Here Is What the Young Adult Ministry Office Can Do for Your Parish….

Young Adults often say there is nothing for them in the local parish. In terms of an outreach to their age group, they are usually correct. That’s sad. Forty years ago, the largest active group of people in Catholic parishes was young adults. That title was not given to them back then, but, in fact, the overwhelming majority of people active in the parish were in their 20s and 30s. Go ask your parents and grandparents!

Here are a number of things that the Young Adult Ministry Office can do to help any parish increase the presence of young adults, and lead them toward a deeper appreciation of their faith.

1.     A 7 Step Plan to Re-Generate Parish Life

Fr. John Cusick and Dr. Kate DeVries would be delighted to meet with any parish staff, parish council and/or any active group in the parish and present this 7 step strategy. The goal is to bring the enthusiasm, talent, and skill of younger Catholics to any and all parish activities.

2.     A Greater Appreciation of our Catholic Mass

As one of the parish priests celebrates Mass, Fr. John Cusick respectfully adds commentary on many of the rituals and actions that are a part of Mass. This prayerful experience has been very well received throughout the Archdiocese, as Young Adults gain a greater understanding of why we do what we do at Mass.

3.     Why Should I Go to Church?

This might be the most often asked question among Catholics today. The staff of the Young Adult Ministry Office is happy to come out to your parish for a two hour session that will give a clear, direct answer to this important question. The evening will assist people’s appreciation for why we need to be at Mass and the richness of this most sacred ritual.

4.     A Church Tour

No bus is required! This is a tour of your Church building. The next time you are there, look around at the symbols, images and unique furnishings in your church. This Church Tour will take Young Adults on a walk around that sacred space, and explain of the meaning of what we see each time we enter the building. Remember: knowledge is power. The more we know about what we see, the more readily those images and items will unlock the power of the presence of God in our midst.

5.     Within These Walls

A little boy was overheard asking his (Young Adult) dad, as he pointed to an image he saw in a stained-glass window, “Daddy, what is that?” Dad being the good Catholic parent that he is and not willing to show his son any lack of knowledge said, “Tony, that is a mystery!”

Wouldn’t it be great if every parish had a brochure in the back of Church filled with pictures and explanations of every religious sign and symbol in your parish Church? If you would like to see this happen and take away the “mystery” surrounding so much of our Catholic signs, symbols and art, then we invite you to click on Within These Walls on this web site. There you will find our way of helping your parish make that happen.

6.     The 3rd Moment of a Sacrament

With every sacrament, there are 3 main components: preparation, the celebration itself, and follow-up. We tend to spend a great deal of time on the first moment: preparation. Then, the celebration itself, the second moment, is glorious. The place we could spend more attention is that third moment: follow-up. Using the Sacrament of Baptism as an example, we have prepared a flyer that presents a strategy for a parish to stay in contact with parents who have recently had a child baptized. This is in response to a deacon who said, “We baptize children, then don’t see them or their parents again until the kids are ready to start school.” The staff of the Young Adult Ministry Office is happy to meet with parish leaders to explore exciting options for the third moment of any sacrament.

7.     Curious Catholics Gatherings

Among Young Adults, there are a great many questions about what it means to be Catholic. This program is an opportunity for Young Adults to ask any questions they have, and discuss the rich traditions of the Catholic faith. The evening is led by 2 people: a woman and a man, ordained or religious, and lay. The Young Adult Ministry Office staff can co-host the gathering with you, or set you up to host it through the talent of your own parish.

8.     A Good Conversation is Long Overdue.

Young Adults are simply not as connected to parish life and activities as previous generations were. Fr. John Cusick and Dr. Kate DeVries are interested in meet with your parish leadership, staff members and volunteers, to discuss options and strategies for finding young adults, listening to their wants and needs, and encouraging them to become more active.

9.     Co-host an Event with the Young Adult Ministry Office

In addition to the Curious Catholics Gatherings listed above, we invite you to consider co-hosting an event for the Young Adults in your parish or larger geographical area. Options include Theology-on-Tap, our 4-week summer speaker and discussion series.

***

Here is what the Young Adult Ministry Office can do for you as a young adult.

1.      We will keep you informed on this website or various activities for young happening around the Chicago area. Click on Calendar of Events.

2.      We will send you an email blast that highlights special events and ideas that are about to occur.

Send your email address to the Young Adult Ministry Office in the space provided in the left column of our Home Page.

3.      You can access our spiritual reflections and other noteworthy ideas and suggestions by visiting the Young Adult Ministry Facebook Page. Please go ahead and “like” the page.

4.      Listen to “The Light Show,” our monthly radio show, by downloading it to any mobile device. Listen in when you work out, on your commute to or from work, or just need some personal time. Click on The Light Show on our Home Page, for a list of all the topics and guests for each one hour show.

5.      Got a question? Give us a call at 312-466-9473, or zip an e-mail to yam@yamchicago.org. We will be as helpful as we can. Don’t worry if you’re not connected with a parish at this time. Consider the Young Adult Ministry Office your “parish” at the moment, and let us help you find a church and a community where you will be with others your age who share your faith.

6.      Got an idea of something you might want to do? Tell us what it is and let’s try to make it happen: 312/466-9473 or yam@yamchicago.org Other concerns? We can help address questions like these:

• I’d like to work with a shelter. Where and how can I help the homeless?
• What churches around me have Adoration Chapels?
• Are there any young married couples groups for my husband and me?
• Do you know anything about adoption?
• I’d like to know more about my Catholic Faith. Can you help me?
• Do you have connections in the work world or ideas I should try?” 

Young Adult Ministry is not an organization to join. It is not something you need to attend. There are no gottas, musts or shoulds.

It is the outreach and care to you as your journey through your 20s and 30s. So check back to this web site occasionally. Read the “email blasts” that come your way. Catch us on Facebook. And when life presents a particular challenge, idea or issue, maybe we can be helpful.