By Anonymous

I attended the Emmaus 202 retreat during the first weekend of March 2024 with very little idea of what to expect but with an open mind that this could be something special.  Although I was a church-going Catholic my whole life, I was looking for something to strengthen my faith in God and in Jesus Christ. I consider myself a very technical person who looks at everything mathematically and scientifically which makes having a strong faith quite challenging.

I was very pleased to find that this retreat was a good first step in my journey of someday attaining my goal. First, the directors and leaders of the group were awesome, and Father Joe was wonderful. The stories that were told along with the support from other leaders and participants were very inspiring. Some of the stories were heart-breaking but the level of faith these people had was amazing which has enabled them to be in a better place going forward.  I felt that my challenges were minor compared to what I heard discussed and yet my faith is nowhere near as strong (at least not yet).

As the retreat continued, my faith got a little stronger after each story I heard. At the end of day two, I had the opportunity to talk at length with Father Joe and, in addition to all of his good informative thoughts, he also phrased it perfectly for a person like me. He stated that growing my faith will likely be a journey in which my faith should continue to strengthen in small steps going forward as long as I continue to strive for it.  His faith in me was infectious to the point that it resulted in me taking one more step forward at the end of our discussion.  Matter of fact, Father Joe started his homily during the Closing Mass about telling others about your retreat experience but some will brush you aside and say, “It is all about the Science Stupid !!!” I felt like he was talking directly to me – his homily made quite an impact on me and I took another step forward.

Finally, in addition to growing my faith I also learned more about the power of the Eucharist and have more of an appreciation of the power of the Rosary. 

By Andrea Oliver

I work in a church office and received an email from a representative of the Emmaus Retreat Program requesting that I put an announcement in the church bulletin about an upcoming retreat.  I had heard of Emmaus but did not know too much about what it entailed.  Curiosity got the better of me and I inquired about the weekend.  I had heard that you needed a sponsor and didn’t know anyone who had participated in a previous Emmaus retreat.  I received a response from the retreat coordinator letting me know that my pastor would be able to sponsor me.  I have been on numerous retreats and initially, before committing myself, my mind automatically goes to the reasons I shouldn’t go instead of the reason God placed this opportunity in my path.  This was no exception!  I decided that God knows best so, I sent in my deposit and committed to embarking on this new adventure.  It was not a mistake.  From the very first night of my arrival, I was made to feel welcomed by a lovely woman who sat at my table and started a conversation with me as though we were longtime friends.  Little did I know that she was part of the team.  That was an amazing part of the retreat.  We were all involved in the activities of the weekend in the same capacity.

The first evening of the retreat, we were divided into small groups and met together throughout the weekend.  We quickly found that we were very much the same in our journey and struggles through our lives.  We were able to share our desires and insecurities without judgment and in strict confidence.  The members of my group have become friends who I will cherish all the days of my life.  I am looking forward to meeting up with them at the April Galilee gathering.  Keeping in touch with fellow candidates will be my goal in order to remain closer to our Lord with like-minded people. 

There were many “holy moments” throughout the weekend but the one that rocked my world was on the final day when we were individually prayed over by a team member after sharing what we most desired from the retreat.  My encounter did not disappoint.  With tears rolling down my cheeks, I felt an immense weight lifted off my shoulder which has continued throughout the weeks following the retreat.  I do believe that I have a soul worth saving – not because of me but because of His mercy!

Emmaus 199 was an amazing, spirit-filled weekend.  It started with friendly faces and a potluck dinner putting everyone at ease.  Our team was wonderful.  They were friendly, funny and always well-prepared for every part of the weekend. The retreat center handled the guests with great care.  The food was fabulous…each meal was better than the previous one. For each meal, I sat with different people, at the recommendation of the team. I loved getting to know many people. 

The team created an atmosphere of belonging and feeling safe enough to share vulnerabilities as well as successes.  Their authenticity was contagious.  The candidates, as we were called, were a diverse group including men and women, young and old, and everything in between.  As the weekend continued, I began to form friendships with people who were strangers just hours before. 

