The Emmaus Ministries Board of Directors is heartbroken to share the news that Emmaus director Sister Mary Miller, OSB, died on May 14, 2023, after a brief illness. Click here to read the full obituary.

Sister Mary was deeply loved by everyone who experienced her compassion, her untiring attention to the needs of others, and her passion for beauty. She made sure a vase of fresh flowers was on every table in the Emmaus dining room, she knew dinner guests by name, and she expressed personal gratitude to volunteers and donors. Tough, warm, and openhearted, she fulfilled Saint Benedict’s teaching to welcome all people as Christ. Sister Mary leaves behind an enormous network of people whose lives were changed because of her goodness.

At its December 2022 meeting the Board of Directors had accepted Sister Mary's request to step down from the position of Director of Emmaus Ministries on June 1, 2023 after 42 years of service. She was then to become Chairperson of the Emmaus Board of Directors.

At the same meeting the Board named Sister Valerie Luckey, OSB, the next director of Emmaus Ministries effective June 1. Because of Sister Mary's unexpected death, Sister Val has already assumed the position and is focused on helping staff, volunteers, Emmaus guests, donors and friends walk through these sad and difficult days. She worked closely with Sister Mary at Emmaus for nearly four years, officially transitioning to leadership the last several months. Both the Board and Sister Mary expressed great confidence in Sister Val to continue leading Emmaus with vision, passion, and a great concern for the poor.

Sister Valerie shared: "I am honored and humbled to continue Sister Mary’s work at Emmaus. Her love was truly one-of-a-kind, and she laid a solid foundation for us to build on. Because of her, Emmaus will always be a place where we come to know God ‘in the breaking of the bread’ with one another."

If you would like to remember Sister Mary with a donation to Emmaus, you may do so on our website or through the mail to: Emmaus Ministries, 345 East 9th Street, Erie, PA 16503.