Cursillo #151 Update and Team
“We not only have a savior who calms the storms of life, but in Christ we have an anchor that securely positions us in a safe harbor”. Hebrew 6:10
Arlene Maloney
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
There is a “New Day Dawning” and Cursillo #151 is rapidly approaching.
The leadership is in place and I would like to share the team with you
Cursillo #151 Team
May 8-11, 2025
CORE LEADERSHIP
Rectora: Arlene Maloney
Spiritual Director: Bishop Doug Scharf
Asst. Spiritual Directors: Rev. Michael Brady, Rev. Marcella Drawdy
Observing Rector: Russell Tuff
Bell Ringer: Audrey Cull
Flotora: Sharon Stoll
Set Up Co-Chairs: Beth & Michael Johnson
Servant Co-Chairs: Sara Lemley, Pat Magnant
Music Chair: Jeremy Rudacille
ROLLOS
IDEAL: Pam Monroe
GRACE: Mother Marcella Drawdy
LAITY: Kent Gallamore
FAITH: Fr. Michael Brady
PIETY: Sally Allen
STUDY: Gussie Haeffner
SACRAMENTS: Bishop Doug Scharf
ACTION: Michele Rudacille
OBSTACLES: Fr. Michael Brady
LEADERS: Ray Stoll
STUDY OF ENVIRONMENT: Beth Johnson
LIFE IN GRACE: Bishop Doug Scharf
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN ACTION: Phil Allen
GROUP REUNION: Pat Magnant
ULTREYA: Arlene Maloney
TABLE FAMILY WORKERS:
Phil Allen, Sally Allen, Kim Balke, Kent Gallamore, Gussie Haeffner, Susan O’Carroll, Maisie Reddy, Brenda Roshaven, Ray Stoll, Sharon Stoll, Russell Tuff, Marte Toohill
MUSIC: Jeremy Rudacille, Matt Estes Susan O’Carroll, Michael Turcotte
SET UP TEAM: Beth & Michael Johnson, Pam Monroe, Jo Simpson, Janice Harrington (Cha-Cha), Frances Lingrel (Cha-Cha), Mike Magnant (Cha-Cha) Scott Schieb (Cha-Cha)
SERVANT: Sara Lemley & Pat Magnant, Karen Bauer, Debra Hladky, Michele Rudacille (A/V), Sharon Soto
FRIENDS OF TEAM: Gordon and Sylvia McIntyre
The team is shaping up very nicely and it is just about complete. I am now calling on each of you to “make a friend, be a friend and bring a friend to Christ”. We need pilgrims! If you know of someone that would be a candidate for the weekend, please speak to your parish priest, talk to the person and be willing to be a sponsor on this wonderful spiritual journey.
DeColores,
Arlene Maloney
Download a Pilgrim Application Here
Cursillo #151 Pilgrims
| Ariss-Menendez | Melissa | St. John’s, Tampa |
| Bess | Kathi | St. Mark’s, Tampa |
| Corcoran | Jason | Church of the Ascension, Clearwater |
| Doty | Gail | Holy Innocents’, Valrico |
| Duncan | Ken | Church of the Apostles, Parrish |
| DuPuis | Amy | St. John’s, Clearwater |
| Free | Sam | St. Mark’s, Tampa |
| Free | Gipcell | St. Mark’s, Tampa |
| Greene | Sue | Good Shepherd, Venice |
| Greenlees | Bruce | All Saints, Tarpon Springs |
| Gotschall | Cathy | St. Nathaniel’s |
| Hadley | Linda | St. Mary’s, Dade City |
| Henderson | Lynne | Church of the Good Shepherd, Dunedin |
| Huffman | Cindy | Church of the Good Shepherd, Dunedin |
| Hughes | Carolyn | Church of the Good Shepherd, Dunedin |
| Jackasal-Labonte | Sherry | St. Alfred’s, Palm Harbor |
| Juarez | Susie | St. Mark’s, Tampa |
| Kita | Dawn | St. Mark’s, Tampa |
| McRae | Donna | St. Augustine’s, St. Petersburg |
| Minstrel | Jim | St. Mark’s, Tampa |
| Moses | Louise | Church of the Ascension, Clearwater |
| Mudgett | Pat | Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota |
| Mudgett III | Bill | Church of the Redeemer, Sarasota |
| Nichols | Lilli | Holy Innocents’, Valrico |
| Opitz | Connie | Church of the Ascension, Clearwater |
| Palaia | Kathleen | St. Mary’s, Bonita Springs |
| Pedretti | Julie | Trinity-by-the-Cove, Naples |
| Rathman | Beth | All Souls, North Fort Myers |
| Snead | Dan | Holy Innocents’, Valrico |
| Steponaitis | Ed | Church of the Good Shepherd, Dunedin |
| Sutton | Melinda | Church of the Ascension, Clearwater |
| VanCura | John | Holy Innocents, Valrico |
| VanCura | Kim | Holy Innocents, Valrico |
| Vaughn | Gretchen | St. Mary’s, Dade City |
| Watts | Thomas | Church of the Ascension, Clearwater |
| Watts | Ken | Holy Innocents’, Valrico |
Cursillo #151 – “A New Day Dawns” May 2025
Arlene Maloney
My brothers and sisters in Christ,
My brothers and sisters in Christ,