There were opportunities to learn from the team, learn from each other, and also time alone to ponder what I heard and how I could improve my relationship with God. Some of what I learned came in handy just weeks after the retreat.  The Holy Spirit used the retreat to prepare me for a difficult situation.   

I thought the benefits of the retreat would end with the closing Mass, but to my delight, that is not the case.  As wonderful as the weekend was, what came next is amazing.  I am now a member of the Emmaus community and it wasn’t long before I turned to the community for prayers. They did not disappoint.   

As part of the Emmaus community, I look forward to helping create a positive retreat experience for others, in the future. 

Ministry to the Minister

If I had a dollar for every time I heard “the minister receives more for their ministry than they give” especially throughout my seminary years. I know I had many ‘eye roll’ moments when someone would say that in a talk or seminar. But how true it is!

I have had the opportunity to live through many types of retreats in my life, some good, some, egh? When a friend told me he thought the Emmaus experience would be something I would like, I was open to it. It was a month or so later that he further explained that I would be one of the team members. My initial thought was yet another thing on my to do list, but I trusted my friend’s judgement and the Holy Spirit leading me.

Throughout the weekend many were complimentary to me for my talk, and pastoral presence, which was very kind, but more importantly throughout the weekend, the talks I heard and the pastoral presence I received from team and participants alike was unmatched.

I have been blessed to be a priest for over 20 years, and I can’t imagine doing anything else. I truly do receive far more than I feel I give, but every now and again I too need to be ministered to. I cannot express enough gratitude to the men and women of Christ who gave so generously of their gifts on Emmaus 190.

It was truly life changing.

                                                  –Fr. Paul Aveni

I had the opportunity to participate in the Emmaus #187 retreat. My experience at Emmaus #187 was one of the most faith filling experiences I have ever had. Recently, I had felt like I was missing something in my life but I could not put my finger on it. Two of my colleagues had mentioned the Emmaus retreat and encouraged me to go. They provided me with gentle reminders as the time of the retreat came and I finally made the decision to sign up.

Friday, my first evening of the journey I was extremely anxious. I am a little shy and do not share very often, especially in group situations. I made it through that first evening a little less anxious and looking forward to the next day. Saturday was an emotional roller coaster. I prayed, I laughed, I cried and I shared. By the end of the day all of the anxiety was completely washed away. I was at peace. I had finally realized what had been missing. I had let the light of Christ dim. I needed to pray more often and love myself in order to have others see the light of Christ in me.

By Sunday evening, that light could not have been any brighter in me. I owe this to each and every witness, small group session, prayer activity, leader, and candidate who shared the journey with me. I feel so blessed to now be a part of the Emmaus community and look forward to future Emmaus gatherings to keep that light brightly shining.

By Colleen Booker

From the first team meeting to the closing Mass of Emmaus 204, one coming factor was Jesus, I Trust in You. It came up during formation to the first-time meeting candidates of Friday Night and continued through the talks. With this weekend being my first weekend, I wanted to make sure prayer was first and foremost. I wanted the big and small moments to be all about Jesus and taking us on the road to Emmaus. 

As we entered the room at La Salette as a team to welcome our new candidates into our wonderful family of faith, there was pure joy and the love of Jesus.

There was laughter, fun, giggles, focused moments, thoughtful prayer, quiet moments, peace and family fun.

Friday night, we picked up our rocks of burden. Some had boulders they brought with them on the weekend.

On Saturday, we learned to let our faith communities, and the Sacraments help us with those boulders.

The rosary in the early hours helped us start our days right with the sun shining in on the windows of the chapel. It was a warm hug from God.

Adoration and Reconciliation with Deacon David Roderick and Fr. Jason Brilhante helped everyone let go of those boulders and focused us. Jesus, I Trust in You. The prayerful focus on Jesus helped everyone.

