Emmaus Blog

Thursday November 5, 2026: 3 Important Announcements for Today Announcement #1: Reminder: for Next Sunday's Emmaus Celebration -  November 8, 2026: Now that we're no longer on Daylight Saving Time the days get shorter and we don't want anyone driving home in the dark. W e meet and greet at 1:45 with Liturgy starting at 2:00.   ANNOUNCEMENT #2 Please Let us know if you're interested: At one of our recent Sunday liturgy's, JoAnn proposed that anyone who is interested gather to discuss the end of life issues looming on all of our  horizons.   The education committee would like to partner with her and Jim to host an afternoon to explore some of these topics.  This wouldn't be a formal presentation so much as a conversation to share thoughts—which can be hard to talk about with family—in the supportive and nourishing heart of our community.   Some subjects to consider are burial options, funeral liturgies, celebration of life receptions, obituary writi...

Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Time Change This Sunday! Read all about It. Reminder: for Next Sunday's Emmaus Celebration -  November 8, 2026: Now that we're no longer on Daylight Saving Time the days get shorter and we don't want anyone driving home in the dark. W e meet and greet at 1:45 with Liturgy starting at 2:00.   A Franciscan prayer shared with us from Sandy McKeith  May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half truths, and superficial relationships  So that you may live deep within your heart. May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace. May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation, and war, 'So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn turn their pain into  joy. And may God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, So that you can do what oth...

Tuesday, November 3, 2026:  My message to the world is that we must come together and live as one. - Rosa Parks Announcement: Reminder: Next Sunday, November 8, 2026 Now that we're no longer on Daylight Saving Time the days get shorter and we don't want anyone driving in the dark. W e meet and greet at 1:45 with Liturgy starting at 2:00.   I still believe there can be a day when we will have true freedom: a day when people "will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character, " to quote Dr. King. A day when we can all get along regardless of our race. This is not a dream. It is alive within the ability of us all. My message to the world is that we must come together and live as one. There is only one world; and yet we, as a people, have treated the world as if it were divided. We cannot allow the gains we have made to erode. Although we have a long way to go, I do believe that we can achieve Dr. King's dream of a better world. From ...

Monday, November 2, 2026: For One Who Is Exhausted, a Blessing by John O’Donohue Reminder: Next Sunday, November 8, 2026 Now that we're no longer on Daylight Saving Time the  days get shorter and we don't want anyone driving in the dark. W e meet and greet at 1:45 with Liturgy starting at 2:00.   I figure by this time in the year we are all feeling somewhat  exhausted.   The world is spinning so quickly and we all have the care of our ages, so many responsibilities, politics, family cares, deaths to grieve and new lives to celebrate. Spouses grow old alongside us, we dream and dance more slowly, walk more carefully making sure not to fall. Health issues and so much more! We witness the kindness and the trauma of the world and take it into our hearts. It's a swirl of emotions and energies and finally we just feel overwhelmed. Here's a poem blessing from our dear friend and mentor John O'Donohue written for all of us at this time of life. John cautions us: "Be ex...

Thursday, October 2026: Important Announcements and a Reflection on Loving Your Neighbor Announcement from the Education Committee:  At this past Sunday's liturgy, JoAnn proposed that anyone who is interested gather to discuss the end of life issues looming on all of our  horizons.  The education committee would like to partner with her and Jim to host an afternoon to explore some of these topics.   This wouldn't be a formal presentation so much as a conversation to share thoughts—which can be hard to talk about with family—in the supportive and nourishing heart of our community.  Some subjects to consider are burial options, funeral liturgies, celebration of life receptions, obituary writing, etc.   To help with our planning, would you please respond to Mary FitzGerald (mary@edfitzgerald.com or 707-790-7037) if you think you would attend and indicate whether you prefer to meet  after the holidays in January or some time between now and Chris...

Tuesday, October 27, 2026:  About Alternatives to Violence (AVP) - Please read the information about AVP below the flyer AVP Vision:   To build an international movement of creative conflict resolution built on affirmation, respect for all, community, cooperation and trust. AVP-USA is an association of community, school and prison-based groups offering experiential workshops in personal growth, community development and creative conflict management Founded in prison and developed from the real life experiences of prisoners, AVP encourages every person’s innate power to positively transform first themselves and then the world we live in. Alternatives to Violence Project brings together diverse groups of people to build Dr. King’s nonviolent “beloved community”. Together, we will build a more peaceful and equitable world. We all face interpersonal conflict.  We all are affected by violence, be it physical or non-physical.  AVP community workshops bring together diverse...