Diocese seeks more young adult involvement

Young Adult Ministry of the Diocese of Albany (YAMAlbany) held a brainstorming session last week at the diocesan Pastoral Center in Albany, tossing out scores of ideas on programs for young adult Catholics.

College- and post-college-aged men and women from 15 parishes proposed everything from trips to the Great Escape to prayer groups as ways the Church can welcome their peers.

On the web

The first two meetings resulted in a hike for young adults and the creation of a website, www.yamAlbany.org, where they can find out about events and offer ideas for more.

"Theology on Tap" has been the group's other major accomplishment so far. A series of casual discussions on Church teachings held in local bars, the program aims to help young adult Catholics get together in informal settings to learn more about their faith. The first session will be held Dec. 1 at Eamonn's Loudon House in Loudonville, with Bishop Howard J. Hubbard speaking on the Church's social teachings (more information below).

How old?

Kevin Bryant, a graduate student at St. Bernard's Institute in Albany who works in youth ministry at St. Henry's parish in Averill Park, asked the group to spend the meeting looking at "four S's": social, service, spiritual and serious activities.

The social aspect was defined as informal activities where young adults get to know each other. Spiritual activities focus on a person's relationship with God. Service activities reach out to the community, the elderly, the homeless and others. Serious activities target Church teachings and what it means to be a Catholic -- for example, World Youth Day or the upcoming "Theology on Tap" series of speaker/discussion groups.

Brainstorms

* the social group discussed the possibility of a live music event at a coffeehouse, going to sports events, trips to the Great Escape or the Martyrs' Shrine in Auriesville, pool parties and barbecues;

* the service group talked about an ecumenical Christmas caroling event next month in Gloversville, volunteering at the Regional Food Bank, serving the elderly, mentoring children and learning about more opportunities from the diocesan level of YAMAlbany;

* the spiritual group mentioned Bible study and prayer groups, retreats, working in depressed areas, trying a "spiritual scavenger hunt" (answering questions about faith) and developing personal gifts; and

* the serious group talked about Theology on Tap, a different speaker/discussion series not held at a bar, a day-long event with guest speakers and book discussions.

More to come

However, Sean Maguire of St. James parish in Albany noted that young adults shouldn't lose heart if their first efforts don't result in a huge crowd.

"If you organize an event and five people show up," he said, "consider that a gain, because that's four more people than you that showed up!"

Said one young woman at the meeting: "It falls on our shoulders whether the Church survives in the future."

("Theology on Tap" will be held Dec. 1, 6:30 p.m., at Eamonn's Loudon House in Loudonville. Admission is free; refreshments will be available for purchase. For more information on this event or YAMALbany, see www.yamAlbany.org or call the OEC at 453-6630.)

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