What is the "Young Adult Group" at St. Andrew's?
The Young Adult Group at St. Andrew's is a community of young adults in their 20's and 30's who value socializing, volunteering and exploring questions of their faith with others who share a similar Catholic heritage and value system.
Why should I attend a meeting?
There are many great reasons to attend a meeting. Some people come for the social aspects, to meet others with similar backgrounds. Others want to become more active in community service activities. Exploring and questioning different aspects of our faith motivate some to attend. Still others feel that in order to grow and be strong in their faith, they need to surround themselves and be active in a community of "Young Adults".
How often does the Young Adult Group group meet?
The group will start meeting every second and fourth Monday of the month (not every two weeks) in the Teen Center starting soon. Easy parking is available in the parish parking lot. We also have many social, cultural, and community service events offered throughout the year. Check out the web site and the calendar for details.
How old are the people who go, and what are their backgrounds?
While the group is primarily made up of single, professional Catholics in their twenties and thirties, all are welcome including young married couples. Many live in the vicinity of the Parish, but we also invite members who travel in from all parts of the state.
Can I invite a non-Catholic friend to come to a meeting with me?
All are welcome to our meetings, Catholic or not. We have had several regulars who are not Catholic in the past, who decided to come anyway mainly because they like the group, find the topics stimulating, and have a desire to learn more about Catholicism. We only ask that non-Catholics, respect traditional Catholic values.
Are most of the participants devout, "Bible-thumping" churchgoers? What if I don't go to church regularly, or even believe in all of the things the Catholic Church teaches?
We not only discuss spiritual issues, but also meet around social and community service activities as well. Therefore, you will find a wide spectrum of how people define and are devoted to their spirituality. There are many of us who are still exploring and questioning different aspects of our faith and will find the Monday night discussions to be very helpful in this regard. The most common aspect most members share is in seeing the importance of being in a community of Catholics with whom they share a similar heritage and value system.
Will I be forced to participate, pray, or reveal any deep spiritual conflicts I might be having?
How you choose to participate is up to you. Whether you are a devout Catholic or haven't been to church in years, you'll find that our members are welcoming and non-judgmental.
Rumor has it that the group goes out for food and drinks afterwards, or has other social events not connected with the Tuesday night meetings. Tell me more.
The Monday night meetings will be the core of our community, so we encourage members to join us on Monday nights as often as they can. How often you come to our Monday night meetings is up to you, your schedule, and your interests. We have many members who just volunteer or attend our social events. However, keep in mind that we are building a community of young adult Catholics and we want you to be part of that community!
What are some of the Social Events you have?
After our Monday Evening Meetings, we go out for refreshments at "BJ's" at the Chandler Fashion Center - that's a definite occurrence! Check out our web pages for information on our upcoming social events!
I understand that the Young Adult Group is involved with Community Service and various volunteer activities. Can you tell me more?
Sure. Just see our Community Services page.
Do I need to bring a Bible to the meeting? No... Our Monday night meetings are not "Bible meetings" or prayer groups. Our meetings center around lively, sometimes controversial, discussions involving a myriad of contemporary issues facing young adult Catholics in the world today. For those seeking a more in-depth, traditional exploration of their faith, we recommend they consider one of our small-faith groups which we will be starting up very soon.