WOODBURY – Jeffrey Gazzara was excited to gather together with young adults of faith on a recent Friday night.
Gazzara, of Holy Angels Parish, was among two dozen parishioners from across the Diocese who attended an evening of prayer, music and fellowship Sept. 16 in the common room of Saint Patrick’s Church. The gathering, he said, encouraged him to remember that as a young adult, he does have a place in the Church, and is able to pray, grow and practice his faith with his peers.
As the evening began, all were greeted with light refreshments and smiling faces; they also had the opportunity to talk faith with Father Joseph Byerley, parish pastor; Father Peter Gallagher, parochial vicar, and Father Nicholas Dudo, who is in-residence at the parish and serves as vicar for clergy for the Diocese.
Some in attendance became emotional, as it had been a while since they had been able to come together with those their age due to the pandemic.
The get-together was spearheaded by the Diocese’s Young Adult Commission, a recently organized group whose members were chosen by their pastors. The commission is tasked with helping plan events that will draw young adults into a deeper relationship with God and their peers. The initiative stems from feedback from the Diocesan synod report, which found that young adults want to be more involved with peer to peer ministry.
“I look forward to continuing the work this team has begun, to help foster their faith, and bring young adults and young families together,” said José Rodriguez, director of the diocesan Office of Family and Youth.
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