The Deacon’s Beacon
April 2008
I have read that in Jesus time a carpenter went out to the customer instead of having the customer come to him. Jesus being the son of a carpenter must have accompanied Joseph on many such occasions. At the job site, since it was dirty work, the customer would have a bowl of water and large towel for the carpenter to use to clean up before returning home. We are told that there was a Jewish custom by which the carpenter, when he completed the job to his satisfaction, would after washing up for the last time, fold the towel in half and then fold it in half again to signify that it is finished.
Let us then move forward to Easter morning. Can you imagine what Peter thought when he peered into the empty tomb. What did he see? He saw the cloth that had covered Jesus head lying by itself. Scripture says it was folded in half and then folded in half again. Since Peter knew Jesus to be the son of a carpenter, he must have know that Jesus was saying; “it is finished”.
Jesus came to do the work of his father. It is finished. He completed the job to his father’s satisfaction. Now it is up to us. Are we ready to accept our Baptismal call to let others know the “good news” of Jesus Christ?
De Colores, Deacon Doug
The Deacon’s Beacon
March 2008
As we prepare to enter into the most sacred time of our church year in the Triduum, I want to share with you some thoughts based upon Luke 25:34.
In crucifixion, a man hung only a few feet off the ground. Bored soldiers stood nearby waiting for his death. His loved ones, perhaps, also stood nearby weeping or offering each other consolation. Others might be there, such as victims of the criminal, to take satisfaction in watching his punishment. The crowd might be large for some or small for others. But surely from his vantage point above the crowd, the man on the cross would see everyone nearby.
What did Jesus see? He saw his mother, of course, whom he entrusted to John. He saw some women friends weeping. Se saw certain religious authorities who were determined to make sure of his death. But his heart saw much more. His heart saw the inner pain and burden each person bore. Jesus knew what could heal them and give them peace – God’s love, given freely. Yet from the cross, his heart also saw that most of them weren’t even aware that they needed to be rescued. So intent on living their lives apart from God’s love, they didn’t bother to look to God for help. They often rejected God just as they had rejected Jesus.
What anguish for him. And so his plea.
Forgive them father, for they know not what they are doing.
Forgive them Father, for they are lost.
Forgive them Father, for they cannot understand they need to be found.
Forgive them Father, for only you can bring them peace.
Forgive us Father, for we are not so different from those gathered around the cross.
May you enter into the sacredness of this holy season.
De Colores, Deacon Doug
March, 2008
The Deacon’s Beacon
January 2008
As we begin 2008, I want to reflect for a moment on this past year in Cursillo. It was an excellent year for our movement. Last year 251 men and women attended the Cursillo in English. The October Cursillo was the 25th largest in our 30 year history in the Diocese of Orange. It was only the second time in our history that more men than women (39 to 38) attended a pair of weekends. We held a Cursillo Information Sunday after the masses in 21 parishes last year. Plus we have had record numbers of people wanting to work on a Cursillo weekend. Our Post Cursillo Ultreya was moved from Marywood to various parishes in the diocese with record attendance. Attendance at School of Leaders is on the increase. Of course none of this would be possible without the dedication of so many people in Cursillo, starting with the members of the Secretariat.
On their behalf, I want to thanks all of my fellow Cursillistas for an outstanding year. I believe 2008 will be another great year for our movement as long as we continue to be a community of prayer and sacrifice. I thank God every day that I can be a part of something really special in Cursillo in the Diocese of Orange.
God Bless you all, De Colores, Deacon Doug
The Deacon’s Beacon
Dec 2007
The Advent season is perhaps the most overlooked of all seasons. I suppose this is because it is followed by one of the most enjoyable seasons of the year in Christmas. As we celebrate Advent, we should try not to get too caught up in looking ahead to Christmas. I know that is hard to do with all of the shopping, decorating and cooking to be done. It is also very hard because everywhere we go we see signs of Christmas. The stores have been put up Christmas decorations ever since Halloween. While this is understandable, it diminishes for us a season of extreme importance in the church year.
