At the Young Adult Mass, song leaders and musicians provide the music each Sunday evening. Shown (l-r) are Jake Varney, Andrea Ausmus, Sister Lori Kirchman, OP, Guila Ahern and Bill Vig. Sean Morris is playing the piano.

Bishop George J. Lucas will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Young Adult Mass at Springfield College in Illinois/Benedictine University with Mass at 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 8 in St. Ursula Chapel in Beata Hall. The group was organized early last year and Bishop Lucas celebrated the first Mass on Feb. 10, 2008, said Steve Klemm, one of the core leaders of the Young Adult Mass and also a leader of a Why Catholic? group made up of the Young Adult Mass participants.

Klemm said he is enthusiastic about all that the Young Adult Mass has accomplished.

"Since our inception, we have continued to grow in numbers and have created more of a community with social events, service projects and faith formation programs," he said, adding that about 50 to 60 people regularly attend the Mass and that contributions from those individuals operate the ministry.

"I definitely think that young adults are sometimes overlooked within the church in general," Klemm said. "Throughout your grade school and high school years, there is an emphasis put on building and growing your faith. But that emphasis fades after high school. And then it's like the Bermuda Triangle. Many get lost with only some finding their way back. I think that's why the Young Adult Mass is important; we really try to keep young adults focused on and active in their faith."

Catie Sheehan was one of the founding members of the Young Adult Mass. "I first went because I helped get it started. I supported it from the get-go because I always felt like a lot of young Catholics were not going to church and faith fades without that aspect of religion," she said. "I enjoy the friends I have made and some of the activities the group has participated in. It is nice to have a base of friends at church."

Bill Vig, another core leader, said he also enjoys the camaraderie found among the Young Adult Mass participants. "Most parishes are really good at ministering to families, including young people through high school ages. As young adults move out - and often away from their families - to continue their education, to serve their country or to begin their careers, they also leave the comfort of their home parish," said Vig, who recently took over the music ministry for the Young Adult Mass.

"Catholic students at many larger colleges and universities are served by Newman Centers, enabling them to remain engaged with the church as part of a community of worshipers," Vig said. "Similar programs for young adults in the armed forces are offered by the Archdiocese for the Military Services. In the Springfield area, however, the Young Adult Mass is the first Catholic ministry to truly focus on young adults as they continue on their faith journey, from one stage in life to the next."

Kevin Broeckling, dean of student affairs at SCI/Benedictine, said he applauds the Springfield diocese and the core team who worked to initiate the Mass. "This work helps to cultivate the future of our church. There seems to be a disconnect from the time when young people stop going to church with their parents to the time they find their own parish. The Young Adult Mass provides the bridge."

SCI/Benedictine has been interestedin the Young Adult Mass since its inception, Broeckling said. "The timing of the opportunity to work with the Young Adult Mass was perfect - it was as if the combination was meant to be. The college had begun discussions on how to reinvigorate our campus ministry program when we learned that the Young Adult Mass core was organizing.

"I was able to attend a meeting of the core team and show the team the chapel we had on campus and we were able to start Mass shortly after that," Broeckling said. "Being able to offer a weekly Mass on campus was a great start to rebuilding campus ministry on our campus. Because the Young Adult Mass started, we've a much stronger approach to campus ministry at the college and can look forward to even more building in the coming semesters."

Several individuals have played key roles in the Young Adult Mass. Father Steve Janoski was the regular priest presider from February to October 2008, and now a group of priests regularly celebrate Mass. Sister Lori Kirchman, OP, prepares for the liturgy each week and plays the piano - and occasionally the organ - for the Masses. Lance Millburg was the regular music ministry director for most of 2008. Kyle Holtgrave, associate director for Youth and Young Adult Ministries is also involved in the Young Adult Mass and plays guitar for the Masses.

"I really enjoy the sense of community that has developed at the Young Adult Mass over the past few months," Klemm said. "With the social events, the service projects and the Sunday night Mass, you get to know a lot of people your age who share the same beliefs and values as you."

Sheehan agrees. "I went to church regularly before going to the Young Adult Mass, but I can honestly say that I enjoy going more because of the community that has been established," she said.

For more information on the Young Adult Mass, visit its Web site, www.springfieldyam.com .)