Cursillo Event at Nympsfield’s Marist Centre

On a bad weather day many gathered together to experience a day of worship and learning with Sister Jackie Brain. The day was organised by Cursillo, but open to anyone; so there were many members and some welcome visitors.

Sister Jackie began by showing us various early and modem depictions of Angels, making the point that ‘angel’ is a role rather than a type. Our attention was then drawn to appearances of Archangel messengers from God in the Christmas story as narrated by St Luke. We were to compare the experiences of Mary, Zechariah, and Joseph and discuss our responses in small groups to how their news was delivered and received differently in each case. We were shown a PowerPoint display to help us realise some ways in which we might find an angel role for ourselves.

Our day was well interspersed with coffee, soup lunch and tea breaks. During the afternoon we went to the Chapel where Sister Jackie had set out prayer stations between which we could move around at will. They beautifully initiated our engagement in contemplation, and some had an activity attached, for example, binding raw sticks in the shape of a cross to be held in our hands during prayer. After gathering together at the end of the day we collected from Sister Jackie a little star to represent somebody in particular we wanted to pray for, and then returned to the Chapel. Sister Jackie is so deeply imaginative, and the day was I think meaningful and rewarding for us all.

Annie Hull, Holy Cross parish, Wotton-under-Edge
Useful URL : http://www.cursillo.org.uk