Faith gathering helps build young adult community
Friday, Nov. 11, 2016
By Laura Vallejo
Intermountain Catholic
SALT LAKE CITY — Christ in the City recently changed its meeting day from the first Tuesday to the first Wednesday of the month.
The once-a-month gathering at the Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City brings dozens of young adult Catholics between the ages of 18 and 35 together to share the Catholic faith.
“It is important because it is a chance for young adults to get to together and pray and worship God together as an adult community,” said Angie Hall, pastoral assistant of Saint Catherine of Siena Newman Center, who is the contact person for Christ in the City.
Hall emphasized the importance of people having God as the center of their lives. “It is important to set aside a set of time for prayer. As Teresa of Avila said, ‘Prayer is an act of love; words are not needed. Even if sickness distracts from thoughts, all that is needed is the will to love,’ and Christ in the City is a way to start that journey to get closer to God and making prayer one of the most important parts of our lives,” Hall said.
Every first Wednesday of the month the young adults meet at the cathedral. The format of the gathering is usually the same, but on certain holidays, the program may change a bit. For example, on Nov. 2, there was a Mass at the Cathedral for All Souls’ Day.
“We start off with the Liturgy of the Hours evening prayer,” Hall said. “We have some periods of silent and Taize music mixed in.”
After joining together in prayer at the cathedral, the participants regroup at a local establishment for a less formal social activity.
“It is important that Catholics meet in a Catholic setting, but is important to get to know other Catholics in a personal level. Being a religious minority in Utah, sometimes you may feel that ‘I am all alone living out my faith,’” said Hall, adding that sharing prayer and time with others “makes you realize that you have a support system, that we can encourage each other to not be afraid and live our faith and values and be Catholic.”
Every month the number of participants varies; they have seen as many as 50 and as few as a dozen.
Among those who have attended Christ is the City is Alicia Woods, a University of Utah student.
“It was really heartwarming to see other young adults gathered, sharing our faith,” said Woods.
Christ in the City is opened to all young adult Catholics in the diocese. There are no requirements to participate.
“Basically, you just show up any first Wednesday of the month at the cathedral,” Hall said. “All are welcome, and please feel free to bring other people, too.”
For information about events, visit the Christ in the City Facebook page or check your parish bulletin.
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