Emmaus Clergy Convocation Offers Time for Prayer, Brotherhood and Renewal
By Allison Mosier06/02/2026
As priests and deacons from across the Diocese of Erie gather June 22–25 for the annual Emmaus Clergy Convocation, the faithful are invited to support them through prayer.
Held this year at St. Vincent Seminary in Latrobe, the convocation provides an opportunity for clergy to step away from the demands of daily ministry and spend time together in prayer, fellowship, formation and spiritual renewal. Inspired by the Gospel account of Jesus accompanying the disciples on the road to Emmaus, the gathering reminds participants that Christ continues to walk alongside those called to serve His Church.
For clergy who often spend their days caring for others, Emmaus offers a chance to reconnect with one another as brothers in ministry, strengthening relationships that sustain them throughout the year.
“The Emmaus Clergy Convocation is a valuable opportunity for our priests and deacons to come together in prayer and fraternity,” said Bishop Lawrence T. Persico, who will participate in the gathering and celebrate Mass during the week. “Those who serve the Church give so much of themselves in ministry. This time together allows them to encourage one another, deepen their relationship with Christ and renew their commitment to the people they serve throughout our diocese.”
The annual gathering includes daily Mass, prayer, fellowship, presentations and opportunities for reflection. While continuing education and formation remain important elements of the week, organizers say the relationships formed and strengthened during Emmaus are among its greatest benefits.
Father David Renne, vice-rector of St. Mark Seminary and a member of the Diocese of Erie Vocations Office who coordinates the convocation, said the week is designed to foster both spiritual renewal and a deeper sense of communion among clergy.
“Our priests and deacons serve in communities spread across 13 counties, and many spend much of their time focused on the needs of others,” Father Renne said. “Emmaus provides an opportunity to gather as brothers, pray together, share experiences and encourage one another. That sense of fraternity is essential because ministry was never meant to be lived in isolation.” 
This year, priests will hear from Archbishop Bernard Hebda of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, whose presentation is titled ‘The Priest in the Age of Pope Leo as a Man of Communion.’ Deacons will participate in sessions led by Mr. Terry Poplava, General Manager of ACST Catholic, who will speak on ‘Welcoming Parish in a Lonely World.’
For Deacon Thomas McAraw, the opportunity to spend time with fellow clergy is one of the most meaningful aspects of the gathering.
“Emmaus reminds us that we are part of something larger than ourselves,” Deacon McAraw said. “The conversations, prayer and fellowship help strengthen the bonds we share as clergy and encourage us in our vocation. We return to our parishes renewed, grateful and better prepared to serve.”
As the priests and deacons of the Diocese of Erie gather this week, Catholics throughout northwestern Pennsylvania are encouraged to remember them in prayer. Through the support of the faithful and the grace of God, Emmaus continues to be a time of encouragement, renewal and fraternity for those who dedicate their lives to serving Christ and His Church.
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