Welcome to Cursillo Southwest Florida
A Message From The Lay Director
Bring the movement back to its former heights of pre-pandemic days.
Dorothy Lowrie
We are excited to begin active weekends of Cursillo after a 2 year hold, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cursillo is a lay led movement to develop leaders in the Christian community. The program is designed to encourage ongoing development by offering an opportunity to grow in faith within our local parishes and extend beyond our church walls to the communities in which we live, play and work.
The actual Cursillo weekend is a three-day event that holds 15 different talks, group discussions, worship and fun. The process encourages a Rule of Life to hold ourselves accountable after the weekend through small groups of ongoing meetings. Larger gatherings are held throughout the diocese for sharing and encouragement including “witness talk” that is centered on apostolic action.
The Cursillo Secretariat (the lay governing body) expect to continue the tradition to hold two English language Weekends and one Spanish language weekend that teach the methods of Cursillo.
The movement in SW Florida has been ongoing for 42 years and efforts are underway to bring the movement back to its former heights of pre-pandemic days.
If you are looking to enhance your walk with Jesus, or feeling a call to serve but not sure of the next step, please visit our website cursilloswfla.org. We are all about living a Christ-centered life and would like to help you on your journey.
Dorothy Lowrie
Lay Director
About Cursillo
Cursillo is a three-day weekend, held at DaySpring Conference Center in Ellenton. It begins on a Thursday evening and ends on Sunday. During the three days, participants hear a variety of talks given by lay persons and clergy.
A Cursillo weekend is not a retreat, with fasting or extended periods of silence. Rather, it is an experience in Christian education where participants meet clergy and laity who are seeking to strengthen their faith. Shared prayer, worship, study, music, fellowship, laughter, and tears all work together to create a loving atmosphere where one can feel the reality of God’s free and unconditional love. The Holy Eucharist is celebrated daily.
Cursillo, spanish for “A Short Course in Christian Living,” is an opportunity to grow in faith and in spirituality. Through weekend events, Cursillo participants gain:
- an opportunity for a deeper understanding of the teachings of Jesus and how we can serve him.
- an experience of living in a loving and caring Christian community.
- a continuing community that gives support and encouragement empowering the renewed Christians to persevere in carrying out their Baptismal vows.
For more info about Cursillo and its history, go to What is Cursillo?
Rectors of Future Weekends
