My name is Michele Dailey and I am a co-director of the Cursillo Movement in the diocese of Gary along with Sue O’Connell, and I am a parishioner at Nativity of Our Savior in Portage.  I attended there for many years but it was 10 years ago that I was confirmed as a Catholic at the Easter vigil.  I’ve always said that was the best decision I’ve ever made.  The second best decision was making my Cursillo weekend in May 2014.

Sue and I started this journey as co-Lay Directors in August of 2021 and it has been such a whirlwind!  Looking back I can see how much the leadership team has accomplished.  We’ve organized into dedicated teams for managing our tasks; Pre-Cursillo, 3-Day Weekend and Post-Cursillo.  Each team has a lead person who works with other Cursillistas to plan and execute our goals. We’ve also been able to add persons who manage our newsletter, the Facebook page and the website which was recently redesigned with Sue’s expertise.  

Two recent initiatives that I’m very excited about are the Pastoral Plan for the Diocese of Gary and the School of Leaders.  Sue, Fr. Tom and I were able to present the goals of the Cursillo in this diocese to Bishop McClory and Fr. Chris Stanish.  Both of them are familiar with the movement (Bishop McClory’s parents were Cursillistas) and it was a blessing to be able to discuss with them how we have developed over time and what we hope to accomplish in the future as part of the mission of the Diocese of Gary.  I left the meeting feeling affirmed and encouraged by Bishop McClory that our purpose and goals align with his mission for our diocese and the mission of the Catholic Church. I hope you can take time to read the plan which you can find on the Cursillo of Gary website, https://www.cursillogary.com, under the “ABOUT” tab.

The School of Leaders is not new but currently being “re”- developed.  The SOL is a gathering of Cursillista leaders in our diocese intended to provide a kind of formation in the methods of the movement, the strategies for accomplishing our goals for bringing others to Christ and to continue our spiritual development which is the foundation for fulfilling our mission. There are many Cursillistas in our diocese who are gifted in the process of “make a friend, be a friend, bring a friend to Christ” and we want to make this treasure of talent available to all of you. The meetings and programs are open to all Cursillistas. The current team consists of Josephine Martinez, Deb Pedzinski, Gayle Finney, MaryJo Muha, Sue O’Connell and me.  We hope to have news of offerings after the start of the new year.  If you are interested in being a part of this exciting new venture please email me at mickyday60@gmail.com.

Pope Francis has called all Catholic lay persons to continue to develop our role in the church and to “participate in Christ’s priestly role through our own work in the world”.   We are the missionaries carrying the “light, love and hope received from Christ” into the world.