Organizations in the Diocese of Western Louisiana

Cursillo
 A Cursillo is an encounter with Jesus Christ. It is an apostolic movement of Christians who view as their primary vocation in life the leavening of their environments. The Cursillo Movement seeks to do this by selecting men and women who are natural leaders in their communities and spiritually developing and sustaining them in the work of Christian evangelization.

What is Cursillo? The Cursillo is an encounter with Christ. Correctly applied, the Cursillo Movement can have very positive results in the spiritual revitalization of the world. The Christian likeness in a few good people is contagious. Cursillo (pronounced kur-see-yo) is a Spanish word meaning "little" or "short course." It begins on a Thursday evening and ends the following Sunday night. During those three days, those attending live and work together listening to talks given by priests and laity. They also share the Eucharist and pray together.

The titles of the weekend talks indicate their content: Ideal, Grace, Laity, Faith, Holiness, Formation, the Sacraments, Evangelization, Obstacles to a life of Grace, Leaders, Evangelization of the Environment, Christian Life, Christian Community and Group Reunion. Each talk is followed by a discussion period.

The "after activity" of the Cursillo is known as the Fourth Day. During this time, perseverance is important just as it is in any method of renewal. In the Cursillo Movement, the community spirit is continued after the three days through the "Ultreya" or reunions of the community. These are available weekly as a means of growth in understanding and zeal within the Christian community. Reunions of smaller groups of friends are also available in order for them to encourage one another in spiritual improvement and the Christian apostolate.

A Cursillo is an encounter with Christ. That sounds too simple, but it's not. Think about it. A real meeting with Christ. If that is understood, then the power, beauty and joy of the Cursillo Movement will be understood. Interested? Talk to your parish priest. Talk with someone who has already made a Cursillo. Attend one!

A printable application may be downloaded by clicking here.

A printable application for Cursillo staff may be downloaded
by clicking here.

These applications require
the Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. Click on the Adobe logo for a free software download.



Contact persons:

                   Acadiana Convocation: Daniel & Suzanne LeBoeuf
                                acadianaconvocation@yahoo.com
                   
                    Alexandria Convocation: Pam Childress
                                alexandriaultreya@gmail.com
                   
                    Lake Charles Convocation: Sharon George & Roxanne Myers
                                
sgeorge45@aol.com    roxannemyers@gmail.com
                  

                    Monroe
: Convocation: Dale Dimos
                                
ddimos@bellsouth.net
           
        
                   Shreveport Convocation: Denise Shelton
                                shreveportultreya@gmail.com


Officers
:
President of the Secretariat, Cathie Fincher
                 Treasurer, Lisa Lewis
                 Registrar, Melinda Zolzer
                 Secretary, Barbara Alexander

Spiritual Director:
The Rev'd Paul Martin, St. Paul's, Shreveport
                                   
275 Southfield Road, Shreveport, LA 71105
                                   
Telephone: (318) 865-8469
                                   E-Mail: frpaul@stpauls-shreveport.org


New Permanent Mailing Address
: The Cursillo Movement, 193 Northwood Lane, Natchitoches, LA 71457-7843

Cursillo's Web site: www.wlacursillo.com



Diocesan Altar Guild
The Diocesan Altar Guild works for, and at the direction of the bishop in support of the liturgical needs of his Episcopacy.

In that capacity we wash and iron, polish, clean up, check and store away linens, altar dressings and vestments. We perform these tasks wherever we are needed.

 The Diocesan Altar Guild is open to all communicants in good standing and no special skills are needed by those wishing to serve.


Kairos
Kairos is the interdenominational ministry introduced in Louisiana in 1993 at Angola, which now operates in twenty-seven states plus Australia, Canada, England, and the Republic of South Africa. The ministry continues to be introduced into additional correctional institutions, and on most weekends at least one Kairos short course in Christianity is spreading the love of Jesus Christ somewhere in the world. Kairos has presented over 3,000 weekends.

