Hope for Young Adult Ministry

So often in our parishes, outreach to young adults (ages 18-35) does not exist. We've convinced ourselves that these men and women will automatically maintain their connection with our faith communities while transitioning through the critical years of their lives. Or, as we also tell ourselves, if they do drift away during their young adulthood, our young adults will eventually return once they are married and start their families.

This thought process has stagnated outreach to young adults. Their spiritual and social needs are vast. So many young adults transition from school to first careers (or prolonged underemployment) without adequate systems of support. Some may move into new towns or cities, though many must reside at home due to a lack of affordable housing. They live, work, and socialize among their peers, most of whom do not regularly practice their faith.

Given these glaring realities, most of our parishes are ill-equipped to minister to the needs of this particular demographic. Yet, with Jesus Christ, there is always hope!

Young Adults on pilgrimage in Washington, D.C.

Here in the Poconos, there has been a tremendous growth in young adult ministry throughout the past year. What first began as outreach to students at nearby East Stroudsburg University has evolved into a separate regional young adult group for men and women in their twenties and thirties.

Faith on Fire allows young adults to be part of a faith-based community of peers. Together, we pray, socialize, and grow deeper together in our Christian discipleship. And we have a lot of fun, too! We love to go to different pubs for wing night and on Sunday, explore different parishes for Mass. We've hosted Scripture studies and faith-sharing opportunities. Members of Faith on Fire also joined diocesan pilgrims at the World Youth Day Unite! event in Washington, D.C.

Some members of Faith on Fire at St. Matthew's Parish, East Stroudsburg

This young adult ministry is at the service of our local parishes. Members of Faith on Fire are encouraged to be active, pray, worship, and serve in their own respective parish communities. There is, of course, something quite powerful about being united in the Spirit with young adults who share similar joys, struggles, and desires.

I hope that more young adults in the Poconos will join us. It will require us to be missionary disciples, to go out and invite others into this group. Of particular importance will be our work of going to the "peripheries" in order to bring those who feel marginalized by the Church back into this community of faith and love. Young adult ministry is life-giving and joy-filled. It is also desperately needed!

For more information regarding Faith on Fire, visit: http://www.stmatthewspa.org/68.
Also, check us out on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/151446532031351/?ref=br_rs