More about Dave and Joan Maroney of MOMM
Mother of Mercy Messengers or MOMM, is a Catholic lay ministry of the Congregation of Marians of the Immaculate Conception based in Stockbridge, MA at the National Shrine of The Divine Mercy; however directors and presenters Dave and Joan live and operate their ministry in the Texas Hill Country outside San Antonio. Since 1999 they have inspired young and old across the United States, British Columbia, England and Scotland in over 500 parishes with unique and dramatic programs that bring the Catholic faith to life particularly through scripture, Church tradition and revelations given by Jesus, The Divine Mercy, to St. Maria Faustina Kowalska.
Dave was raised Southern Baptist in Corpus Christi, Texas. He was working as a computer programmer in San Antonio and loved surfing and entertaining audiences as a popular surf-rock musician when he met Joan in 1990. Joan, a former corporate sales manager and single mother of three, had come back to the Church and was now actively involved in her parish and youth ministry. Dave was attracted to the Catholic Church through the beautiful liturgies and solid teachings at the Corpus Christi Cathedral. They were married at the Cathedral in 1992 and a few months later consecrated their new family to the Immaculate Heart of Mary and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Maroney’s are convinced that their consecrations led them to a deeper and more active faith which prepared them for their work as Mother of Mercy Messengers.
This ministry was not their idea, but a true call from God. Joan and Dave had been approached to consider developing Divine Mercy prayer cenacles in their local area, but the request was surprisingly expanded to include quitting their jobs and traveling months at a time across the country pulling a trailer full of equipment and materials, while making all the plans and bookings, setting up for and giving the presentations and only to be supported by love offerings along the way. After nine months of prayer and discernment Dave and Joan felt sure it was a call they could not refuse. Life would not be easy, but if this was a call from the Lord, He would surely provide; and, if they were going to promote, “Jesus, I trust in You,” they must surely live it.
Over the years MOMM has produced a variety of dynamic live presentations that enable them to reach out to an entire parish family with something for all ages and levels of spirituality. Programs are now also available on CD and DVD to take the message even further, and plans are in the works for the development of international teams. Jesus told St. Faustina, “Do whatever is in your power to spread devotion to my mercy,” and Dave and Joan try to do just that.
Aloha Dave and the Tourists
By the way, Dave still enjoys being Aloha Dave from time to time. Although they have sacrificed a lot for Dave’s evangelization schedule, his band Aloha Dave and the Tourists is celebrating their 25th year of bringing good, clean music and fun to families and friends on the Texas gulf coast. “It’s all for the honor and glory of God,” says Dave, “and it is great when people see and hear that one can be dedicated to the Lord and still have fun playing in a band and hitting the surf. I am thankful for it all!”