Denver Province IGNITE Coordinator St. Mike’s NextGen young adults gathered on February 4 for a presentation by Fr. Kevin Zubel (who better?) about the Redemptorist charism, it’s gift to the Church and to the world.
Fr. Kevin traced the birth of religious orders to the early Church, and explained how the Redemptorists came about and how we are called to be messengers of hope today. He related the talk to a vocation, which everyone has, and hoped that the story and calling of the Redemptorists could help spark discernment in their own lives.
The night began with Mass celebrated by Fr. Aaron Meszaros and ended with food and fellowship. Lots of joy and merriment was had. The Redemptorists who participated gave a sense of community life to the young adults, and my advisory group confirmed that this simple act of presence truly meant a lot to them.
A current prospect discerning Redemptorist life actually attended, and others stated that Fr. Kevin’s personal style really engaged and intrigued them in a subject they didn’t know could be so applicable to their lives.
St. Mike’s NextGen young adults are among several nearby young adult ministries in the Chicago area, including our former church, St. Alphonsus, and the well-known St. Clement Church. A distinctive hallmark of the NextGen young adults is that we provide a home for those who are abandoned those who don’t or can’t, for whatever reason, feel like they belong in another young adult group. They know they are always welcome here with us.
Michael Thien Hoang, C.Ss.R.
