A young catholic seeking advice

[yk1468]

So I’m an 18 year old catholic, last summer I became more religious than I ever was. I started reading the bible, understanding Hebrew and Greek. And now I realize how lapsed I was in my faith.

Before than I was always a catholic, but I was kinda lazy about it. But now I’m more dedicated than I ever was before. So now I go to church every Sunday, but I realize that there is no one my age. they’re either children or adults; so I kinda get sad because I keep asking myself “where can I make friends?”. And also I’m hoping I can get a girlfriend (God willing) who is catholic.

So what I’m trying to say is if there is anyone here who knows a youth group or something like that?

 

[Colorad007]

My advice would be to look into the various lay apostolates of the Church, like Opus Dei or Communion and Liberation. Opus Dei, for example, has centers in the Princeton and NYC, if either are close to you. They might also have spiritual formation activities in other parts of New Jersey as well.

You can also join a parish that has a lot of young people–especially in and around colleges and universities. Latin Mass parishes tend to be very young, as well.

 

[AureaElizabeth]

You should see if your parish has a Young Adult group. Usually these groups are for people ages 18-30. If your parish doesn’t have one, see if you can start one. Also, if you are going to college, you can see if your campus has a Newman Center.

 

[DorthyBlueBird]

Another option is a national organization called Spirit and Truth-- it is usually a young adult group. It is organized around weekly Eucharistic Adoration. This is a great blessing, and not only brought friends into my life, but great peace and riches in heaven.

Even if you cannot find a Eucharistic Adoration group, I strongly recommend spending a Holy Hour a week with the Body and Blood of Christ in the Flesh. Pray for companionship and friendship in the faith! Through this you strengthen your friendship with Christ, too.

As for what to do… well, we started out with an act of contrition, then gratitude, then prayer for intercession, then the rosary, then contemplation/Christian meditation. Christian meditation was always difficult for me, until I engaged in adoration.

Some groups have a Benediction and group prayer built in, but others invite silence. Web search can help with finding groups-- or sites in your area.

I’ll be praying for you!

 

[SuperLuigi]

You could try a Catholic dating site to meet people more locally if you want a gf.

Just be smart about it.

 

[yk1468]

Another option is a national organization called Spirit and Truth-- it is usually a young adult group. It is organized around weekly Eucharistic Adoration. This is a great blessing, and not only brought friends into my life, but great peace and riches in heaven.

Even if you cannot find a Eucharistic Adoration group, I strongly recommend spending a Holy Hour a week with the Body and Blood of Christ in the Flesh. Pray for companionship and friendship in the faith! Through this you strengthen your friendship with Christ, too.

As for what to do… well, we started out with an act of contrition, then gratitude, then prayer for intercession, then the rosary, then contemplation/Christian meditation. Christian meditation was always difficult for me, until I engaged in adoration.

Some groups have a Benediction and group prayer built in, but others invite silence. Web search can help with finding groups-- or sites in your area.

I’ll be praying for you!

Thank you for the advise. And about I pray the rosary and divine mercy everyday

You should see if your parish has a Young Adult group. Usually these groups are for people ages 18-30. If your parish doesn’t have one, see if you can start one. Also, if you are going to college, you can see if your campus has a Newman Center.

There is no parish unfortunately, And my college has a christian fellowship but it’s not available. But thank you for the advice

My advice would be to look into the various lay apostolates of the Church, like Opus Dei or Communion and Liberation. Opus Dei, for example, has centers in the Princeton and NYC, if either are close to you. They might also have spiritual formation activities in other parts of New Jersey as well.

You can also join a parish that has a lot of young people–especially in and around colleges and universities. Latin Mass parishes tend to be very young, as well.

I will look into it, thanks for the advice.

 

[yk1468]

You could try a Catholic dating site to meet people more locally if you want a gf.

Just be smart about it.

I actually tried that, but I realized that most of the people are far away. So I don’t really trust dating sites anymore.

 

[Cricket2]

Don’t focus to much on meeting someone right now. You are only 18 and I would imagine you are probably College bound. You will plenty of time to meet others your age and to get to know them. You could also try doing some missionary work someplace. You could meet someone with a spirit of service as part of their life goals.

Don’t be in such a hurry, there is plenty of time and plenty of places to see and visit. If you are meant to marry God will place that person in your life through work, church, ministry and school. Hang in there.

 

[yk1468]

Don’t focus to much on meeting someone right now. You are only 18 and I would imagine you are probably College bound. You will plenty of time to meet others your age and to get to know them. You could also try doing some missionary work someplace. You could meet someone with a spirit of service as part of their life goals.

Don’t be in such a hurry, there is plenty of time and plenty of places to see and visit. If you are meant to marry God will place that person in your life through work, church, ministry and school. Hang in there.