Advent has a two-fold character. It is a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ’s first coming is celebrated. It is also a season when that remembrance directs our minds and hearts to await Christ’s second coming at the end of time. For many this is an extremely difficult time. For the poor in our community it is a stressful time when thought s are directed to worries about having enough money to survive, let alone buying gifts for their children. For others this season will be a very sad time as they recall their loved ones who did not return safely from Iraq, the Middle East, or other far away places of danger. It will be a time when that loss will be profoundly felt in the preparations that are at hand. Therefore let us use this season to adequately prepare our hearts to receive Jesus. Let us continue to be a people of hope. Let us try not to get caught up in the rush of materialism of this busy time. Rather let Advent reconnect us to the reality of Christ’s humble birth.
Christ has come among us. Christ is among us. Christ will come again in glory to be recognized only by those who are not too busy to keep watch.
God Bless you all, De Colores, Deacon Doug
The Deacon’s Beacon
Aug 2007
This past Saturday we held our 6th annual Cursillo Dinner/Auction.
This event began as a result of the Diocese discontinuing their financial support for Cursillo. At that time it became necessary for us to raise funds to continue this Apostolate in the Diocese. I can report to you that this year’s event was a resounding success.
However, what I was especially pleased about was not the money we raised, but the spirit of the Lord that was present at this event. People were really enjoying themselves and meeting with fellow cursillistas. There was a real Cursillo spirit in the hall at Holy Family Cathedral. There was also a real spirit of Cursillo that day as Jeanne Rathswohl and her team transformed the hall into a “cruise ship”. There was a spirit of Cursillo in the kitchen with Jack and Marsha Ferraro as the “kitchen team” prepared that wonderful meal for all of us. It was a wonderful evening and Paula and Bill Lynn so beautifully put it together.
Finally my thanks to all who were able to attend.
You are the face of Christ to me in all you do.
De Colores,
Deacon Doug
The Deacon’s Beacon
July 2007
When we receive a birthday present or some other gift, I would say that most of the time we treasure this gift. We at least treasure the love of the person who gave it to us. If it is something we really wanted, we also know how to use that gift properly. If it is something of value, we know how to safeguard it and protect it.
I believe that what is true of our earthly material gifts is also true of our spiritual gifts. All of us have been given gifts by our loving God. The gifts we receive from Him are not only very practical gifts, that we need to use each day, but are also gifts of great value. The gifts we receive from God thus are to be used not only for our own good, but also for building up the kingdom of God. The beauty of our church is that we possess so many wonderful people with very unique and talented gifts. I am an engineer by training and college degree. I choose this profession because I find that is true to my gifts and my strengths. I am very organized and like to organize and keep track of things in great detail using the computer. However if you asked me to draw something or create a new web site for example, I would be lost. I do not have artistic talents. However in our church and Cursillo we have people with awesome artistic talents. My wife Sheila has awesome artistic talents that I have often used when needed for a project. The beauty is my wife and I complement each other very well. Now multiply this by the thousands of people in Cursillo and you get an idea of the potential we possess as a community of faith.
Each of us is called by our God to be grateful stewards of the gifts we have received and to use them to build up His kingdom here on earth. We are fortunate because we have so many ministries in which we can use these gifts. Find an organization that best fits you and volunteer your time. Be involved in Cursillo by coming to School of Leaders. Without you we can do nothing.
God Bless you all,
De Colores, Deacon Doug
The Deacon’s Beacon
June 2007
This year we will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the first Cursillo weekend held in the United States in Texas in 1957.
This month we are also celebrating the 30th. anniversary of the first Cursillo held in the Diocese of Orange, which was June 1977 at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Westminster, California.
As I reflect upon these two great events, I am compelled to think about the lives that have been changed because of this great movement and the impact it has had on our church.
My own weekend 33 years ago changed my life in a way that I could never have imagined. As a “cradle-catholic”, I thought I knew a lot about Jesus. What I discovered however was not that I knew about him, but that I truly knew him personally. Through his love I was transformed and continue to be transformed in ways know only to Him.
I pray that all Cursillistas will continue to be open to this transformation in their lives and continue to grow in God’s love and spirit. In this way our Cursillo here in Orange will continue to grow and be transformed into His image and likeness.
I can only imagine what the next 30 or 50 years will bring.
DeColores, Deacon Doug
