Emmaus Community Chairperson Doris Matias and Brother Al Archer in the chapel of the new Gathering Space. Photo: Matthew Lau.
By Matthew Lau
More than 180 friends, family and members of the Emmaus Community were present for the opening of a new ‘Gathering Place’ on 26 September.
The Emmaus Community is home to 52 members who battle with mental health issues.
Founder Br Alan Archer, who lives and works in the Community, believes it is important members have a designated area to socialise with one another.
“[The opening] was a pretty full-on night, but it was a good one,” Br Al told The eRecord.
Adelle Slivkoff, 11, observes the photography portraits by Claudio Raschella. Photo: Matthew Lau.
The Micah Foundation kindly donated all the funds for the new Gathering Place at Emmaus, an organisation Br Al describes as its “co-workers in Christ”.
Emeritus Archbishop Barry Hickey blessed the building’s new chapel on 22 August, coinciding with the Queenship of Mary feast day.
The space is used for Mass and Communion services, daily Eucharistic adoration, art exhibitions, meetings, games, and social gatherings.
Past and present Community members made the works of art currently on display, while international photographer Claudio Raschella snapped the eye-catching photographic exhibition.
“He specifically took those photos for our Community,” Br Al said.
Mark Edwards admires the artwork at Emmaus Community’s new Gathering Place on 26 September. Photo: Matthew Lau.
The Emmaus Community’s spiritual beginnings date back to 1996, and the first residential house opened in 2000.
It now has 15 members of staff ensuring people with mental health issues are able to live independently.
Br Al said mental health is not always about recovery, it is about acceptance and management of the issue.
“Many of our members have prospered with faith through their illness.”
The art exhibition is one of the main features of the Emmaus Community’s new Gathering Place. Photo: Matthew Lau.
His next project in mind is to provide communal housing for isolated elders.
“I get a lot of elderly contact me who are very lonely, and I want to start up housing for them,” Br Al added.
“It’s a shame to turn people away because we don’t have room.”
For more information on the Emmaus Community, visit www.emmauscommuny.org.au