This Thursday 8/9 - Confession and Mass

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

This Thursday, August 9, we will be celebrating Mass with Fr Dan Nelson, Parochial Vicar at St Catherine's. Mass will be held at Assumption Catholic Church starting at 6:45pm. Confession and Rosary will be from 6:15pm to 6:45pm. Hope to see you there.

Emmaus Core Team

Emmaus This Thurs., 8/2

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ,

This Thurs. at Emmaus we will be having Gerald Lamb come and speak with us about how the Church has dealt with persecution throughout its history.  Gerald has a passion for history and our faith, so this should prove to be a great discussion!  It is also very timely in that it relates to what Holy Mother Church is encountering in our culture today.  The good news is that, even though our Church has undergone persecutions, after 2000 years she still remains.  Though empires have risen and fallen, the Church stands firm because she stands on unchanging (and unchangeable) truth.  Please join us at 7pm in the music room of the Family Life Center/gym.  Some of us will be praying the Rosary at 6:30pm if you want to join us.

God Bless,

The Emmaus Core Team

Next Emmaus Event 7/26 -- Advancing in the Spiritual Life

Good evening brothers and sisters:
     Be sure to join us this Thursday, July 26 at 6:30pm in Kohls Hall to pray the Most Holy Rosary and to find out more on how to advance in growth in the spiritual life. We are honored to have Fr. Jason Trull, pastor at Resurrection Catholic Church and an excellent Homilist, join us and offer us his insights and advice.

     We look forward to seeing to you!

In Him,
Emmaus Core Team

O Christ Jesus, I acknowledge You King of the Universe. All that has been created has been made for You. Exercise upon me all Your rights. I renew my baptismal promises renouncing Satan and all his works and pomps. I promise to lead a good Christian life and to do all in my power to procure the triumph of the rights of God and Your Church. Divine Heart of Jesus, I offer You my poor actions in order to obtain that all hearts may acknowledge Your sacred royalty and that thus the reign of Your peace may be established throughout the universe. Amen.

Sacred Space: Daily Prayer

Begin the prayer: http://www.sacredspace.ie/daily-prayer

Something to think and pray about this week

We have to overcome the idea that the body is irrelevant to prayer. In fact our souls express themselves through our bodies. We are spirit enfleshed. Monks know this: their desire is for God, and they pray with their bodies when they stand and sit and sing the psalms each day.

They also believe that bodily work, with the intention of serving God, is prayer. Ignatius of Loyola would enthusiastically agree. Augustine remarks that those who sing, pray twice. We bow our bodies as a sign of adoration. We join our hands and bless our bodies with the sign of the Cross. We receive the host at communion and eat it. We go on pilgrimage, which is a bodily prayer, with its abandonment of creature comforts: we focus toward the goal of the pilgrimage with our bodies, as well as our hearts. Truly the body prays, because it is as human persons, body and soul, and not as angels, that we meet our God. You won’t hear God saying: ‘Now, when you pray, please leave your body behind you. I’m interested only in your soul!’

My mother had a stroke in her mid-seventies and died four years later. I was there that morning, with a friend, when her breathing began to grow more drawn out. She would breathe out, and after an impossibly long pause she breathed in again. Finally she breathed out, and we waited, transfixed, for her to breathe in again. Not daring to breathe ourselves, we waited five, ten, twenty, thirty seconds, a minute … But no breath came. She was gone.

For those who love God, their final breath, whether conscious or not, matches the prayer of Jesus when he says: ‘Father, into your hands I commend my spirit’ (Luke 23:46). His Father had been the desire of his whole being, body and soul, throughout his life, even when he was busy or sleeping. The Father is our desire too. Concentration of mind may lapse during my time of prayer, but my body is still in the place of prayer. If someone asked me what I was doing, I’d say, ‘I just want God, and this is the best I can do to show it.’

http://www.sacredspace.ie/

An Online Retreat: A 34 week retreat for Everyday Life

Welcome to an experience of God's Grace in the midst of our busy lives.

