YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

Looking for young adult events? Visit Generation Christ on Facebook:

For those of you who were a part of the Feb. 13 “Generation Christ” Symposium for Catholic Young Adults, thanks for being part of something special! One of the themes that surfaced often throughout the day was a genuine desire to network with other Catholic young adults in Northwest Indiana.

As Facebook has become arguably THE means of social networking, we have decided to expand the “Generation Christ” Facebook group site. “Generation Christ” is no longer just an event, it is the name we’ve given to a renewed outreach to Catholic young adults, college-aged, singles and marrieds, 18-30’s, in Northwest Indiana. Join today!

> YOUNG ADULTS ENCOURAGED TO BECOME ‘BRIDGE BUILDERS’ : article on "Generation Christ" in Feb. 21 edition of Northwest Indiana Catholic

What Are You Doing This Lent?
Journey Online with 'Awaken'
For the 40 days of Lent, the Archdiocese of Chicago offers you the opportunity to participate in daily reflections. Each day of Lent we have asked young adults, various ministers, professors and others (including a few from the Diocese of Gary!) to write a short reflection on the Gospel of the Day-and to offer a few questions for further thought. It is our hope that these reflections and questions on Awaken will become a part of your daily prayer this Lent. As a participant, you will be able to engage with your peers and access this reflection material through a hosted blog on the Young Adult Ministry website. awaken.yamchicago.org

From the Isaac Hecker Center for Young Adult Ministry, Chicago:
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas season and a good start to the New Year. Our monthly Masses are starting up again after our Christmas break.

Save Future Mass Dates: February 28th, March 21st, and April 25th.

Catholics Come Home: December 16th through January 24th. Commercials will be
on all major TV networks. Have you seen the commercials? In the spirit of invitation, I'd really appreciate if you could invite a friend or two to Mass on the 31st. We have a special resource
page on our website www.yamchicago.org for Catholics Come Home. Check it out and the
new introductory video. An invitation video is being created and we're going to ask people to
forward to their friends.

You're invited!

What: Regional Young Adult Mass
Who: Anyone in their 20s or 30s Single or Married
Where: St. Ann Parish
3010 Ridge Road
Lansing, IL 60438-3020
Celebrant: Fr. Anthony Dosen C.M., Ph.D, Professor @ DePaul University
When: Sunday, January 31st, 2010
Time: 6:00 pm
Social Time: We're going to have a chili cook-off after Mass. 2 volunteers are bringing a pot of chili. We're looking for a couple more pots. Let me know if you can bring some on January 31st.
Parents: Babysitting available upon request
Volunteers: Looking for young adult Liturgical Ministers. I'm especially looking for a music director and cantors for January. (Contact Terry Shelley to volunteer)
Website: www.yamchicago.org (Click on upcoming events for further information)

REGIONAL YA MASS: Young Adult Catholics in NW Indiana are invited to take a quick trip across the border (just west of Munster) to attend a monthly Young Adult Mass on the last Sunday of each month at St. Ann's in Lansing, IL. Hosted by the Isaac Hecker Center for Young Adult Ministry (Archdiocese of Chicago), these masses are held at 6pm, and you're invited to stick around afterward for fellowship with other young adult Catholics. Click here for more info.

Bishop Melczek and the Diocese of Gary invite youth and young adults (16-30’s) on a pilgrimage to World Youth Day, August, 2011 in Madrid, Spain. Included: WYD festivities, including vigil and closing liturgy with the Holy Father. Additionally, the group will journey with Bishop Melczek on a memorable pilgrimage that will include visits to Lourdes & Avila, as well as religious formation, liturgy, and community building. itinerary & more...

B.A.S.I.C. Bible Study: B.A.S.I.C. stands for Brothers And Sisters In Christ. It's a young adult prayer group, support group, Bible study group, and social group. We are a bunch of sinners who fall down, but with the help of Christ, get back up and continue on our journey. The group meets every Wednesday, alternating between Saint Casimir's Chapel (Hammond) and a local restaurant.

The group prays, discusses the Bible, and supports each other, having fun along the way. They meet at local restaurants in the spirit of Saint Francis. Discuss the bible out in the open and be a witness to everyone around us. Motto: "We aren't perfect...Just Forgiven!" Open to young adults 18 and over. For more information, contact Alfredo at 805-3760 or email.

