My Fourth Day Story: The Places the Fourth Day will Take You

pictured, left to right: Danny Shelton (St. Matthew's, Spartanburg), Jane Bird (St. Matthew's, Spartanburg).

Cursillo #119 found me. If I’d gotten my way, I would not have attended. That is another story for another time. The root of my disinclination to attend the weekend even after registering was based on self-centered fear. What’s going to happen during the weekend? Will I be made to do anything? Will I need to prove my worthiness? And so on and so on. The remedy to eliminate the questions/fears was to do what I’d done countless times before-----bail. Alas, the Holy Spirit had a solution to my trepidation, and I attended the weekend albeit begrudgingly.

Spending time on the bench behind the Chapel of the Transfiguration allowed me to open myself to the gifts I was afforded during the weekend and beyond.

“Beyond” is the Fourth Day. After my Cursillo weekend, I joined a group reunion. We met consistently for a few months and because of life changes within the group, our meetings decreased. I was able to stay connected by immersing myself in a variety of Cursillo activities. I was elected to Cursillo Council and began attending Ultreya gatherings in Greenville. I needed to expand my fourth day growth beyond my own parish.

Since then, I’ve had the honor of serving on both the diocesan and deanery level. As a result, I’ve been able to regularly visit parishes throughout EDUSC and other dioceses. The freedom to travel and share worship with so many others is precious. I often take other Cursillo friends along. My fourth day is about deepening my connection with Christ each day. And there is always more.

My Fourth Day Story is a new blog series from the Cursillo community in Upper South Carolina. Within the context of the three-day Cursillo weekend experience, the "fourth day" represents what happens next; in other words, life after Cursillo. We're called to live our Fourth Day engaged in piety, study, and action to enable us to know God better, serve our parishes and communities, and love everyone we meet.