Catholic young adults require special handling

According to the U.S. bishops' national pastoral plan for young adults, "Sons and Daughters of the Light," 20- and 30-year-olds are different from previous generations.

"Marriage is delayed, children come later in life, geographic and job mobility is high, and second and third careers are common," the bishops write. "Some even find themselves single again through separation, divorce, or death of a spouse. When we consider all these factors, it is easy to understand why many young adults believe that life today is different."

Parish concepts

"They're looking for something specific," explained Lori Spanbauer, president of the National Catholic Young Adult Ministry Association. "Today's young adults are not willing to stay [in a parish] or even stay Catholic. They are willing to go out and find [what they're looking for.] They're not passive; they're more intentional in finding a parish."

When seeking out a parish community, young adults look for a strong sense of community, relevant homilies and singable music, Ms. Spanbauer said, noting: "They're looking for a home community."

Loyalty

"Once they belong to a nurturing community, they are very loyal," explained James Breen, director of the Office of Young Adult Ministry for the Archdiocese of Boston. "This generation is interested in community. They are fed by community."

Rev. John Cusick, director of young adult ministry for the Archdiocese of Chicago, agreed, saying, "Young adults are not parochial." Instead, they are willing to drive a distance if they find a community where they feel welcome.

Connected

Father Cusick's office also hosts a program for young adults known as "Theology on Tap." It brings together young adults for four evenings when Church history, prayer, relationships, faith and Catholic identity are discussed. The program culminates with a Mass with Chicago's Cardinal Francis George and a lunch.

"It was standing-room-only at the Mass in the Cathedral," Father Cusick said, "and 1,000 stayed for the picnic lunch."

Father Cusick's experiences show that young adults are participating in Church life. In addition to the monthly Masses and Theology on Tap program, his office offers a young married couples group, a Jewish-Catholic couples dialogue group, a divorced and separated group, a grief support group, and a single parent network. Retreats and days of reflection are also held.

In the Spirit

To feed that spiritual hunger, parishes must be welcoming and Sunday Mass must have relevant homilies and singable music, he said, adding: "The answer is not a young adult group. The most important thing is Sunday."

All three experts agree that young adults must be incorporated into all aspects of parish life. "It's not that difficult for a parish to do that," Mr. Breen said.

For example, a parish that has young adults on the parish council and financial board, and teaching religious education has laid the groundwork for young adult ministry, he explained. When young adults have the opportunity to be involved in parish life and provide input, the parish will be better able to reach out to this age group.

Welcoming atmosphere

Father Cusick agreed. He challenged parishes to look at how many people under 40 are lectors and ushers. Many parishes make announcements asking for volunteers to serve as lectors or ushers, but young adults respond to personal invitations, he explained.

"Use the Jesus method," he said. "When He was looking for disciples, He didn't put up a sign on a palm tree. He didn't make an announcement at the synagogue. He walked up and asked. The first thing we need to do is to integrate by personal invitation."

"This generation hasn't stepped forward to take on a lot of leadership," Ms. Spanbauer said. "They have to be invited."

Valuable resource

"If you go back 30 years, the backbone of the Church were those between the ages of 25 and 30," Father Cusick said. "Now we treat [that age group] like babies. We have the same people leading 30 years later. Parishes say they want younger people, but they want them on their terms, not on young adult's terms. We have to be flexible."

Parishes need to review how they reach out to young Catholics at key moments in their lives -- when they are getting married or seeking Baptism for their children.

"The Catholic Church prides itself on being hierarchical rather than congregational," Father Cusick said. "But when you're looking to get married and you call a parish, the first question they ask is if you are registered, not if you are Catholic. It's more important to [young adults] to be Catholic than to be registered."

(For more information on young adult ministry, visit the U.S. bishops' website at www.nccbuscc.org/laity, or the young adult ministry office of the Archdiocese of Chicago at www.legalsoftware.com/yamchi. Or call the Albany diocesan Family Life Office at 453-6677.)

(04-08-99) [[In-content Ad]]