Having a conversation about Holy Communion doesn’t have to be uncommon. Following a talk by Bobby Fredricksen about Jesus’ real presence in the Eucharist, young adults had the opportunity to break into small groups and share their thoughts.
Parishes in the Diocese of Gary have joined together to create a six-week Young Adult Summer Speaker Series, per the efforts of Melissa Novak, director of discipleship and evangelization at Our Lady of Consolation, Merrillville, and Vicky Hathaway, diocesan Youth & Young Adult Ministry Coordinator for the Office of Youth and Young Adults.
With two evenings of speakers completed, the series is moving full steam ahead. And it is not too late for young adults aged 18 to 39 to attend the remaining four sessions. The next one is scheduled for June 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the gym at Holy Name’s school building, 11000 W. 133rd St. in Cedar Lake.
Julia Fugger, 23, said she plans to attend as many of the events as possible. Fugger was joined by friend Caroline Feddeler, 23, of Highland. The Schererville resident is a teacher at St. Paul Catholic School in Valparaiso and does not work during the summer.
“I have time,” she said. “There are very few good social activities for young adults. It’s great to have an opportunity for young people with the same values to get together and share their faith in a safe space.”
Fredericksen, a Catholic convert, husband and father of two kicked off the series with “Theology on Draft: Holy Communion and Conversion.” He is also co-host of podcasts, the Catholic Couple and Purposely Catholic. The event was held at Northwoods Falls in St. John, where Fredericksen spoke about his conversion, after his wife and then-girlfriend invited him to Mass. The transformation he went through took him by surprise.
“Inviting someone to Mass can be a big deal,” he said. “Maybe you ask them to adoration. One invitation, sometimes that is all it takes…Jesus does all the work.”
Robbie Hernandez, of Cedar Lake, said he was invited to attend through the St. John Evangelist Young Adult Ministry. “I am putting myself out there and pushing myself. I think it is God who got me here,” he said.
“I’m proud to see these young adult groups coming together,” Hathaway said. “It’s just really great to see this happening. They have so much to offer. The parish leaders did all the work picking the speakers and topics.”
On May 29, the young adults were invited to hear missionaries from the organization Christ in the City speak about the importance of forming relationships with the homeless to empower them and create change. Christ in the City trains hundreds of volunteers each year using a relational approach to homeless ministry. The Chicago-based missionaries prioritize human connection, seeing each person as worthy of love and not a problem to be solved. The session was held at Holy Martyrs in Merrillville.
Hathaway said it is interesting to discover the importance of prioritizing human connection and recognize how the power of friendship can break down barriers and ignite a journey of healing for the homeless on the streets.
International speaker Matt Kresich will be speaking at the June 5 session in Cedar Lake. In his talk, “Unity in a Divided World,” Kresich will address how young adults can be prime candidates to bring reconciliation and unity to a divided world. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for fellowship and the presentation begins at 7 p.m.
On June 13, the talk by Claudia F. Sadowski, Ph.D., Intercultural Coordinator for the diocese is entitled, “Beloved.” It will be held at Our Lady of Consolation on the lawn behind the church. Young adults are encouraged to bring a lawn chair. The event will include a bonfire, s’mores and refreshments.
On June 20, participants are encouraged to attend a 6 p.m. Holy Hour at St Joseph in Dyer, before Martin Gianotti’s presentation about “Our Lady’s Three Not-so-Secret Ingredients to Holiness.”
On June 26, newly ordained Father Steven Caraher will talk at St. John the Evangelist. The presentation, “A Day in the Life of a New Priest,” will take place outside the parish day chapel. Participants should bring a potluck item to share for a meal with Caraher.
Hathaway said she appreciated it when Novak initiated the plan for this year’s speaker series after running a three-day series herself last summer.
“We have had a lot of people signed up…We hope that they can meet new people and feel more connected with each other,” Hathaway said. “I hope that the young adults will have a fun time, learn some new things about their faith, and grow in community.
“Hopefully this is something that we can do at least once a year. All of this is possible because of the parishes coming together to create a great experience for so many people. We hope it can continue!”
Caption: Bobby Fredericksen speaks to about 70 people during the first evening of a six-week Young Adult Summer Speaker Series sponsored by the Diocese of Gary. The first event was May 22 at Northwoods Falls in St. John. (Lynda Hemmerling photo)