The Emmaus Pastorate’s Podcast

The mystery of the Trinity is almost impossible for humans to fully understand.  The Father is not the Son, the Son is not the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit, is not the Father.  And yet they exist in so much harmony that they are, in fact, one being, one eternal God!  This is the unity for which humanity is destined, but getting there isn't easy.  The Trinity exists because of the love one person has for the other, and that love requires sacrifice.  So called are we - to live lives of love by sacrificing our own needs and desires for those of other people.  That's love, and that's how peace, tranquility, and unity come about!  Happy 5th anniversary to the Emmaus Pastorate, five parishes striving for more perfect unity in our 450 square miles of Northeast Iowa!

We > Me

Unity ≠ Uniformity

Happy birthday, Church!  Happy Pentecost!

What's the difference between John's baptism with water and Jesus' baptism with the Holy Spirit?  POWER!  Although usually only priests and deacons baptize today, Jesus sends us all into the world to spread the Good News and make disciples.  And it doesn't have to be glorious or heroic action.  It can be done in everyday interactions and conversations!  

Penny for your thoughts?  Spend the time!

Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."  And later he said to Thomas, "In my Father's house there are many dwelling places."  Jesus doesn't tell us the exact road map to get to heaven, but he does give us the direction and destination.  We have so many gifts and talents to use on the way...that's our road map!  But from who are you getting your destination and direction?!

I wanted to become a priest because of the witness of the priests and Sisters in my home parish, who themselves were shepherds—men and women who knew me and my family, who were familiar, trusted voices. They led me to a deeper faith and were examples of active lives of service. They were not perfect, nor were they sinless. But they were people in love with God and not afraid to lead, as best they could. And that brings me to the greatest challenge of all. Being a shepherd to one flock, one family, is challenge enough. Multiple flocks still need relationships, knowing and leading. True shepherding is hard to do online or with a program.
It’s about gathering. It’s not about only going to church, but being church; the human, messy, getting misunderstood, trying to be all-things-to-all-people kind of shepherding. And there is nothing else I would rather be or do or aspire to, than being a shepherd. And only Christ, the Good Shepherd empowers me to serve. Let us be profoundly grateful for the shepherds in our lives, and pray God will open more hearts and lives to shepherd for the Kingdom.

~Fr. John Haugen

What are the three most important days of our lives?  For Catholics, they aren't what we normally think!

 

1) Our Baptism Day

2) Our First Communion Day

3) Our death day

 

These are the days we become united with Christ.  As St. Augustine said, in receiving the Eucharist, we become what we receive!  As we come to the Lord's table and partake in his Body and Blood, let's always remember to become Christ in the world!

Do you have doubts?  Yes?  Good!  That's great!  (If you didn't, we might be worried!)  Christ came to save us and heal us, even our doubts!  As an Easter people, "Alleluia" is our song, even if we have doubts about God and Jesus.  The trick is not to hide them but rather make them known to Christ.  That's how we're saved and healed, just like Thomas!

Our birth dates are pretty important days to be sure.  But there are two dates even more important in our lives: the day we're baptized and the day we die!  We are made for death and resurrection because we are an Easter people, and "Alleluia" is our song!  Happy Easter!

Alleluia!  We are an Easter people!  "Alleluia" is our song because the Savior - promised from SOOO long ago - has finally come to redeem the world!  If that doesn't make sense, if you can't understand that, don't worry.  We don't need to understand it.  We're still an Easter people because we simply BELIEVE it!  We believe that Jesus Christ - the only begotten son of the eternal Father - was crucified, buried, and risen from the dead!  And because of that, we can conquer anything and everything no matter what!  Alleluia!  We are an Easter people, and "Alleluia" is our song!