My name is Arlene Maloney and I made my Cursillo at Dayspring in February, 2010 , weekend #118 and sat at the table of St. John. I worship at Holy Innocents’ Church in Valrico. I have been a member of Holy Innocents since I arrived in Florida twenty years ago. Cursillo has had such an impact on my life and my spiritual journey. I have served on many teams since my weekend and each one has deepened my relationship with the Lord. It has led me on a spiritual journey that has been incredible. I have served as senior warden on the vestry, host coordinator for Family Promise of Hillsborough County, parish Cursillo representative, Eucharistic minister and Eucharistic visitor.
My journey has taken me to the Dominican Republic on mission trips as well as mission work here in Florida. It all began with my weekend at Dayspring. I am humbled and honored to be called to be the Rectora of Cursillo #151, May 8-11, 2025. If anyone had told me on that Thursday evening when I arrived at Dayspring, with the deer in the headlights look all those years ago, that I would be serving on this weekend, I would have thought they had lost their minds. Yet, here I am ! I have been told, “ God does not choose the equipped, He equips the chosen”! I am counting on Him.
As I prayed about a theme and direction all my thoughts led me to water. I am from Rhode Island, and it is the Ocean State, surrounded by water. The ocean has always been my place of solace and peace so I felt God was guiding me in that direction. My theme is “A New Day Dawns” and the song is “Ten Thousand Reasons”. On my first trip to Rhode Island after Covid, I took this picture on the beach at sunrise and thought no matter what happens in life, a new day always dawns. I felt the presence of the Lord that day as the world was struggling to overcome the pandemic and to bring calm to the chaos it had caused. Hebrew 6:10 says, “We not only have a Savior who calms the storms of life, but in Christ we have an anchor that securely positions us in a safe harbor”.
Please pray for the Cursillo movement as we move forward in rebuilding and revitalizing the weekends. If you have not served on a weekend or if you have not served in a long while, it is time! Christ is counting on you!
For His Sake,
Arlene Maloney
Christ is Counting on You, and So Am I
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Christ is counting on you and so am I!
Do you remember your time as Pilgrims attending a Cursillo weekend where so many of our lives were forever changed? We came home to families and friends filled with the Holy Spirit,
and on fire to serve God wherever, and whenever, he called us.
After attending Cursillo #114 in 2008, I had a wonderful conversation with a fellow Cursillista Connie Keister. It’s been a while, and we admitted our recollections about that call may remain
lost forever with one exception – God gave us each of a personal mantra that we live by. “God will lead you where he needs you”! This became the theme for Weekend 150. In the Bible, many people came to Jesus through the actions of God. Leading each of them to a life of service sharing the news of Jesus through kindness, love and healing.
There are so many places in the Bible where people were lead to Christ, for his reasons, not for theirs. This became apparent when after attending a Cursillo weekends so many of us returned home, pouring into a life of service to Christ in ways previously unimaginable.
Won’t you please assist us in providing that Cursillo opportunity for others who have not experienced a Cursillo weekend? We need your help by filling both Team and Pilgrim openings.
Currently, we have accepted 8 applicants for Team and 8 Pilgrims for Cursillo 150. Additionally, there are a number of jobs on the weekend which do not require a great deal of physicality but bring great rewards to our Pilgrims.
Annie Hunter
Please prayerfully consider helping Gods Cursillo150 weekend to be a great success by submitting Team and Pilgrim applications to my address below.
Decolores!
Annie Hunter
Rector Cursillo#150
1811 Ft. Duquesna Drive
Sun City Center, FL 33573
anniemedic813@gmail.com
813-842-075
Special Announcement in Cursillo Leadership
Greetings from the Secretariat:
I hope this message finds you well and blessed. The Secretariat would like to share some significant updates regarding recent changes within our leadership.
