Photo Caption: Matt and Kim Repking, members of the 20/30 Young Adult group at St. Patrick’s Parish in Washington, light candles prior to an “Luminate Your Prayer Life” service at the church Dec. 4.

By: By Tom Dermody

WASHINGTON — A spark of an idea has turned into a fire of enthusiasm for young adult ministry at St. Patrick’s Parish here.

“There was a thirst for it,” explains Pamela VanLaningham, 27, of why a new outreach called “20/30” has quickly become an integral part of this growing parish.

Last Sunday evening, about 75 Catholics in their 20s and 30s — some married, some single — gathered in a darkened church set aglow by the flames of nearly 200 candles that lined the center aisle, filled the sanctuary floor, and adorned the altar.

Such was the setting for the parish’s third monthly “Luminate Your Prayer Life,” an evening of prayer and fellowship for young adults that also includes a dinner. As they entered the church, each was given a small electric candle to enable them to follow their program during an hour of praise that included exposition and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, sung vespers, and silent prayer and meditative chant in the Taize tradition.

“Open your hearts widely,” encouraged Father Ryan Bredemeyer, parochial vicar, who is directing the new “20/30” group. As they knelt in prayer before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, Father Bredemeyer assured that the Lord “stands ready to grant many graces.”

The last few months have been a period of grace for the young adults of St. Patrick’s Parish.

SUPPORT FROM ENTIRE PARISH
A parish survey had revealed that ministry to young adults was lacking. So when Msgr. John Prendergast, pastor, and Father Bredemeyer arrived in June, the 31-year-old assistant volunteered to become involved.

“Ready, set, go!” is how Father Bredemeyer described Msgr. Prendergast’s supportive reaction. The Holy Spirit — and a core group of hard-working young Catholics — took it from there.

Among the early organizers was VanLaningham.

“I felt a little lost at church,” she admitted to The Catholic Post during the potluck meal that followed the evening prayer last Sunday. “I didn’t know many parishioners my age.”

After Father Bredemeyer preached on the new outreach, VanLaningham took names of interested young adults after Masses that weekend. The response was immediate, with 80 persons signing up.

Jamie Talley said the excitement for the faith shown by the young adults reminds her of what she experienced a few years ago at the Newman Center while a student at Eastern Illinois University.

“After graduation and getting a job, you fall into focusing on work,” said Talley, a Farmer City native who moved to Washington a year ago. Saying even enthusiastic young adult Catholics can feel “left out and underused” at a parish, Talley added that “this is something that can revive that spark that people already had.”

Father Bredemeyer said the entire parish has been supportive. The school secretary, for example, is among those providing child care that keeps dozens of children safe and happy while their parents enjoy an evening with parishioner peers. The Knights of Columbus help set up for the dinner in the school gym, which is also candlelit.

“I don’t see what we’re doing (at the dinner) as detached from the chapel,” said Father Bredemeyer. He said the candlelit environment, especially in the church, provides an intimate setting where the young people “feel together yet have a one-on-one encounter with the Lord.”

Plans call for the ministry to expand to service and recreation projects. A Facebook site keeps members informed, but there has also been new communication the old-fashioned way — at weekend Mass.

“I don’t sit alone anymore,” said VanLaningham. “The church feels like home now.”