The Secretariat

The Secretariat is the administrative organizational arm of the San Jose English Speaking Cursillo Movement. Each Cursillo Movement (English, Hispanic, Filipino, Korean and Vietnamese) within the Roman Catholic Diocese of San Jose has its own Secretariat.

The responsibility of the Secretariat is to ensure that the Cursillo Movement is alive and well while following the guidelines of the founding fathers. The Officers of the San Jose English Speaking Cursillo Secretariat meet on the second Wednesday of every month.

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Buzz Bickham

Lay Director

Buzz Bickham made his Cursillo in Spring 1993. Buzz serves as the Lay Director since February 2023. Buzz is a parishioner of Santa Teresa Parish in South San Jose.

John Huan Vu made his Cursillo in Spring 2016. John serves as the Assistant Lay Director since April 2022 and Communications Chair since July 2018. John is a parishioner of Saint Julie Billiart in South San Jose.

Laura Castellano

Secretary

Laura Castellano made her Cursillo in Spring 2007. Laura serves as the Secretary since June 2023. Laura is a parishioner of Saint Christopher Parish in San Jose.

Fr. Chris Bennett

Spiritual Advisor

Fr. Chris Bennett serves as the Spiritual Advisor. Fr. Chris made his Cursillo and is Pastor of Saint Christopher. Fr. Chris has also served over 15 Cursillo weekends.

Serena Rodriguez made her Cursillo in Spring 2012. Serena serves as the Assistant Spiritual Advisor since June 2024. Serena is a parishioner of St. Christopher Parish in San Jose.

Paul Milioto

Treasurer (Co-Chair)

Paul Milioto made his Cursillo in the Fall 2003. Paul serves as the Treasurer since August 2020. Paul is a parishioner of Holy Spirit Parish in San Jose.

Isela Gasca

Treasurer (Co-Chair)

Isela Gasca made her Cursillo in the Fall 2009. Isela serves as the Treasurer since August 2024. Isela is a parishioner of St. Frances Cabrini Parish in San Jose.

Becky Wong made her Cursillo in Fall 2018. Becky serves as the Pre-Cursillo Chair since August 2022. Becky is a parishioner of Queen of Apostles Parish in San Jose and serves as a liturgical musician.

Jesse Orendain

Three Day Co-Chair

Jesse Orendain made his Cursillo weekend in Spring 1997. Jesse serves as the Three Day Co-Chair since September 2022. Jesse is a parishioner of Saint Mary (of the Immaculate Conception) in Los Gatos. 

JT Sawaya made his Cursillo weekend in Spring 2008. JT serves as the Three Day Co-Chair since September 2022. JT is a parishioner of St. Frances Cabrini in San Jose for 45 years and serves as Lead Usher and Greeter.

Amy Blalock Castillo

School of Leaders Co-Chair

Amy Blalock Castillo made her Cursillo in Fall 2005. Amy serves as the School of Leaders Co-Chair since July 2023. Amy attends St. Christopher (San Jose), St. Mary's (Los Gatos), and Santa Teresa (San Jose) parishes.


Chris Schmitz made his Cursillo weekend in Spring 2011. Chris serves as the School of Leaders Co-Chair since July 2023. Chris is a parishioner of Holy Family parish in San Jose.

Chris Dunia made her Cursillo weekend in Fall 2023. Chris serves as the Post Cursillo Co-Chair since August 2024. Chris is a parishioner of St. Christopher Parish in central San Jose.

Former Secretariat Members

Know any former Secretariat Members that should be memorialized?

Please reach out to Communications and the Historian committees with the name of the person, their respective position, and if possible, the date of their term.

Lay Directors

Assistant Lay Directors

Spiritual Advisors

Assistant Spiritual Advisors

Secretaries

Treasurers

Pre Cursillo Chairs

Three Day Chairs

Post Cursillo Chairs

School of Leaders Chairs