Frequently Asked Questions
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"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; in all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths."
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| - Proverbs 3 |
What is the "Young Adult Group" at St. Vincent de Paul Church in San Francisco?
The Young Adult Group at St. Vincent's is a community of young adults in their 20's and 30's who value socializing, volunteering and exploring questions of their faith with others who share a similar Catholic heritage and value system.
Why should I attend a meeting?
There are many great reasons to attend a meeting. Some people come for the social aspects, to meet others with similar backgrounds. Others want to become more active in community service activities. Exploring and questioning different aspects of our faith motivate some to attend. Still others feel that in order to grow and be strong in their faith, they need to surround themselves and be active in a community of "Young Adults".
How often does the Young Adult Group group meet?
The group meets every second and fourth Monday of the month (not every two weeks) at the Parish Hall on Steiner Street between Union Street and Green Street. Easy parking is available in the parish parking lot on Green Street. We also have many social, cultural, and community service events offered throughout the year. Check out the web site and the calendar for details.
How old are the people who go, and what are their backgrounds?
While the group is primarily made up of single, professional Catholics in their twenties and thirties, all are welcome including young married couples. Many live in the vicinity of the Parish (Pacific Heights, Cow Hollow, Marina, Presidio), but we also have regular members who travel in from all parts of the Bay Area.
Can I invite a non-Catholic friend to come to a meeting with me?
All are welcome to our meetings, Catholic or not. We have several regulars who are not Catholic, but decide to come anyway mainly because they like the group, find the topics stimulating, and have a desire to learn more about Catholicism. We only ask that non-Catholics, respect traditional Catholic values.
Are most of the participants devout, "Bible-thumping" churchgoers? What if I don't go to church regularly, or even believe in all of the things the Catholic Church teaches?
We not only discuss spiritual issues, but also meet around social and community service activities as well. Therefore, you will find a wide spectrum of how people define and are devoted to their spirituality. There are many of us who are still exploring and questioning different aspects of our faith and find the Monday night discussions to be very helpful in this regard. The most common aspect most members share is in seeing the importance of being in a community of Catholics with whom they share a similar heritage and value system.
Will I be forced to participate, pray, or reveal any deep spiritual conflicts I might be having?
How you choose to participate is up to you. Whether you are a devout Catholic or haven't been to church in years, you'll find that our members are welcoming and non-judgmental.
Rumor has it that the group goes out for food and drinks afterwards, or has other social events not connected with the Monday night meetings. Tell me more.
The Monday night meetings are the core of our community, so we encourage members to join us on Monday nights as often as they can. How often you come to our Monday night meetings is up to you, your schedule, and your interests. We have many members who just volunteer or attend our social events. However, keep in mind that we are building a community of young adult Catholics and we want you to be part of that community!
What are some of the Social Events you have?
After our Monday Evening Meetings, we go out for refreshments at "Left at Albuquerque" on Union Street- that's a definite occurrence! Check out our web pages for information on our upcoming social events!
I understand that the Young Adult Group is involved with Community Service and various volunteer activities. Can you tell me more?
Sure. Just see our Community Services page.
Do I need to bring a Bible to the meeting?
No...Our Monday night meetings are not "Bible meetings" or prayer groups. Our meetings center around lively, sometimes controversial, discussions involving a myriad of contemporary issues facing young adult Catholics in the world today. For those seeking a more in-depth, traditional exploration of their faith, we recommend they consider one of our small-faith groups.
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