Dinner with Bishop Soto
[From Left to Right: Back Row: Monica Small (Post Cursillo), Kathy Bauer (Pre-Cursillo), Mary Palmer(Treasurer), Jeff Williams (School of Leaders); Front Row: Mary Arledge (Lay Director), Bishop Jaimer Soto, and Verne Bowers (Secretary and Incoming Lay Director). Missing from this photo, Will Friesen (3Day Chair)]
In late August 2022, Bishop Soto met with members of the Secretariat to learn more about the progress of the Cursillo Movement in our diocese. It was a very enjoyable evening, low key, interesting conversations and lots of laughter. He was keen on hearing about our personal faith journey as Cursillistas. I asked the members to share with the community, their overall impressions about our fellowship with Bishop Soto:
"I was very impressed by the support for Cursillo from Bishop Soto, and that he would be willing to come to an Ultreya in the future with enough notice. I also liked that he supports us in our efforts to hold a Grand Ultraeya in the coming year. On a more personal note, as this was my first time meeting Bishop Soto, I was very impressed on how personable he was and his knowledge of Cursillo. Overall it was a great meeting with a lot of good ways to move forward." (Jeff Williams, School of Leaders Chair)
"For me it was the opportunity to tell him of how the Cursillo Movement is a beautiful way to answer his "Call to Holiness," which I mentioned in the podcast interview with Bob Dunning. I loved the fact that he responded, "Thank you," to my mentioning it. (Monica Small, Post Cursillo Chair)
"It was a wonderful gathering to have dinner at your house with Bishop Soto. He was so easy to talk to and for us to share with him about Cursillo and what we are doing in Sacramento. It was great talking with him, very supportive of Cursillo at the diocesan level. Parts of his pastoral letter on Call to Holiness seemed right in line with what Cursillo is all about: Make a Friend, Be a Friend, and Bring a friend to Christ. He wrote "when we unite ourselves more closely to Christ, his spirit then makes us his messengers, his missionaries with the light of his divine mercy in our hearts." It was evident that he likes what we are doing and will do whatever he can to spread the excitement of Cursillo." (Kathy Bauer, Pre-Cursillo Chair)
"He was very relaxed and congenial. He seemed very supportive of Cursillo. Connections were made with the Call to Holiness and the call to be Missionary Disciples. He wants to come to Ultreyas if he can." (Mary Palmer, Treasurer)
Bishop Soto was delighted to hear about the growing number of Cursillistas in all the different parishes in the diocese. Parishes like Sts. Peter and Paul (125), St. Mel (116), St. Rose of Lima (90), and Good Shepherd (80), to name a few.
But he asked the question, "what is your percentage of retention?"
I believe the answer to his question depends on all of us. Are we maintaining our friendships with kindred spirits? Do we look forward to our 4th Day Groups? Are we still enthusiastic in attending Ultreyas and Clausuras?
From his handwritten note to us:
"I enjoyed the fellowship and feasting around the table. Thank you for including me in the encouraging conversations about Cursillo and the impact it has had in the lives of many Catholics." (Most Reveren Jaime Soto, Bishop of Sacramento Diocese)
We've agreed on meeting again in six months when we're ready to present to him the Cursillo Pastoral Plan for his approval and signature.
In the meantime, let us all continue to greet one another De Colores, "to be in the grace of God."