Students Are Committed to Walking the Road of Service and Discipleship 

Billy Demos ’23

The Chaminade High School motto states that the Chaminade man “does the right thing at the right time because it is the right thing to do, regardless of who is watching.” Emmaus Club, one of the many community service clubs here at Chaminade, exemplifies this idea in every sense of the word.

The name “Emmaus” comes from the Gospel of Luke (24:13-35), where two disciples meet Jesus on the road to a town called Emmaus. After meeting Jesus, these disciples continue to walk, talk, and share a meal with him.

This resonates with the volunteers of Emmaus, who travel all across Long Island to help anyone in need—whether it be helping the Dominican Sisters with yard work at Homecoming Farms, or cleaning the area that surrounds Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Elementary School.

Bro. Patrick Sarsfield, S.M. ’86, an assistant moderator of Emmaus, explained it best when he stated, “Emmaus gives our students an opportunity to help out at school and to reach out to the community around us. Through the different projects we work on, our guys are putting the Gospel into action in really concrete ways.”

Emmaus participates in weekly service projects that help faculty, staff, and students around the school. The club also frequently volunteers at both the Garden City Bird Sanctuary and Floral Park Centennial Gardens, creating better spaces for both the birds and people who use these parks. 

One of Emmaus’ biggest annual events is organizing donations to the Queen of Peace Nursing Home in Queens Village. During the Advent season, each homeroom fills up baskets of everyday items such as soap, mouthwash, tissues, paper towels, and hand sanitizer. These contributions have a lasting impact on the elderly men and women who reside in the nursing home, and it shows that Chaminade is extremely impactful not only in the classroom but in the community as well.

Mr. Daniel Haslbauer ’11, head moderator of Emmaus, reflects on his time with the club, stat- ing, “It has been beautiful to witness how willing our young men are to serve those who need the help. The Chaminade men of Emmaus really enjoy serving others, and they always impress me with how focused and determined they are when doing tedious or hard work. An appreciation from those we serve is the reason so many students enjoy giving up their time for others; they can see the difference they are making.”

Overall, Emmaus Club spreads the kind of giving spirit that Chaminade instills in its students. By doing this, the service club is truly following in the footsteps of Blessed William Joseph Chaminade and continuing his legacy as men of both influence and integrity.