Emmaus program celebrates 30 years of service to diocese
by Dave Jolivet, editor The Anchor
(as appeared in The Anchor in October, 2004)
When Christ left his Church in the hands of his disciples more than two millennia ago, only God knew that millions upon millions of souls would walk in the footsteps of his Son through the years. In much the same way, only God knew what would become of a fledgling, nameless retreat that took place at the Sacred Hearts Retreat Center in Wareham 30 years ago.
What emerged from those efforts in June of 1974 was the Emmaus Retreat Program, specifically geared to enrich and enliven the faith lives of young men and women in the 20 to 40 year old age range. It's estimated that during the past three decades, in the course of 142 Emmaus weekends, more than 3,000 young adults in the Diocese of Fall River, from Cape Cod to the Attleboros, and beyond, have walked the road to Emmaus with their Lord - along with a whole bunch of faith-filled laypersons, religious and priests who have lovingly shared personal pieces of their lives.
The Emmaus program is unique to this diocese, although Emmaus weekends in Florida and New Hampshire have been spawned from the Fall River diocese.
Emmaus today is a diocesan-approved retreat weekend that takes place four times a year at Cathedral Camp in East Freetown. It's open to all men and women ages 20-40 seeking to grow in their relationship with Christ regardless of their present level of faith and practice.
The weekend consists of a series of talks and activities presented by priests, religious and laypersons with the central theme taken from the Gospel of Luke relaying the story of the road to Emmaus where the travelers recognized Jesus "in the breaking of the bread."
Together, the candidates and team people walk the road to Emmaus laughing, crying, having fun, gaining confidence, and developing special bonds with each other and the Lord - all the while experiencing peace - a peace the world cannot give.
"Emmaus is bigger than a retreat," Barbara Hayden, the current Emmaus coordinator, recently told The Anchor. "It's an opportunity to foster people in their own journeys with Christ. For many, Emmaus has been a conversion experience."