There were many great moments on the weekend. As I sat in the Chapel on Sunday morning, I reflected on our theme song, “You Say” by Lauren Daigle and how the Divine Mercy theme kept running through my head.

“You say I am loved when I can't feel a thing

You say I am strong when I think I am weak

And you say I am held when I am falling short

And when I don't belong, oh You say I am Yours”

With the preparation of Advent and Christmas, I kept coming back to Emmaus 204’s theme and how the Divine Mercy prayer of Jesus, I Trust in You. The Holy Spirit and God Winks were with me, the team, the candidates and all of the continued support from the community. I was overjoyed and honored to be a small part of the weekend as a director. I look forward to continuing the mission of Emmaus and bringing more people on the road to Emmaus.

Emmaus 202 Director’s Reflection

By Lauren Pimentel 

“Capture it in your spiritual memory.” 

This is what I encouraged the team of Emmaus 202 to do as we concluded Mass on Friday evening and prepared to go to the dining room to welcome our candidates. I kept returning to this exhortation over and over in my own heart as the weekend unfolded. Especially since Emmaus 202 was my final weekend as director, I did not want one holy moment, one moment of grace, to escape my notice. I wanted to capture these sacred moments so that my heart would continue to burn long after the weekend, as did the hearts of the disciples on the road to Emmaus. 

So what exactly did I capture in my heart, my spiritual memory?

God’s extravagant love. His tender compassion. His abundant grace. 

I witnessed this all before my eyes…

As the candidates and the team formed one community, all ministering to one another with words of encouragement, hugs, acts of service, and even by their very presence beside one another.

As we prayed together in song and in Sacrament, with our hearts and voices united as one. 

As stories of faith amid life’s challenges were shared and connections were made among candidates of all ages.

As hands were lifted in praise, supplication, and surrender.

As 19 of us gathered to pray the Rosary on Saturday morning, even before having our coffee!

As burdens were laid down at the foot of the Cross and as candidate after candidate returned from Reconciliation or spiritual direction with faces radiating the Lord’s peace.

As we adored our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament and drew close to the living God. 

As we laid down flowers in honor of Our Lady of Grace, one of our weekend's patrons, on Saturday evening.

Through the words and actions of our spiritual fathers, Fr. Joe Mozer and Deacon Kevin Gingras, who imitate our second patron, St. Joseph, so beautifully.

Through the love of our three married couples.

Through the laughter and conversation at meals.

Through the singing of our theme song as small groups returned to the chapel.

The list goes on… 

As one team member described it at our final team meeting, Emmaus 202 was “a weekend of miracles.” The Holy Spirit’s presence was palpable from start to finish. 

When everyone had gone to bed on Saturday night, I decided to go into the dark chapel and to sit at the foot of Our Lord present in the tabernacle. I prayed that the weekend was pleasing to Him and I thanked Him for all the ways He had been making known the truth of His personal love. The words to “Your Love is Extravagant” by Matt Maher kept playing in my heart (and then on Amazon Music!) on repeat. The greatness–the extravagance–of the love of God was really at the core of our weekend’s theme song, “Soul Worth Saving” by Apollo LTD:

A worthy soul and treasured heart

Beloved more than all the stars

Made for heaven by design

Worth the rescue every time

My prayer for all involved in Emmaus 202 is that they know deep within their soul the truth that our God believes that they have “a soul worth saving, a heart worth chasing.” Christ was surely pursuing hearts that March weekend, but He did not stop when the closing Mass concluded. He is still seeking each of us and calling us to a personal relationship with Him. Christ, our Rescuer, wants nothing more than to share eternity with us, for we are “made for Heaven by design.”

Well over a month has passed since Emmaus 202 and, as I sit in Eucharistic Adoration, my heart continues to swell with gratitude for the many blessings and graces poured out upon us. Through the intercession of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph, may the seeds that were planted during the weekend continue to bear fruit in all of our lives.
 

Emmaus 201 was filled with God’s light, healing and faith filled moments at every turn. 

