Sept. 21, 2016 By Marika Donders Young Adults, those in their 20s and 30s, are often a difficult group to reach in our parishes. Many, if not most of this demographic are in transition. Perhaps they are recent college graduates in their first “real” job. They may be newly married, or a couple with their first child on the way. They may or may not be college graduates. Unlike those in campus ministry, they are not a homogeneous group. Like many folks in transition, the one thing that most young adults are looking for is real community. This is where the parish community can come in, to provide that home away from home. How does your parish reach out to young adults? There are a few parishes in our diocese that are offering Theology-on-Tap type events, where young adults get together for some socializing and a talk about the faith. But young adult ministry could take so many different forms to meet the needs of this group of people. Often it is a peer ministry: young adults sharing with other young adults: a group for new moms (or new dads), a group of young adults who go like to hike and pray (or fish, canoe, paint, sing, make music, or other forms of recreation in our beautiful North Country). Young adult ministry can also take the form of more experienced (shall we say older) adults mentoring Young Adults. There is no “one size fits all.” A good place to start may simply be to ask young adults in your parish what they need, and how we can assist them in their journey of faith and so begin a conversation about young adult ministry in your parish (or regionally among several parishes). The Office of Young Adult Ministry, as a component of the Office of Evangelization, offers resources to parishes and young adults to help young adults connect and even to start young adult groups whether in the parish or regionally. Using social media, the Young Adult Ministry Office communicates with young adults about diocesan events and opportunities. In addition to offering support for the formation of Young Adult Groups, the office is also responsible for the coordination of the Diocesan World Youth Day group. One group just came back from WYD in Krakow, Poland which you will be able to read about in the next couple of issues of the North Country Catholic. The next World Youth Day will be in Panama in 2019. World Youth Day is an experience for young adults from all across the world to meet up every three years, to pray together, to be catechized, and to experience the universal church as they meet with the Holy Father. For many young adults, the experience of World Youth Day is the catalyst to deepen their faith and to become leaders in their communities and parishes. If your parish is interested in starting ministry to young adults, our office is here to help. Thank you for supporting the Bishop's Fund, without which none of the many works of the diocese, including the support of Young Adult Ministry would be possible. For more information see http://rcdony.org/young-adult-ministry.html |
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