Matthew Pinto, in his book,
Waking the Sleeping
Giant: Effective Catholic
Young Adult Ministry,
asks why dynamic young adult
groups are needed. "Our
heart's deepest longing is
for God and Truth. In this
day and age, too many hearts
are preoccupied with the
distractions of the world. .
We need to break through
with the life-giving message
of Jesus. Young people need
to spend less time in the
world and more time
contemplating the things of
God. Truth leads to sanity
and clear thinking. We need
to bring people to a deeper
love of the Truth. "
Young
people are casualties in
this cultural war. The
casualties are increasing.
We need more spiritual
paramedics.
Young
adult groups are these
paramedics. A strong young
adult group can relieve some
of the pressure young people
face. This pressure includes
the pursuit of material
success and sexual
temptations.
A
strong young adult group
offers Catholics an
alternative to the lures of
other faiths, including some
cults. Heaven's Gate is an
example.
We've
lost too many young people
due to poor catechesis.
Young people need an
inviting place to hear the
clear Catholic message.
Parishes need to reach out
to these groups with more
expansive young adult
programs. Where is the
future church going to be if
the majority of young people
stop practicing their faith?
