Tarmac Online

By: Daniel Graziose ’27

Chaminade High School offers students a wide variety of clubs and activities designed to help them grow academically, socially, and personally. From athletics and the arts to academic and service-based organizations, there is truly something for everyone. Yet among these many opportunities, one program stands out for the way it unites faith, service, and community: the Emmaus Apostolic Program.

Emmaus is part of the school’s campus ministry and is open to all students, regardless of prior experience. What distinguishes Emmaus is its mission to engage students in meaningful service to the Church, the school, and the wider community while deepening their faith through action. Rather than focusing solely on meetings or discussion-based learning, Emmaus emphasizes doing—putting faith into action through hands-on service. As moderator Mr. Daniel Haslbauer ’11 explained, “The goal is to form good, Catholic men by having them live out the Corporal Works of Mercy.”

A key component of Emmaus’s mission is its collaboration with other clubs at Chaminade, most notably Catholics for Life, a student group dedicated to promoting the sanctity of life at all stages, from conception to natural death. Through this partnership, students are encouraged to view service not only as charity but also as advocacy rooted in compassion and respect for human dignity. Together, the groups aim to raise awareness on issues such as abortion and parenthood through meaningful dialogue and action. Members participate in discussions, retreats, and service initiatives that emphasize standing up for the most vulnerable while living out Catholic values. According to Mr. Haslbauer ’11, “To be good Catholic men, they need to support life in all forms.”

Throughout the year, Emmaus members participate in a wide range of service opportunities. Students volunteer their time visiting the elderly, often spending afternoons playing board games, engaging in conversation, and forming genuine connections. These experiences demonstrate that service does not always involve large-scale projects but is often rooted in presence, kindness, and authentic human interaction.

Emmaus also engages in a variety of hands-on service projects, including maintaining local parks, being the ‘juniors’ to the ‘seniors’ at proms, making sandwiches for those in need, organizing donation and supply drives, and personally delivering contributions to local charities. The program works closely with organizations such as Catholic Charities, the Queen of Peace Residence, and the Sisters of Life, allowing students to serve the broader community while developing empathy, responsibility, and a deeper understanding of Christ-centered service. As Mr. Haslbauer ’11 explained, through Emmaus, students “visit the residents of Queen of Peace, feed the hungry with canned food drives, and support those in need through initiatives like the Diaper Drive.”

Each January, in collaboration with Catholics for Life, Emmaus supports the March for Life through its annual Diaper Drive. Reflecting on the 2026 drive, Ms. Mary Molloy shared that it was “a true joy to help lead the 2026 Diaper Drive,” explaining that it allowed her to witness “the Chaminade community at its very best.” Faculty, students, and families united in what she described as “remarkable generosity, commitment, and hard work.”

Ms. Molloy emphasized that the drive’s success was largely due to student leadership. She noted how Emmaus and Catholics for Life members “stepped up in countless ways: visiting homerooms, lifting and carrying boxes of donations, tracking and receiving items each morning, and most importantly, calling their peers to generosity with enthusiasm and conviction.” Their dedication, she explained, “set the tone for the entire school.” Mr. Haslbauer ’11 added that friendly competition among students further encouraged participation and school-wide involvement.

Through the combined efforts of both groups, the 2026 Diaper Drive resulted in the donation of over 25,000 diapers, 270 baby bottles, and 128,000 baby wipes, powerfully demonstrating how service can also serve as advocacy for mothers and children in need. During the second Sodality meeting of the year, students also heard from a guest speaker and Ms. Molloy, who spoke about the importance of “supporting life by supporting mothers,” reinforcing the deeper meaning behind the drive.

Beyond its tangible impact, Ms. Molloy reflected on Emmaus’s deeper purpose. She explained that through her involvement, she hopes students recognize “not only that the lives of others matter, but that their own lives at Chaminade matter deeply within our community.” Through Emmaus and Campus Ministry, students come to understand that they are “profoundly loved, by God and by those around them,” and that their lives have genuine purpose and significance.

Mr. Haslbauer ’11 echoed this long-term vision, sharing that his hope is “that these young men become good fathers, husbands, or priests because of these experiences.” He emphasized that Emmaus teaches students the importance of serving others and “taking time out of their busy lives to be present for others.”

In addition to ongoing initiatives, Emmaus continues to offer annual opportunities for involvement. One of its most recent service events took place at the Cradle of Aviation, where members volunteered on February 6 for “Give Kids A Smile Day 2026.” This national American Dental Association initiative provides free oral health education, screenings, and treatment for children. Several Chaminade students took time out of their busy school day to assist hundreds of volunteers by collecting coats on a frigid winter day—demonstrating that even small acts of service can make a meaningful difference.

For Charlie McCarthy ’26, service is more than a requirement—it’s a four-year journey through the Emmaus Apostolic Program. While his reach extends throughout the school and the surrounding community, McCarthy ’26 finds the most fulfillment in “Give Kids A Smile Day.” He notes that seeing the joy the event brings to children in need is just as rewarding for him as it is for them.

Charlie McCarthy ’26 is also a familiar face at the Floral Park Centennial Gardens. By assisting the regular volunteers there, he aims to lighten their load. “It shows just how much our service helps them,” he said. “It is really nice to give them a break from all the hard work they do.”

At its core, Emmaus is more than just a service club—it is a place where students grow in faith, empathy, and leadership. Through acts of service, members learn that faith is not only practiced through prayer but lived out daily through action. In a school filled with opportunities, the Emmaus Apostolic Program stands as a powerful reminder of where faith truly meets service.