On the Hill

The Young Adult Initiative, a program of Saint Meinrad’s Center for Youth and Young Adult Evangelization, hosted its first gathering for Phase 2 of the initiative on November 4-6. The gathering is a semi-annual meeting of partner parish representatives from the 10 participating Midwest parishes; 28 participants attended the fall event.

YAI Director Cassie Schutzer said the weekend had five goals: to be fully present, to establish the Young Adult Initiative community, to encounter the spirit of Saint Meinrad, to share experiences, and to return home to the parishes with something to share.

Topics included the domestic church, tradition and living liturgically, prayer, belonging, accompaniment, mentoring/modeling, and intentionality.

Instead of just telling participants how to minister with young adults in their parish, the YAI staff invited them into the process by modeling ministry for them. The weekend was filled with community prayer, small group reflection/conversation, and activities they could bring to their parish.

When asked, “What was your favorite part of the weekend,” 65% of participants mentioned the opportunities for fellowship and conversation. When asked, “Will you return for another gathering,” 100% responded yes.

Various members of the Saint Meinrad community assisted with the event. President-Rector Fr. Denis Robinson, OSB, led prayer and gave words of encouragement; Sr. Jeana Visel, OSB, welcomed the group and attended several sessions; Agnes Kovacs gave the keynote presentation; and Br. John Mark Falkenhain, OSB, led a campus tour. YAI Program Manager Johnny Sherfick was also on hand to assist with the event.

In addition, seminarians Neil Blatchford and Bobby Vogel served at Mass; Nolan Snyder provided music for Mass and Adoration; seminarian Patrick Gouker cantored at Mass; and other students were welcoming and hospitable at the UnStable social.

Parishes in YAI Phase 2 are: St. Clare of Assisi Parish, O’Fallon, IL; Cathedral of St. Peter, Belleville, IL; St. John the Evangelist Parish, St. John, IN; St. Matthias Parish, Crown Point, IN; Mary, Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish and Pax Christi Catholic Church, both of Lexington, KY; Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral Parish, Knoxville, TN; St. Patrick Parish, Morristown, TN; and St. Joseph Catholic Church and Holy Spirit Parish, both of Bowling Green, KY.

Anyone interested in keeping up with the activities of the YAI can subscribe to the e-newsletter at https://saintmeinradyai.org/contact/.