Cursillo retreat sparks lifelong faith and fellowship

For Hawker man Joseph Lai, one transformative weekend in 1994 sparked decades of faith, spiritual renewal and deep, abiding fellowship.

“I attended my first Cursillo in 1994, and after that retreat, we had a group of men who met every Thursday night, taking turns to host at our homes,” he explained.

“I don’t have a brother, but I know what brotherly love is through these men. It has been an absolute lifesaver.”

Cursillo, a movement designed to help people deepen their faith and relationship with God, began in Spain in the 1940s and has since spread worldwide. The name comes from the Spanish phrase Cursillos de Cristiandad, which means ‘short courses in Christianity.’

“It is very powerful because you see people from different backgrounds, with their own stories to tell, and you can feel what Jesus has done in their lives,” Mr Lai explained.

“The beauty of Cursillo is that people live in the moment, and are touched by the Holy Spirit. It is hard to describe, because it happens to you, and you realise that irrespective of who you are and what you do, Jesus loves you just the same. That is the primary message; what people say is the transforming experience.”

Mr Lai said the ongoing fellowship was a key aspect of the Cursillo. After the three-day retreat, participants embark on their ‘fourth day’ – a lifelong journey of faith lived out through small group gatherings and community support.

“It isn’t like other retreats where you go away and do your own thing afterward. Cursillo is a way of life, just as Christianity is a way of life,” he said.

“My group, from all those years ago, still meets every Thursday night. We share our experiences, pray, and remind ourselves of God’s goodness so that we can share it with others.”

Mr Lai said the friendship of Cursillo went well beyond anything he had experienced before.

“It has absolutely changed my life,” he said.

“These men know more about me than anyone in the world. We can tell each other things we would never share otherwise, and we are there for each other at our greatest times and our darkest moments.”

Inspired by her husband, Rose Lai took part in her first Cursillo last year as a team member.

“I felt strongly bonded to the group of women that went, and it is a wonderful feeling,” she said,

“I’ve seen the men meeting for 30 years, and I really admire them. They stick together through thick and thin.”

Michael and Erica de Raadt, who are leading this year’s Cursillo under the spiritual guidance of Fr Mick MacAndrew, said the event was breaking ground in an important way.

“While past Cursillos in the Archdiocese have been for men or women separately, this year the Cursillo will be mixed,” Mr de Raadt said.

“Mixed Cursillos have been successful in other Australian dioceses and other parts of the world, and it seemed like the right time to try that here. I think it creates a new dynamic, and people are open to the idea of having discussions with both men and women there,” he said.

“Everyone who goes through it is affected in some deeply personal way. People come out inspired to do something in their communities, families, and workplaces. It really helps you align with what God wants you to do.”

“One of my group members asked me why we didn’t see miracles like in the Bible anymore,” Mr Lai added.

“And I say, we see miracles every time we meet.”