Sunday- St. Ephrem's First Annual Festival

Our beloved St. Ephrem's is having it's First Annual Church Festival this Sunday May 31st from 1-6PM. I encourage all Emmuas Young Adults as well as any one you know to come out and support the church that helps host Emmaus Thursday after Thursday. Lets show them some love. There will be tons of great Middle Eastern food, games, dancing, and raffle.

Come out to St. Ephrem Syriac Catholic Church this Sunday. I will be there at 1:00PM. I hope to you some of you there.
Directions: 4650 Kernan Blvd. South Jacksonville, Fl 32224 (Same place Emmaus meets)

http://emmauscya.blogspot.com/
http://www.stephremjax.com/Default.aspx

In Christ,
Sean Smith and the Emmaus Core Team (David, Peggy, Andrea, Jennifer)

Franciscan Friars of the Renewal Young Adult Evening Series May 26-28th

Young Adult Evening Series

Series Topic: Find out what it means to be Catholic... to live in the world but not of the world. Come and break away from the daily grind. Enjoy time with other young adults and appreciate the simple beauty of our Catholic faith. And of course, meet and chat with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal from NY (http://www.franciscanfriars.com/)! Featuring solid Catholic teaching, the sacraments, awesome music, prayer, fellowship and the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal.

Tuesday, May 26 - Thursday, May 28
from 6:15 - 8:30 pm at St. Ephrem's Syriac Catholic Church & parish hall (same place Emmaus meets every Thursday)
Directions: 4650 Kernan Blvd. South, Jacksonville, FL 32224

COST: Free!! Donations for friars flights to and from NY accepted

FOR: Young Adults - sinners, seekers, and lovers of Jesus and His Church :)

SERIES BREAKDOWN:
Tuesday & Wednesday
6:15-7:45 p.m. - Holy Hour with reflection, prayer & music led by the friars; Confession will be available throughout; closes with Benediction

8:00-8:30 p.m. - Question & Answer session with friars; final prayer & music with friars; light snacks and beverages will be provided

Thursday

6:15-7:30 p.m. - Holy Mass with friars

7:45-8:30 p.m. - Question & Answer session with friars; final prayer & music with friars; Dinner available for $5 per person

MORE INFO: E-mail youngadultretreat@yahoo.com or call 904-251-5493

Important Reminder Beach Party Location Change

Go to Sean's house for the Memorial Day Beach Party Rain or Shine. We will eat at his house and then go down to the Beach to play Volleyball and other sports. Don't go to Hanna Park. Everything else is the same. So the time,what to bring, and all that is the same.

Sean -

Emmaus Memorial Day Beach Party at Sean's Beach House May 25th RAIN or SHINE

It's time for the Emmaus Annual Memorial Day Celebration at Sean's Beach House May 25th RAIN or SHINE. We will be gathering from 1 - 5ish so bring beach chairs, umbrella's, beach toys (such as volleyballs, footballs, skim boards, boogie boards, and anything else you can think of).

If you have any questions please contact Andrea at 970-405-4408 or Sean at 904-307-0824.

Food: If your first name begins with:(A-G) bring drinks, (H-P) bring a main dish or side dish (we need people to bring hamburgers and hotdogs and buns), (R-Z) bring dessert or snacks.

Please list what you are bringing when you reply to aelsner17@hotmail.com (Andrea).

Time: 1-5PM (some might stay longer). Whoever is bringing the grill please try to come around 12: 30PM.

Thursday- Volunteering for the Womens Help Center 3rd Annual Gala May 21st

Hi brothers and sisters in Christ,
This Thursday for Emmaus we will be celebrating LIFE and volunteering for Women's Help Center 3rd annual Gala. The Gala is a program that consists of dinner and inspirational speakers. This is one of the biggest if not the biggest fundraiser for the WHC. There will be a volunteer meeting today from 6pm-7pm at the Women's Help Center on University Blvd. If you cannot make it to the meeting but would still like to volunteer please email Nikki Kelly at nikki.kelly@ gmail.com. So far there are about 13 of us volunteering, but we need more volunteers if possible.

