Sample Ultreya schedule:
7:00 PMMass
7:45PMCommentary on Ultreya Format
7:50-8:20 PMUltreya Group Reunion
8:30-8:45 PMWitness Talk
8:50-9:00 PMLay Response
9:00-9:10 PMClergy Response
9:10-10:00 PMAnnouncements/ Fiesta
I. Ultreya Host Commentary and Format
To be read by the Master of Ceremonies:
“For those who might be attending an Ultreya for the first time, we want to extend a warm welcome.
“‘Ultreya’ is a Spanish word meaning “onward and upward.” It is a name given to a special spiritual format that has been tested and tried successfully by the Cursillo Movement to bring Christians together on a regular basis to share with one another the love of God, the love of neighbor, and the love of the world.
“This is done in order to know each other, to better understand what it means to live as a Christian, and to plan together how we might become more effective Christians and more committed to God’s call “to restore the world to Christ.” It is a coming together to share and mutually give power to each other’s living of what is fundamental for being a Christian.
“Refreshments will be served immediately following the closing prayers (or, before we begin) for all who are free to stay. We invite and encourage you to stay if you can.
“We will begin with a time of sharing.
“This is our time to share with others something of our life of Piety, our Study, and our Apostolic Action.
“One of the primary purposes of the Ultreya is to effect the broadest possible sharing of living Christian experiences, a sharing outside of our regular friendship groups, in order that God’s grace and the fruits of Christ’s action through each of us, in all our diverse environments, might be shared throughout the larger Christian Community.
“It is through sharing that we gain deeper insights into the many and varied ways in which the Holy Spirit has worked in the lives of others.
“Therefore sharing makes it possible to incorporate those ways into our own lives and in this process we grow and mature in the ways of the Lord.
“Let’s join in groups of 3 or 4. Please refer to the Ultreya Group Reunion Sheets as you share. Try to be with people that you’ve not shared with before, or at least not frequently. We will group for 30 minutes. I will advise you when we have 5 minutes remaining. After you are all into small groups we will begin with the prayer to the Holy Spirit.”
II. THE WITNESS TALK
(duration 15 minutes)
The purpose of the Witness Talk is encouragement. We are called to encourage our brothers and sisters to continue to become better apostles for Christ.
The witness should be centered on our efforts at evangelization where the Lord has placed us: our family, neighborhood, work place or social areas. How is the Lord working through you to build up His Kingdom on earth?
What the Witness Talk should be:
1. It should be your life, lived out as a Christian and a Cursillista. How is the Lord working through you in your enviornment?
2. It should be practical with concrete examples of how you are carrying out the Lord work in the normal course of your life.
3. It should center on how you have been the Lord's instrument.
4. It should be a current example, usually within the past 6 months.
5. You should explain the Who, What, Where, When and How so that your witness is clear to those listening.
- Concentrate on 1 or 2 points rather than on several examples.
7. You are sharing your story with your friends; this
is not a formal talk like on a Weekend.
- A brief passage from Scripture may be read that ties into
Your witness.
III. LAY RESPONSE
(duration: 5 minutes)
Following the Witness Talk, there should be a lay response given by a Cursillista. This provides a brief comment on the information contained in the Witness Talk.
This is not a second witness talk. Comments should focus on what the Speaker said, and how that has encouraged the respondent to see or attempt something they might not have done otherwise.
IV. CLERGY RESPONSE
(duration: 5 minutes)
This response is to be given by a priest, deacon, or religious. It is meant to instruct, inspire, encourage and guide those who hear it.
The Clergy Response should focus on the Witness Talk of the speaker. It should tie the witness to Scriptures.
The response is not meant to be a Bible study or a reflection on Scripture or the Daily readings.