Cursillo is a Spanish word meaning “little” or “short” course. It begins on a Thursday evening and ends on Sunday evening. During those three days the Cursillistas (those attending) live and work together, listening to talks given by priests and laity. As the daily celebration of Eucharist is a central feature of the Cursillo experience, the weekend is best suited to Catholics. One definition states: “The purpose (or goal) of the Movement is to make Christian community possible in neighbourhoods, parishes, work situations and other places where people live the greater part of their lives. It makes possible for anyone in the world to live a Christian life in a natural way.” The Cursillo Movement is a powerful instrument of renewal in the Catholic Church. Its aim is to concentrate closely on the Person and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Cursillo gives those who attend it a living understanding of basic Christian truths and the desire to serve the Church. Furthermore, it provides a means to continue the Christian formation that just began in the three-day exercises.
One of the first London, Ontario Diocese Cursillo Weekends was #36 which was held in 1970 at St. Peter’s Church in Sarnia, Ontario. Group photos are shown below, including the 1970 Cursillo Weekend, and Men’s and Women’s Cursillo Weekends from 1972. Group photos from the most recent Weekends from 2023 and 2024 are also shown. There are rejoicing and sharing moments on these Cursillo weekends.
Note: The above Description of Cursillo was borrowed from the Ottawa Cursillo website.
Leaving an indelible mark on the landscape of tomorrow.
Guiding your Love of Christ
Experience the fusion of imagination, adoration and love of Jesus Christ through experiencing a Cursillo Weekend and joining the Cursillo Movement with passion and love for one another to enrich the world around us.
Meet our Secretariat
We have three teams: Our Cursillo Weekend Men’s and Women’s Teams and our Secretariat Board Team which are listed below.
Francis Hartman
Lay Director
Cathy Garrick
Secretary and
Rectora 2025
Cindy Dupuis
Overall Kitchen Coordinator
Cathy Garrick
Rectora 2025
Gerald Kolkman
Past Lay Director
Wanda Hatch
Post Cursillo
Jason Dupuis
Men’s Cursillo Weekend Coordinator & Parish Rep Coordinator
Dr. John Jan Drozd
Rector 2025
Fr. Vince Gulikers
Spiritual Director
Vince Enright
Communications Website Coordinator &Librarian/archives Coordinator
Frances Bennet
Music Coordinator & Parish Rep Coordinator
John Vanrooy Jr.
Palanca Coordinator
Dr. John Jan Drozd
Treasurer, Rector 2025 & Website Coordinator
Eileen and Dave Sleightholm
Pre-Cursillo
S. O. L. Coordinator
Meet Our Men’s Cursillo Team
Men’s Cursillo Team
Spiritual Director:
Father Al Momney
Men’s Cursillo Team
Spiritual Director:
Deacon Andre de Decker
Men’s Cursillo Team
Rector
Dr. John Jan Drozd
Men’s Cursillo Team
Rollista
Francis Hartman
Men’s Cursillo Team
Rollista
Stuart (Stu) Blyde
Men’s Cursillo Team
Rollista
Walter (Wally) Husul
Men’s Cursillo Team
Rollista
Steven Jacob
Cursillo Kitchen Coordinators
for Men’s Cursillo Team
Jason and Cindy Dupuis
Meet Our Women’s Cursillo Team
Women’s Cursillo Team
Rectora
Cathy Garrick
Women’s Cursillo Team
Spiritual Director
Wanda Hatch
Women’s Cursillo Team
Rollista
Elisabeth Spaleta
Women’s Cursillo Team
Rollista
Gwen Hugii
Day of Prayer: Reuniting and Rejoicing (October 5, 2024)
We’ve celebrated some of the best Cursillo Weekends.
1970 Men’s Cursillo Weekend
1972 Women’s Cursillo Weekend
1972 Men’s Cursillo Weekend
2023 Men’s Cursillo Weekend
2023 Women’s Cursillo Weekend
Photo taken at 2023 Men’s Cursillo Weekend taken that Sunday.
2024 Men’s Cursillo Weekend
2024 Women’s Cursillo Weekend
FAQs
What is your process of joining a Cursillo Weekend?
You fill out an application fotm and your sponsor fills out a sponsor form. These forms will be available in the near future.
Who is behind Cursillo?
The CCCC (Canadian Conference of Catholic Cursillos) is the national organization of Canadian Cursillo Movements. There are Cursillo Movements all around the World. Cursillo originated in Spain.
I’d like to get to meet fellow Cursillestas, how can I do that?
You fill out an application fotm and your sponsor fills out a sponsor form. After completing the Cursillo Weekend, you attend a Welcome Back Ultreya Celebration and monthly following Ultreyas where everyone brings sharable snacks. You join a grouping discussing Piety, Study, Action and your closest moment to God.
Can I apply to be a part of the Cursillo Weekend team or work on the Secretariat?
You are invited by the Rector to join a Cursillo Weekend Team after you have completed a Cursillo Weekend. You are elected to fill a role on the Cursillo Secretariat. Every involvement is an endeavor and an opportunity to shape the heart of a future Cursillesta.
Enhance your spiritual journey with Cursillo.
- Collaborate with fellow Cursillestas.
- Showcase your unique talents.
- Experience the world of Cursillo at the Michaelite Fathers Retreat House.
Michaelite Fathers Retreat House (location of Men’s and Women’s Cursillo Weekends): Click this link to see an aerial video of the Michaelite Fathers Retreat Centre