National Encounter 2026 (English)

This year, the United States Cursillo Movement is contractually obligated to guarantee attendance and will be financially obligated after that date. Administratively, the school can not make changes or modifications, hence, we ask you to please register for the Encounter as soon as possible. We have a limited number of sleeping accommodations available on a first come, first served basis.

• Regular Registration ends June 15, 2026
• Transportation Form due June 22, 2026
• Late Registration ends July 1, 2026

Please ensure you have completed the transportation form on the National Cursillo Movement’s website regardless of if you are flying, driving or taking the train. Each person needs to complete the form. Please we need this information no later than Monday, June 22, 2026 so we can schedule your transfer vehicle or ensure enough parking spaces are allocated.

If you are flying, Cursillo will arrange transportation to and from Chicago O’Hare Airport (code ORD) and Wheaton College.

• On Thursday, July 23, you will want to land no later than 3:00 PM CDT to be at the college in time for dinner and opening ceremonies.
• On Sunday, July 26, the Encounter concludes after breakfast. Transportation will be provided on Sunday morning to Chicago O’Hare Airport (code ORD).

If you are driving, parking on campus at Wheaton College is complimentary with an official parking pass.

• Please be sure to complete the transportation form with your car make/model/registration.
• At registration, you will be given your room assignment and a parking pass to a specific lot to use for the duration of your stay at Wheaton.
• You can drop your belongings at the assigned housing, then move your car to the lot with your pass visible on the dashboard.
• Please note there is no overnight parking on City of Wheaton streets from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m. daily, please park in the campus lot assigned.

If you are using the rail, the Metra rail serving Chicago and Northeastern Illinois stops a mile from Wheaton College. Shuttles to and from the College Avenue Train Station will be provided by Cursillo if requested on the transportation form.

• The Union Pacific West (UP-W) Line commences from the Ogilvie Transportation Center, 500 W. Madison St, Chicago and ends in Elburn.
• Please note that Amtrak arrives at Union Station in Chicago which is .3 miles away from Ogilivie Center – a 5 minute walk.
• From Metra UP-W, there are two stops in Wheaton, IL. You want to use the College Avenue Station (not the one called Wheaton) located at 303 N. President Street, Wheaton.
• See the Metra website for schedules Home | Metra

Registration and Information will be in the Coray Ballroom which is adjacent / connected to the Todd Beamer Student Center.

Upon arrival, you will receive from the University your room key card / meal band. Cursillo will provide your neck wallet ID and tote bag with program booklet.

Registration hours:

• Wednesday, July 22 from 1:00pm-4:00pm for Secretariat and Early Arrivals
• Thursday, July 23 from 1:00pm-7:00pm for Encounter Participants (room access after 3:00 pm)

The Encounter officially starts after Dinner with the Welcome around 7:00pm in Edman Memorial Chapel.

If you will have a late arrival to the college after 7:00pm, please indicate on the transportation form.

The majority of Cursillistas will be staying in Fischer Hall, 600 East Harrison Avenue.

Each room will have:

• (2) XL twin bed(s)
• (2) desks
• (2) dressers
• wardrobe
• WIFI

Included for each bed:

• fitted and flat sheets
• fleece blanket
• pillow with pillowcase
• bath and hand towels
• and a washcloth

Fischer Hall is air conditioned and can get cold so you may want to bring another blanket if you chill easily.

A shared bathroom is arranged between two rooms. Bathroom doors do not lock. Cursillistas should work out a system of knocking with their suite mates.

Your keycard issued at check-in will access only the floor and room to which it is assigned, but no other floors.

Amenities:

• A television, recreational equipment, kitchen, ice and snack machines are located on the lower level.
• Residence hall kitchens have some basic housewares.
• All floors have a common-area lounge on each wing.
• A laundry room is located on the lower level and is available from 8am-10pm.
• Use of the laundry machines is complimentary.
• Laundry soap is not provided.

Secretariat, Staff and Early Arrival Volunteers will be staying in the Townhomes & Duplexes.

Townhomes

• Located at 506, 512, and 520 East Harrison Avenue.
• Each townhome has two floors with one full bathroom, a living area, and two double bedrooms on each level, for a total capacity of eight people per townhome.
• The first floor also has a kitchen and dining area.

Duplexes

• Located at 729, 733, 741, 821, and 825 Irving Avenue.
• Each duplex building has an upper and lower apartment.
• Each apartment within the duplexes has a kitchen, dining area, living room, and three double bedrooms for a total capacity of six perople per duplex.
• Each apartment bathroom has one large bathroom with two sinks and two private restroom areas each with a shower and toilet.

