Young adults' needs called 'urgent'

Speaking last week to a group ranging in age from college students to retirees, Bishop Howard J. Hubbard said that responding to the needs of young adults is urgent for the Church.

The meeting, held at St. John the Evangelist Church in Schenectady, was attended by Catholics from Amsterdam, Oneonta, Middleburgh and the Capital District. Sponsored by the diocesan Young Adult Commission and the Family Life Office, the gathering was held to introduce the U.S. Catholic bishops' pastoral plan on young adulthood, titled "Sons and Daughters of the Light."

The plan, adopted last fall by the American bishops, states that young adults deserve the Church's attention and must be actively invited and welcomed into the Church. It also describes the life situation of young adults and develops a plan of action for ministering to people between the ages of 18 and 35.

Ministry plan

Ministry to young adults, according to "Sons and Daughters of the Light," has four goals: connecting them with the Church, Jesus Christ, the mission of the Church in the world and a community of peers.

According to Bishop Hubbard, "This ministry is too long neglected in the Church."

Quoting from the pastoral, he said to the 90 people assembled: "We bishops acknowledge the pain many of you speak of in feeling unwelcome and alone."

Time for action

While some young adult Catholics long for a place in the Church, others, according to the Bishop, have stopped participating in Sunday liturgy and speak of a leeriness toward organized religion.

The Bishop called for ministry that reaches out to young adults through personal invitations, the workplace, the internet or even health clubs. Marriage can also be a key moment of evangelization that invites young adults into greater participation in the Church, said the Bishop.

"Your talents can enrich the Church," Bishop Hubbard said. "We can all learn from you. I am confident this can happen in our Diocese."

Needs assayed

The needs of young adults in the Albany Diocese, as found by the Commission, are for meaningful liturgy, social activities, opportunities for community service, ongoing faith formation, and a welcoming attitude into parish life.

According to Thomas Frieberg, a member of the Commission and campus minister at Union College in Schenectady, those needs span all age groups.

"We found that as we looked at the data, the needs are no different than what other age groups want," he said.

Ministry to this age group can happen in two ways, according to Mr. Frieberg -- either through intentional ministry with specific activities and events planned, or through involving members of this age group in other aspects of Church life.

Group interaction

After the talk by Bishop Hubbard and a presentation by Commission members, participants broke into smaller groups to discuss ways to implement young adult ministry in the Diocese.

To support young adults in personal growth and spirituality, it was suggested that parish clusters pool their resources to offer programs of interest to this age group.

Participants also said that young adults can increase their spirituality through participation in lay ministry, parish councils, prayer groups, involvement with the Rite of Christian Initiation, and community service.

Liturgy needs

The liturgy needs of young adults include relevant homilies, greeters, physical space that is welcoming, and good music, which was defined as varied styles and multiple instruments. It was noted that these needs are similar to those of other age groups.

What is often difficult for young adults is that as college students, they are part of campus ministry programs that have liturgies designed specifically for their peers. Upon graduation, they enter parishes that serve multiple age groups; as a result, a sense of connection can be missing.

Mary Moriarty, associate director of the Family Life Office, reported that the liturgy group also suggested looking at parishes that are successful with this age group and seeing what makes them draw young adults.

'Fantastic'

The meeting energized participants:

* Mary Anne Abello, a young adult who grew up in St. Pius X parish in Loudonville and is now looking for a parish to join in Southern Saratoga County, said the meeting helped her see the range of age groups interested in Church life. "It was fantastic," she said. "It's people not just in our age group with a common interest, a common vision, and common concerns for the direction of our Church."

* Dennis Quinn, a parishioner of St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady, said the meeting helped provide an introduction to young adult ministry: "I wanted to get involved in young adult ministry at some point. The meeting helped me get my foot in the door," he explained.

* Frank and Rosemarie O'Connor of Our Lady of the Annunciation Church in Queensbury, noted that young adult ministry is not a new idea in the Church. The retired Brooklyn natives spoke of "Over 21" groups they belonged to as young adults, and the Service Corps their six children belonged to in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. They said these organizations helped cement involvement in parish life by family members. "After college, there's a void," Mrs. O'Connor said. "They're looking for something." The O'Connors would like to start young adult ministry in their parish.

(Members of the Young Adult Commission are available to speak to parishes, clusters and deaneries about young adult ministry. To schedule a presentation, or to get more information on young adult ministry, contact the Family Life Office at 453-6677.)

(05-01-97)