Albany NY Cursillo Movement
Make a friend. Be a friend. Bring your friend to Christ.
Albany Cursillo Resources
Cursillo Weekend Information
Ultreya Sign-in Sheet
- Ultreya Sign In Sheet (2 pages, print double-sided)
Search Your Environments Aid
Witness Talk, Echo, and Spiritual Advisor Summary Information and Guidance
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WITNESS TALK
ECHO
SPIRITUAL ADVISOR’S SUMMATION
WITNESS TALK
Witness Talks are given by the lay Cursillistas during an Ultreya. The Witness Talk, no more than 10-15 minutes in duration, shares the concrete and lived experience of striving to live what is fundamental for being Christian (love of God and others).
There are two levels of Witness Talks. One is given by new Cursillistas and the other by those who lived their weekend more than 6 months ago.
The new Cursillista Witness Talk is given approximately 1-6 months after the Cursillo Weekend Closing – though it can extend beyond that timeframe. This talk concentrates on the change or conversion experienced. In general, what life was like before and after the Cursillo experience. New Cursillistas are not required to share, but are encouraged to share because:
a.) It helps the newer Cursillistas become an accepted part of the larger community.
b.) It helps the seasoned Cursillistas to remember the journey that they have been on.
The other level of Witness Talk, given by more a seasoned Cursillista, centers on how he/she has practiced and lived the grace experienced since living their Cursillo Weekend.
Both focus on sharing life experiences and growth in their union with Christ and others.
Witness Talks should be presented by a variety of Cursillistas so others encounter a broad range of possibilities for Christian growth and action. The talk should also be limited to current or recent life experiences. While there may be a need to provide information from the past, this should be brief and for the purpose of explaining the why or how of the speaker’s current situation.
The Witness Talk should reveal what attempts the speaker is making to bring about a transformation of an environment so that environment can be more of a Christian environment. This talk should awaken a desire among all the participants to renew their own efforts at evangelizing their environments.
The speaker provides concrete examples of how he/she is living a love of God and neighbor, overcoming obstacles, and living a Christian life. This sharing is intended to provide encouragement and inspire imitation. The speaker isn’t required to have conquered challenges before he/she can give a Witness Talk. We are all on a journey…
The Witness Talk is not meant to instruct but is intended to humbly encourage others by personal example of sharing Gods love in his/her environments: family, neighborhood, workplace, entertainment, social life, etc.
The Witness should be a personal sharing of his/her:
- Growing union with Christ,
- Growing knowledge of Christ, and/or
- Bringing others to know Christ, or the changing of circumstances so that Christ is better known, loved, and served.
The speaker should keep the Witness Talk short, simple, and enthusiastic. It should be balanced so that it is not:
- An emotional high (shouldn’t be all feelings)
- A tale of an extraordinary event (people can better relate to God working in the ordinary circumstances of life)
- Irrelevant to life (keep it down to earth)
- A propaganda message for his/her favorite cause or organization
- An outpouring of personal troubles that end in a call for help
Eloquent speech is not required. Keep it simple. “When I came to you, my friends, I did not use big words and great learning to announce God’s message.” (1 Cor. 2:1).
Giving a Witness Talk requires discernment to know what to share and to ensure you are prepared to present your talk.
- Pray!
- Offer up Palanca and ask others to do so.
- Write/Type your talk and bring it to the Ultreya. It will prevent you from forgetting relevant information.
- Consider using Scripture, when possible, to relate your life and experience to God’s truth.
- Practice your talk out loud:
- to ensure it sounds and flows like you intend, and
- to ensure you stay within the 10-15 minute timeframe.
ECHO
The purpose of the Echo is for two or three Cursillistas to communicate briefly and precisely, an Echo about the message contained in the Witness Talk, “This is how I live it.” The Echo should be limited to 2-3 minutes.
The speaker has presented what is fundamental for being Christian, projected in one or several specific examples. Now the opportune thing, the wise and ideal, is to show how others live these same dimensions or aspects in life.
The Echo should further awaken a desire amongst the other participants to go forth and do likewise.
SPIRITUAL ADVISOR’S SUMMATION
When possible, the Spiritual Advisor should be provided with the copy of the Witness Talk, in advance, or have listened to the speaker prior to the Ultreya. This allows the Spiritual Advisor to prepare a summation in light of the Gospel.
The Spiritual Advisor puts the Witness and Echoes in proper perspective with the Gospel. This summation should further encourage the participants to go forth and live the Good News. The summation should be limited to 5 minutes.
Note: For larger Ultreya gatherings, the Ultreya Leader will solicit two to three volunteers to provide the Echo for the Witness Talk. These individuals, as well as the Spiritual Advisor, should be provided with a copy of the Witness Talk in advance.