An Intentional Eucharistic Community
at The Shrine of St. Joseph
The Emmaus Christian Community is an inclusive, progressive Catholic intentional community. We choose to worship and participate in a lay-run community, and everyone is welcome. We are self-governing and have worked in partnership with the Trinitarians for over 60 years.
We treasure the unique qualities of each individual and work to create an environment to support personal spiritual growth. We participate in dialogue homilies during Mass, at which time individuals are invited, if they wish, to share their insights in to the Sunday readings. This practice helps everyone ‘break open the word.’
The cornerstones of our community are liturgy, prayer, community and service.
We are an alternative to the traditional, geographical parish. We were created by a small group of families who wanted to educate their children in the tenants of Vatican II. We remain committed to the ideals of Vatican II.
While liturgy is the most consistent venue for us to connect as a community on a regular basis, it is only one source of our connectedness. Our cornerstones are liturgy, prayer, community and service.
Our Masses are currently celebrated in the chapel at 9:45 on Sunday.
See What Makes Us Unique
ALL are welcome at our liturgies. Membership is not a requirement. Click above to see more!
Visit The Shrine
The beautiful solitude of the Shrine offers a prayerful respite, a unique and welcoming space for you.
Our Latest Events
Click above to see pictures from The Shrine Time Players western show, “Redemption”
Photo Gallery
Table sharing, "Growing in Community: Lessons from the Bees (and our ECC Beekeepers)"
Table sharing, "Growing in Community: Lessons from the Bees (and our ECC Beekeepers)"
Table sharing, "Growing in Community: Lessons from the Bees (and our ECC Beekeepers)"
Table sharing, "Growing in Community: Lessons from the Bees (and our ECC Beekeepers)"
Table sharing, "Growing in Community: Lessons from the Bees (and our ECC Beekeepers)"
Table sharing, "Growing in Community: Lessons from the Bees (and our ECC Beekeepers)"
October 2024 - Father Charley returns to the ECC for a day.
October 2024 - Father Charley returns to the ECC for a day.
Silent Memorials, a powerful and moving display of The Black Poster Project where people can walk through at their own pace reading the stories of each soul lost to drug addiction and overdose.
The ECC Tapestry
The large tapestry hanging in the chapel is one of the most visible symbols of Emmaus. The mosaic style (sewn from fabric swatches selected by each member) reflects the diversity, yet unity of our community; individual, yet centered on redemption.
We are the fabric of this tapestry; it reflects an image of us.
Communion Meditation
Fear - Khalil Gibran
It is said that before entering the sea a river trembles with fear.
She looks back at the path she has traveled,
from the peaks of the mountains,
the long winding road crossing forests and villages.
And in front of her, she sees an ocean so vast,
that to enter there seems nothing more than to disappear forever.
But there is no other way.
The river can not go back.
Nobody can go back.
To go back is impossible in existence.
The river needs to take the risk of entering the ocean
because only then will fear disappear,
because that’s where the river will know
it’s not about disappearing into the ocean,
but of becoming the ocean.