Each double bedroom will have:

• (2) XL twin bed(s)
• (2) desks
• (2) dressers
• wardrobe/closet
• WIFI

Included for each bed:

• fitted and flat sheets
• fleece blanket
• pillow with pillowcase
• bath and hand towels
• and a washcloth

Kitchen notes:

• Kitchens include standard appliances but do not include housewares (plates, bowls, flatware, etc.)

Laundry:

• Each building has complimentary laundry facilities in the basement.
• Laundry soap is not provided.

Access and trash:

• Access to each townhome is computer-controlled; access is only through use of a keycard, issued to each participant at check-in.
• Those staying in the townhomes & duplexes are responsible for their own trash removal. Dumpsters are located behind the building.

Early-arrival bed note:
We have a limited number of beds on hold for Wednesday night, we will let you know in June if any beds are open for people who want to arrive early to tour the area. To add your name to the waitlist, please contact Bobbi Lavoie, National Cursillo Encounter Liaison, notestobobbi@yahoo.com or 585-727-4866.

Please check-out on Sunday, July 26, by 11:00am.

Check-out means:

• having personal luggage removed from room/lounges,
• linens placed in designated areas,
• and keycards returned.

Fischer Hall residents

• Please bring the sheets, blanket and towels to the lobby and place them in the designated collection bin.
• Keycards should be given to the residence hall front desk staff or put in the key deposit box in the lobby.

Apartment residents

• Place the sheets, blankets and towels on the kitchen floor of the townhomes & duplexes.
• Keycards can be placed in a pile on the kitchen counter.

All residences

• The pillow can be left on the bed.

There is a $25 lost or damaged key fee! If you do take your key, you can mail it back to the university within 10 days for a credit of the fee.

All meals will be served at Anderson Commons in the Todd Beamer Student Center.

• The college will give you a wrist band which will get you access into the dining hall.
• When you pick up your registration, your neck wallet will be a color. These colors designate the time you can access Anderson Commons. The times will be outlined in the program booklet.

Your registration covers the following meals:

Main Participant (8) Meals:

• Thursday, August 14 – Dinner
• Friday, August 15 – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Saturday, August 16 – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Sunday, August 17 – Breakfast

If you signed up to arrive early on Wednesday as a volunteer, staff or Secretariat, you will get (3) additional meals:

• Wednesday, August 13 – Dinner
• Thursday, August 14 – Breakfast, Lunch

It is about a 3-to-8-minute walk between residences, meeting rooms and the Student Center along reasonably level sidewalks. Shuttles will be provided for handicapped or those who need assistance.

The Encounter will be shared in three languages, English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

• Translations will be projected on the screens, as well, when available, QR Codes will be provided to download a PDF of the translation that you can read on your phone/tablet/laptop.
• For those of you unaware of QR codes, here is a beginners video to watch before you arrive. How to Scan a QR Code on iPhone and Android Devices
• For English and Spanish, we are working on an audio translation communication method and additional information is forthcoming. Watch your email for more information on this technology so you can download the APP and try it before arriving at Wheaton!

Language Breakouts will be held where attendees will meet separately based on language: English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Timing and Locations will be outlined in the program booklet.

A Palanca Chapel will be available during the Encounter for private prayer before the Blessed Sacrament.

• The Palanca Chapel will be located in Edman EW/KW.
• Watch for the signs along the side building next to the Edman Chapel.
• Please offer Palanca for the success of the Encounter and ask your fellow Cursillistas to pray for you and all the attendees traveling to Wheaton.
• Please send Palanca to nationalcursilloencounter.usa@gmail.com

Masses will be prayed during the Encounter. Holy Rosary, Exposition and Confessions will be offered.

We ask all Cursillistas to respect the policies of Wheaton College:

• Wheaton College maintains a smoke free campus. Tobacco use is prohibited in all campus facilities, including residence halls. The College also prohibits the use of any device that has traces of tobacco and nicotine in it. These items include, but are not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, hookah, vaping devices, nicotine pouches, and e-cigarettes.
• Alcohol, firearms, cannabis of any kind (smoked or edible) including synthetic products that mimic the effects of cannabis (K2 or Spice) and non-prescription drugs are prohibited on campus.
• Animals are not allowed in any campus facility at any time except for certified service animals. Any participants planning on bringing a service animal please notify Bobbi LaVoie at 585-727-4866 notestobobbi@yahoo.com
• When the air conditioning is on during warm summer months, please do not open the windows in any campus building.
• Campus quiet hours are from 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. daily.

Feel free to inquire about any questions or if you need additional information:

Bobbi Lavoie
National Encounter Liaison
Notestobobbi@yahoo.com
585-727-4866

Ken Meeker
Region 5 English Coordinator
kemeeker6233@gmail.com
630-430-9879