Sponsorship
"My candidate
is going to just love Cursillo!"
How many of us have said that? After our own weekend experience, we know the blessings we received, and want to share that joy with others we know. We can do that by effectively sponsoring others to Cursillo. What is effective sponsorship, then? There are some guidelines to remember when sponsoring a candidate:
• Talk to God about the person before you talk to the person about God. Sounds like a no-brainer, eh? But sometimes our excitement overtakes us, and we need to consult with the Lord before asking someone about making a weekend. Pray with and for your candidate, starting before you ask, continuing as you await the invitation, through the weekend, and beyond into their fourth day.
• Select a qualified candidate. A candidate should be naturally and spiritually healthy, and should be someone with leadership potential, a regular attendee at church, and without current issues to distract them during a Cursillo weekend. Cursillo isn’t a time to convert anyone or heal broken hearts, but is a chance to deepen a Christian’s faith and equip them with tools for evangelism. Invite your friend to your group reunion! Put Fourth Day first; there is no reason to wait until after the weekend, so invite them!
• Set an example of fourth-day living. A Cursillo weekend is the beginning of a lifestyle—be active in group reunion, attend monthly ultreyas, and weekly worship. Grow in piety, study, and action, and participate in your parish community. If your candidate sees that Cursillo has made a wonderful difference in your life, they will be excited about their fourth day as well!
• Obtain personal and general palanca for your candidate. Palanca is evidence of love, prayers, and sacrifice, not gifts and flowers. See the sample sponsor’s letter for ideas on how to “quietly” request personal palanca. Deliver the palanca to the weekend site, or mail it to the church address before the weekend. (Do not mail it to the Cursillo office.)
• Make arrangements. Arrange to handle any commitment your candidate may have during the weekend, including family commitments, soccer games, or other things that your candidate might worry about. Help them put their mind at ease that all will be well while they are gone from home.
• Offer financial assistance. Supply your candidate’s registration fee if they are unable, and seek help from your reunion group or ultreya if you need assistance with the weekend costs.
• Follow through with your candidate after the weekend. Make sure they are in a reunion group, and attend ultreya and the fourth day celebration with them.
Follow these guidelines and let the joy of Cursillo abound!
Click through
these articles for more information:
GOALS
PRE-CURSILLO
THE THREE DAYS
FOURTH DAY
SPONSORSHIP
MORE INFO/LINKS