"I was in prison and you came to visit me. But Lord, ...when did we see you in prison? I assure you, as often as you did it for one of my least of brothers, you did it for me." (Matt 25:36, 37-40)
Prison Cursillo's are held at the Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg, IL.
CHRIST IS COUNTING ON YOU
Peoria Prison Cursillo dates back to 1976 when Father Tom Henseler and the late Deacon John Holtzman took a team into the prison at Vienna, Illinois. Peoria Cursillo continued there for two more years but it would be 15 years before Peoria Cursillo was again conducted in the prisons in Illinois. During that lull, a study was made regarding the viability of Peoria Cursillo in the prison system. After a positive recommendation by the study team, Bishop John Myers gave Peoria Cursillo the mission of taking Cursillo into all the prison in the diocese. Activities began in earnest late in 1993, when Rector Ron Ghidina and his team went into the prison at Sheridan, Illinois.
In 1999 Prison Cursillo was started in our NW Cursillo community at the Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg, Il. Four people from Peoria, with prison Cursillo experience joined the team lead my Maryellen Rogers put on the first Cursillo at the Hill. It was the first time our NW people were ever inside the Hill but it was not to be the last. Every year since 1999 a Cursillo has taken place at the Hill. Maryellen Rogers continued on as Site Coordinator.
There have been many changes, including the security level at the Hill. It went from medium security to medium-high security. Now the volunteers need to have a full clearance which includes drug testing, full background check, yearly t.b. tests and fingerprinting to be qualified as regular volunteers. The rules and regulations inside the Hill also reflect the higher security.
The volunteers are very dedicated and committed. The phase "Let Go and Let God" takes on new meaning as each Hill Cursillo is faced with unique and constant challenges. Every year new volunteers are added so that the selection of team members increases.
The Cursillo in prison is the same as the Cursillo outside prison, with a few basic differences due to location and time limitations. Annonymimity of the team obviously is not maintained. The Actual Grace rollo and the Sanctifying Grace rollos are combined. The CCIA rollo is combined with Environment and finally the Fourth Day rollo is combined with Total Security. We Cursillo goes from Friday to Sunday. We start at approximately 8:00 a.m. and finish each evening at 8:00 p.m. with a 4 hour break in the afternoon to allow for the inmates to return to their cells, which is mandatory. (an example of the new security requirements). When this first was put into effect it presented quite a challenge to the team to keep the Cursillo's basic requirements and yet keep in compliance to the Hill's rules. With the Grace of God and some creative thinking on the part of the volunteers, both have been accomplished. Another difference is the candlelight. Candles or flashlights may not be used. Pat Willems came up with individual poster paper candles complete with the "flame" the each volunteer holds at the Apostolic Hour. The glow is provided by the faces of the inmates during the candlelight. It has been apparent that God is NOT limited by time, space, rules and regulations. He finds His way around it all. Another obvious difference is the kitchen! The volunteers eat lunch in the staff cafeteria and of course the candidates eat at their mess hall. We all have 30 mins for lunch.
The Hill Cursillo is the same in many more ways than it is different from regular Cursillo. The prison Cursillo program has Rector/a selection and team selection under the guidance of Father Duane Jack. It has team meetings, Mass on Saturday and Sunday, reconciliation, all the rollos (even though some are combined as previously mentioned), and takes place over 3 days.Volunteers go home each night or spend the night in Galesburg with Cursillitas that have generously open up their homes or at Galesburg lodging facilities. Prison Cursillo has a palanca chapel with 24 hour prayer coverage that is done in the homes of Cursillistas. However, the names and times are on a scroll that is unrolled in the room on Sunday to the amazement and awe of the inmates. The palanca chairperson position is one of the biggest jobs in prison Cursillo. The palanca team is a integral part of the Hill Cursillo team and in included in meetings and all activities. Pat Willems has been the chairperson for the past few years. She has been instrumental in organizing the Palanca Chapel duties so other people may take over more easier. The team of volunteers do their own set a up and take down and moving to a different room as is often times necessary on a weekend. The inmates do help in the tear down. There is witnessing at the closura, although there is never enough time for all the new Cursillitas to get up. There is a follow up program just like regular Cursillo and at the first ultreya the time is spent letting the rest of the new Cursillistas a chance to witness about their weekend. There is a Hill Cursillo Newletter that is mailed to the inmates monthly. Pat Willems is editor and together with her own input, the newsletter contains articles from the recent Rector/a, Study Rollista, and Site coordinator. No names may be used and nothing personal may be written, keeping in compliance with the Hill's regulations. The inmates however still find the newsletter very inspiring and look forward to it each month.
On the first day of the first Cursillo in 1999 there were three candidates that started on Friday morning. Seventeen closed that first weekend, which was God's perfect number for a new and inexperienced team. Since that time there are anywhere from 40 to 50 candidates. The ultreyas there are anywhere from 15 to 40 inmates attend.
Positive changes in the inmates have been noticed according to the Chaplain. Chaplain Rojas continuesd hiskuddos by adding that the Cursillo program has made a good impression and has developed an excellent rapport with the Hill Correctional Center. This could only be accomplished by the Grace of God, the support and leadership of Father Duane Jack, the extreme dedication and commitment of the volunteers along with the wonderful cooperation, constant prayers and palanca of the NW Cursillitas.
Yes, Christ IS Counting on You and so are the men at the Hill Correctional Center and the Hill Cursillo volunteers. Thanks to all of you.
Maryellen Rogers
Site coordinator 1999-2006
