Dear Cursillistas, A big welcome to our new Cursillistas who went on their Cursillo Weekend at the end of April!  By all accounts, it was a Spirit-infused, Spirit-fed event and we are thrilled to welcome you to the Valley Cursillo Community.  Special thanks goes out to our rector, John Cecalupo, and his wonderful team and coordinators, who worked hard and opened their hearts to God's will during the several months they spent preparing for the weekend.  We appreciate your hard (heart) work! This Easter season, before Pentecost arrives, I'd like to take a moment to focus on the Risen Lord.  After his resurrection in the gospels, we see Jesus coming to the lonely places of life, in places he wasn't expected to be - in the anguish of life by the tomb; in the disheartening journey to Damascus; in the fearful locked upper room of our hearts. Jesus comes to transform these places - to bring new life, new recognition of where he may be found, and new courage and vigor for the journey.  Actually, it is not so much places or things or situations that Jesus transforms - it is US!  It is how we see the world.  It is our very selves.   Sometimes transformation comes in the form of a lightening bolt - in an "ah-ha!" moment that knocks us off our feet and changes our lives forever.  But most times, our transformations come in tiny, almost imperceptible increments, as we go through the day to day motions of our lives.  Transformation happens in the small choices we make each day; to forgive not once but 70 times seven times; to turn the other cheek again; to catch ourselves when we are judging others; to be inclusive rather than exclusive; to discern the loving thing in each situation we encounter.  Remembering and acting on these things in the daily challenges of life isn't easy, but it's where change of heart takes place.  Such change takes focus and attention to each situation, each moment we encounter - not allowing ourselves to pre-judge it, but receiving it as a gift that we have never experienced before.  It doesn't matter how many times we have been in the "same" situation - each moment comes to us anew.  We can choose to live life by rote, inattentive to the miracles that surround us; or we can choose to truly attend to each moment as it is given, training our eyes to see the many gifts along the way.  As we approach Pentecost, let us pay attention and be on the lookout for God where God may be found - and that is everywhere; at every moment; in every person; and often in the places we least expect to find him.  May we be truly open to the Spirit of God who will come to us at Pentecost, and may we allow God to transform us into the persons we were created to be - beautiful, loving, and good to the core.  Let our hearts be open to God's presence and action within us, lighting the whole world in the fire of our hearts! Come, Holy Spirit Fill the hearts of your faithful And kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit And we shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. Peace, Fran and Marshall Slayton Valley Cursillo Directors   P.S. Please take a look at our "EVENTS" page, which lists Valley Cursillo-related events from now until the end of 2011!