The Gala will be held at the Grand Ballrrom - UNF University Center off of Kernan Blvd. (Just around the corner from St. Ephrem's)

Please come help as a volunteer at the Gala this Thursday, May 21st!

Love in Christ,
Peggy & the Emmaus Core Team (Andrea, Jennifer, Sean, David & Peggy)

P.S. If you cannot make it please keep the Gala in your prayers because this is first and foremost what the Women's Help Center needs, our prayers! : ) Also feel free to call me if you have questions (904) 962-0057.

Going Away Party For Jess- Wed May 20th

One of the best Emmaus members ever our good friend Jess Broussard is moving to Miami next week and he wanted to invite everyone to a going away dinner May 20th at 7:30pm at Copeland's restaurant. He is moving May 21st. Everyone is invited, please pass the email along to anyone who may not be on the emmauscya email list.

Contact Heidi if you are coming eznutrition4u@yahoo.com .

Date: Wednesday, May 20th at 7:30pm
Address: Copeland's, 4310 Southside Blvd, Jacksonville, Florida 32216

Pray for Jess as he moves down to Miami. Pray that he will adjust well and do good in his work.
May God's peace be with you all.
Heidi

Requiescat in Pace (Rest in Peace) Brother Danny

It is with a heavy heart that I'm writing to inform you that our dear friend Danny Barker died unexpectedly this past Saturday. The family has requested that we let everyone know that there will be a wake held at Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home at 6pm on Wednesday, May 13th, followed by a rosary at 6:30pm. The funeral mass will be held at 11am on Thursday, May 14th at Resurrection Catholic Church. Danny was a wonderful person. Please pray for his soul, family, and friends.

May the souls of the faithfully departed, by the mercy of God, rest in peace. Our Lady, Queen of Peace, pray for us!

Corey-Kerlin Funeral Home 940 Cesery Boulevard Jacksonville, Florida 32211

Resurrection Catholic Church 3383 University Blvd NJacksonville, FL 32277

Mass this Thursday with Fr. Fred

Hey guys,

This week at Emmaus, May 7, Fr Fred Parke, pastor of Assumption parish, will be offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass promptly at 7:00 PM. St Ephrem's is having a parish prayer service beginning at 8, so we need to be out of the church by 7:45. Because of this, Fr Fred, unfortunately, will not have enough time to hear confessions before Mass. If you need to go to confession, please try to make it Immaculate Conception downtown, confessions are heard before each Mass, even daily Mass at 11:30am. Also,on Wednesday night at 6:30, confessions will be heard at Blessed Trinity on Beach Blvd before the 7 PM Mass.

Please come out and join us. And bring a friend.

In Christ,

The Emmaus Core Team
Andrea, Jennifer, Peggy, Sean, and David

Cinco de Mayo Party!! May 9th

It's that time of year for all of you volleyball enthusiast!!!!
It time for the 4th annual Cinco De Mayo celebration at the St Augustine Beach Pavilion. So put together you beach bag, bring some food to share, and bring your A game for the hundreds of volleyball matches you can play. You will have the chance to hang out with local young adults from the Jacksonville, St Augustine, and Fleming Island areas. Come and enjoy the day, and yes you may bring the little ones out. Also bring your favorite volleyball, football, or any other sports equipment you want.

Time: 2:00PM

Location: St. Augustine Pavilion (see directions below)

Food: If your first name begins with :(A-G) bring drinks, (H-P) bring dessert or snacks, (R-Z) bring Hamburgers and Hot Dogs/main dish or side dish. We never have enough hamburgers, hotdogs, and buns. Please list what you are bringing when you reply. If you are bringing a grill please come early at 1:30PM.

Directions: Take 95 south to exit 311 which is SR207 go left.Stay on 207 and make a right onto 312 east and go over the bridge. 312 becomes CR A1A. Stay on Ala. The Pier is on the left next to the fire station.

