Connecting to other Catholics

[valient_Lucy]

I just became Catholic last Easter, and I’m very happy with my decision.
The one thing that I still have trouble with is the fact that I still feel isolated from other Catholics my age. My situation isn’t helped by the fact that I just graduated from college, and I’m working part time at a bank untill I figure out what to do with my life. I like the parish I go to, but they don’t have a group for young adult Catholics. I still attend the RCIA program there, because I like many of the people in the group, and I do sing in the choir. But there aren’t a tremendous amount of young adults in either group. When I look around at Mass, I see a lot of other people my age, but I don’t know how to get to know them. I know other parishes have young adult groups (for people in their 20’s) and I’m trying to find out more about them, so that I can find a group I like. Does anyone have any advice for me? Sometimes it can be lonely.

 

[Aureole]

Glory to Jesus Christ.

Hi valient Lucy, welcome to the Church (A bit belated, hope you don’t mind)! I seem to suffer from the same malaise as you are. My advice will probably be terrible since I haven’t had any success treating it either.

I suppose it would be too late to get in touch with a local Newman Centre? More than likely it would be, methinks you have to be in college. You could talk to your parish priest about forming a youth group. Since there are a number of young people in the parish it wouldn’t be a bad idea. Phoning another parish about their youth group is another idea. I doubt there would be any problems with you wanting to join them even if you aren’t from the parish. Volunteer work outside of the parish might also be beneficial in your search, the same can apply to certain group retreats at nearby retreat houses.

Also, would you be opposed to making friends in religious communities? It may be somewhat difficult to find one with lots of young people near you, but if you do it would be a wonderful way to meet other young Catholics.

Meeting young Catholics can be very difficult at times. I suggest one last thing; pray the Rosary with this intention. Our Lady can lead you to some of the holiest friends you’ll ever get! Place this in her hands.

I hope your search goes well. Be sure to share any tips you may arrive at later so those of us in the same position can learn. God bless you.

 

[blessedstar]

Perhaps God has allowed you to experience this loneliness to inspire you to do something about it.

If there are no young adult groups in your Parish and to be honest there doesn’t seem to be any in the Parishes I know of, then consider setting up a group in your Parish.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful to set up an 18-30+ Young Persons Catholic American Group and find a ministry for you all to participate in such as helping the homeless or raising money and sending aid to Darfur, Sudan? This would be a focus for the group and a binding force between the young people in our Parishes not to mention forging friendships, supporting each other in the faith (this age group is most likely to lapse and most of this is due to being isolated and peer pressure) and being a great act of charity to others.

Consider it, pray about it and run it past your Priest. I am sure your Priest would help you to set it up and invite other young adults to become involved.

I am going to pray a great deal for this as there are lots going on for the kids and the elderly in our Parishes but very little for the 18 to 30’s single or married folk.

Be courageous and start something with the permission of your Priest and his assistance. Before you know it you could be organising 18-30+ Catholic holidays and retreats throughout America.

Start small but think** big**, God outdoes anything we can think of!

In my prayers

 

[awalt]

Perhaps you might check your Diocese web site, there are sometimes Diocesan-level adult groups that you may like. Ours has a “Theology on Tap” program that is very active, where young adults meet at a local restaurant, have a presentation by a clergyman for an hour or so, then have a social hour. They do other service projects etc. as well. I think other Dioceses have this program.

But check there - you may find something you like that is outside of your immediate Parish!

 

[lotusblossom]

I would start trying out the other parishes’ young adults groups in your areas. I know in ours, all our parishes in our area are connected and they send out one big newsletter each month, but each parish still has its own activities.

Also, I know this may sound weird, but catholicmatch.com is also a great way to meet other Catholics in your area, even if you’re not looking for a future spouse . I joined my sophomore yr of college and met some really great people!

I understand what you’re going through. My DH and I just got graduated from college, got married, and moved to an area where we knew no one. Our parish is so giant-sized, we have difficulty meeting people there. We do have a young adults group that we are slowly getting involved with, although we have the whole couples problem because most people at the young adults group are single. Plus, we’re expecting and I’m working full-time at a place where it seems like NO ONE is Catholic or even remotely conservatively religious. We did have to seek outside of our parish to find couples and, although we haven’t made any real close friendships yet, we’re enjoying all these activities. Now, if only my energy level would catch up so we’d be able to do more…

 

[katy]

I’m not even remotely young chronologically, but am newly reverted to the faith and have the same problem. I have found the Prolife folk to be very welcoming and a good group of interesting people. They aren’t any particular age group, tho.

 

[THutch04]

Have you thought about getting involved with a local college campus ministry? At least at Duquesne, you don’t HAVE to be a student to be involved.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Have you thought about getting involved with a local college campus ministry? At least at Duquesne, you don’t HAVE to be a student to be involved.

I have in a way. The parish I go to is a short walk from the local university (my alma mater)! and I am an aquaintance of the leader of the Newman group. Perhaps I could get involved.
I just like to be around other younger people who are also Catholic, to remind myself that I’m not insane.
Plus, it makes me feel like I won’t have to settle too much in terms of getting married.

 

[valient_Lucy]

I would start trying out the other parishes’ young adults groups in your areas. I know in ours, all our parishes in our area are connected and they send out one big newsletter each month, but each parish still has its own activities.

Also, I know this may sound weird, but catholicmatch.com is also a great way to meet other Catholics in your area, even if you’re not looking for a future spouse . I joined my sophomore yr of college and met some really great people!

Hmm. I never thought of Catholic Match, at least as a way to meet friends. Maybe I will!

 

[Quaere_Verum]

I just became Catholic last Easter, and I’m very happy with my decision.
The one thing that I still have trouble with is the fact that I still feel isolated from other Catholics my age. My situation isn’t helped by the fact that I just graduated from college, and I’m working part time at a bank untill I figure out what to do with my life. I like the parish I go to, but they don’t have a group for young adult Catholics. I still attend the RCIA program there, because I like many of the people in the group, and I do sing in the choir. But there aren’t a tremendous amount of young adults in either group. When I look around at Mass, I see a lot of other people my age, but I don’t know how to get to know them. I know other parishes have young adult groups (for people in their 20’s) and I’m trying to find out more about them, so that I can find a group I like. Does anyone have any advice for me? Sometimes it can be lonely.

Who’s in charge of your youth program? The reason I ask is that our youth director and some other young adults organized a young adults group. Maybe you can go to your youth director and express an interest in helping organize and participate in such a group.

 

[valient_Lucy]

Who’s in charge of your youth program? The reason I ask is that our youth director and some other young adults organized a young adults group. Maybe you can go to your youth director and express an interest in helping organize and participate in such a group.

I’m not sure. I know the person, or at least I’m aquainted with the person who runs Newman Catholic Association. I’ll have to ask around.