held on Friday 26th to Sunday 28th May 2017. There were 9 Dioceses of Australia represented and  included a total of 21 delegates and 4 guests and observers.
The conference was opened by the National Lay director Roger O’Hara and the opening Eucharist was led by Rev. Steve Niland.

The National Secretariat meeting included routine matters of national relevance, with  discussion on the condensing of the 3 day Cursillo weekend to 2 days.  Comments were noted from people who had already held 2 day Cursillo weekends as a trial. Reports of the results were both positive and negative. Positive because less time was needed, expenses were reduced, & working people had a better access to the 2 day weekend.

Negative from the teams point of view  in that while it was fruitful it was exhausting with little time for consolidation.
The overall result appeared to be one of individual evaluation. I got the impression that if the 3 day weekend was available (after considerations of cost and inconvenience were taken into account) it should be given preference.

Anyone who was a candidate of course was unable to make comparisons and experienced a well organised weekend with a richly enhanced faith uplift, albeit overcrowded with information.

The National Dropbox facility was discussed and is proving popular with all items of interest now available for instant download and printing, including the latest ACMA manual. This makes access to documents and information very accessible.
To access the Dropbox facility, select Dropbox by Google.
Include the user name of “nationalcursillo@gmail.com” and password  “livejohn316”  you may then select your item of interest for download and it is free.The Dropbox will be continually updated as various items are made available. This app is going to be very useful in the spreading of important information in the future and our servant communities will now be well informed from a national level.

There was considerable concern about Cursillo cells that were going into recess and the difficulties around restarting them. We are asked as a national body to prayerfully consider ways in which assistance can be given to revitalize these struggling centres.

There was also considerable interest in the workshops we held here in Newcastle after they were noticed in our Diocesan report.
Newcastle gave a resume of the workshops with almost all reps. present asking if they could get more information. It was evident that just as Newcastle was having difficulty establishing and understanding the true role of healthy Serving Communities, so was everybody else. Some Diocese had no such groups and their secretariats were doing the jobs of LSSC groups as well as their own responsibilities. Hence the LSSC groups became a very hot and pursued topic of interest. As a result and at the request of the meeting, Newcastle is providing information relating to the workshops so that it can be issued nationally.

The Cursillistas from Saint Mary’s Busselton hosted a very pleasant Saturday evening dinner for us at their nearby parish complex and welcomed us  again at the morning Eucharist in the adjoining historic Saint Mary’s church on the Sunday morning (est.1844).

The weekend conference concluded with a final Eucharist conducted by Rev. Sue Allen  and assisted by Rev. Steve Niland, followed by the commissioning of Rev. Steve  Niland as National SA and the decommissioning of Rev. Sue Allen from that role.
Unfortunately the National Spiritual Director Bishop Ian Palmer could not attend and gave his apology.
A huge vote of thanks was extended to Busselton for its organisation and hospitality.
The next National conference will be hosted by Adelaide on the 22nd to 24th September 2017.

Newcastle expressed an interest in hosting a national gathering in Newcastle in 2020 which will be our 30th birthday.
Newcastle will also continue to support North Queensland as it faces considerable difficulties about distance and enthusiasm from within its bounds. It is very grateful for assistance that has already been given. Robyn and Marcia Hyde from Nth Queensland are doing a sterling job keeping the Cursillo ideal alive under these very difficult conditions.
Ultreya and De Colores!  Brian Walsh and Lyn Carter. Co Lay-directors.

Kairos #10 (22-26 May) – Thank God for your support – We were blessed indeed by all the loving support that we received from so many people, locally and overseas. Many folk committed to pray for the week; and many also helped with agape in other ways including food and letters.

This week was especially significant in a number of ways. We had 18 men attend and there was not one who left, all staying the whole five days. The men were particularly open and engaged in their participation. We found this to be happening right from the beginning on the second day, really the first serious day following the introductions.

