Welcome to Emmaus!

We are an awesome Catholic Young Adult Group ages 20-39, single or married, located in Jacksonville, FL. Keep an eye on the announcements below for meeting times and events! Examples of events are Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, monthly confession and Mass, Theology on Tap, outdoor activities, bible studies, guest speakers, and much much more. If you join the Emmaus Yahoo! Group, find us on Facebook or check this website regularly, you will be able to receive the latest news on what is happening with Emmaus. So if you are looking to grow in your faith, find friendships, and get involved in something that helps spread the Gospel, then get involved with “Emmaus”!



About Us

The Emmaus Catholic Young Adult Group was started in 1996 by Fr. Ducci in Orange Park, FL. The group first met in the Wilcox house, moved to St. Catherine’s, and then due to the group’s growth and mission ultimately to Assumption Catholic Church. We chose the name “Emmaus” because of the passage in the book of Luke 24:13-35. We love this passage because it deals with the Lord opening the eyes of those who are blind to the truth. The two men’s minds are opened to the Truth when Jesus teaches them about Himself starting from the Old Testament to His death on the Cross to His Resurrection. Afterwards the two men recognize who Jesus is when He gives them the Eucharist i.e. His very Body and Blood in Communion. Our group’s mission is to open the hearts and minds of young adults to Jesus in order to live a holy life. We seek to proclaim the Gospel, which includes all of the Church’s Teachings. We do this by having guest speaker’s talk about the faith, Bible studies, Mass and Adoration, worship music, retreats, sports, and more. We believe in building a strong community of Catholic young adults whose goal is to change lives and live lives of holiness for Christ.

"Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?" Luke 24:32.

Emmaus Core Team

Patrick, Emily, Paul, and Jacinta. Please feel free to contact us at emmauscya@gmail.com with any questions, comments, suggestions or concerns.

Our Spiritual Director

Our Spiritual Director
Father Ed Murphy (L), Pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish. E-mail: ewmurphy@windstream.net

Emmaus Directions

We are located at:
Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
Catholic Church

121 East Duval Street,
Jacksonville, FL 32202

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Emmaus Thursday 5/31/12

Come join us this Thursday in Kohl's Hall at 7pm for a discussion on Apologetics from Bert Harrell, the RCIA Director at Assumption Catholic Church.  This subject is very interesting as it includes the reasons for "what" and "why" we believe what we believe.  It also includes differences between us and different faith traditions and denominations, and practical ways to defend our faith.  Be there at 630pm if you would like to join in on The Rosary.  Look forward to seeing you there!

Emmaus Core Team!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Emmaus Beach Bash, Part Deux

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ,

Okay, let's try this again!

It’s time for more beach fun at our annual Memorial Day(ish) Beach Bash! We will be meeting at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Mayport on SATURDAY 6/2, at 1pm. It costs $3 per car (up to 6 people) to get in the park. Once you get in the park, go to parking lots 7 & 8 (near the lifeguard station). I will bring my volleyball stuff. Please bring whatever food you would like to have for lunch, and any snacks you wish to share. Don't forget plenty of fluids! Also bring: sunscreen, towel, football, frisbee, boogie board, etc.  As I mentioned before, they no longer allow grilles on the beach at Hanna Park, but I believe we can still grille on the land-side of the dunes.  We will have a grille set up in the grassy area behind the concession stand (as you walk out towards the beach it will be on your left) between 1pm and 2:30pm.

Hanna Park Address:  500 Wonderwood Dr., Atlantic Beach, FL

We look forward to seeing everyone there! God Bless!

The Emmaus Core Team

PS-If you have any questions, call Russ at: (352) 359-0629.
PPS- If you have a portable table you can bring or we can borrow, please let me know! Thanks!

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Memorial Day Beach Party Postponed

Hello brothers and sisters,

Our Memorial Day plans are officially CANCELLED for Mon. due to Tropical Storm Beryl.  Beryl will make landfall sometime tonight or very early morning.  Sustained winds as of now are 75mph and the eye of the storm is approx. 100 mi. off the coast.  All the beaches are closed (Hanna Park has also been cleared of visitors) and Mayor Alvin Brown has declared a state of emergency so we may receive federal funding after the storm.  Be safe and keep informed as Tropical Storm Beryl approaches.  For more info go to http://www.actionnewsjax.com/content/topstories/story/Beryl-now-a-Tropical-Storm-and-stronger/kmxsXmWK9kKkRH3WKqPdXg.cspx.
 
We are planning on having our celebration next Sat., 6/2.  God Bless you all!
 
