Adoration and ministry making strides in the diocese

Over the last several years, articles from Pew Research Center (Aug. 8, 2018), America Magazine: The Jesuit Review (March 21, 2019), and popular secular publications like Time Magazine (March 12, 2012) and even The New Yorker have written articles analyzing the rise of the “nones” especially in youth and young adults. 

They also write about how religion for this particular group “is more culture than belief.” The term “nones” refers to those who do not identify with any religion, and their number seems to be on the rise at an alarming rate. All over the world, we see that youth and young adults are leaving the Church because they feel they are not being listened to, although they still hunger for spirituality, often turning to new age philosophies. 

While we wrestle with how to bring them back into the fold, we should take comfort in knowing that Catholic groups from the same demographic are sowing seeds of faith among their peers. Groups like: Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS), Ablaze Ministries, and Newman Centers across the United States all have one thing in mind, and that is to inspire, teach and accompany youth and young adults to a better understanding of their faith so that they can become disciples and missionaries. 

In the 2020 Annual Report for FOCUS, we see that this ministry has touched thousands of university students across the nations and abroad. In February 2021, tens of thousands of people came together from around the globe for FOCUS’ first immersive, live broadcast event: SEEK21. More than 13,000 youth and young adults were in attendance. 

The numbers are refreshing because we continually hear of the youth we are losing but rarely hear about the youth on fire for Christ. 
 

At 'Jericho', Ablaze missionary Dylan Browning shares his experience of spiritual healing by tearing down the walls he builds around his heart and his life at a recent event at St. Martin of Tours Church in Kingsville. See story and photos at  https://www.southtexascatholic.com/news/jericho

Ablaze Ministries is “young” focused. On their website, we see the words, “Rethink Youth Ministry.” Their approach is to “build disciples by serving youth, ministers, and parents.” 

The Newman Centers are residence and Catholic ministry centers at non-Catholic universities across the world. In 2021, there were 57,704 Connections – that is, young adults who are about to enter college who went onto the Newman Center website and created an account to get “connected” with a campus. It is heartening, and it is inspiring. 

Last year’s survey (taken from July 10-Aug. 16, 2020), from the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA), showed that six out of ten young adults, ages 18-35, in the United States participate in a faith-related group outside of attending Mass at their parish. 

Locally, we have youth and young adult groups that lead and encourage teens to follow Christ. At St. John Paul II High School (JPII) in Corpus Christi, the Night of Worship has begun to gather more and more high school students, their families and the community. The night highlights prayer and adoration before the Blessed Sacrament. 

 “I loved that families came together tonight to adore Our Lord, who is the love and the peace that all of us need,” said John McFarland, a Theology professor at St. JPII, after their most recent Night of Worship. Ilyana Garcia, a student at St. JPII, loved hearing about St. John Paul II and how she could apply what she learned to her life. Zach Reddick, another JPII student, says he loves the experience of praying with his family, going to confession, and fully living out the calling of family life. 

Many other families and students present all gave testimony to being able to adore Jesus together. 

Another example in the Diocese of Corpus Christi is the Jericho night of worship at St. Martin of Tours Church in Kingsville by Ablaze Ministries. 

The event was sponsored by Texas A&M University-Kingsville Newman Center. The campus Director Daniel Rosa says that “a culture of invitation has begun to take root” at the University. “These invitations come from a desire for every student and community member to know, love, and serve God and neighbor. At Jericho, Night of Worship, Ablaze Ministries shared Thursday Lunch with over 100 students. The FOCUS and Ablaze missionaries, the volunteers, the student interns, and Jim Craig, our local seminarian, took time to meet students and invite them to Jericho. That night about 50 students and community members came to Jericho. It was a powerful gathering in which walls were torn down in each of the attendees just like at the battle of Jericho,” Rosa said.

Great strides are being made, and although there is more to be done to bring the youth and young adults back home to the Church, it is fitting – that we celebrate – the ones who are making a difference in the lives of teens and young adults through their ministries that reach out and invite. 

Every young life they touch has the potential to achieve great things for God. Every young person who participates is a torchbearer, the one who will hand on the faith to their friends and family and serve as a witness of God’s love.