Group serves young adult needs
Bill Patrick left a close-knit group when he graduated college.
“Coming back home is never an easy thing,” said Patrick, 25, a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Cabot. “It's hard to find other young adults, but when you have a group, you realize there are other people out there. It does make things a lot easier.”
Patrick was one of 10 young adults who volunteered Tuesday with the Young Adult Ministry, made up of 18-year-olds to 30-year-olds from the Butler area Catholic parishes, at the weekly community dinner at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., for its service project, a new addition to its ministry activity lineup.
Last January, the Rev. Dan Waruszewski, parochial vicar and director of youth and young adult ministries, was asked to work with the parishes' youths and young adults and created the ministry opportunities.
Before that time, there was a 6-month to a year break period for the ministry, he said. At his previous parish in Washington, Waruszewski rebooted its young adult ministry.
With the addition of a service project, Waruszewski hopes to gather more college-age students to serve, he said.
The Young Adult Ministry is based on learning with its weekly Bible study at the St. Paul parish, Waruszewski said.
During the Bible study, Waruszewski discusses the readings for the next Sunday with the group. He also teaches them to hear God's voice through Scripture through Lectio Divina, a contemplative way of reading the Bible.
“Anytime people of our age can see there's other people who love their faith, it's a blessing,” he said. “When you see that you can feel safe and talk about it.”
For Patrick, the Bible study is what has kept him involved in the young adult ministry.
“I knew from the first time we came to a Bible study that it was something different, something good,” Patrick said.
Waruszewski teaches the Bible's different passages and how it applies to their lives, he said.
Jen Stype, who said she enjoys Bible study the most, has met other people her own age with similar beliefs, which is the reason she joined the ministry.
“It brings the community together,” said Stype, 28, a member of St. Fidelis Roman Catholic Church.
Bible study has established friendships and camaraderie in the group, she said.
“You can see any of these people outside of Bible study or outside of church and they're your friends in the church and outside of the church,” she said.The Young Adult Ministry also gets together for activities such as hikes, line dancing, miniature golf, bonfires and a monthly Ministry on Tap discussion.Patrick's favorite part is the fellowship that follows the Bible study when members talk about the joys and sorrows of the day or week, he said.“We really just open up about how we've been doing, not just in our faith, but day-to-day lives,” he said.The goal of the ministry is to provide a place and community for its members to belong, Waruszewski said.“Sometimes you look at the church and you see different generations,” he said about youth programs and the older generations in the parish who are familiar with each other. “What about the people who are in their 20s and 30s?”The second mission of the group is for members to encounter their faith, he said.Waruszewski's goal is to do more outreach to local college students and the community, train his young adults to lead others and have them help out more in the church, he said.This will create a tapestry for young adults to help youths who in turn will help others, he said.“We love to divide a lot in the church, but we need to come together,” he said.People who are interested in the Young Adult Ministry should attend the Bible study, Patrick said.“Even if they're not Catholic or have questions about the faith or things they might have heard, but are not quite sure on, we welcome anyone,” he said. “We are always open to anyone who wants to learn more.”
WHAT: Young Adult Bible StudyWHEN: 7 p.m. WednesdaysWHERE: St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St.FOR MORE INFORMATION: Email the Rev. Dan Waruszewski, youth and young adult ministries director, at dwaruszewski@zoominternet.net or visit butlerareacatholicparishes.org and facebook.com/ButlerAreaCatholicParishes/.
