quinn,
717-263-0464 or Carolyn Hager, 717-261-5790, email: chager@innernet.net
Contact Carolyn or Sheila for the location. Harrisburg - (1st Tuesday - every 2 months) Dec 5 (Advent social) at St. Catherine's (Hospitality Room) at 7:30 PM. Contact - Colleen Hoover, 717-564-2409, email: rahoover@worldnet.att.net Hershey/Lebanon - (4th Monday) No December Ultreya Contacts - Paul Olsavsky, 717-566-8981 and Mary Harp, 717-583-0439 Lancaster - Special December Ultreya Date - Dec. 6 - Mass at St. Leo at 7:00 p.m. followed by grouping will be at the Nelson’s home immediately following the Mass. Bring a dessert or hors d' ouevres to share. RSVP by Dec 5th. Contacts - Bob & Cam Nelson, 717-898-7783, email: corvairmonza@msn.com Lewisburg/Selinsgrove/Sunbury - (2nd Wednesday) Dec 13 (Sharing social) at St. Pius X at 7:30 PM. Contacts - Joe Scartelli, 570-374-9954, email: josephj@sunlink.net West Shore
- (3rd Thursday) No December Ultreya. Contacts - Tom & Sharon Boucek, 717-774-1112, email:
TEB47@epix.net or Jan Cincotta, 717-432-2587, email: drmomjfc@aol.com Newsletter Deadline - December 9 - Mail or email articles/information to Steve Cordier (address in Secretariat section). Newsletter Address Changes or Email List - Contact Steve Cordier (address in Secretariat section).
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