Emmaus Blog

Monday, June 30, 2025:  Acting from Our Identity This reflections by Brian McLaren reminds me so much of how Alice Waco lived her life. Reflecting on Matthew 5:1–16, Dean of CAC faculty Brian McLaren explores Jesus’ call to live by the collective values of justice and solidarity, becoming salt and light for the world:   Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount 5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. The Beatitudes He said: 3 “We stand with you the poor in spirit,     for yours is the kingdom of heaven. 4 We stand with you who mourn,     for you will be comforted. 5 We stand with you meek,     for you will inherit the earth. 6 We stand with you who hunger and thirst for righteousness,     for you will be filled. 7 We stand with you who are merciful,     for you will be shown mercy. 8 ...

 Sunday Morning: June 29, 2025: Alice thought Sunday morning would be a good time to leave us mortals Dear Sisters and Brothers: Linda just let us know that Alice passed this morning.  Linda called the hospital and they no longer have her listed as a patient. I then texted Jonthan Teyler and he confirmed “ she thought that Sunday morning would be a good time to leave us mortals so a couple of hours ago, she did and is probably talking with Bill”. She is out of pain and on to her next adventure.  Love to you all on this beautiful Sunday. Godspeed Dear Alice - From All of Us

Saturday, June 28, 2025:  The Big Beautiful Bill takes from the poor to give to the wealthy As the Trump administration rallied Senate Republicans to pass the president's broad policy bill, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops strongly condemned its proposed cuts to Medicaid benefits, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and health insurance subsidies to finance tax breaks that will mostly benefit the most wealthy Americans.  "It takes from the poor to give to the wealthy," Archbishop Timothy Broglio, the bishops' conference president said in a press release that accompanied the USCCB letter released June 26.  The bill, which the U.S. Senate is expected to vote on before Congress breaks for the July 4 recess, "provides tax breaks for some while undermining the social safety net for others through major cuts to nutrition assistance and Medicaid," Broglio said in the release. The House of Representatives passed the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill ...

Friday, June 27 20 25 : Get out Your Calendars! Dan Vrooman Announcement for this Saturday and an Announcement about a public fast on July 2nd in support of our immigrant communities. ANNOUNCEMENT #1  Dan Vrooman Announcement: A very special speaker, Rami Khader, is appearing in Oakland this Saturday, June 28 th , 2025. Please call or email Dan if you’d like to attend and want to carpool:  Email Dan: Valenrud181@gmail.com Phone: (707) 721-2016 An Evening with Rami Khader: Breaking the Cycle of Violence Saturday, June 28 7:00-8:30pm (PT) Lakeshore Ave Baptist Church 3534 Lakeshore Ave, Oakland This is one in a series a series of public events to share the story of Anar, a nonprofit operating in the West Bank that provides arts- based healing for Palestinian children and caregivers. More information and registration at:  Healingtohope.org ANNOUNCEMENT #2: Support our Immigrant Communities with a day of fasting and public witness Day of Fasting: July 2, 2025 When 7:00 AM – 7...

  Friday, June 27, 2025: We are throwing rose petals on Alice’s way to her next journey. Dear Sisters and Brothers:  Many people had the good fortune to visit Alice yesterday afternoon and evening, to hold her hand, kiss her forhead, whisper a blessing, tell a story as a means of accompanying her in her final days. As Steve Lyman would say “We’re walking Alice home.”  Last night JoAnn and Jim came and spent a couple of hours with her, singing and touching her hand. At one point Alice even raiser her hand which JoAnn took between hers. JoAnn knelt beside the bed offering her own personal prayers into Alice’s ear. Jim sat close and we talked of how blessed we are to have Alice in our lives. As I left nurse Michael came to the door and we talked for a while. He said it’s his job to spread rose petals on Alice’s way to her next adventure, not to hurry her, but to simply walk with her and witness a great life. Many people visited yesterday – members of her running group of 40 ...