Welcome!

Welcome to “The Emmaus Centre”.  

The new name reflects a new emphasis on finding ways to support adults who want to more keenly commit to living their faith.  We will emphasize the important role of parents and other adults journeying with God, in line with the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops' call for renewed parish efforts in evangelization.   

The Emmaus story contains important themes of Christian life: conversion, searching for God along the road of life, continual learning, discernment, community, breaking open the Word and breaking the Bread.  

A Changed Situation  

In the post-modern era fewer baptized Christians associate with churches or participate in religious organizations. Yet spiritual hunger has never been clearer, nor has the need for supporting adults in witnessing to their faith more pressing.  Priests, catechists and lay leaders are the principal support sources in the Church to offer leadership and insight to the people you meet. 

Evangelization starts at home and in simple ways. 

Our Mission 

The primary mission of the Church is to evangelize; "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations".  One of the greatest challenges for our Church is to enliven communities and leaders to bring out Christ’s presence more consciously into all areas of life.  

Several Issues to Consider

The Christian community is the catechist! 

It is essential for us as a faith community to be better prepared and aware of this ministry.  It is a big challenge to help parents with children of sacramental preparation age to be aware of the need and opportunities for updating and strengthening their faith life.   

During the last few years there has been a new emphasis on inter-generational catechesis that involves parents and children.  Sometimes grandparents are invited to participate in sessions as well.  

The new emphasis on evangelization is not an effort to save the declining institutional Church, it is a wake up call to what is central and most important about Church.   It may be time for us take another look at our priorities as Church.   At the same time we recognize sacramental preparation as supportive of the primary mandate to evangelize.   

A new catechetical approach is taking shape characterized as hospitable, inclusive, and life-long.

Please phone or email your comments and questions to me and the staff. 

Also, please note the Pastoral Centre has relocated to the former CND convent, 46 Convent St Sydney Mines (next to Immaculate Conception Church). The same phone numbers and mailing address, PO Box 100, Sydney, NS, Canada B1P 6G9 remain in place.

Fr. Anthony O’Connor
Director,  Emmaus Centre