What's in a Name?

Name. Identity. Purpose. Meaning.

In all the preparations for the formation of our Pastorate, one thing that people mentioned over and over was: “We need a name.”  Instead of referring to ourselves as “those five parishes,” we needed something which will unite us, inspire us, and guide us.  Upon further reflection, a wonderful name surfaced, one that is biblical, aspirational, and very descriptive of who we are.  Pastorate leadership generated ideas and created the name “The Emmaus Pastorate” for our five parishes.  This was accepted by Archbishop Michael Jackels in 2017. 

Heard in the Easter season readings, this passage (Luke 24:1-35) is the account of disciples on the road together, sharing their struggles and doubts about Jesus.  They are so lost in their own world that they fail to recognize Jesus as he comes to them.  He walks alongside them, talking, teaching, encouraging, and admonishing them.  At the end of the day, they invite Jesus to a meal, and it is there that they recognize Him. 

And so, we in the Emmaus Pastorate journey together on the road of life and come to recognize Jesus in the breaking of the bread - the Eucharist.  May all our parish communities journey together, encouraging and teaching each other.  Our mission statement, “Being church by journeying together on the path to Christ,” summarizes our direction and purpose. 

May we continue to invite Jesus into our daily journeys and struggles, and may we always come to know Him in the breaking of the bread.