Begin the retreat with Week 1, at any time, and follow the guides and resources provided each week.

Be open and trust in a God who is not outdone in generosity.

Go here: http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/cmo-retreat.html 

 

Are We Confident in Our Relationship with God and His Great Love for Us?

Scripture:
Isaiah 38: 1-6, 21-22, 7-8
Matthew 12: 1-8

Reflection:
In today's first reading, when Hezekiah, the King of Judah, was told to put his house in order because he was dying, he prayed, "O Lord, remember how faithfully and wholeheartedly I conducted myself in your presence, doing what was pleasing to you!"

Now that's a remarkable prayer!  I wonder if, when I am faced with my death, I will be able to offer a similar prayer with so much conviction.   I fear my awareness of my many faults and sins would cause me to choke on those words.  It's true that Hezekiah is remembered as one of the truly great kings of Israel because of his religious reforms and his compassionate administration of justice, but I'm sure he was subject to many of the same failures as most of us.  Yet, when faced with his death, he prayed so confidently.  Does he know something many of us don't? 
Pair Hezekiah's confident attitude with the story in today's Gospel.  The disciples of Jesus were travelling through a field of grain on the Sabbath and, being hungry, they picked the heads of the grain to eat.  At the time of Jesus it was against the law to travel or pick the heads of grain on the Sabbath.  They should have been in their homes keeping the Sabbath holy.  It's surely no surprise that the Pharisees, guardians of religious practice, loudly criticized such irreligious behavior.  Do the disciples know something that the Pharisees don't?

Jesus speaks up and defends the behavior of the disciples.  He reminds the Pharisees of some of the things David and his followers did in violation of Sabbath law.  Jesus concludes that the Sabbath is made for man, not man for the Sabbath.

Both the confident prayer of Hezekiah and the teaching of Jesus about the Sabbath remind us that God is always on our side and that religious practice is intended to deepen our experience of God's love for us, not create fear and insecurity about God's compassionate care for us.  Hezekiah surely knew his many faults but was convinced that God's great love for him would focus on his efforts to be faithful to God.    The disciples knew they were not fulfilling Sabbath law but they were confident in Jesus' teaching that their well-being was more important than merely fulfilling the law.

What about us?  Do we understand that God is more interested in the good things we do than in the bad?  Are we confident in our relationship with God and His great love for us.  Today we pray that God will help us trust in His love for us.
 
Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is the director the Development Office for Holy Cross Province  and is stationed at Immaculate Conception Community  in Chicago.

Source: http://www.passionist.org/reflection/daily

Daily Readings: http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072012.cfm 

Emmaus on 7/19 -- Testimony

Be sure to join us Thursday, July 19 as we pray the Most Holy Rosary at 6:30pm and start our session at 7pm. The meeting will take place at Kohl's Hall and Jennifer Schmitz, who led Emmaus for nearly a decade, will be talking with us and giving her testimony on her walk with Christ.

Don't miss out! Bring a friend or two and join us for faith and friendship!

Convivially in the Trinity,
Emmaus Core Team

The Canticle of Mary (Luke 1). And Mary said:

“My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;

47 my spirit rejoices in God my savior.

48 For he has looked upon his handmaid’s lowliness;

behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.

49 The Mighty One has done great things for me,

and holy is his name.

50 His mercy is from age to age

to those who fear him.

51 He has shown might with his arm,

dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.

52 He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones

but lifted up the lowly.

53 The hungry he has filled with good things;

the rich he has sent away empty.

54 He has helped Israel his servant,

remembering his mercy,

55 according to his promise to our fathers,

to Abraham and to his descendants forever.”

Emmaus This ThurdayJuly 12 - Confession and Mass

This Thursday, July 12, join us for the celebration of the most Holy Eucharist in the Mass with our Spiritual Director Fr Ed Murphy at Assumption Catholic Church. Confession and Rosary will start at 6:15 with Mass following at 6:45. Hope to see you there.

