Last week I visited brothers and sisters in Miami – it was a time to be together and to be Emmanuel. I was so touched that Juan, Mahalia, and Elizabeth took time to make an agenda for my visit ahead of time, and Mahalia and Juan even took a day off work to show me around their city. Mahalia hosted me in her home, and I got to spend time with her parents and her delightful younger cousin Alex (who is joining us for the National Gathering in October!). We went to parties where I got to meet Mahalia’s church family and be introduced as her sister in the community, we ate some AMAZING Haitian and Cuban food, and we went to several beaches where the ocean felt like bathwater (at least to me).
We also praised in the car, adored Jesus together, served the homeless with the Missionaries of Charity, and attended Mass at several different churches. A highlight for me was our visit to a small Divine Mercy chapel, where we heard the testimony of a married couple volunteering there and read some powerful excerpts from St. Faustina’s Diary. It was really special for me to have long talks with my brother and sisters and get to know them on a deeper level, sharing our testimonies with each other. Our time together solidified my identity as a member of Emmanuel, strengthened my love for ALL of you as brothers and sisters and my commitment to pray with and for you daily, and stirred my heart to certainty that God is preparing something big in us as Emmanuel USA. As we received during our visit to the Divine Mercy chapel: “Eye has not seen, nor has ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those who love him.” – 1 Cor 2:9
Bridget (CA)
Thank you for this rich sharing, Bridget. We get to experience the universality of the Church through the Emmanuel Community. All glory to God!
Thank you, Bridget! Sounds like a great time of, like you wrote, being Emmanuel. Hope to see you all again soon!