Please pray for God to provide me some patience.

 

[getysbg]

You should see if your parish has a Young Adult group. Usually these groups are for people ages 18-30. If your parish doesn’t have one, see if you can start one. Also, if you are going to college, you can see if your campus has a Newman Center.

The Newman Center was a great beginning for me! It brought me into the Church and I have never looked back.

 

[yk1468]

The Newman Center was a great beginning for me! It brought me into the Church and I have never looked back.

Unfortunately my university doesn’t have one.

 

[marlap2]

I don’t know “where” you are in New Jersey, but the Salesians are big in New Jersey, and if you search around you’ll find Salesian Youth Groups. Wherever the Salesians are … there are tons of youth. My parish, on the other side of the continent, is Salesian, and we have multiple youth groups… Lots of them. And a dedicated Saturday night Mass for the Youth. Tons of stuff for youth from 5 - 35 to do…

AND, if I may be so humble, our dance hip hop group just won WORLD HIP HOP CHAMPIONSHIPS (GOLD) … PraiseTeam… in Las Vegas.

But I digress… I know there’s a Youth Group in Newark… BUt there’s others…
Good Luck.

St. John Bosco, pray for this young man that he finds his place!

 

[yk1468]

I don’t know “where” you are in New Jersey, but the Salesians are big in New Jersey, and if you search around you’ll find Salesian Youth Groups. Wherever the Salesians are … there are tons of youth. My parish, on the other side of the continent, is Salesian, and we have multiple youth groups… Lots of them. And a dedicated Saturday night Mass for the Youth. Tons of stuff for youth from 5 - 35 to do…

AND, if I may be so humble, our dance hip hop group just won WORLD HIP HOP CHAMPIONSHIPS (GOLD) … PraiseTeam… in Las Vegas.

But I digress… I know there’s a Youth Group in Newark… BUt there’s others…
Good Luck.

St. John Bosco, pray for this young man that he finds his place!

I live in Clifton NJ, do you know if there is any youth group there. I can’t seem to find any, and thank you for praying for me.

 

[AureaElizabeth]

I was looking online, and the Catholic Community of St. Brendan and St. George looks like it has a Young Adult program. You should download their latest bulletin and call the parish office to tell them you’re interested.

Parish Office: 973-772-1115

I couldn’t find the office hours, but I think if you call on a weekday during normal working hours someone should be there and if not their should be a message saying their hours.

stbrendan-george.org

 

[AureaElizabeth]

By the way, if you would like to know how to see if there is a youth/young adult ministry in a certain area, look up all the churches in the area and go to their websites. Usually you can look at their bulletins which sometimes have info on these ministries. On some of the websites you can also find info about them under a section titled “ministries” or “education” or anything like that.

You might also think of going to RCIA meetings even if you’ve been through CCD. In that program you’ll meet others wanting to know more about the Catholic Faith, and you’ll probably learn even more than you already know. You could let the director know you’re interested in going just to learn since you’ve already received those sacraments RCIA is intended to prepare you for.

 

[TheSeeker2014]

Don’t focus to much on meeting someone right now. You are only 18 and I would imagine you are probably College bound. You will plenty of time to meet others your age and to get to know them. You could also try doing some missionary work someplace. You could meet someone with a spirit of service as part of their life goals.

Don’t be in such a hurry, there is plenty of time and plenty of places to see and visit. If you are meant to marry God will place that person in your life through work, church, ministry and school. Hang in there.

and to add I would focus on strengthening your faith and growing in your faith first too. God’s time is always perfect and what better way to wait by growing and strengthening spiritually.

 

[yk1468]

and to add I would focus on strengthening your faith and growing in your faith first too. God’s time is always perfect and what better way to wait by growing and strengthening spiritually.

Thanks for the advice, I will try to strengthen my faith more.

I was looking online, and the Catholic Community of St. Brendan and St. George looks like it has a Young Adult program. You should download their latest bulletin and call the parish office to tell them you’re interested.

Parish Office: 973-772-1115

I couldn’t find the office hours, but I think if you call on a weekday during normal working hours someone should be there and if not their should be a message saying their hours.

stbrendan-george.org

By the way, if you would like to know how to see if there is a youth/young adult ministry in a certain area, look up all the churches in the area and go to their websites. Usually you can look at their bulletins which sometimes have info on these ministries. On some of the websites you can also find info about them under a section titled “ministries” or “education” or anything like that.

You might also think of going to RCIA meetings even if you’ve been through CCD. In that program you’ll meet others wanting to know more about the Catholic Faith, and you’ll probably learn even more than you already know. You could let the director know you’re interested in going just to learn since you’ve already received those sacraments RCIA is intended to prepare you for.

Thank you for the information, I will check it out.