Emmaus Core Team

Emmaus Thursday - July 5

This Thursday we will be having Jessica Munoz speak to us about her real recent trip to the Holy Land. It will be a great opportunity to hear about many of the spots we've only read about in the Bible. We will be meeting in the Music Room, which is located on the 2nd floor of the Family Life Center/Gym at Assumption Catholic Church. Rosary is at 6:30pm and the meeting at 7pm.

Emmaus This Thursday 6/28 -- Volleyball!

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ,
This Thursday at Emmaus we will be in the gym to play... volleyball!  This is a great way to introduce people to our group in a more social atmosphere, so bring a friend!  Join us for Rosary at 6:30pm if you wish; game time is at 7pm.  "Nuthin' hits the ground!" :)

God Bless,

The Emmaus Core Team

Emmaus Event on Thursday, June 21st

Good evening brothers and sisters in Christ!

Come and join us this Thursday, June 21st at 6:30pm in Kohl's Hall to communally pray the Rosary followed by spiritual direction from Monsignor Vincent Haut. Msgr. Haut is currently pastor of Blessed Trinity and an in-demand speaker. You won't be disappointed!

We look forward to seeing you!

In Him and for Him,

Emmaus Core Team

> What is God calling you to be?

“God has not called me to be successful; He has called me to be faithful.” ~Mother Theresa

Before I formed thee in the bowels of thy mother, I knew thee: and before thou camest forth out of the womb, I sanctified thee, and made thee a prophet unto the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence. In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps. Proverbs 3:5-6

Give to him that asketh of thee and from him that would borrow of thee turn not away. Matthew 5:42

REMEMBER, O Lady of the Precious Blood, the sorrowful Sheddings of the Blood of thy Jesus and the most bitter tears thou didst mingle with His Redeeming Blood. In the name of the Blood of the Victim of Reparation and of thy holy tears; in the name of the seven swords which pierced thy heart, by which thou didst become the Mediatrix of all graces for the human race and the Queen of Martyrs, have pity on my soul and on all its miseries; have pity on sinners and on the innocent souls they seek to pervert; have pity on the poor, the sick, the infirm, on all their sufferings, both physical and moral; have pity on the agonizing, especially upon those who, except for thine intercession, would leave this world without being purified in the Blood of the Lamb.

It is by the Blood of thy Dying Son, by His inexpressible Sufferings, by His last plea to His Father in favor of mankind, by His ignominious Death and by the perpetuation of His Sacrifice on Catholic Altars, that I beg thee not to reject my supplications, but graciously to hear them. Amen.

Hello brothers and sisters!

This Thursday at Emmaus, our spiritual director – Fr. Ed Murphy, will be celebrating Mass with us at 6:45 in the church at Assumption. Confession will be available prior to Mass from 6:15-6:45. We look forward to coming together as the Body of Christ in Holy Communion with Our Lord and each other to receive the grace we need to become what we receive! We look forward to seeing you there.

With love in Christ,

The Emmaus Core Team

Emmaus this Thurs., 6/7 - The Eucharist

Hello brothers and sisters in Christ,

This week at Emmaus we will have our good friend Gerald Lamb come and speak with us about the sacrament of sacraments, the source and summit of the Christian life, the most Holy Eucharist!  This will be a great way for us to prepare for the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ (Corpus Christi) coming up this Sunday.  Gerald holds a Master's in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville.  He has been a regular speaker for us, and I look forward to hearing what he has in store for us on such an important topic.  Looking forward to seeing you all on Thurs. to join together and deepen our knowledge and love of the faith.  We will be in the Music Room (2nd floor) in the Family Life Center/Gym at 7pm.  Join us for Rosary if you can at 6:30pm.

God Bless,

The Emmaus Core Team

"I am the living bread which came down from heaven; if any one eats of this bread, he will live for ever; and the bread which I shall give for the life of the world is my flesh." John 6:51

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!

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!

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

 

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)

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!

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

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