St. Alphonsus Young Adult Ministry

Since joining the staff at St. Alphonsus Parish in 2017, Brooks Robinson, Pastoral Associate, has overseen the young adult ministry, which is rooted in four foundational pillars: spiritual, intellectual, service, and social. These pillars are managed by a young adult member of the ministry and guide everything the ministry does, from monthly gatherings to larger events, creating a comprehensive approach to engaging young adults in their faith journey. “We often integrate the pillars—what starts as a social event might turn into a service opportunity, like when we bring non-perishable food items to share with a charity group. It’s about weaving faith into all aspects of life.”

Spiritual Pillar: Deepening Faith Through Adoration and Retreats

The spiritual pillar provides regular opportunities for prayer and reflection. Monthly Friday night Adoration, followed by a social gathering, draws a few dozen young adults. “There’s a strong movement of desire to engage in spiritual practice,” Robinson shares. “Many young adults seek more than just social connection—they genuinely want to encounter Christ.”

The ministry also organizes two retreats a year, offering a chance for participants to step away from life’s busy activities and focus on their relationship with God. These retreats are designed to connect young adults with saints or spiritual practices in a way that feels relevant today. “Retreats enrich your faith life,” Robinson explains. “We take time to pray, reflect, and be challenged by a speaker. In the past, we did a retreat focused on Mary during Advent, exploring who she was and how her life connected with ours.”

Over the years, Robinson has witnessed many young adults grow in their faith. “Some arrive as nominal Catholics, but through their involvement in the ministry, they really begin to take ownership of their faith,” he says. One participant joined just after the pandemic and became so engaged she served as leader of the young adult ministry board and is now pursuing a Master of Divinity at Loyola University. “She’s working toward becoming a faith-based mental health counselor,” Robinson adds. The group has also seen several members go on to the seminary, a testament to the transformative power of the ministry.

Intellectual Pillar: Growing in Knowledge and Understanding

St. Alphonsus’ young adult ministry also offers intellectual formation, with events that help members grow in their understanding of the faith. Robinson emphasizes the importance of this pillar: “We are called to love God with our heart, mind, and soul. Understanding your faith at a deeper level helps you live it out more fully.”

The ministry hosts an ongoing series on the sacraments, featuring speakers like Bishop Bartosic, who recently gave a talk on Confirmation. “If you can better articulate the meaning of Confirmation or understand who the triune God is, you develop a deeper awareness of your baptismal call,” Robinson explains. The ministry also participates in the summer Theology on Tap series, where young adults gather to explore various theological topics. This past summer, the focus was on the Eucharist because of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, with 80-100 young adults attending each session.

One of the most popular intellectually focused events was a talk by Alessandro DiSanto, co-founder of the Hallow app. “Everyone loves that app,” Robinson says, “Hearing about how it was developed and their mission really resonated with the group.”

Service Pillar: Putting Faith into Action

Though Robinson admits it can be a challenge, service is another critical component of the young adult ministry. “We’re always trying to find ways to get more people involved,” he says. “We pair service with other events, like community dinners where participants bring goods to share with a local charity.”

Despite the challenges, the ministry has had some influential service projects, such as working with the Mission of Our Lady of the Angels for a day of service and an ambitious church cleaning of St. Alphonsus, including its massive attic. “We framed that as a way to show love for the parish,” Robinson recalls. “It was a lesson in caring for the spaces we occupy.” The ministry continually explores new ways to inspire young adults to embrace service as part of their faith life.

Social Pillar: Building Community Through Connection

While the ministry’s spiritual and intellectual pillars are essential, the social pillar provides a “soft entry point” for many young adults. Monthly gatherings like “Cocktails after Mass” or “Sip and Social” offer a relaxed environment for young adults to connect over drinks and food. “These events are a great way to build community,” Robinson explains. “But they also help us engage people in the other pillars.”

One of the ministry’s standout social events is karaoke night, which drew over 100 young adults in the past. “We did it in the church parking lot during the Covid-19 pandemic, where we could gather but more safely outdoors, and it really brought people together,” Robinson recalls. Another great example are community dinners, where young adults cook together and share a meal in the parish hall. These dinners are more intimate, and in the future, the hope is to have these gatherings with more intentionality around faith-based questions and discussion.

Looking to the Future

As Robinson reflects on the young adult ministry’s future, his focus is clear: “I want to keep this ministry flourishing, keep young adults interested, involved, and growing in their faith,” he says. “We’re blessed with a significant young adult population in this area, but the challenge is learning how to engage them in a way that helps them live out their vocational call within the parish.”

Robinson is hopeful for the future, knowing that the young adults at St. Alphonsus are eager to develop their relationship with Christ. “We need to create opportunities and clear the path for them,” he says. “Young adults are seeking a deeper connection with their faith, and it’s our job to help them find it.”