Hi, my name is Jodi Bello. And this is my story of how Cursillo has changed my life. I live in the diocese of Scranton, Pennsylvania and I am a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Peckville. I started living my Cursillo in October of 2024 sitting at the table of Saint Padre Pio.
My love for supporting and helping out is what keeps me going. God made me a helper and I go all in when I do. Years ago, I started volunteering and being involved as much as possible at my Parish. My heart was on fire for Jesus. I was growing in my faith, and I was filled with so much gratitude and love for all the blessings in my life. That was until events occurred that pushed me away from my Parish involvement and actually smothered that fire in my heart. For some reason, God was forcing me to change directions. I had so many questions with no clear answers, and I found it hard to believe God would really move me away from my church. If I wasn’t able to be a helper, then what was I supposed to be? Helping is what I know. Helping is what I do. I prayed and I prayed, and I waited, and I waited, and I prayed more. After trying to endure just existing in a pew and not being involved, my family and I decided to look for a new Parish. Actually, it was like this new Parish was looking for us. The Sacred Heart of Jesus parish kept popping up in our everyday lives. Long story short, we tried it out and absolutely fell in love with its parishioners the priest, and its outpouring of community support. we felt so welcomed and like we belonged. Could this be my new direction?
Fast-forward six months and the time came for the women’s Cursillo weekend. Cursillo was introduced to me by a good friend a few years back, but I hadn’t been able to attend a weekend yet. This year the dates worked out and I committed. I wasn’t sure what the weekend would mean for me now though. I was barely involved at our new parish, and I felt lost. Even on the car ride to the drop off for the weekend I was second guessing my choice to attend. But, desperate to find a new direction I trusted and off I went. Our weekend was packed full of so much love, support, prayer, new friendships in Christ, good fun, and lots of food. We laughed, we cried, we worshiped. It was a beautiful experience, with so many different women all with their own unique backgrounds and stories but all with one truth.
Personally, as I made my way through that weekend, I began to feel the fire in my heart for Jesus rekindle. I loved hearing about everyone’s different experiences and being there to support and learn from each and every one of them. There was such a feeling of acceptance and love. I couldn’t help but feel at home. At one point, as I sat in front of the tabernacle, my heart felt as if it was about to burst through my chest. It was so full of gratitude and love, the way it used to feel but so much more. I went into cursillo weekend feeling lost and unsure. I left the weekend with a new direction. And that new direction is Jesus. Using Jesus as my compass as I live out my fourth day, has heightened my awareness to his presence in every place and in everyone. It is as though a veil has been lifted from my perception. I have also found peace with trusting he will lead me where I am meant to go, a new direction, one step at a time. And as I take those steps, I have the best friend ever walking beside me, my Jesus. Thank you for listening to my story. I hope you attend your Cursillo weekend. It will change your life.
