Survey: Plethora of opportunities to keep crucial demographic engaged

METRO DETROIT — After vocations to the priesthood and religious life, the need to better engage young Catholics was seen as the second-most-pressing concern among Metro Detroit parishioners surveyed last November.

The survey, titled “Perceptions of the Faithful,” sought parishioners’ opinions on the state of the Church in Detroit, and its success in fulfilling its mission.

Julie Cprek, survey and research assistant with the Archdiocese of Detroit’s Department of Parish Life and Services, told The Michigan Catholic that only 5.6 percent of respondents were within the “young adult” category, that is, the 18- to 35-year-old range.

Furthermore, while college-oriented ages 18-25 were reported as being “one of the most active groups out of all respondents” (66 percent of these reported volunteering or serving in some parish capacity), post-college ages 26-35 were the least active when it came to volunteering or serving: a mere 47 percent.

Cprek cited another finding: when asked how their parishes were doing at “providing regular meetings for young adults,” “hosting special events for young adults,” “engaging young adults in parish ministries and outreaches” and “providing Christian service projects for youth and young adults,” 18- to 25-year-olds gave the most negative responses.

And while 26- to 35-year-olds actually gave more positive responses in this area, more closely aligning to the opinions of those aged 36 and beyond, they were also one of the least likely groups to attend Mass even weekly, with teenagers as the only group less likely.

In other words, as young Catholics age, they seem to develop better opinions of their parishes, yet become less involved. So what do these seemingly contradictory results mean?

Despite some potentially concerning statistics, it’s not a reason to panic, said Christopher Gawel, the archdiocesan young adult and campus ministry liaison.

Gawel said the small percentage of respondents is not because Catholic young adults aren’t interested in their faith: “I think it’s a lack of invitation and a lack of awareness … There’s a lot of potential there. We as a Church, in order to respond to it, we need to nourish it.”

 

Fluid schedules

Gawel said the current generation of Catholic young adults is hard to track.

“Especially since they’re also very fluid in their Mass attendance,” he said. “For example, we have a ton of young adults that come to Mass Mob. Well, obviously they’re not at their parish, they’re at Mass Mob.”

Gawel emphasized that today’s young adult does not necessarily have a 9-to-5, Monday-through-Friday work schedule.

They may take classes, work two jobs or need to do weekend work, and so, “their Mass attendance is not regular and they’re not necessarily attending the parish that’s in their neighborhood. They’re going where they’re going to be spiritually fed.”

Additionally, young adults are very interested in offering their services to the community and participating in parish life, but this is a feat accomplished when only their schedules permit.

Gawel offered the example of Saturday service days at St. Bonaventure Monastery in Detroit.

“They start with Mass — because that’s important to the young adult crowd — then they do the service, and they follow it up with a meal and theological reflection on that service,” he said of the service days, which he described as quite popular. “So in one morning you’re getting all those dimensions of Christian formation.”

 

‘The Newman’

Newman Centers, named for Blessed Cardinal John Henry Newman, who strongly promoted Catholic higher education, are resource hubs for Catholic college students at secular institutes.

Today Lisa Zelfa, a Chaldean Catholic, serves as an Archdiocese of Detroit student intern assisting fellow Wayne State University students through the school’s Newman Catholic Center.

But several years ago, she was a “less-than-Sunday-Catholic,” believing in God though having little catechetical background or relationship with Christ.

Zelfa came to the Newman Center as a sophomore, and met then-chaplain Fr. Simon Lobo, CC, who “took the time to pray with me.” She began to get involved in “the Newman’s” many activities for Catholic college students.

Zelfa, who is studying mathematics and commutes from West Bloomfield, now describes herself as “passionate” about her Catholicism — and describes the Newman Center as a “home away from home.”

“We are blessed to have a huge space, a living room, bathrooms, a kitchen and a nice chapel,” she said, adding that there is daily Mass and confession as well. “You can take a nap, eat, study, pray.”

A popular faith opportunity for the students is “Upper Room,” which takes place every Thursday night at 7:30 p.m., and includes teaching, fellowship time, prayer and eucharistic adoration. Weekly small group-style “faith studies” are also accessed by many students, and offer an hour of discussion about day-to-day life according to one’s schedule.

But Zelfa said the availability of a ministry to Catholic young adults in the post-graduation world is crucial.

“We have all these programs dedicated for youth and for adults, but there is truly a gap of what we have for young adults,” she said. “Unfortunately, if you don’t have that (ministry), what is there to keep of the faith, to encourage young adults especially?”

 

Integral part

These years are “some of the most challenging years of life,” explained Kimberly Boismier, coordinator of young adult ministry in the Pontiac Area Vicariate.

“Young adults are moving out into life, some are in school, some are not, most are working,” she said, echoing Gawel’s thoughts that while the “Perceptions of the Faithful” survey indicated minimal parish registration by young adults, this does not mean they do not attend.

Boismier referenced the very active young adult community, “Agape,” in the Pontiac area, explaining that the young adults she serves are “hungry to learn about their faith.”

Young adults who keep their Catholic faith as they establish their own identities “are fiercely proud of their faith. Those involved recognize there’s a future of the Church (and) see themselves as an integral part of the establishment,” she said.

Boismier’s ministry not only serves the Pontiac vicariate, but also connects with Oakland University’s Catholic campus ministry. She said the young adults from the various groups enjoy the activities, retreats and service opportunities “that build relationships with their peers … (they) want connectedness.”

When trying to attract young adults to one’s own parish, Boismier emphasized the need to listen and “allow them to utilize their gifts in the parishes. Create a space for them to be heard and served. Invite them to be on parish council. This group wants to be validated and valued.”

---

Young Adult & Campus Ministry

To find out more about the Archdiocese of Detroit’s ministry to 18- to 35-year-old Catholics:

• Visit www.aod.org/yacm


• Join the public group www.facebook.com/groups/aodyoungadult


• Follow on Twitter @aodycm

Questions? Contact Christopher Gawel, young adult & campus ministry liaison at (313) 237-4647 or [email protected].

 

Theology on Tap

Join fellow young adults of the archdiocese for a special Dec. 8 Theology on Tap on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception. Mass will be held at 7 p.m. at St. Aloysius Parish, 1234 Washington Blvd., Detroit. Dinner and presentation will follow; dinner location to be determined.

Save the Date!

What: Theology on Tap with Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron

When: Wednesday, April 8, 2015, from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: Hard Rock Café, Detroit

All young adults 18-35 are welcome to attend.