A Message from our Spiritual Advisor

I have noticed it. Have you noticed it as well? I have noticed it at funerals and weddings. But it has occurred at Sunday Mass,
also. It is noticeable out in society in a big way. Little by little, we are losing that grip that Christianity once had in American society. We
are becoming a de-Christianized society. Some intellectuals would say, post-Christian, but that is too much of a judgment.
I have attended funeral and wedding Masses, where the people attendingmany of them Catholic at one
timedont reply to the celebrant at Mass. It can be a bit awkward. It is indicative of the fact that many
Catholics are slowly (maybe unaware of the fact) losing their faith. Maybe they have totally lost it. Some
continue to go through the motions, and some have left Sunday Mass permanently.
Indeed, our society and culture have had a role in this. Once upon a time, for example, the Sabbath was
considered holy. This was the case even for people who didnt go to church, but enjoyed down time with the
family and relatives in the Sunday sun. Blue laws were established, and upheld, to close the stores, and secure a
day of rest for families, who having the opportunity to worship God, later enjoyed each others company. I have
memories of going to Mass together as a family, and then afterwards we would visit my maternal grandparents for a fine meal. Later, the
adults would discuss things, while playing Pinochle, while I and my brothers, and the cousins (if they were there) would run around outside
the house, or play ball.
However, consumerism and sports have now taken a front seat. There are no more Blue laws. We spend the
Sabbath dayin the words of the late Archbishop Fulton Sheenbuying things we dont need, with money we dont
have, to please people we dont like. By sports I dont mean only the Sunday football game, where the men plant
themselves in front of the TV set for hours. Even our mainland CYO (Catholic Youth Organization) sports games are
scheduled on Sunday mornings!
The loss of the formative power of the Sabbath is only one aspect of the slipping away of cultural Christianity. There are many
other subtle ways that we have been called away from our focus on Christian living. And we have chosen to look away. That is the
problemwe have chosen. Modernity is a lot more colorful, tasty, and enticing than Christianity. We have been thinking that we can hold
on to our faith, while engaging fully in all that society offers. We have not realized the energy needed to give total importance to two
things at once. In too many cases, Christian faith slips away. Some people believe that they can be Catholic without being part of a
worshiping community. You cant. The initiation sacraments mean nothing without being connected to a parish community.
Here and there in the media, Catholicism and the Church are overtly criticized, belittled, or made a laughingstock. Our people see
and hear this, and choose to believe it, without researching it to see if it is true. They have no problem accepting what society tells them.
All this has been happening for a while, and because it has happened at the rate of a slow drip, it goes unnoticed.
It is easy to blame lay people for the situation as it is now. But we who are ordained have also contributed to the mess we are in.
We, too, believe what society and culture state the case to be without checking it out for truth, or if shown to be false, offering a response.
We have not been models for our people. Recently, the whole scenario around same-sex marriage brought out counter replies
from a number of Protestant clergy, but the presence of Catholic clergy was small. We do a little better at the annual March for Life. We
need to show our people that we are willing to match our words with deeds. Christianity is not accomplished with lips, or at least not as
much as it is accomplished with acts.
But we, as ordained, have to set standards, not only for the laity to live by, but for all of us to live by. One example
is in the area of sacraments. We make it extremely easy for our people to obtain sacraments. As Jesus set the higher standard
in the Sermon on the Mount, so I believe we need to do the same. We baptize infants with scarce (if any) instruction as to
what the Sacrament of Baptism is all about. Maybe we can give a little leeway there. Later initiation sacramentsFirst
Communion and Confirmationask for little, if any commitment from the parents of the child. So what is given so freely is
treated with little respect. Confirmandi see themselves as graduates, ready to be leaving the church scene. How often do we
corner the parents for making that wrongful assumption happen? Probably never. If we treat the sacraments like bubble gum,
we cannot blame anyone else if they are regarded as bubble gum.
There are other areas where we priests may look to improve our own contribution to the church: preaching; greater
concern for the sick and hospitalized; greater interest in the issues of youth and young adults; etc. If we want to stop this
leakage that Catholicism and Christianity has suffered, then we all have a part, and we all must do our part. Each of us must
be strong in the vocation to which we are called, and not be afraid to be public with what we believe.
I saw an article just now, in the local paper, that in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, there are movements being made to break the seal of
the Sacrament of Reconciliation open. Let us pray for our Church. Fr. David Lupo, SS.CC.
A publication of Cursillos of Hawaii P. O. Box 2303 Ewa Beach, HI 96706
July/August 2014
WE E K E N D N E WS
The 76
th
Womens Weekend is set for September 18-21 (Thursday-Sunday) at St.
Anthony Retreat Center. Rectora Danielle Burgos, along with Assistant Rectora
Nancy Canubida, has already begun forming the team in preparation for this Cursillo
weekend. Food donations and/or $$$ will be much appreciated. Sign-ups for
donations will be at the ultreyas, or may be called in to Leda Barbieto at 681-3898.

Come CELEBRATE! Palanca Mass - Monday, September 15, 7:00 pm, St. John the Baptist Church
Closing - Sunday, September 21, 4:30 pm, St. Anthony Retreat Center
Thanksgiving Mass Monday, September 29, 7:00 pm, St. John the Baptist Church

Cursillistas interested in sponsoring candidates (men or women) for upcoming weekends may obtain sponsor
forms at the ultreyas. Forms are already being accepted, and for planning purposes, get those forms in early.
The sooner, the better! For more information, please contact Leda Barbieto on Oahu (681-3898) or Jaime
Balthazar on Maui (572-6403) or on the Big Island, Joyce Cabalse (345-1815). And, dont forget to PALANCA!



