By Doug Ulaszek
Special to the Catholic Herald


Over the past several years, Nick and Courtney Milinovich have benefitted from many prayer groups, Bible studies and formation programs.

Groups at their parish, St. Stanislaus in Milwaukee, and other parishes around the Archdiocese of Milwaukee have helped the Muskego family grow in prayer and virtue while developing friendships with other committed Catholics.

But as the couple’s children, Jack, 13, and Gia, 12, entered adolescence, Nick and Courtney faced a new challenge: how to provide the same experiences and growth for their children.

Having become more committed to their Catholic faith as adults, Nick and Courtney did not want Jack and Gia to “wait” until adulthood to discover a living relationship with Christ and wondered how to help them develop their own life of prayer outside of their family’s attendance at Mass. Their questions were answered when a friend introduced them to an Archdiocese of Milwaukee initiative called Emmaus 90.

In early 2024, more than 2,000 of the faithful from around the Archdiocese of Milwaukee participated in Emmaus 90, a 90-day journey leading up to Easter that brings Catholics closer to Jesus Christ through prayer, formation and community.

A key initiative of the archdiocese’s participation in the National Eucharistic Revival, Emmaus 90 gave parishioners from dozens of parishes a blueprint to build spiritual and human habits (known as a “rule of life”) centered on daily prayer with Scripture, regular reception of the sacraments and growth in virtue.

To help families dive into Emmaus 90, the archdiocese developed a short Family Guide that helps parents adapt the program for their family and children at various ages.

The adaptations and guidance helped the Milinovich family grow individually and together. “Emmaus 90 reinvigorated our family prayer life and made us all feel a stronger connection to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee,” Nick said. “We have enjoyed meeting some of the formation session speakers at events like the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage and the Saint Francis de Sales Seminary Dinner.”

The journey had a deep impact on their children as well. According to Gia, “Emmaus 90 impacted me in many different ways. One of the ways Emmaus 90 impacted me was helping me think more about my day and my actions. Another way Emmaus impacted me was helping me grow closer to Jesus in heart and mind. The final way in which Emmaus impacted me was assisting me with my understanding of the Bible and messages from God.”

The Milinovich family cannot wait for Emmaus 90 to return in January 2025 in English, Spanish and American Sign Language.

Learn more and register at https://www.archmil.org/Emmaus90.

Gia Milinovich and Margaret Rhody share joy during the June 23 Source and Summit Procession that was part of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage that passed through the Archdiocese of Milwaukee on its way to Indianapolis. Rhody is associate director of parish renewal with the archdiocese Office of Evangelization and Catechesis. (Submitted photo)