Emmaus Blog

Sunday, November 30, 2025:  “The condition of the poor is a cry that, throughout human history, constantly challenges our lives, societies, political and economic systems, and, not least, the Church.” Dear Sisters and Brothers of Emmaus and all people building the Blessed Community (that's all of us!). Everyone is welcome! Pope Leo XIV named his first major teaching document Dilexi Te, which is Latin for “I have loved you. ”  In it, the pope calls us to reject the “empire of money” and the corrupt system that creates poverty and instead, join in loving solidarity to “honor the image of God and build a better society” Pope Leo signed Dilexi Te on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, October 4, 2025. Here's where we can use teaching document throughout Advent as a way to reflect on the poor ampng us and take action. As you know we have built bridges to the organization called NETWORK - the catholic lobby also known as "The Nuns on the Bus."  The hard working folks at NE...

Saturday, November 29, 2025:  "the whole of humanity afflicted by violence and conflict is crying out for reconciliation," Leo   Seventeen centuries after bishops from East and West convened in Nicaea to craft the creed that defined Christianity, Pope Leo XIV returned to the ancient site with an appeal to "overcome the scandal of the divisions" that continue to fracture Christians today. Marking the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea — the centerpiece of his trip to Turkey and Lebanon — the pope called on Christians the world over "to nurture the desire for unity for which the Lord Jesus prayed and gave his life." On his second day in Turkey, he prayed alongside Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, the spiritual leader of the world's 300 million Orthodox Christians, on the shore of Lake Iznik — where the council that established a common creed for Christians convened 1,700 years ago. Numerous patriarchs were represented at the gathering, and pri...

Friday, November 28, 2025: Announcement!  Attend if You Can: “Making Life Unbearable”:  The Impacts of Immigration Enforcement on Families and Communities An In-Person and Livestreamed When:  Thursday, December 4, 2025 7:00 - 8:00 pm Eastern Time - 4:00 - 5:00 West Coast Time Georgetown University Capitol Campus 111 Massachusetts Ave, NW Lower Level Multipurpose Room Washington, DC 20001 Also livestreamed (to watch if you're not in Washington  RSVP Please Use This Link, in order to sign up for in person or livestream attendance: https://catholicsocialthought.georgetown.edu/events/making-life-unbearable#rsvp Overview:  The Trump administration’s approach to immigration enforcement “seeks to make life unbearable for undocumented immigrants,” as Washington’s Cardinal Robert McElroy recently lamented. “It is willing to tear families apart, separating grieving mothers from their children, and fathers from the sons and daughters who are the center of their lives.” Pas...

Thursday, November 27, 2025: Thanksgiving Day: Kendrick Lamar and Thea Bowman: Mystics of resistance Across cultures and centuries, humans have found themselves reaching for ways to understand life's paradoxes and mysteries, to narrate the sacredness present in ordinary struggle. In a world that is violent and frightening, especially for the most vulnerable, what can we learn from the spiritual journey of others? None of us are the first to go through trials, nor to engage in the struggle of meaning-making. Great theologians, prophets, artists and seers — some of whom lived through incredibly tumultuous periods of history — utilize the language of the mystical as they undergo their spiritual journey.  And the greatest among them put the ineffable so perfectly into words that it changes something within us. Like a sacramental or metaphysical motion, a great piece of art can inexplicably transform us.   Two individuals in recent memory with the ability to do this are Kendri...

Wednesday, November 26, 2025: Pope Leo has reacted to the cruelty of the Trump Administration: 'The church cannot stay silent before injustice” Churches and synagogues are no longer just cringing in shame and embarrassment. They are joining the courts, state governors, courageous actors, journalists, retired military brass and the millions of No Kings marchers in condemning Trump’s escalating criminality. Recently-installed Pope Leo XIV met this month with the Bishop of El Paso Mark Seitz and senior Catholic welfare director Dylan Corbett as violence against refugees and citizens alike was raging. “The church cannot stay silent before injustice. You stand with me. And I stand with you.” The pontiff said.. “You have in your hands a very important task: to accompany those who are deeply in need of a sign that God never abandons us: the smallest, the poorest, the foreigner — everyone.” After that meeting, Bishop Seitz urged all Catholics to support the pope’s message. “It is just so i...

Tuesday, November 25, 2025: Announcements! 1. Video: Womb of Silence, 2. Live Performance: They Have Names  Announcement #1 Nancy and Bob are inviting us to their home to watch and discuss: a video  from the recent Contemplative Summit, entitled, The Womb of Silence , with Peter Traben Hass.   Wednesday. December 3rd. at 1:00pm at Nancy and Bob's Wed., 12/3 at 1:00pm at Nancy and Bob's Home: ”Kindly RSVP Nancy  at RNMCFAR1938@yahoo.com  or Call Nancy at 707-280-4705.  Please see description below. What if silence isn't the destination, but the womb of something greater? I n this session, discover how contemplative practice can transform religion beyond rigid literalism into a living encounter with love. Drawing on his journey with mentors and contemplative communities, Peter Traben Haas explores how silence opens us—not to escape the world, but to return more grounded, creative, and compassionate. Together, we'll reflect on the fine line between spirit...

Sunday, November 23, 2025: Time to Celebrate! 1:45 Greeting. 2:00 Liturgy Reminder: We meet at a new time this Sunday (Daylight saving time has ended and we don't want people driving home in the dark...): We begin our celebration with a gathering at 1:45pm followed by Liturgy at 2:00. Followed by a finger-food only potluck! Location: Christ Church United Methodist Church: Classroom 8  1717 Yulupa Drive, Santa Rosa California 95405 For our beloved Zoomers: Join Zoom Meeting with this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5193158573?omn=86138955990 Passcode: 1234 Or start Zoom and Enter the Meeting ID and Passcode Meeting ID: 519 315 8573 Passcode: 1234 By Phone: One tap mobile +16699006833,,5193158573# US (San Jose) +16694449171,,5193158573# US Emmaus Celebration for November 23, 2025 Opening: Ring the Singing Bowl, Welcome to the Community and to Guests Opening Song: Peace Like A River 1 I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river, I've got peace like a river in ...

Saturday, November 22, 2025: Reminder: We meet at a new time this Sunday (Daylight saving time has ended and we don't want people driving home in the dark...): We begin our celebration with a gathering at 1:45pm followed by Liturgy at 2:00. Followed by a finger-food only potluck! Location: Christ Church United Methodist Church:  Classroom 8  1717 Yulupa Drive, Santa Rosa California 95405 For our beloved Zoomers: Join Zoom Meeting with this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5193158573?omn=86138955990 Or start Zoom and Enter the Meeting ID and Passcode Passcode: 1234 Meeting ID: 519 315 8573 Passcode: 1234 By Phone: One tap mobile +16699006833,,5193158573# US (San Jose) +16694449171,,5193158573# US Emmaus Celebration for November 23, 2025 Opening: Ring the Singing Bowl, Welcome to the Community and to Guests Opening Song: Peace Like A River David: We’re ending the year in a few weeks. How quickly the time has passed! The great feasts of Thanksgiving and Christmas are just days aw...