FACEBOOK USER? CLICK HERE FOR B.A.S.I.C.'s FB PAGE

THEOLOGY ON TAP THANK YOUS! St. Mary (Crown Point) Young Adult Ministry and the Theology on Tap ministry of Our Lady of Grace (Highland) wish to thank everyone who helped make their summer Theology on Tap Series a success!

St. John the Evangelist (St. John) announces a virtual gathering spot for Catholic twenty-somethings. Are you away from home at school or just starting out in a new job? Are friends and co-workers asking you about the truths of your Catholic faith and you need just the right answer? Visit the 20-Something Blog where you can ask those questions and get an answer back. Click here

The Diocese of Gary Office for Young Adults & the Diocesan Young Adult Council thanks all who attended Inspiring Young Adult Ministry: A Dialogue on Engaging Young Adults in Your Community. We encourage you to continue to seek new ways to reach out to young adults, and pledge our assistance in any way!

RETREATS & EVENTS IN CHICAGOLAND FOR YOUNG ADULTS

“Come to the Quiet” Silent Weekend Retreat
Friday – Sunday, January 29-31, 2010
Cenacle Retreat & Conference Center
513 W. Fullerton Parkway, Chicago

Young adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to experience the power of silence and prayer at this quiet retreat away from everyday life. Take time to renew your spirit and reflect in the presence of God. You’ll have the opportunity to meet with a spiritual director, celebrate Mass & Reconciliation, read, journal, and rejuvenate.

Visit www.charisministries.org for complete details and to register. $225/person through January 1, $250 January 2 - 18. No one every turned away due to finances. Scholarships and payment plans are available Questions? Call 773.508.3237 or email charis@charisministries.org.
Pre-Lenten Speaker: Forgive, Be Forgiven, and Move On in Love
Thursday, February 11, 2010, 7:30pm

St. Michael Parish in Old Town, 1633 N. Cleveland Avenue, Chicago 60641

What's on your mind and heart? Lent is a time to reflect on our lives and our relationships in the context of God's loving mercy. Fr. Jim Hurlbert of St. Alphonsus will lead this evening of discussion and Reconciliation. Visit www.charisministries.org for complete details.

Lenten Faith-Sharing Groups

As Catholics, our faith means sharing our journey in community with others. Every Lent, Charis hosts small faith-sharing groups for young adults at parishes and other locations throughout the city and suburbs.
Interested? Visit www.charisministries.org for details, locations, and to register!

The Diocesan Young Adult Council meets quarterly and is currently discussing collaborative relationships and services for Pastoral Councils & Commissions. If you would like to designate a person or persons to represent your parish/region at future meetings (or you think you could be such a person!) please contact Kevin Driscoll with contact information ASAP. Call 219-769-9292 x229.

STARTING A YAM... Starting a young adult ministry where one has not existed is a difficult but worthwhile task. Check out this beginners' guide to starting a YAM!

If you like Theology On Tap, or you're a young adult looking to connect with other young adults and explore your faith more in-depth, check out young adult ministries in these parish communities in the Diocese of Gary:

> Effeta Young Adult Ministry, St. Casimir, Hammond (contact Alfredo Flores-Carrillo 805-3760 or email)

> St. Mary, Crown Point (contact Lori, email)

Charis presents the iRetreat

You are also invited to a virtual retreat with the Charis Busy Person's iRetreat, the individual, downloadable retreat. Offered in conjunction with BustedHalo.com, the iRetreat gives you the chance to listen to a series of 10-20 minute podcasts and email reflections or questions with a spiritual companion.

Simply download the podcasts to your computer, MP3 player or iPod and listen to them at the time and in the comfort of the space you choose. Your spiritual companion can help guide your prayer with questions or thoughts that you can consider. The downloads are also available through iTunes and a limited number available on CD from Charis.

Register today!

CURRENT Young Adult Ministry (SW Suburbs/Chicago)

Check it out! A website just for Catholic Young Adults!

Catholic Match Strengthening Catholic Faith, Singles, Family & Community.