A majority of Catholic young adults do not go to church on a weekly basis. Paul Jarzembowski reminds us that there are other moments of welcome and opportunity to connect with these young adults:
Research has found that only 15% to 17% of adults from ages 18 to 45 who call themselves “Catholic” come to Mass on a weekly basis. Sometimes, the other 85 % of these young adults do step into our churches — but not for long. We see these men and women visit for Christmas, Easter, and Ash Wednesday, as well as their friends’ and family members’ weddings, baptisms, and funerals. Communities that pay attention to these occasions as moments of welcome and opportunities for making a connection often find these young adults open to an invitation to return.
Read more about “Moments of Welcome” in the Essentials section of Young Adult Ministry in a Box.