First Annual 20-Somethings Retreat, August 2006
The Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry of Austin, TX was first developed in July 2005 by the minds of two young Catholic sisters in their 20s: Allie and Jen Jones. After completing the Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program and Formation in the spring of 2005, the Joneses felt a void in their lives with no young Catholics with whom to share their faith. After visiting a couple existing young adult ministries, Jen never felt as if she fit in with the wide range of ages the Catholic Church classifies as a young adult (ages 18 to 39).
After praying for direction, God moved Jen to meet with the business administrator of her home parish, St. Theresa Catholic Church in Austin, Texas. In the matter of a weekday lunch meeting, the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry was created. In response to Jen’s question, “How does one go about starting a ministry at church?” the business administrator replied, “You just did!” Simple as that.
Mission Trip, June 2007
Allie and Jen discerned to narrow the focus of the newly formed young adult ministry to young adults in their 20s. Experience proved that a 20-year-old doesn”t have all that much in common with a 32-year-old. Someone in their early 20s is in a very different place in their lives than someone who is in their mid-30s. Though the same can be true for those in their early 20s and those in their later 20s, the age range seemed to make a comfortable fit without limiting the demographic too much.
The sisters also discerned that this ministry would not be a “singles” ministry or a “dating service” for single Catholics. The ministry’’s mission was to connect young adults in their 20s, regardless of their marital status, to Jesus Christ. Its focus would not be for members to seek out a potential spouse - the ministry’’s focus would be completely based on our Lord, not the members.
Original Catholic 20-Somethings Logo
A couple months passed as Allie and Jen worked with the parish office to acquire the names of young adults in their 20s who had in the past inquired about a young adult ministry and send a letter out to all registered 20-somethings in the parish.
The first event would be a happy hour at El Arroyo Restaurant. Eight 20-somethings showed up and thus became the foundation of the ministry. The group decided that they”d make the Sunday 5 p.m. Mass at St. Theresa’s a regular time for them all to try to attend Mass together and they would build other events from there.
Since its inception, the ministry has grown from eight to 300+ 20-somethings from all over Austin. The need for a ministry focused on its specific age demographic has been so strong that the ministry has attracted young adults from Killeen to downtown Austin to San Marcos - and all over the Austin metropolitan area.
Leadership Team, August 2008
Strong Leadership Teams were put in place to meet at least once a month to discuss and pray for the needs of the ministry and plan regular monthly events to include an official new member happy hour, service project and spiritual activity.
The ministry has seen several members grow from “pew-warmers” to active members of the church (extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion, CRHP retreatants and organizers, parish film crew, youth ministry leader teams, choir members, etc.).
Two years into the ministry, the Leadership Team recognized that prayer is an essential part of any ministry; leaving only a handful of people to pray for the spiritual health of such a large group was too large a task to expect. So a Prayer Team was put into place. The goal of this vital ministry component is to bring people together regularly to pray for the Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry and not only its members but also those 20-somethings in the local community, country and world who haven”t yet been reached and don’t have a ministry like this one to be fed spiritually.
20s Coordinators - in order from most recent, to founder: Sabrina Vega, Trey Ange, Justin Golbabai, and Jen Crowley
Perhaps the most largely successful aspect of the ministry has been the development of small groups. The ministry offers several small faith-sharing groups that meet weekly to discuss current events and topics relevant to Catholic young adults. Even with their popularity, the small groups are capped at 8-12 members so as to allow for the communities to stay small and foster deeper friendships and more comfortable faith-sharing amongst members.
The Catholic 20-Somethings Ministry is an instrument of God’s grace to so many of our young adults, praise God. The Leadership Team thanks each and every member for their contributed efforts to make the ministry what it has become. We ask for your continued prayers in direction for the group to make sure it glorifies God. May He continue to shower you and yours with His every grace and blessing.