This event is put on with the help of the Emmaus Catholic Young Adult Group (http://emmauscya.blogspot.com%3c/a%3E ), St. Augustine Catholic Young Adult Group, and the Orange Park Young Adult Group (http://www.castcya.com/) .

New Catholic Video -Comayagua

The new video is of a mission trip to Comayagua, Honduras with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal. It is a beautiful video and very moving. Check it out at the bottom of the last post!! http://emmauscya.blogspot.com/

http://www.cfrhonduras.com/
http://www.franciscanfriars.com/

Sean
john6bb@yahoo.com

Ice Cream Social for Ceder Hills Nursing Home and AfterParty May 16th

Hey guys,
Emmaus is helping sponsor an Ice-Cream Social for the Ceder Hills Nursing Home on May 16th at 2:00 - 3:00PM. They will have 20-30 residents attending so we need about the same amount of people to hang out with the residents and to serve ice-cream. After the party there is the after party at Kyle's home. Also the Pillars of Joy will be playing musicwhile we are there. The Pillars of Joy are an awesome band whose music has brought joy and peace to many people.
Please let Kyle know if you are in, 404-6108 or e-mail him at knis@bellsouth.net.

Directions: Ceder Hills Nursing Home - 2061 Hyde Park Rd., Jacksonville 32210
Time: 2:00-3:00
Please donate $2-$3 to cover the cost of the ice cream, bowls, and spoons.

Please call Kyle with any questions 404-6108 or e-mail him at knis@bellsouth.net for directions to the After Party.

World of Nations this Weekend May 2nd

For those who would like to go to the World of Nations, we will be meeting at Assumption at 11:00am and will be carpooling over to Metro Park.

The World of Nations is a Jacksonville event that host countries from around the world. There will be arts and crafts, dancing, and great food from around the world. Check out the website below for details and directions.
http://www.coj.net/Departments/Recreation+and+Community+Services/Special+Events/World+of+Nations/Default.htm

Prices:
One-Day Ticket to the World: $5.00
Two-Day Pass: $7.00
International Party: FREE! (Friday, May 1 from 5-9 p.m.)
Children Three & Under: FREE
Discount Tickets
$2.00 off admission with Military and Senior Citizen I.D.
MINT Magazine Coupon (April 2009 Issue): $2.00 off admission
Friday, May 1: International Party (5-9 p.m.)FREE admission, beverage specials
Sunday, May 3: Church Bulletin DayBring your church bulletin for $2.00 off admission

Thursday- Who are the Apostles Part II?

This Thursday we are continuing our Apostles series by talking about St. Thomas, Philip, Bartholomew, James the Lesser, Matthew, and Andrew. If you missed last week then you missed a great discussion on St. John, James the Greater and St. Jude, but don't worry because this Thursday will be great. We will discuss the history and personalities behind the Apostles. Who are they? Where are they from? What makes them so important for Jesus to pick them? How did they die? Can you name them all?

Tomorrow is the last day to vote on the two Emmaus Polls. If you have not voted please do. The polls help the core team figure out what is interesting to Young Adults. http://emmauscya.blogspot.com/

In Christ,
Sean (john6bb@yahoo.com)
and the Emmaus Core Team (David, Andrea, Jennifer, and Peggy)

This Weekend- Music and Dancing

This weekend: StorySide:B is performing from 7:30pm-10pm Friday evening at the Cathedral Festival (at the Mission Grounds in St. Augustine). The band has actually gone their separate ways after the passing of their bass player, Ron, back in January. But let me tell you, lead singer, Lu and his new fellow musician sound great, playing the songs of StorySide:B. Come out and support a fellow Catholic young adult musician :) Admission to the festival is $5.

And for all you Latin dancing lovers!!!!!! !!Saturday evening hosts Latin Impact, beginning at 7:30pm, and ending with the fireworks at 9pm. This band is awesome!!!! You'll get at workout dancing....or you can sit and relax with friends enjoying the music of this very talented group.

I will probably go down to St. Aug on Sat for the Salsa dancing so if you want to carpool e-mail me at john6bb@yahoo.com or send an e-mail to the Emmaus yahoo group to see if you can carpool with someone emmauscya@yahoogroups.com .
Sean
http://emmauscya.blogspot.com

Thursday-Who are the Apostles?