As of Saturday, February 17, 2024, Dorothy Lowrie has resigned from her role as Lay Director to prioritize her health and engage in rehabilitation. We are grateful for Dorothy’s unwavering dedication and commendable efforts in rebuilding our ministry post-COVID. Her contributions have been invaluable, and she will be sincerely missed.
In light of these changes, the Secretariat has elected Candy Newman as the new Lay Director to complete the remaining term, which concludes in September. We extend our gratitude to Candy for accepting this responsibility and are confident in her ability to lead.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to me or any member of the Secretariat. We appreciate your understanding and support during this transition.
DeColores,
Candy Newman
Secretariat
- Rev. Mario Castro
- Rev. Brian O’Carroll
- Sally Allen
- Russell Tuff
- Jan DiUlio
- Ron Joy
- Rev. Marcella Drawdy
December 2023 Update
Dorothy Lowrie
Dear Cursillo Community of SW Florida,
I trust this message finds you well and filled with the joy of the Cursillo spirit. As the Lay Director, I am delighted to share some exciting updates regarding our journey together in 2023.
Success in Rebuilding the Cursillo Ministry:
The year 2023 was a resounding success in rebuilding the foundations of the Cursillo Ministry. We have worked tirelessly to restore and strengthen our community, and we are now building on the momentum gained during the past year.
Reunions in the North and South:
We held two reunions, one in the north and one in the south, bringing our community together to celebrate our shared commitment to the Cursillo movement. Bishop Scharf graced both gatherings, sharing his inspiring vision for the future of our ministry.
Three Weekends with 44 Pilgrims:
In the spirit of renewal and transformation, we conducted three weekends with a total of 44 pilgrims. These weekends were filled with spiritual growth, fellowship, and a deepening sense of community.
Excitement within the Secretariat:
The Secretariat is enthusiastic about the journey ahead and is looking forward to collaborative efforts that will continue to strengthen our community. Together, we can achieve great things for the glory of God and the flourishing of the Cursillo Ministry.
Pilgrim and Team Applications:
As we embark on this exciting phase of our journey, we invite you to explore opportunities to participate further. Pilgrim and team applications are now open, and we encourage everyone to visit our website for more information and to submit applications.
Please check our website regularly for updates and announcements. Your active participation and support are vital to the success of the Cursillo Ministry in SW Florida.
Thank you for your dedication and commitment to the Cursillo movement. Let us continue to walk together on this transformative journey, spreading the love and grace of Christ.
Blessings,
Dorothy Lowrie
Lay Director, Cursillo of SW Florida
A Message from Susan O’Carroll #149
Susan O’Carroll
Dear Cursillo Community!
Many blessings to you all. My name is Susan O’Carroll, I attended Cursillo weekend #98, in September of 2001 in the Diocese of Southwest Florida and I sat at the table of St. Mary. I worship at Holy Innocents’ in Valrico. I am looking forward to serving as the next Rectora for Weekend #149, Come to the Table, February 29 – March 3rd at DaySpring.
I have been a part of this diocese for over twenty-five years, called to serve in youth and children’s ministries (diocesan and parish), Cursillo, parish leadership and as a clergy spouse. The theme for the weekend is Come to the Table with the verse, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” Matthew 18:20(ESV) When I was praying about the theme for this weekend, I heard the Lord speak to my heart, gather my people at my table. James 4:8a says, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” As I sat in prayer, I was reminded of the years of ministry around our dining room table and fellowship with family and friends both old and new. Many of these conversations were about Jesus and I could see the parallel to the Lord’s Table and as we gathered not just on Sundays, but in the mission field, at shut-ins’ homes and at the bedsides in hospitals. The sizes of those groups varied; however, Jesus was present in all of them. Then one Sunday before service I was looking at the index in Wonder Love and Praise and found Hymn 763, “As we Gather at Your Table”, as I read the words, they were a reminder to prepare our hearts and a call to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I encourage you to join me in prayer and discernment for the Cursillo movement in our diocese and for weekend #149. This is a time of great excitement as we rebuild this ministry of support, and renewal for leadership. Please pray with me to see where God is calling you to serve; as part of leadership, team, or working with your priest to sponsor a pilgrim or energizing your parish Cursillo Community.
Applications can be found on the website along with Ultreya and the Reunion Gathering in November, www.cursilloswfla.org or you can email me at ocarrolls3@gmail.com.
In Christ,
Susan O’Carroll
Rectora #149