For young Catholics, one of the most crucial points is the time after high school — there is a wealth of big changes, with many young people attending college, finding work, making new social connections, and having a sense of full independence. In the face of these changes, it’s also a time when community and practicing the faith are so important.
Here at All Saints, the Young Adult Ministry seeks to provide that community, as well as a host of valuable faith formation opportunities. Anyone between the ages of 18-39 can participate in these events for young adults.
“We hope to accompany young adults as they learn how to be independent and mature in one’s own relationship with God, as well as in the working world,” says Kevin Cabrera, coordinator of high school and young adults ministries in our parish.
The Young Adult Ministry provides a space for its participants to gather and get to know other like-minded individuals in their community. The hope is the young adults will form friendships that will last for years to come, as well as learn more about the faith and grow in relationship with God. The ministry has both social and spiritual components.
“Many times, these are not mutually exclusive,” Kevin says. “One can grow in their faith life both through time together in prayer, and through sharing life and faith experiences over a meal or going out for a drink with one’s peers.”
When the group gets together, the members share about their faith as well as other parts of their lives. The ministry occasionally hosts a formal event, such as bringing in a speaker, but in general, the members congregate in an effort to get to know each other and share in an activity.
“Events range from getting together for a board game night, to a social at a bar, to playing sports together, to having a speaker come in, to Bible studies, to group adoration,” Kevin says. “Many of our young adults gather together for our monthly Eucharistic Holy Hour and social afterward.”
Kevin encourages the participating members to take part in wider parish activities, such as the Parish Fall Festival. He also welcomes them to serve during Mass as lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, or ushers. Further, he suggests serving in the Knights of Columbus or the All Saints Women’s Organization or as an adult mentor for the high school and junior high ministries.
Coming up this fall, the All Saints Dance takes place on Oct. 31. There will also be a young adult retreat in January 2024. For any young adults in the DFW area, The 635 brings together those from across the diocese in worship and community.
A calendar of upcoming events for each month can be found on the website, along with a survey for our young adults so we can get to know more about each person and their particular story and interests.
To learn more, please visit: www.allsaintsdallas.org/youngadults