From the National Cursillo Center
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

First of all, Id like to ask for your palanca for the 24th National Cursillo Encounter that will be held at Chapman
University in Orange, CA from July 31 to August 3, 2014. Your prayers and sacrifices with love are greatly appreciated.
Without Gods grace we cannot do anything!

As of July 8, 605 Cursillistas from all over the nation have registered. There are some from Spain, Vietnam, Canada and
Croatia as well. This Encounter is blessed with the presence of 3 bishops, 32 priests and deacons in daily Mass and
Eucharistic Adoration. It will be an uplifting event with inspiring talks, touching Ultreya and awesome Fiesta! Please
click on the links below to read some testimonies, photos and videos from last years Encounter:

http://www.cursillo.org/news/nmail0813.pdf
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nationalcursillo/show/
http://vimeo.com/74566191 De Colores!
Hoang Tran, National Cursillo Service Administrator




Thank you for your KOKUA!

Your tax deductible gift to Cursillos of Hawaii is
most welcome and appreciated. Additional
resources are always helpful in continuing our
Lords work to bring others closer to Him. Thank
you for your support!

Checks can be mailed to: Cursillos of Hawaii
P. O. Box 2303
Ewa Beach, HI 96076

MAHALO AND
GOD BLESS!


Cursillo in Hawaii
1965 2015


De Colores! The Cursillo Movement is
nearing the half-century mark in Hawaii.
Plans to celebrate this great event in
2015 are being made. Stay tuned for
more information.
Photo from Hawaii Catholic Herald
Ricardo and
Danielle
CURSILLO WEBSITES

National Cursillo
www. natl-cursillo.org

Cursillo of Hawaii
cursillosofhawaii.com



PALANCA INTENTIONS

In support, please join the National Cursillo
Movement of the United States in offering palanca
for the following intentions:

Mondays National, Regional, and Diocesan
Secretariats
Tuesdays Schools of Leaders
Wednesdays Cursillistas in the United States
Thursdays National Cursillo Movements
Apostolic Actions
Fridays Cursillo Weekends
Saturdays OMCC Executive Committee
CALENDAR OF EVENTS


ULTREYAS
Oahu Immaculate Conception Church, Ewa
1
st
and 2
nd
Monday of each month, 7 p. m.
(Contact: Vic & Nancy Canubida - 292-9396)

Maui St. Anthonys Church, Wailuku
1
st
Thursday of each month, 6:30 p. m.
(Contact: Jaime Balthazar - 572-6403)

Big Island St. Josephs Church Rectory, Hilo
Tuesdays, 1:00 p. m. (GroupReunion)
(Contact: Joyce Cabalse - 345-1815)







AUG 4 Ultreya
11 Ultreya
13 Meeting of the Secretariat
15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Father in heaven, all creation rightly gives you praise, for all life and
all holiness come from you. In the plan of your wisdom she who bore
the Christ in her womb was raised body and soul in glory to be with
him in heaven. May we follow her example in reflecting your holiness
and join in her hymn of endless love and praise. We ask this
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
18 School of Leaders
25 School of Leaders

SEP 1 NO ULTREYA LABOR DAY
8 Ultreya
10 Meeting of the Secretariat
15 Palanca Mass for 76h Womens Cursillo
St. John the Baptist, Kalihi
18 - 21 76h WOMENS CURSILLO
St. Anthony Retreat Center
22 NO SCHOOL OF LEADERS
29 Thanksgiving Mass for 76
th
Womens Cursillo
St. John the Baptist, Kalihi

OCT 6 Ultreya
8 Meeting of the Secretariat
13 NO ULTREYA COLUMBUS DAY
20 Ultreya
27 School of Leaders

DIOCESAN
SECRETARIAT

Spiritual Advisor
Fr. David Lupo 247-3647

Lay Director and Publicity
Molly Anguay 678-1657

Treasurer
Dick Freitas 254-6085

School of Leaders Coordinator
Danielle Burgos 683-0571

Military/Spanish Representative and Webserver
Ricardo Burgos 683-0571

Postcursillo
Bruce Anguay 678-1657

Precursillo and Weekend Representative
Leda Barbieto 681-3898

Ultreya Representatives
Vic & Nancy Canubida 292-9396

Big Island Coordinator
Joyce Cabalse 345-1815

Maui Island Coordinator
Jaime Balthazar 572-6403

Problems with the Call-Em-All automated phone service? If
the Call-Em-All message skips or repeats, press the 1 key on
your phone. This will allow the message to be played back
from the beginning in its entirety. Please address any other
Call-Em-All concerns to Nancy Canubida at 292-9396.
We would love to stay in touch with you!
Hosted by Cursillos of Hawaii
P L E ASE K OK UA!
IF CAN . . . In an attempt to cut postage costs, we have been providing THE TORCH via e-mail. For those who
are not on our e-mail list and would like to receive THE TORCH via e-mail, please respond to
manguay54@gmail.com or cursillosofhawaii.com. IF NO CAN . . . we will continue to send your copy of THE
TORCH via regular mail. MAHALO!