Blog

"""Throughout July, we held our Summer Study Series with one of our seminarians every Wednesday evening. We consistently averaged around 12 participants each week, and the discussions were engaging and fruitful. It was a great reminder that even during the quieter summer months, people are still hungry to grow in their faith, or, in this case, to learn more about Catholic Social Teaching."

"This month brought an important encounter. I learned that a young adult from my parish, someone who has been a tremendous help with our youth ministry, was going through some of the life challenges that many young adults experience. It was difficult to hear because she plays such an important role in our parish community. I invited her to meet, and we ended up having a wonderful conversation. We talked about life, faith, and the challenges she has been facing. Before we knew it, we found ourselves discussing and dreaming about the future of our youth ministry. By the end of our conversation, I was encouraged to see that she still has a desire to continue serving. I ask everyone reading this to please keep this young adult in your prayers. Pray that she may find what she is seeking, that the Lord will continue to guide her, strengthen her, and remain close to her."

"Our new pastor is very prayer-focused, and it has given me the opportunity to pray more – alone, and with others. Hearing other people's stories is always so inspiring. I am in awe of what some people have been able to overcome in their lives."

"We recently had our Young Adult July Cookout, and it was a huge success! We had about 50 young adults join us, and even a few future young adults (cute babies!). It was really incredible to see everyone and to meet some of the younger families at the parish."

"One of the most impactful moments was when the young adults had the opportunity to express how they have been feeling in Pastoral Juvenil (the Hispanic young adult group). One young person shared that the group has been a place where they felt heard, found comfort, and were able to encounter God through prayer. They shared a message for other young people that, during times when they feel alone or are struggling emotionally, they should have the confidence to reach out to a close friend or someone they trust instead of keeping everything inside. They also encouraged the group to be more supportive and attentive to one another so that no one feels alone in difficult moments."

"For the "L.I.G.H.T." young adult group, one of the most meaningful experiences is seeing relationships grow beyond simply knowing each other from church to becoming genuine friendships. For example, a young woman began attending the group about four months ago because she wanted to encounter Christ and make friends. The group was able to celebrate with her and attend her wedding, which meant a great deal to her because she had friends there to support and celebrate with her. These experiences show the importance of creating a community where young adults feel welcomed, supported, and genuinely connected."

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