Recently I was talking to my brother, who is in his last semester of college, about transition and change that comes after college graduation. He’s actively involved in Catholic campus ministry and is not looking forward to that ending. I remember being in that same boat. You can’t really prepare for the transition from campus ministry and all it entails back to parish life. You go from a strong vibrant and active community of people your age that has strongly impacted you back to the parish you’ve known and grown up in, (but which has also impacted you). While this is not a bad thing, it is a big adjustment. There is a sadness that follows as you leave behind one community you’ve grown to be a part of to go back to another. What makes all the difference is how people welcome you.
When you are part of a parish that has almost a non-existent young adult presence, it is a big adjustment. But it doesn’t mean that community cannot be found. Late summer after I had graduated, I sought out early morning adoration at my parish. Afterwards, heading out to my car, two women who were part of the post-adoration Bible study group, followed me outside and invited me to join them in the basement to be part of this group. They made me feel welcome. And they did the same thing the week after that, and then the adoration and Bible study became a weekly routine. There may not have been anyone else there in their twenties, thirties, or even forties, but it was community that was much needed at the time. Now in my late twenties, not much has changed. Between that group and another Bible Study on Tuesday evenings, everyone is old enough to be my parents or grandparents. But sharing the same faith is what connects everyone. And there is much encouragement, inspiration, and wisdom to be found.
How we welcome anyone is important, no matter what their age is. How do we reach out to others, as Jesus would do? How do we recognize the image of God in each and every single person who is part of our parishes, whether they are involved or not? How do we personally invite others into something we are a part of? While our faith is not about feelings, how we make other people feel in various moments can leave a huge and lasting impact.
Young or old, we are all part of the Church now, at this moment. People often say that young people are the future of The Church, which is true, but they are also the Church now. My hope is that each of us can reflect on how how we can welcome others into our community, because Jesus gave us other people for a reason. None of us can do this on our own.
Faith and The Good Stuff 