As I wrapped my final weekend as a director, I look back on each of the weekends with love, appreciation and sincere thankfulness, that God allowed me to pray, gather and bring together people in His name.  Each weekend was unique and God-filled, that’s one of the reasons you’ll hear people from the community say, “Emmaus Number (insert number here) is the best Number (insert number here again)!”  It is because though we direct and follow the weekend guidelines, each Emmaus is uniquely given to us through a changing team, Holy Spirit moments and various personalities that get intertwined and woven in.  God knows the team and candidates before we do!  Every person’s story is unique and worthy to be told.  Each talk helps us to grow and understand the paschal mystery.  Emmaus is such a gift.

I start each day of our weekend with, “Holy Spirit you are welcome here.”  Let me tell you!  He certainly was with us at every turn.  The witnessing of team serving candidates and each other without hesitation and judgement is truly incredible.  At different points, candidates were also serving each other in an inspirational way.  Such a joy filled healing weekend! Adoration, as always, was powerful, poignant and healing. What a gift.

One of the highlights that will forever be etched in my memory and heart was when an impromptu singing of the “Our Father” came about in chapel.  The healing that took place was palpable.  The tears, the smiles and the love of God was so prevalent.  It was one of those moments hard to describe, but worthy of trying to do so. I wish we had candid camera footage to share with you all.

All three of the weekends I directed had something to do with light: #194 My Lighthouse, #198 Start a Fire, #201 My Light.  God has always been my light in life and He is in yours.  I learned early on as a child to pray to Him, to leave it to Him and to remember to be joyful for and with Him.  Hence, my desire to have light themed weekends.  I pray that we effectively brought His light to each and everyone on the weekends and back to the community and hence the Emmaus community bringing light to the world.  Today, I wish you His love, His light and His peace.

Kim Pressey
Director of Emmaus #201
 

Emmaus 200- “You Loved Me Like I Am!”

    Wow, what to say about this weekend- EMMAUS 200!

    We have reached this Milestone- what a Journey for me it has been. I have been blessed to have been part of the Community for almost 25 years- it’s a part of my life- met my wife, started a family, we continue to grow in this community.

    Emmaus 200- leading up to any weekend there can and will be challenges. Many challenges are small bumps in the road. Some challenges can present as difficult, but with lots of prayer, things just seem to ease and fall into place.
    Challenges- making sure Team is on board, preparing for a weekend is done, talks are done and in, and the invitation of candidates to come experience EMMAUS.  Emmaus 200 was open to re-Emmaus, as well as new candidates.  Any weekend can present difficulties in anyone’s life- could June present as a different because of the end of the school year, families beginning long awaited vacations? Have we all been slowly coming back to church as well? We all need to be filled, but it’s also when we are ready. It’s in Gods time, not ours. Believe me, if it was in our times- well then EMMAUS 200 would have been filled with 30 candidates- But we didn’t see that.
    Leading into the week of the weekend Emmaus 200 had a number candidates as potentially coming to experience this journey. As it turned out- Friday night, a new challenge for the first time- ( I’ve experienced) we had only 3 candidates…. And so with that comes a last second switch of not doing small group rooms-
    We then switched up the “conference room”. Dividing the room into 2…
    1-a relaxed setting, to sit relax, and share- similar to a small group setting, and 2- the other half of the room was for the Talks.
    This was so amazing because for a chance for - Director and Co- to be involved in all talks, but so incredibly- “small group” conversations…

    The weekend flow was so smooth, flawless, HOLY SPIRIT was flowing and so present all weekend long. Emmaus 200 had an incredible Team that with their prior experiences of being on Teams, their own stepping up to fill in little gaps, their sharing and commitment- EMMAUS 200 was so Beautiful!
    We all have our own journeys, we all have our own struggles. What and how we work through them, with prayer, and confidence in our lord to help us get through it. We have our Community to lean on as well. We are here for one another, regardless of how long any of us have been away for any reason.

