Parishes are a mystery to many. They remember them as young kids, some of whom might have participated in their high school youth group. After that, they left for college. The majority of those affected youth continued to practice their faith, but some just “took a break” from parish life altogether and began to feel that the Church didn’t have much to say that applied to or was practical for their everyday lives.
These young men and women were hardly ever asked to participate in parish life during that process. In reality, a young adult would likely answer “What is a parish? They probably wouldn’t be able to respond.
1. Offer up your skills.
Your work outside of church may occasionally be required inside the church. Become a leader in a project by offering to fix anything, establish a garden, weed a flowerbed, or perhaps even educate as a catechist or coach a team of young athletes.
An example would be Concrete Installation skill. You can use them to help the parish in repairing works for the church and the parish community.
A concrete installer creates concrete structures and frequently handles each step of the construction process, from mixing the components to constructing the retaining wall to pouring and settling the mix. This person or group oversees the delivery and pouring to make sure everything is done properly.
The most typical building material, concrete is used to create a variety of structures, including floors, walls, and highways. The structures in which we live, work, and play are supported by it. It can be devastating and extremely expensive when the foundation is not laid properly from the start.
You can also share your knowledge in concrete work to your fellow volunteer.
2. A warm welcome is a must.
Pay attention to the young adult alone who comes on a Sunday morning and pay attention to them when they sit down in your pew. After Mass, engage them in conversation and invite them to the donut social or Sunday brunch. Even if they may initially feel a little uncomfortable and decline the invitation to breakfast, they will nonetheless feel welcomed and noticed. That’s great!
3. Give people chances to connect.
At Mass, young adults might not run into one another. After all, there are three to four Masses on the weekends, and hundreds of other individuals are there. Since our parishes don’t have a specific “Young Adult” department, come up with some original ideas for events that will help connect young people and plan such events with at least one young person!
4. Encourage young adults to participate in parish ministry discussions.
Are you aware of the wonderful qualities that young adults can bring to the parish? Spend some time personally inviting the young married couple to participate in witnessing to those freshly engaged couples. Invite the young woman by herself to offer her opinions on the parish council. Assist those who will someday lead the Church as its “elders” in helping to lead her into the future.
5. Believe in the Holy Spirit.
Ask the Holy Spirit to inspire in these young people a passionate response to His grand purpose for your parish and the Catholic Church. Never question the aspirations of our young adults to assist the Catholic Church in becoming the earthly kingdom of God.
Our church has a lot to gain from young adults. Even if they might be having difficulty figuring out their course in this life, our cooperation with them, readiness to pay attention to them, and the activity of the Holy Spirit within their hearts will only help our Church carry out the ministry of Jesus Christ throughout the world.