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

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Diocese-wide Kickball Tournament on October 10th

Hey Everyone!

The diocese is holding their second annual kickball tournament on October 10th! We represented Emmaus last year and I would love to do it again! So far we have 5 signed up, we need 5 more to make our team 10 per their requirements! 

Please message Patrick Vavrin on Facebook or email him at patrick.vavrin@gmail.com if you are interested. The deadline is fast approaching, so please let him know by September 29th if you would like to go!

In Christ,
Emmaus Core Team

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

This Friday: PB&Jesus

Hello friends!

Some of our fellow young adults in the diocese are putting together an awesome event called "PB&Jesus". On Friday, September 18th, from 6-9pm, we will be making sandwiches for the homeless. More information is in the flyer linked here.

In addition, Emily Gehret is also helping distribute sandwiches Saturday morning. If you are interested in helping out Saturday morning, or if you want more information about the event Friday, contact Emily Gehret at emilygehret@gmail.com.

Hope to see you there!

Emmaus Core Team

New Emmaus Core Team!


Please welcome the new Emmaus Core Team:
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(From left to right )
Patrick Vavrin is a native to Houston, Texas, but he has been a resident of Jacksonville for nearly a decade. He loves spending time with family, especially his niece and nephews, and with friends - whether by playing board games, relaxing or going bowling. He adores the Catholic Church because of Adoration and Confession, because of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, and also because no matter where one goes for mass church members are always on the same page because the readings are always the same. He believes that Emmaus is an important place for young adults managing the struggles of day to day life. He says this group is a much needed reminder of God’s Love. He says when people go to this group they see Jesus.
Emily Gehret is a Jacksonville native and has been a member of Emmaus since 2013. She recently graduated as a Physician Assistant and works in Pediatrics. She loves the outdoors, drawing and painting, and curling up with a good book and a cup of hot tea. Her favorite color is turquoise. Her favorite saints include St Therese, St John Bosco, and St Gianna. She loves being Catholic for many reasons, but mostly because of the beautiful gifts of the Eucharist, Reconciliation and devotion to Our Lady. Her hope for Emmaus is that the group will become a close community that fosters service, prayer, and fun!
Paul Giacchetto grew up in Jacksonville and has visited many places in the United States being a child of a military family. He graduated from Florida Tech down in Melbourne studying Software Engineering, and is currently working for CACI as a computer programmer. His favorite color is green. He enjoys camping, hiking, reading spiritual books, and playing an array of video games. His favorite vacation spot is Rome and the Vatican, especially the beauty of St. Peter's Basilica. His favorite saints are St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Augustine, and his patron saint is St. Paul. He loves being Catholic for the truth found in the Church, because of its rich history and tradition, and for the Eucharist and sacraments provided by the Church. He hopes that as Emmaus grows it can become a great resource for our community for fellowship and growth in the Catholic faith.
Jacinta Robin grew up in Jacksonville and completed her associates in biology at Florida State College at Jacksonville. She enjoys crafts, networking, and spending time with friends and family. Her favorite color is magenta. Her favorite vacation spot is Orlando. Her patron saints are St. Therese the Little Flower, St. Catherine of Siena, and St. Anthony of Padua. She loves the Catholic Church because of its infallible truth, and because of the sacraments, primarily the Holy Eucharist. She believes a group like Emmaus will encourage believers to feel comfortable “walking the walk” of the Catholic faith in everyday life.

Wednesday, September 9, 2015

New Core Team Forming!

Hey everyone,


Emmaus events will temporarily pause while a new Core Team is forming.  Stay tuned for activities in the near future, and please keep the new Core Team in your prayers!


God Bless!