YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY

Connect- A Retreat for YAs: Join your peers – Young Adults, married & single, 20s & 30s - for a day of input, conversation and prayer. Connect with other young adults from Chicagoland & NW Indiana to discuss the Church, our Catholic Faith and our relationship to one another. Sat., Feb. 25, 9am – 5pm at Marian Catholic HS in Chicago Heights. Cost: $25, Lunch is included. Come to meet other Young Adults and make this Lenten season one of learning, hope and fulfillment. Click here for more

Catholic Young Adults ("CYA") at St. Matthias Catholic Church in Crown Point is reaching out to Catholic young adults, and if you in your 20's & 30's, you're invited! The ministry is looking for young adults looking to explore their faith and meet great new people. Contact Teresa at teresa.ymATstmatthiasparish.net.

Visit the Facebook page here

Wanna’ see young adults back in church? Catholic young adults are searching for a way to connect their faith experience to their real world lived experience. The Diocese of Gary “CYAback” initiative aims to do just that. The Diocese of Gary is seeking parishes that wish to serve as regional hubs for young adult evangelization. A host parish will commit to hosting a CYAback faith sharing group. CYAback stands for Connecting Young Adults Back (to church). Through regular faith sharing group meetings, young adults will have a chance to explore their faith more intimately, learn more about what it means to be a Catholic in their world, and find fellowship in a prayerful, supportive community. learn more

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!

College-age Young Adults: We recognize that it can be difficult to stay grounded in your Catholic faith when you head off to campus. While we whole-heartedly encourage you to get involved in campus ministry programs at your new school/community, we also know there is a value of staying connected to your faith "back home" in NW Indiana. Whether you have left the Region from August-May, are attending classes in the Region year-round, or even if college isn't for you, we invite Catholics post-HS through 23 to be a part of this exciting new ministry! Visit the Facebook page for more info.

> Recognize the value of young adults in parish life : Bishop Melczek writes about "Generation Christ" & young adults in his weekly column for the Northwest Indiana Catholic

> YOUNG ADULTS ENCOURAGED TO BECOME ‘BRIDGE BUILDERS’ : article on "Generation Christ" in Feb. 21 edition of Northwest Indiana Catholic
> Diocese of Gary's Generation Christ Symposium for Catholic Young Adults: Summary of Findings, Recommendations for Action

1 suitcase. 9 months. 1 mission.
NET Ministries trains nearly 100 young adults every year to be evangelists.
Every year: 900 retreats, 60,000 youth, thousands of miles...
If you are ready, willing and able to be a missionary to the Catholic youth of the U.S., visit www.netusa.org

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.

RETREATS & EVENTS IN CHICAGOLAND FOR YOUNG ADULTS

Charis Ministries Winter Events

For the Least Social Justice Retreats

Saturday, February 25 at St. Ignatius Prep 5^th Floor Chapel and

Saturday, March 10 at Simpson Living Learning Center - Multi Purpose Room
One of Charis’ most popular retreats - join us for one of these day long retreats that focus on Catholic Social Teaching and the Gospel call to lead lives rooted in social justice. A great team of young adults will share their experiences and lead small group reflections. Join us to relax, reflect, pray, and celebrate Mass and Reconciliation. For more info or to register, visit www.charisministries.org!

Journey with Jesus: Lenten Guided Prayer Group

February 22 - April 4, 2012 - Wednesdays at 6:30pm

Loyola's Water Tower Campus – Terry Student Center

Lent offers us the opportunity to come to know Jesus better as a true companion. In this Lenten program we encounter Jesus in Scripture and through prayer and reflection, deepen our relationship with Christ.

Each participant prays daily for 20 to 30 minutes over selected Scripture texts, and then meets weekly with a group to review prayer, discuss the Scripture texts, and receive direction for the following week’s exercises. For more info or to register, visit www.charisministries.org!

Gospel Reflection Email Series

Sign-up to receive Gospel reflection emails direct to your inbox! Beginning Ash Wednesday through the beginning of the Easter Season, Charis Ministries will send you a weekly email with a Gospel reflection written by a young adult. This is a great way to keep God present in your life through this holy time! To sign up, visit www.charisministries.org!

Are you seeking a volunteer opportunity?

Want to get involved with Charis Ministries and help inspire other young adults to grow in their faith? Do you enjoy writing and reflecting on the gospel? Charis Ministries is currently looking for young adults interested in volunteering to write spiritual reflections for the Lenten Season. If you are interested or need more information, please contact Stephanie Scherra, at stephanie@charisministries.org or at 773-508-2843.

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

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

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)

The Diocese of Joliet Young Adult Ministry Office extends a warm welcome to young adults from Northwest Indiana willing to drive a few miles to the west for a wealth of ministry opportunities! Check out their website for more information.

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

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