YAM Chicago - RUAH General Information

Breathing Life into God's Young Adults

Ruah Group Photo
In this photo (Left to Right): Dr. Kate DeVries, Mr. Terry Shelley,
Ms. Elise Ainsworth, and Fr. John Cusick

Project Purpose:

The Ruah Project, directed by Fr. John Cusick and Dr. Katherine DeVries at the Young Adult Ministry Office (YAM) of the Archdiocese of Chicago, is a new initiative that reaches out to young adults in their 20s and 30s, married and single, and helps them connect their individual spirituality with the faith traditions and community of the Catholic Church. "Ruah" is an ancient Hebrew word for "breath of God, " representing our need of God's creative, active, and life-giving power in our efforts to renew, re-evangelize and regenerate the Catholic Church. This project developed out of a realization that local parishes cannot be the only "vehicles" that are responsible for reaching young adults of this generation. Collaborating with Catholic parishes, the Ruah Project will offer another means to enhance the Catholic ministry to an increasingly elusive part of the population.

Much more than a typical young adult program, the Ruah Project is a new model of tailored and focused regional ministry to young adults that will be a model for dioceses and parishes throughout the United States. We are in the process of expanding our project, and are actively seeking funding to open our third Ruah Center within the Archdiocese of Chicago.

Project Activities:

Each Ruah Center will:

Outreach and invite young adults into greater participation in their Church.

Establish contacts and working relationships with parishes in the surrounding area.

Gather names and develop a database of young adults in area churches, schools, etc.

Provide the means for young adults to meet and gather with their peers.

Offer catechesis to young adults.

Respond to the expressed needs of young adults by offering faith sharing, spiritual enrichment, days of reflection, volunteer opportunities, service projects, days of discernment, prayer and opportunities for greater involvement in local churches and organizations.

Invite young adults to share their time and talent in leadership positions, not only in the Church, but in service activities within their communities.

Bring the current YAM offerings to local areas so that more young adults can easily participate in programs and services.

Current RUAH center:

Further information will be added on this site in the near future...

In the meantime, additional information about the RUAH Project can be requested via email at: yam(at)yamchicago.org