Lifelong Lay Formation

Young Adult Ministry

The Office of Lifelong Lay Formation strives to connect young people with the greater community, build bridges of communication and develop relationships built on trust and mutual respect. We hope to demonstrate the idea of synodality – whole communities and young people journeying together, as they grow in living and sharing the faith.

Young Adult Ministry [Accordion]

Connect with a Local Group

Aurora
Mary Kubanda and Dan Obendorf at Our Lady of Mercy, [email protected]
Bloomingdale
Mitch Ryan, [email protected], and Michael Menconi, [email protected], at St. Isidore
Clarendon Hills
Jessilyn and Terese Gibas at Notre Dame, [email protected], and Chris Simon, [email protected]
Glen Ellyn
Gabi McMahon at St. Petronille, [email protected]
Lisle
Alex Gervacio at St. Joan of Arc, [email protected]
Lockport
Nick LaBanca from Lockport Young Adults, [email protected]
Mokena
Danielle Kuboushek at St. Mary, [email protected]
Naperville
Dorothy Grantham, [email protected], and Fr. Alex Lorang, [email protected], at St. Thomas the Apostle
New Lenox
Matthew Krumdrick at St. Jude, [email protected]
Wayne
Char McCarthy at Resurrection, [email protected]
Wheaton
Cassie Brown at St. Michael, [email protected]
Yorkville
Michele Gonzales at St Patrick, [email protected]

Other Local Organizations

Catholic Sports
Seth Popov, [email protected]
Sons of Thunder
[email protected], and Zack Hernandez, [email protected], from the Young Adult Men’s group at Men of Christ
Joliet VENITE is a network of young adult communities spread throughout the Diocese of Joliet.
Pietre Vive Living Stones is a young adult community that meets every Monday at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom for prayer, theological and art-historical formation, and conversation. They also have frequent visits to churches and museums in Chicago and other cities.

Young Adult Retreats and Conferences

St. Joseph the Worker Retreat

Saturday, December 9, 2023
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Old St. Patrick's Church
West Adams Street 700
Chicago, Illinois

St. Joseph Saturdays are retreats open to the public that encourage young professionals to "look upon work with the eyes of faith" and see God's presence in their vocations and professional lives. Retreats include time for guided reflections, group discussion, confession, and Mass.

More info

Notre Dame Adult Christmas Party

Friday, December 15, 2023
7 p.m.
Notre Dame Parish (lower-level Union and French Rooms)
64 Norfolk Avenue
Clarendon Hills, IL 60514

Wear ugly Christmas sweaters and enjoy a white elephant gift exchange, games, cocoa and more!

Trivia Night

Saturday, January 6, 2024
6:15 p.m.
Resurrection Catholic Church
30W350 Army Trail Road
Wayne, IL, 60184

This Sporcle event sponsored by Resurrection and the Knights of Columbus will feature trivia, pizza, beer and wine.

Epiphany Ball

Saturday, January 6, 2024
St. Petronille Parish Life Center
420 Glenwood Ave., Glen Ellyn

Catholic Sports, St. Petronille Parish and Notre Dame Parish are proud to present the second-annual Young Adult Epiphany Ball, featuring live music from the Mike Knauf Jazz Quartet. Event includes Mass at 5 p.m., dancing, appetizers, drinks, and music.

More info

Samuel Group

Samuel Group is a community of young adults, ages 20-35, who are striving for holiness and seeking a deeper relationship with God. Over seven months, members will learn how to deepen their prayer life, discover the rules of discernment by St. Ignatius of Loyola and receive guidance from a spiritual director.

Learn more about Samuel Group

Theology on Tap

Several Young Adult events are held each year to enrich your faith, build community, and grow relationships with Jesus Christ and your peers. The following events will be hosted by the diocese; more details to come.

Spring 2024 April 18 at the Blanchette Catholic Center in Crest Hill (featuring Mike Gormley, the Lay Evangelist)
Summer 2024 June 13 at the Blanchette Catholic Center in Crest Hill (featuring three newly ordained priests: Fr. Jeremy, Fr. Jared and Fr. Alex Lorang)
Fall 2024 October 24 at the Blanchette Catholic Center in Crest Hill (featuring Bishop Hicks)

VENITE Catholic Network

VENITE is a network of young adult communities spread throughout the Diocese of Joliet. Together, they are building a far-reaching network of peers that are seeking to follow Christ and create opportunities and spaces where we are free to fellowship with one another and encourage, help and support each other in our respective faith journeys and lives.

Find an active young adult group

Pilgrimages