The theme for the Catholic Young Adults of Stillwater is to “Say ‘Yes’ to New Adventures.” This is based on a quote from Pope St. John Paul II, “Life with Christ is a wonderful adventure. He alone can give full meaning to life. He alone is the center of history. Live by Him!”
Our pastor, Fr. O’Brien, and our Young Adult Ministry team invite any young adult, 21 to 39, to get involved on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Youth Center. People don’t need to be Catholic to attend.
As Fr. O’Brien points out, there are consistent efforts to educate children and youth, but that drops off after high school. This group exists to help one another grow in holiness.
“Young adults in the parish are a vital part of who we are,” Fr. O’Brien says. “Right out of college or heading into the workforce, many young people struggle to fit into the life of the parish. We want to change that.”
The group meets weekly and shares in social events throughout the year. The group attends local Trivia Nights, goes out to eat, hangs out at the rectory, does Bible studies, attends Adoration, and prays the Rosary.
In the future, the ministry hopes to plan some service activities and host a retreat. The group has taken part in Our Daily Bread and is looking at ways to serve in other ministries in the parish.
With the college students coming and going, ministry leaders have been pleased with how cohesive the group has been.
“People are looking for community — they want to belong, and they also want to grow in their faith,” Fr. O’Brien says. “It’s social and an opportunity to grow in faith. We just share life and look closely at the Scriptures and the teachings of the Church to see how we can become better disciples.”
Why are spiritual, service, and social activities integral to effective Catholic young adult ministry?
“It’s who we are,” Fr. O’Brien says. “We are spiritual beings who need each other. We also need to give of ourselves to be happy. We try to incorporate all these things into the Catholic Young Adults.”
All summer long, the Young Adults will be meeting, and a trip to Oklahoma City to visit the new Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine is in the works.
The parish invites all young adults to become part of this ministry. Whether single, married, discerning, a college graduate, or not, you are welcome here.