In JMJ,
 
Emmaus Core Team
 

Monday, May 21, 2012

Ven, Espíritu Santo -- Emmaus on May 24th

Good evening sisters and brothers in Christ!
     Join us this Thursday evening (May 24th) at Kohl's Hall at Assumption Catholic Church as we pray the Rosary and learn about discovering friendship and developing a more profound relationship with the Holy Spirit as well as delving into a deeper understanding of the fruits of the Advocate. We welcome all to pray the Rosary with us at 6:30pm before Fr. Darius Sleszynski, retired Diocesan priest and current chaplain at Naval Station Mayport, speaks with us and offers spiritual guidance on growing in the Holy Spirit as we approach the Pentecost. So grab a friend or two and bring your questions for Fr. Darius in what gears up to be another great Emmaus event. We look forward to seeing you!

Convivially in the Trinity,
The Emmaus Core Team

Galatians 5:16-25
Brothers and sisters, live by the Spirit
and you will certainly not gratify the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh has desires against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh;
these are opposed to each other,
so that you may not do what you want.
But if you are guided by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are obvious:
immorality, impurity, lust, idolatry,
sorcery, hatreds, rivalry, jealousy,
outbursts of fury, acts of selfishness,
dissensions, factions, occasions of envy,
drinking bouts, orgies, and the like.
I warn you, as I warned you before,
that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.
Against such there is no law.
Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their flesh
with its passions and desires.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also follow the Spirit.

Reflection: The Holy Spirit as Power
by Fr. John A. Hardon, S.J.

We speak of the Holy Spirit in many different ways: as Love, as Gift, as the Paraclete, as the Advocate. All of these titles are biblical and identify some of the profound attributes of the Spirit promised by Christ before his Ascension into Heaven. But there is one that we especially need to recognize today and that is the Spirit as Power. What does this Spirit as Power really mean? Let us analyze it in the Gifts of the Holy Spirit which pertain to the will.
... Continue at: http://www.therealpresence.org/archives/Holy_Spirit/Holy_Spirit_006.htm

Further Reading for those interested in a theological and pneumatological article written by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger: http://www.communio-icr.com/articles/PDF/ratzinger25-2.pdf

Prayer:
Come, Holy Spirit,
replace the tension within us with a holy relaxation.
Replace the turbulence within us with a sacred calm.
Replace the anxiety within us with a quiet confidence.
Replace the fear within us with a strong faith.
Replace the bitterness within us with the sweetness of grace.
Replace the darkness within us with a gentle light.
Replace the coldness within us with a loving warmth.
Replace the night within us with Your light.
Replace the winter within us with Your spring.
Straighten our crookedness.
Fill our emptiness.
Dull the edge of our pride.
Sharpen the edge of our humility.
Light the fires of our love.
Quench the flames of our lust.
Let us see ourselves as You see us,
that we may see You as You have promised,
And be fortunate according to Your word,
Blessed are the pure of heart,
for they shall see God. Amen.
(From http://www.holyspiritchurchjax.org)

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Memorial Day Beach Bash, 5/28


Hello brothers and sisters in Christ,
It’s time for more beach fun at our annual Memorial Day Beach Bash! We will be meeting at Kathryn Abbey Hanna Park in Mayport on Memorial Day, Monday 5/28, at 1pm. It costs $3 per car (up to 6 people) to get in the park. Once you get in the park, go to parking lots 7 & 8 (near the lifeguard station). I will bring my volleyball stuff. Please bring whatever food you would like to have for lunch, and any snacks you wish to share. Don't forget plenty of fluids! Also bring: sunscreen, towel, football, frisbee, boogie board, etc.  As I mentioned at our last meeting, they no longer allow grilles on the beach at Hanna Park, but I believe we can still grille on the land-side of the dunes.  We will have a grille set up in the grassy area behind the concession stand (as you walk out towards the beach it will be on your left) between 1pm and 2:30pm.
Hanna Park Address:  500 Wonderwood Dr., Atlantic Beach, FL
We look forward to seeing everyone there! God Bless!
The Emmaus Core Team
PS-If you have any questions, call Russ at: (352) 359-0629.
PPS- If you have a tarp or portable table you can bring or we can borrow, please let me know! Thanks!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Emmaus this Thurs., 5/10 - Volleyball!


Hello brothers and sisters,

This Thurs. at Emmaus we will be playing volleyball in the gym at Assumption at 7pm.  Feel free to bring a friend or co-worker to join in the fun!  Bringing your "A" game is recommended (but not required! ;)  We will be praying the Rosary at 6:30pm if you would like to join us.  See you then!

In JMJ,

The Emmaus Core Team

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Emmaus this Thurs., 5/3 -- Motherhood of Mary

Hello brothers and sisters,

Since May is the month dedicated to Mary and Mother's Day is coming up soon on 5/13, we thought our topic this week should honor our Blessed Mother.  So, with that intention, this Thurs. we will have Dan Mull coming to speak with us about the motherhood of Mary.  As most of us know, Dan has a Master's in Theology from Ave Maria University and teaches religion at Bishop Snyder High School.  This will be a great talk and also a good way to kick-off the month that honors our Lady.  So come join us in Jordan Hall at 7pm.  We will be praying the Rosary at 6:30pm if you would like to join us.

God Bless,

The Emmaus Core Team