On Feb. 15, the Springfield Area Young Adult Mass (YAM) celebrated its seventh anniversary. Msgr. John Ossola celebrated the Mass.

"It's truly amazing how far we've come since our first Mass seven years ago," Brad Baker, YAM Board president said. "This was a vision of several young adults in Springfield, to bring a young adult ministry to our area that would help bridge the gap between college and parish life, and to see the success is very rewarding."

Springfield YAM is geared toward people between the ages of 18 and 35, although all are welcome. YAM celebrates Mass every Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at the Catholic Pastoral Center at the Diocese of Springfield headquarters on Washington Street.

"I know of dozens of young adults who were not attending Mass and who were growing farther away from their faith," Baker said. "But when they came to YAM, they felt a connection with their peers, and that helped them come back to their faith. Many of those people are still coming to YAM, or they have moved onto parish life. That's what YAM is all about; helping young adults with their faith journey so they can successfully transition to parish and family life."

While YAM has helped many young adults in their faith filled journey, the group has also helped the Springfield area community. Last year, YAM made it a top priority to offer more things outside of the Mass so young adults could experience and grow in their faith outside the walls of church.

"Pope Francis calls on Catholics around the world to evangelize and care for others on a personal basis," Justin Sinner, a YAM Board member said. "Through YAM's events, service projects, faith formation activities, and Theology on Tap series, we are helping others see the face of Catholicism and helping others learn about their faith in new and personal ways."

Giving Back

• YAM volunteered with the Re-Commitment to Life Rally sponsored by the Springfield Area Right to Life in the State Capitol Rotunda. This rally commemorates the anniversary of Roe v. Wade.
• Throughout the season of Advent, YAM collected toys for families in need.
• YAM hosted a food drive for needy families during the Thanksgiving holiday.
• YAM volunteers aided in construction of a Habitat for Humanity Project in Springfield.
• YAM donated $600 from their charity fund to several pro-life organizations, in honor of October's Respect Life Month.
• YAM volunteered several times at Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach, helping pack medical supplies for poor countries.
• YAM helped package and distribute food to those in need at St Martin de Porres Center in Springfield.

Social Events

• YAM's Annual Mini Golf Charity Tournament has raised more than $4,000 for local charities.
• In February, YAM celebrated seven years with a pizza party.
• The YAM Ugly Christmas Sweater Spectacular in December.
• It's a YAM Thanksgiving dinner.
• YAM's annual October bonfire at Villa Maria on Lake Springfield.

Faith Formation

• YAM's Theology on Tap series brought 200 people to the K.C. Hall in Chatham for Bishop Thomas John Paprocki's presentation "What Happens When We Die."
• YAM's Theology on Tap series brought dozens to the Brickhouse Restaurant to hear Father Jeff Grant's presentation "The Pope Francis Affect."
• YAM's Theology on Tap series brought 100 to Floyd's Thirst Parlor to hear renowned speaker Mark Shea's presentation "101 Reasons Not to be Catholic."
• YAM's Theology on Tap series brought Dr. David Bertaina of UIS to give a presentation on the history of the Christmas Nativity.
• YAM partnered with the Dominican Sisters to host a Lenten day of reflection.
• YAM started a "small group" study, where young adults read and discussed certain aspects of the faith.

All of YAM's social events, faith formation events, and Theology on Tap Series are free to young adults, their friends, and the community.

"We have many exciting new ventures we want to start this year," Baker said. "We have a new energy with new faces. We are looking forward to another great year of growing our ministry and helping young adults be the person they can be."

Baker also encourages parents who have young adult children and who have not attended Mass in a while, to tell their children about YAM.

For more information on YAM, visit www.springfieldyam.dio.org.