VALPARAISO – Presented by the Diocese of Gary Office of Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization, the Emmaus Conference is designed to be a transformative experience that inspires and equips individuals to live out the Gospel message in their daily lives.
This conference, scheduled for Aug. 22 at the Porter County Expo Center, is an opportunity to foster a deeper sense of community, compassion and connection with Christ through engaging speakers, interactive workshops and powerful moments of praise and worship, and the celebration of Mass.
At the inaugural conference in 2025, Vicky Hathaway, coordinator for youth and young adults, enjoyed seeing so many people from the diocese gathered, learning side by side and praying together, to grow in our mission to go and make disciples.
“I especially enjoyed seeing high school students attend with their parents and young adults attending,” she said. “Seeing young people present reminded us that the call to share the Gospel isn't just for a chosen few or for those with the most experience. It's for all of us!”
Speakers lined up for this year’s Emmaus Conference include: Liz Kelly Stanchina, community leader for Women’s Formation at Bishop Barron’s Word on Fire Institute; Mar Muñoz-Visoso, executive director of the Secretariat of Cultural Diversity in the Church at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, D.C.; Father Agustino Torres, CFR, a priest with the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal and the founder of Corazón Puro and Jason Evert, a speaker and author who has traveled to six continents to bring the message of purity to millions.
To ensure the conference has the opportunity to reach all Catholics in Northwest Indiana, the diocese has added two events the day before the conference on Friday, Aug. 21. “Emmaus: Youth Encounter” for high school students will feature keynote Father Torres starting at 6 p.m. at St. Paul in Valparaiso. “Hearts Burning: A Young Adult Evening” with Evert will take place that same night from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs South Campus in Merrillville.
Hathaway explained that the missionary and discipleship team added the events on Friday night for youth and young adults because the diocese wanted to create experiences tailored to their unique needs and talks and reflections that are specifically for them.
“Most of the talks on Saturday are designed for adults, so having something specifically for youth was important,” she noted.
Evert, who runs Chastity Project and its website, chastity.com, said these kinds of events help young people to realize that the Church sees them, knows their struggles and questions, and cares enough about them to give them solid answers.
“Young people are hungry to hear the truth and to be challenged to live virtuous lives,” he said. “This event will satisfy both of these God-given desires.”
From his presentation on the Catholic faith, Evert hopes those who attend will discover the beauty and the treasures of Catholicism, as revealed through the lives of the saints and the wonder of the sacraments.
He added, “After my talk to the young men, I hope they will feel empowered to reject the counterfeit of lust, and encouraged to become men who are free to love.”
Sam Thyen, 21, is a parishioner at St. Paul in Valparaiso. For the past few years, he was heavily involved in hosting their Men's Welcome Retreat at the church. He also frequents the sacraments at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Student Center.
Thyen attended the Emmaus Conference and really enjoyed that it was an all-in-one event to go to Mass, spend time with the Lord in adoration, hear from one of his favorite Catholic authors (Dr. Edward Sri), and meet new Catholics in the region. Not to mention, the food was amazing.
One moment in particular he found special was when Dr. Sri signed a copy of his book, “A Biblical Walk Through the Mass,” for him.
Thyen will be attending the conference this year. He is looking forward to bringing along his fiancée, Emily, who could not make it last year.
“I feel like having events like this helps young adults significantly,” he said. “Very often in our society, young people are isolated and lonely. While I consider myself an older soul and feel like I can fit in with older Catholics, I also know that many young adults don't feel this way and struggle to find other young people to share their faith with.”
Thyen added the Emmaus Conference is a great way for younger Catholics to come together and feel part of a community. In addition, he said they can have a chance to encounter the Lord and gather a few more tools to help grow their faith.
Eileen Warner, 23, also attends St. Paul, and started the Frassati Young Adults group at the parish last December. She attended the Emmaus Conference last year, and called it a great experience.
“I really enjoyed that it was so close to home and just one day,” she said. “I’m a big fan of Catholic conferences.”
Warner acknowledged it can be difficult to find the time and funds to attend most conferences because they are typically several days long. With the Emmaus Conference being held on a Saturday, she stated it makes it very easy to attend.
“I thought the talks were amazing and it was really cool talking to vendors,” she said. “I am attending again this year! I’m looking forward to the young adults night the night before and the talks.”
Warner believes events like Emmaus give young people an opportunity to learn more about the Catholic faith and provide opportunities to get more involved in the community. She added that she personally enjoys finding new ways to get involved through charities and mission work.
“It’s a nice reset,” Warner said. “If someone is looking to grow in their faith and live the mission of Christ, it’s definitely a great conference to attend.”
For more information and to register for the Emmaus Conference, visit https://emmaus.dcgary.org.
Caption: Vicky Hathaway, coordinator for youth and young adults, talks with Saraidee Reyes-Villa, office and faith formation assistant at Holy Family Parish in LaPorte, during the 2025 Emmaus Conference. (Erin Ciszczon photo)
