Cursillo Leaders Workshop, Perth

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At midnight on Thursday---Friday, 5-6th September 1996 Julie Withers and I set off on our adventure to Perth, Scotland (NOT Perth, Australia, as one of our friends thought!).

The plan was to travel overnight on near-empty roads, thus avoiding the big lorries, and hopefully arriving in the Perth area in the early morning; then we would find some quiet, secluded spot and sleep for a while.

The plan worked well. We travelled up the motorway admiring the beautiful night sky and just a little excited!

At about 5:30am, when we were somewhere near Stirling, we stopped and had a Little Chef type breakfast. Feeling rather weary (and with quite full tummies) we managed to spend a couple of hours snoozing in the car park.

Feeling remarkably refreshed, we then drove on and spent a couple of hours sight-seeing. It was lovely---the scenery, the weather and us just being there together, sharing the whole experience.

We arrived at St Mary's late on Friday morning and we were invited in, even though we were several hours early!

We were given a cup of coffee and shown to our rooms where we were able to have a sleep on a bed... what bliss! We were made so welcome, it was wonderful.

Later in the afternoon we had a cup of tea and met up with some of the other people who were attending the CLW. Dinner was at 7pm so we had a little free time in which we slept some more and also had a little wander up Kinnoull Hill. After dinner the work started---three talks on the first evening! I had almost forgotten that we were there to work!

There were 17 of us in all, a real mixed bunch. Several Scots, as you can imagine, but also people from several northern England dioceses and someone from Exeter and even a couple from New Zealand.

We were a real good mix, male and female, youngish and not so youngish, ordained and lay.

The workshop was made up of 12 talks, which were usually followed by discussions, and prayer and worship. It was quite hectic, we had to watch the time and keep to the timetable---some things never change! Actually we did have some free time on Saturday afternoon when we were able to go for a walk, or have a rest or read or spend some time in quiet reflection.

The weekend finished after lunch on Sunday. I think that most of us felt a little sad at having to "disband"! It seems to be the same wherever we are with Cursillo, a sort of sadness at having to leave each other---I think that the joy we shared, that happiness is just how it will be in heaven.

I was quite apprehensive about going on this CLW. I really wanted to go, I was eager to learn but I was worried that I couldn't physically take on anymore and I certainly wasn't a leader! I worried that they were going to want more from me.

It wasn't like that at all. Everyone was lovely. The fellowship was wonderful and I felt that none of the "serious stuff" was too much for me, not too intellectual. It was interesting to learn more about Cursillo and to have chance to read, or at least to have a quick flip through the "library," and to share with our new found friends our experience of Cursillo and what goes on in our own dioceses.

Julie and I heard for the first time, Des Colores sung in Spanish with extra special sound affects!! And we were all taught a New Zealand song.

We had a great weekend. The work was interesting, we were well looked after, we made new friends and the weather was glorious.

We had a good journey home, the weather was still glorious---blue sky and sun and we seemed to get home very quickly, mind you, it was down hill on the way back and we were talking nineteen to the dozen!

I felt that I wanted to share my experience with you because I feel that I have come back from the CLW different. This seems to happen each time I go away with Cursillo! I feel that I have been re-affirmed and gently encouraged, not to take on more and more, but encouraged in what I am already doing. I feel so strong, so much more confident in myself, for Cursillo, for my own church and for God.

I would recommend a CLW to anyone who is able to go.

Alice Brown

These pages are maintained by Geoff Riley.
If you have any queries or comments about the Chester Cursillo pages, please feel free to email cursillo@arcturus\.geoffandcarole.co.uk.