At the closing ceremony each man had something to say. This is itself is unusual. The comments were revealing and encouraging. Many, the majority, in the group were from overseas. A common comment focussed on a unity which had not been previously experienced. One man from SE Asia who has been inside for a considerable period sated that his time inside had been difficult, but this was definitely “his best week”!  Many of the men spoke of a “re-kindling” of their faith.

And the weather was fine.

God has been good to us in so many ways. The support of the Chaplain and the prison staff cannot be taken for granted.

Please continue to pray for this ongoing ministry. Journey Days which will be held each month; the first being Tuesday 20 June.

Every blessing.

Chris Bullock – (and a member of Kairos #10 team)

Servant Community Workshops

Leaders School/Servant Community Workshop – the last of the 3 workshops was held at Belmont Anglican Church on April 29th 2017  

We would love to hear your feed-back… Servant/Leadership communities are essential for the health of Cursillo – if you feel a call to assist in such a community – let’s hear from you.

Any follow-up, please contact servant Community Coordinators: Gail Isles. ddmgk@bigpond.com or Bill Nicolle. sticks@aapt.net.au

Download Flyer:  The Workshop flyer (3)

– the gathering of 75 men on the Saturday and 57 men on the Sunday at Tahlee Bible College on the shores of Port Stevens in May 2017 was an excellent opportunity to reflect on our faith.

We were challenged very effectively by our main speaker Rev. Rod Lewellyn as we studied the 4 chapters of the second book of Timothy.
A real surprise came when the mystery speaker was introduced. His name was Brigadier Jim Wallace AM  (retired) who is currently heading up the Australian Christian lobby. He spoke on his role and interaction with the various politicians; and ACL’s commitment to pursue a Christian influence into our Federal Parliament.

He was particularly passionate about gaining support for a petition to be presented to Federal Parliament. ACL is seeking active support for persecuted Christians in some of the world hot spots where Christians are being singled out for torture and murder.
There was good support for question time and further information sessions throughout the weekend.
The film “Luther” was shown and was an excellent springboard for  good discussion as a start to the weekend.
There was great singing led competently by the band of 3 guitars, keyboard and drums.
The weather was quite exceptional (not cold and wet as expected).
Great friendships were formed and others renewed.

30 men were there for the first time and were impressed with the format and friendly atmosphere. It was an excellent weekend and full credit goes to Jaimie Young, Dr.James White and their team for organising it.  The Christian Fellowship was great as was the food.  Looking forward to another next year (May 18th – 20th -put it in your Diary!)  Planning has already started.
Blessings and Ultreya Brian Walsh.

M46 & W46 side-by-side 3 day Cursillos – WERE HELD FROM – Thursday 24th August 2017 to 27th August 2017  at Hunter Valley Retreat Quorrobolong.  A Report of the weekend will be added to this site SOON…

“3 Days: Introduction to Cursillo”  

REMEMBER to SUPPORT candidates AFTER THE 3 DAYS.

A Report of the weekend will be added to this site SOON…

2017 Application Form P1,2 Candidate v3

2017 Application Insert P3 Sponsor & P4 Clergy v4

2017 What is Cursillo vers 5 – 2014 BpGreg

2017 What Is Sponsors Guidelines v1

NEWCASTLE DIOCESAN ULTREYA  was held on Sat 5 Nov 2016 at All Saints Church Singleton.  It was an uplifting event with over 100 people present.  Fr. Steve Niland led the Eucharist;  “Noah’s Wife” band were excellent, playing some really inspirational songs, (ably assisted unofficially by our host Rector, Charlie Murry, on a lead guitar).

• Commissioned were: 
• W46 LD – Lesley Byrne;         M46 LD – Tony Farmer;    
• Secretariat – Lyn Carter (as new Co-DLD);  
• New Servant Community –  
• Maitland Wendy Brack, Nick Waymouth, Lynn Dunnicliff.  
• Lake Macquarie: Helen Edwards.    
• Newcastle – Rosemary Allan.
• Helen Fraser  (Co-DLD) & Chris Palmer retire from Secretariat, and
• Joan Christie from CC Servant Community, after their 3 year term.