This Thursday we are starting our Apostles series. In this series we will discuss the history and personalities behind the Apostles. Who are they? Where are they from? What makes them so important for Jesus to pick them? How did they die? Can you name them all?

This week David will discuss the Apostle John, Peggy will talk about James the Greater, and Andrea will talk about St. Jude. Bring your bibles this week.

Also this week you will be able to choose if you want to talk about some of the other Apostles for next week. Start thinking about which Apostle you would like to talk about. You can choose out of the following: Thomas, Philip, Bartholomew, James the Lesser, Matthew, and Andrew. To give a talk you can draw information from the bible and the Catholic Encyclopedia (http://www.newadvent.org/). Keep the talk to 7 min. so we can fit everyone in.

In Christ,
Sean and the Emmaus Core Team (David, Andrea, Jennifer, and Peggy)

Don't forget to vote on the two polls on the website!
http://emmauscya.blogspot.com/

Wishing a Blessed Marriage to the Sidrys's

Congratulations to Emmaus members Rimas and now Sarah Sidrys on their entrance into the Holy Sacrament of Marriage! May the Lord Bless you both now and forever!

In Christ,
Emmaus Core Team and Members
http://emmauscya.blogspot.com

Mass Wednesday- Pray for Emmaus

I encourage everyone to attend Mass this Wednesday and offer up your Mass for the Emmaus Catholic Young Adult group. This Wednesday we will read the story of Emmaus at Mass. Let all young adults, especially the Emmaus young Adults unite our prayers and together petition our Lord to bless Emmaus, the Core Team, and its members. Let us pray for vocations to Marriage and Priestly or Religious orders from Emmaus. Flood the heavens with prayers.

Mass Times:
Holy Family - 7:15AM
IC - 7:30 AM and 12:10PM
St. Josephs - 8:00AM
Blessed Trinity - 7:00 PM

In Christ, Sean, David, Andrea, Jennifer, and Peggy (Core Team of Emmaus)
http://emmauscya.blogspot.com

Resurrection Thursday!! Special Emmaus

Special Emmaus Thursday: This Thursday we will be celebrating Easter together with a bible study on the Resurrection of Jesus and the story of Emmaus. This Thursday is special because it is Emmaus' birthday so we will have pizza and cake during the bible study. We will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, Emmaus' birthday, and those birthday's in April.

I encourage everyone to read ahead in the bible about the resurrection of Jesus and the story of Emmaus. Bring questions or insights to share. Also please bring some money for the pizza, soda, and cake. I hope everyone who is part of Emmaus can come.

Also please take the time to answer the two Emmaus Poll's at the bottom of the last post. I need your input. http://emmauscya.blogspot.com

Sean - john6bb@yahoo.com
and the Emmaus Core Team

Happy Easter!! He is Risen!!

Christ Jesus has risen and conquered sin and death!!!

Wishing you a Happy Easter!!!

Emmaus Core Team
Sean, David, Jennifer, Peggy, Andrea
http://emmauscya.blogspot.com

Start the Divine Mercy Novena Today

Today the Church begins the 9 day novena prayer ending on Divine Mercy Sunday (next weekend).

http://www.fisheaters.com/divinemercy.html
http://www.divinemercysunday.com/

Pray the Chaplet at 3:00PM on Divine Mercy Sunday and the Novena.
"On each day of the novena you will bring to My Heart a different group of souls and you will immerse them in this ocean of My mercy... On each day you will beg My Father, on the strength of My passion, for the graces for these souls. By this novena I will grant every possible grace to souls." (Diary 1209, 796)

In reference to Divine Mercy Sunday:
"The soul that will go to Confession and receive Holy Communion shall obtain complete forgiveness of sins and punishment. On that day all the divine floodgates through which graces flow are opened. Let no soul fear to draw near to Me, even though its sins be as scarlet.... Mankind will not have peace until it turns to the Fount of My Mercy." (699)