Young Adults

Young adults from the University of Toledo accompanied campus chaplain, Jim Bacik, to a Woodhaven, MI., church last week.

Seven types of millenial Catholics were listed for a group called, Elephants in the Living Room, a group of pastors with support from parishioners. They engage problems the church isn't discussing, according to organizers of the lecture.

Collegians have grown up with "greater religious pluralism than their grandparents," according to Bacik who has been a teacher and campus minister at the campus parish in Toledo.

Among the types of of spirituality - awareness of God and others - of Catholic college students who make up thirty per cent of the collegiate population, according to Bacik, are those whose current concerns are eclipsed beyond religion and those who are absorbed in their study; those who hold for a private faith; those who want to work with other denominations (ecumenical); those satisfied with Catholic Mass and sacraments; those embracing social teaching and, a "green" approach to faith; and those collegians who join groups to share their faith.

Bacik said Catholic collegians have moved beyond categories of conservative or liberal, for example, and, although they have little awareness of the progressive, ecumenical Second Vatican Council, (1962-65) these Catholics have similar longings for purpose like other Catholics.

The "age-old struggle between grace and sin" is part of their makeup, Bacik concluded.

Hope surrounds Catholics, nevertheless, and, engaging young adults, the campus minister said, is "our basis."

For more information, contact, susette@ccup.org.