Highlights - Monday, December 13, 2010

Nancy and Charles Smallwood brought their “traveling Advent wreath”.

They led the group in singing a rousing “De colores”.

• Song:     Lead Me, Guide Me    Pete, Toni & Chris Abresch and Charles Smallwood.                              
• Opening Prayer:  Bill Prochownik shared copies of “Soul Gardening”:    (Rest peacefully in God’s presence…)   You, O Master Gardener, are creating in me a beautiful and life-giving soul.  Allow the ground of my life to nurture well the gifts you plant and dream in me.  Open the hardened rocky places within me to be nourished by your penetrating life-giving water.  Allow the clay that formed my inmost being to be shaped by your loving desire.  And, finally, dear Master Gardener, may the naming and noticing of my life details bring greater glory and depth to you.  I offer this prayer to you with all that I am.  Amen.”
• Introductions
• Small groups                                                               
• Witness: Nancy Smallwood shared with us her walk and talk with the Lord, which recently brought her to Jesus the Divine Word parish.  She has recently connected with a new spiritual director, and is working on her prayer life.  We all appreciated her candor and humor in dealing with physical and spiritual challenges this past year.  Father Pete Alliata remarked on our need to be persistent in prayer and in listening for God’s plan for our lives.

8:30 Old/New News

· December 12 – Advent Day of Reflection, Washington Pastoral Center.

· Tax deductible donations to the Washington Cursillo Movement can be sent to Gwen Sutton, 5727 5^th St. N.W. Washington DC  20011 or to Sandy Sullivan, POBox 152, Broomes Island MD  20615.

· January 19 – Cursillo School of Leaders, St. Joseph, Largo, 7-9 PM. TBA

· April 1 - 3, 2011 Regional Encounter  Vineland, NJ

· May 12 - 15, 2011 Women's 204th Cursillo Weekend Washington Retreat House

· June 2-5, 2011 Men’s 205th Cursillo Weekend Washington Retreat House.

· Sept. 22-25, 2011 - Women’s 206th Cursillo Weekend, Washington Retreat House.

· Oct 14 - 16, 2011 Regional Encounter Vineland, NJ

Closing Song:  Silent Night

8:35 p.m.  Final prayer:   Meditation on Mary and Joseph’s role in the birth and early life of Jesus, followed by the Hail Mary.

Next Ultreya Meeting: Monday January 10^th   (Second Monday) at SJV