Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann leads young adult Catholics in eucharistic adoration Nov. 9 at the “Trust One Greater” event at the Little Monastery of the Little Sisters of the Lamb in Kansas City, Kansas. Afterward, the archbishop answered questions from participants. Leaven photo by Lori Wood Habiger
by Moira Cullings
moira.cullings@theleaven.org
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Getting a first job, moving into a new apartment — starting a “grown-up” life is, indeed, exciting.
But it is also a time of great uncertainty.
Young adults often feel overwhelmed by the transition from college — when much was taken care of for them — to adulthood, when everything falls in their lap.
Making time during the day for prayer is something that often slips through the cracks.
Events like “Trust One Greater” give young people an outlet from the pressures of the day and a time to rest and rejuvenate from the stresses of their newly adult lives.
“It’s difficult as a new college graduate to balance work, faith and my social life. So, this was a good way to spend some quality time with God amid my busy schedule,” said Kit White, a member of Curé of Ars Church in Leawood.
The event is held four times a year, each time at a different location, but with the same intention — to give young people a break from the chaos of their day and a chance to grow in faith.
The Little Sisters of the Lamb hosted the Nov. 9 event at their monastery in Kansas City, Kansas.
The Sisters were on hand to warmly welcome the participants, some of whom heard for the first time the Sisters’ ethereal harmonies.
“The Sisters’ convent is a beautiful place to pray, and I really enjoyed singing the prayers,” said Angelique Short, a member of St. Joseph Parish in Shawnee.
Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann spoke on topics relevant to the struggles young adults are facing today, tying them into the many ways to seek joy in life.
“Who doesn’t want joy?” asked Archbishop Naumann. “Who doesn’t want happiness? I think we all seek this in different ways.”
The archbishop explained how there are four levels of happiness: pleasure, ego gratification, contributive and transcendent.
“Each of these levels of happiness in some way is necessary and good at some level. And the levels of happiness that we value most will determine some of the choices that we make in life,” said the archbishop.
He went on to describe the balance necessary for true happiness within each level.
“If these levels of happiness dominate our choices, the results can actually be destructive to our own well-being, as well as hurtful to others,” he said.
“Archbishop Naumann’s talk on the levels of happiness really resonated with me because it sets goals for my faith life that also carry over into my work life,” said Short.
The archbishop also gave advice on growing closer to God.
“Jesus tells us in the Gospel tonight that he is inviting us to this highest level of happiness, that he desires a friendship with us, that he wants us to have this relationship with the only one who can really satisfy our heart’s desire,” he said.
After the archbishop spoke, attendees spent time in eucharistic adoration and had an opportunity to ask the archbishop questions.
Short had attended “Trust One Greater” events in college at the St. Lawrence Catholic Campus Center, “but Tuesday felt like a new experience,” she said.
“I would definitely recommend ‘Trust One Greater’ to other young adults looking for a new or deeper experience with prayer and time with a strong Catholic community.”