    1 thing that was done on EMMAUS 200 was a Memorial Stole - to continue to pray for and acknowledge those Community members that have gone onto their 5th day! Everlasting Life !

    Much prayer went into this, lots of names were presented, 80+ , and the Stole shall continue on, to serve as that reminder- of loved ones that rest in eternal peace.

    EMMAUS 200 didn’t fall into the same template like a “typical “ EMMAUS weekend does- Small Groups- was Emmaus 200 absolutely incredible- Yes. We had moments on the weekend that Jesus met each of us… Regardless where we were on our own journeys! He was there to meet us !

    On Behalf of Emmaus 200, Thank you!
    Mark Aguiar

Deb Ryan, published in the New Bedford Standard Times
They call it “The Fourth Day.” — It is the time that follows after experiencing three days (and two nights) on an Emmaus retreat. Not long ago I did a religion story on the 40th anniversary of the Emmaus retreat program sponsored by the Catholic Church. My husband and I grew up Catholic but are now Pentecostal. The director said, “People of all faiths are welcome,” and I took him at his word.

With my husband Bill not getting out very much due to a disability, we stepped out in faith and signed up for the next retreat. As our 35th anniversary present to each other, we headed to Cathedral Camp in East Freetown. It is a beautiful place out by Long Pond.  I did have a back-up plan — that if the weekend proved to be too much for Bill, my daughter Rachael would come and pick him up.

Thinking of the word “retreat,” I picture the Indians running away as the Cavalry comes to save the day. It ended up being Calvary, the hill near Jerusalem on which Jesus was crucified, that was our saving grace.

So much is packed into a weekend that we haven’t really processed it all yet. The most important thing we experienced was the love of a Christian community across the boundaries of religion.  Bill had some difficulty getting from one building to another. He has a walker with a seat, but cracks in the pavement led to an encounter with me ending up on the ground, followed by the walker and then Bill (who is a big guy)! By the time I crawled out from under and people came to our assistance, Bill was pointing to me and jokingly saying, “She pushed me!” ... which quickly became the joke of the weekend.

But seriously, despite the fall, Bill said he wanted to stay and participate in everything — and they made it happen. Within 15 minutes there was a wheelchair there. Before I knew it, there were guys pushing him up the hills and over the bumps and others hi-fiving him as he wheeled by. This allowed me to participate in my small group activities without worrying about him.  That in itself is a vacation but oh ... there was so much more.

The main difference between Catholic and other Christian faiths is that Catholics believe that during the sacrament of the Eucharist, the bread and wine are transformed into the actual body and blood of our Lord. Many other Christian religions believe that it is a solemn act that is done in remembrance of the last supper. In both cases, communion represents healing and salvation.  After discussing my feelings with the priest, we agreed that Bill and I would respectfully decline from participating in receiving communion. When it came time during the Mass (service) I have to admit that we were feeling a little left out. That quickly changed as when he was done giving communion, the priest came over and blessed us and kissed Bill on the head.  I saw that as a true act of love that erased the boundaries of theology and doctrine.

During the weekend we were able, along with several other couples, to renew our marriage vows. After 35 years, sometimes it becomes easy to take things for granted. We were also able to renew our baptismal vows.  It happened to be a hot weekend which made me want to go jump in Long Pond. But they kept us pretty busy. Another thing that made the weekend a pleasurable experience was the food. All cooked by a chef who was a Johnson & Wales graduate. It was wonderful!

There were 34 people actually participating in the weekend. Fifteen were a team of people who had been praying and organizing for months, assisted by many volunteers from previous retreats. There were 19 candidates — those of us who were there to experience the weekend by connecting with, or rededicating our lives to our God.  There will be reunions of our group and monthly meetings of the whole Emmaus community in the future for those of us who choose to stay involved.

Toward the end of the weekend, one woman suggested I convert back to Catholicism. After a little discussion, I gave her a big smile, put my hand on her shoulder and said, “Let’s just love one another.”  That is how people will know we are Christians ... by our love for one another.