Cursillo celebrating anniversary

The Cursillo movement world­wide and in the Diocese of Albany is celebrating an anniversary this year.
 This year is the 75th anniversary of the first Cursillo (pronounced ker-see-o) held in Mallorca, Spain, and the 45th anniversary of the first Cursillo in the Albany Diocese. 

A celebration will be held on Sunday, Oct. 27, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Glenville from 12:30-5 p.m., with a Mass at 3:30 p.m., in the Church. Father Chris Welch will concelebrate the Mass as the Diocesan representative and will be assisted by Deacon Marty Beckman, one of the founders of Cursillo in Albany.

“Cursillo is a Spanish word that means course or short course,” said Joe Fitzgerald, who along with his wife, Eva, are co-lay directors of Cursillo in the Diocese of Albany. “Basically it was an effort founded 75 years ago in Spain, coming out of the Spanish Civil war with an emphasis on reinvigorating the laity in their faith. That effort migrated from the Balearic Islands to Spain and throughout the world.”

The Cursillo movement is generally associated with three-day weekends in which men and women share their experiences in faith. Fitzgerald said the weekends, one for men and one for women, happen once a year, involve “piety, study and action” and “really are an opportunity to get closer to God and your faith.” There are also meetings, known as “ultreyas” in four different locations on a monthly basis in the Diocese. For more information, log on to https://albanycursillo.wordpress.com/