Calendar of events for 2017 and MW46 Application forms should be on web site by Dec 2016

Now is the time to pray and prepare to sponsor more of those lovely Anglican men and women, young and young in heart for the Cursillo Method of evangelism, always checking with clergy.

Col. Johnston asked females of the Diocese to NAG(!) their males when forms come out for the Men’s Camp at Tahlee 19-21 May.

Chris Bullock is promoting any ministry that Cursillistas can contribute to Kairos Prison Ministry, for men and women Inside and Outside, and Juveniles in detention

 See below for more photos of the event:

M45 & W45 2016 Cursillo was Awesome! Newcastle had another amazing, spirit-filled side-by-side weekend. There were 12 women and 5 men plus Teams. W45 Theme was “Come into His presence singing” and the Theme Song was “Lord I come to You” (The Power of Your Love).  M45 Theme was “God is Good all the time” and the theme song was “Bless the Lord O my Soul”. These themes were such a blessing to us all through the 3 days of Cursillo. We sang praises to God with Gusto!, and we were blessed by the Power of God’s Love – God is Good – all the time!

TheSpiritual Advisers  for W45 presented a wonderful way of finding out about the 7 Sacraments.  it was a very special time for team and candidates and was well received by all. The testimonies at the close of the weekend reinforced the statement that God was indeed in our midst over the weekend. It was clear that, although the focus on the Cursillo is for the candidates, the spiritual growth in the team members was also evident over the time together.

The Closing Eucharist was celebrated by Fr David Battrick with Fr Stephen Niland presenting the crosses. We were very encouraged that Bishop Greg was able to be with us as a friend. Please continue to uphold him and our Diocesan leadership in your prayers. The African cry was affirmed repeatedly: God is good – all the time!

M45 & W45 2016 Cursillo was held at Kurri Kurri TAFE  from 25-28 August 2016. It is time now to pray earnestly for all who will be attending the follow-up Welcome Day. That will be held on Saturday 17th September at Morpeth, 9.00am for 9.30am.  LET’S Pray that our Father will continue to work His wonders during this time!  You would be most welcome to attend to encourage our “new veterans’ and some old ones too!

Please also give thanks for the leadership of Lyn and Lewis  & please continue to hold the candidates in your prayers.

The Kurri Kurri TAFE Campus has been a great venue and is set on 135 hectares of park and native bushland. Unfortunately it may not be available in the future due to rising costs. Let us pray that God will resolve this problem or find us a new suitable venue.  De Colores!

Cursillo Secretariat ‘manned’ (or should I say ‘womanned’) a stall at the Newcastle Diocesan Convention recently. Our cover photo shows Chris Palmer and Helen Fraser at the stall.

The Diocesan Convention was held at Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College on Saturday 13^th August and there were over 300 in attendance from Parishes throughout the Diocese. Both Bishop Greg and Bishop Peter expressed sincere thanks for the support they & the staff have received both in the attendance at the convention and during the difficult time of the Commission Hearing.

Ms Gill Fletcher & Tim Dyer took us through a discussion at our separate tables as to how the disclosures in the Commission Hearing have impacted each of us and how we can try and cope with that. They encouraged us to focus on 4 areas

1) Truth Telling – we need open & honest accountability;

2) Justice Seeking – Respond to the needs of those around us;

3) Grace Giving – in acceptance, support & care giving; and

4) Peace Making – help restore relationships (with God, Self & others) and create hope for the future (Ephesians 4). We need to commit all our emotions, thoughts and actions to Prayer.

The other speaker was Canon Dr Robyn Greenwood who emphasised the importance of listening to one another – he said ‘Church’ is a verb not a noun – God invites us to grow – that sometimes we have to be broken to then be able to bless and receive blessing – at the cross Jesus was abandoned by his friends & ultimately felt abandoned by his Father – but chose the Cross to show God’s love for each of us & that he is a God who works wonders in this hurting world – a God who beseeches us to come to Him with all our doubts and feelings of betrayal & hurt as He knows our pain. He is our hope for the future