VALPARAISO – Approximately 800 faithful in Northwest Indiana ascended upon the Porter County Expo Center to participate in the first annual Emmaus Conference. They were greeted with smiles and cheers from volunteers as they arrived ready for a day designed to foster a deeper sense of community, compassion and connection with Christ.
Participants had a variety of reasons for attending the conference, whether it was to listen to presentations by nationally recognized speakers, wanting to draw closer to Jesus through praise and worship or join in fellowship with other Catholics from around the Diocese of Gary.
Christine Villaire learned about the Emmaus Conference through the bulletin at her church, St Bridget in Hobart.
“I am on a journey that I need Him,” she shared. “I just know I have so much to learn, and I want to take every opportunity I can to go to events and even do some things on my own.”
Villaire then commented on the atmosphere and the mood of those gathered for the conference.
“These people want to be here,” she said. “I feel like they're my real Christian brothers and sisters.”
Bridget Conry, a member of Our Lady of Consolation, was one of many interested in listening to Dr. Edward Sri, one of the keynote speakers who is a theologian and best-selling author.
“I've heard him before so I knew it was going to be a good talk,” she said. “Anytime I can be with other people and learn more about God and journey with other people is great.”
Conry said she loves a conference or retreat where people can get “fired up” and have time praising Jesus. She particularly enjoyed the opening Mass.
“Mass in a convention center seems very strange, but it's also such a powerful thing,” she said. “Even if you’re not in a church, it's still the community all together.”
Conry was one of approximately 100 volunteers who helped to keep the conference running smoothly, from welcoming and registering guests to directing attendees where sessions were located.
Saraidee Reyes-Villa was encouraged to volunteer at the conference by Dr. Claudia Sadowski, diocesean coordinator of intercultural ministry. She has been volunteering in various ways around the diocese, including the recent Mass for Migrant Farm Workers, and has already been asked to serve on a committee for the Emmaus Conference next year.
“I'm a young adult, so it's just been something new that I’ve dipped my feet into, knowing that the diocese had a conference coming with guest speakers I was interested in,” she said. “. “I'm always willing to learn.”
Reyes-Villa attended both English and Spanish speaking sessions and also picked up a few books from some of the vendors. Her favorite part was being able to meet more people from the diocese.
“I'm from LaPorte so we're very far east, and we don't get a chance to do a lot of things,” explained Reyes-Villa. “I enjoyed everyone who's in the diocese being together in one spot, just congregating and being with each other.”
Father Declan McNicholas, director of missionary discipleship and evangelization, noted how everyone seemed to be excited and there was a feeling of happiness and joy. He was pleased with how the event progressed throughout the day.
“We had Dr. Mary Healy talking about the healing the Lord is going to give us, and then that was followed up by Adam Antone who did a breakout on our mental health and how that’s connected to evangelization and our faith so we can actually share the Gospel well,” he explained.
Father McNicholas, associate pastor at St. Mary in Crown Point, said he appreciated that Dr. Healy talked about how Jesus wants to heal his people and then took time to share how to pray and ask for healing, giving those present a chance to not only listen but participate.
“I love being able to put those things that are talked about right into action,” he said. “I thought that was one of the best aspects. That was very nice.”
Deacon Paul Krilich said he is trying to get more involved in healing ministries and was hoping to get a chance to talk with Dr. Healy.
“It's so important,” he said. “It's so beautiful to be able to pray for people and see God working in them and through you, and it’s just kind of exciting.”
Deacon Krilich called the conference a beautiful thing and applauded the effort to invite outside speakers and not to rely solely on the clergy or the sisters within the diocese to provide the lectures.
“And the people are really absorbing it,” he said. “They really are receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. People need to hear that call today and have it witnessed by regular people, not necessarily always just by priests and bishops.”
Vicky Hathaway, coordinator for youth and young adults, said it was great to see everyone coming together, listening to the guest speakers and seeing everyone talk with each other. As a member of the Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization Office that helped organize the conference, Hathaway liked the interculturality of the event, alluding to the opportunities for both English and Spanish speaking individuals.
“We wanted to make sure that we had something for everyone,” she said. “It's something that I think we're really proud of that we've been able to do. It's been great seeing the smiles on everyone's faces. Everyone seems to be having a good time taking in something new.”
