Diocese of Chalan Kanoa spiritual director Rev. Fr. Ryan P. Jimenez yesterday said the Cursillo Encounter is held every two years in different places in the Asia-Pacific region.
The CNMI previously hosted the event in 1999, which drew various participants from all over the region.
This year’s encounter is expected to include eighty participants from Australia, Vietnam, Korea, Taiwan, Guam, and the CNMI.
This gathering is an opportunity for the members to share with one another their faith as brothers and sisters in Christ, Jimenez said.
In a press statement, the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa said the Cursillo Movement is a ministry within the Roman Catholic Church that started in Spain in the early 1940’s.
The name Cursillo, which means “a short course,” is associated with a three-day weekend, which is only one aspect of the Cursillo Movement, where participants learn some basic courses in Christianity.
Members of the movement meet regularly for prayers, sharing, leadership modules and apostolic work, the statement added.
The theme for the 20th Asia Pacific Encounter is “Renewing our commitment: be a friend, make a friend, and bring a friend to Christ.”
Welcoming liturgy was scheduled yesterday at 6 p.m. at the Palms Resort presided by Bishop Tomas Camacho with the visiting clergy and clergy of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa.
Today is the first day of encounter where there will be a talk on the theme followed by group sharing and discussion.
In an interview, Jimenez said the group may discuss pressing social issues depending on the outcome of the group sharing and discussion events, but “definitely all members will share the challenges they face and their commitment to their faith.”
On Sunday, Nov. 9, all participants will attend the 9 a.m. Eucharistic celebration at Mount Carmel.
For information, contact Linda Yarobwemal at 234-5053 or Rex Moses at 287-4633. You may also contact Jess Elameto at 285-6938, acting president of the CNMI Cursillo Movement, or Father Jimenez at 234-3000.
