by John Sorce
john.sorce@theleaven.org
OLATHE — Roughly nine out of 10 cradle Catholics stop attending weekly Mass as adults.
That staggering statistic was in a study published in Notre Dame’s Church Life Journal back in August.
But St. Paul Parish in Olathe has a group trying to keep the young adult community rooted in their faith.
Currently led by Theresa Burg, the St. Paul young adult group started just under two years ago when associate pastor Father Agustin Martinez approached Burg’s brother Karl, who initiated the group but had since gotten engaged and was no longer able to dedicate the time to run it.
“He saw a need for community amongst young adults, especially those who are coming out of college and had built a lot of community there,” Burg said. “I think there was a need for this type of ministry at the parish, and they were more than happy to support the formation of this group.”
The group tries to get together a few times a month. Their one constant is currently a game night on the second Thursday of each month.
They are also working on implementing events around book clubs and Bible studies, and are also brainstorming ways to incorporate the Beatitudes from the Heartland.
“We’re always looking for ways that we can serve our church and our fellow brothers and sisters,” Burg said.
While open to young adults from ages 18 through 35, most of the members of the group are either in college or a few years out.
Trying to find community during that season of life can be difficult.
“There are a lot of difficulties trying to transition into new aspects of life,” Burg said. “In my case, I’m out of school and starting to work, and I’m trying to find the people that I want to spend time with who are like-minded.
“They say you are most like the five people you spend the most time with, and I think that’s especially true. So, I want to surround myself with other Catholic adults.”
One of the group’s members, Carson Ritter, is currently a senior at the University of Kansas. But he makes the time to travel back from Lawrence when the group has events.
“My college has some things, but this is a good community here,” Ritter said. “I’ve known a few of these people for a while and they are all around my age, so we have similar things going on in our lives.”
The community aspect is important to Ritter, and it has helped him be more open about being Catholic.
“[This group has] helped me speak out about my faith a lot more,” he said. “After being with people that are my age and believe the same thing, I talk about it more often.”
The group also gets involved in the Olathe community, having organized a service project in November to rake leaves in the yards of parishioners in need.
“It’s important to pour into our community, to be involved and show love and support,” Burg said. “I especially see the need for help in areas with us being young adults, we are able-bodied and capable of helping others.
“Having events like that not only brings us together as a young adult community, but it helps us bridge the gap to see who else we can serve.”
Narrowing that gap between younger and older parishioners, Burg said, is important.
“There’s a lot of mentorship and stewardship that can happen when you befriend people of different ages,” she said. “There’s so much wisdom and life experience we can draw on and hope to aspire to.”
Another member, Samuel Curnes, found out about the group from a flyer he received after Mass last year.
“The more I come to these groups, the more it helps me to remember that Catholicism is meant to be the center of my life,” he said.
“We are built for community, and it’s worth it,” he added.
Getting involved is as simple as joining the group chat. That and more information can be found online at: spcatholic.org/young-adults.
Burg knows that many young people are searching for community. Here, she thinks they find it.
“Most young adults are looking for community,” Burg said. “I think this has been a fantastic way to encourage people and help them find like-minded individuals who are going to help make them good Catholics and, hopefully, good saints.”
