The Catholic Standard and Times

Catholic Blender: Jump in, mingle and meet other young adult Catholics

“When I look around the pews, I feel like the only person without gray hair or school-age children.”

“I am tired of the bar scene.”

“I want to find someone I can share my faith with — not defend it to.”

Those are a few of the common concerns voiced by young adult Catholics today.

But here in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, there are many opportunities for young adults — men and women in their 20s and 30s, single and married, with or without children — to connect with their peers and their Catholic faith through local parish and cluster-based ministry opportunities, and through the programs sponsored by the Office for Youth and Young Adults.

Of course, there are local young adult Masses, socials and service events happening on a monthly basis, and there are annual archdiocesan programs such as Theology on Tap, an annual retreat, and the Lenten Day of Service and Justice.

Even so, some young adults may still feel as if they haven’t met anyone, or made a real connection with the Archdiocese’s young Catholic community.

It was just such a desire to forge a connection with the majority of the participants at an event — that sparked an idea — and the Catholic Blender was born.

No, a Catholic Blender is not a crazy ride at an amusement park in the Vatican.

It is the next major event to be sponsored by Young Adult Ministry of the Office for Youth and Young Adults. In the midst of dinner and drinks, those at the Catholic Blender will have an opportunity to have many short conversations with other participants — everyone will get a chance to talk with other young adults — even with men and women they may never have started up a conversation with on their own.

The Catholic Blender will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday April 20, at Finnigan’s Wake, 3rd and Spring Garden streets in Philadelphia. Admission of $20 will include dinner, beer and soda.

To RSVP, contact Rosey Lester at 215-965-4635 or phillyyam@yahoo.com.
All priests and religious looking to find the young adults of the Archdiocese are also invited to the Catholic Blender for a discounted price of $15. For more information, please visit www.oyya.org/yam. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Young Adult Ministry of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.