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 and Eucharistic minister.
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, a banner 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”. The banner is taken from a picture I took on my first visit back to Rhode Island after covid. It was at sunrise at a very special place at the beach. As I took the picture I thought, no matter what happens in this 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.
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