Statistics show that 97% of incarcerated men and women will eventually be released. That means for every 100,000 prisoners, 97,000 will be released and will therefore be potential recidivists. Statistics show that attendance at a Kairos short- course in Christianity reduces recidivism by 10%. Multplying 9,700 people at $26,000 a year (cost of incarceration) equals a savings of 252 million dollars in one year alone! And surely some of these ex-offenders will remain out of prison for more than one year.

 In Louisiana, Kairos continues to offer Three-Day Short Courses in Christianity, Two-Day Residents’ Retreats, Monthly Reunions, and help with weekly Share-and-Prayer Group sessions in Angola, Louisiana Correctional Institution for Women (St. Gabriel), Wade (Homer), and Winn (Winnfield).
 
 Kairos Outside, which is for female family members of incarcerated men and women, was introduced in the fall of 1999. In 2000 the ministry was extended into Oakdale, a federal prison southwest of Alexandria, and the first Kairos Discipleship Weekends in South Louisiana.

Contact person: Bradley L. Drell, 2123 Marye Street, Alexandria, LA 71301
                                (318)445-6471
                  E-mail: bdrell@goldweems.com

 


   Diocesan Episcopal Churchwomen
   Diocesan ECW Purpose Statement …with the help of Almighty God, to inspire    and enable the ECW to express in word and deed their love for God and their    love for neighbor. We pray to accomplish this by continuing to offer    churchwomen the following services:
   
   WORSHIP:
Worship is the inspiration for all our life and ministry. It is the way we    remember who we are as the people of God, living responsively and celebrating    the diversity among us that is the great strength of our Christian community.

   EDUCATION:
(Provide) leadership training, financial planning, program    planning, consciousness raising through programs on outreach ministries and    opportunities for service inside and outside the parish, theological education,    etc.
   
   NURTURE:
Affirm women where they are, doing what they are doing,    recognizing their many and diverse ministries. Affirm the unique role of women    as full partners in the ministry of the Church. Offer opportunities for personal and    spiritual growth, etc.

   COMMUNICATION:
To serve as the link between the branches, between the    diocese and the branches, between the national church and the branches. To    promote better understanding within the ECW and the whole Church through    communicating one with another in fellowship.
   
   MISSION:
The Diocesan ECW is an intergenerational community of women    seeking spiritual wholeness and personal development. Together we strive to    help each other become the women God called us to be.

EPISCOPAL CHURCHWOMEN’S PRAYER
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, bless we pray Thee our work for the extension of Thy kingdom, and make us so thankful for the precious gift of Thy beloved Son, that we may pray fervently, labor diligently, and give liberally to make Him known to all nations as Savior and their King, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord.

Amen.

Contact person: Beverly Rasbeary, President
                                2448 Walker Road, Sulphur, LA 70663
                     

                    E-Mail: barasbery@camtel.net


EFM Education for Ministry
   EFM is the theological education extension program of the School of Theology of the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. Completion of the program takes four years, during which participants study the Old and New Testaments, church history, and twentieth century theology. Participants commit one year at a time and meet weekly in seminars led by a trained mentor. EFM is for the laity of the church. Every baptized person is called to ministry. EFM provides the basis of a theological education in order to develop knowledge and confidence about the ministry we all share. Since its beginning in 1975, EFM's 24,000 plus graduates have become a source of informed, committed and prepared leadership for the church.

There are currently four active groups in our diocese:
St. Marks Cathedral, Shreveport, (Eydie Comeaux 318-226-4029) ;
Church of the Good Shepherd, Lake Charles, (Martha Hoskins 337-527-7144);
St James, Alexandria, and St Michael's, Pineville, (Brenda Milam 318-487-0982)

Diocesan Coordinator: Brenda Milam,
                                            5301 Horseshoe Drive, Alexandria, La. 71302
                                            Telephone: ( 318) 487-0982
                              E-Mail: brendamilam@suddenlink.net

link to Sewanee http://www.sewanee.edu/EFM/EFMhome.html