CHARLOTTE — More than 400 young people filled the clubhouse at Truist Stadium Nov. 16 to help inaugurate a chapter of Young Catholic Professionals.
The new Diocese of Charlotte chapter – the national Young Catholic Professionals’ 39th – will provide an opportunity for Catholics in their 20s and 30s to get together for networking, mentoring, spiritual formation, and more.
Father Aaron Huber, one of the diocese’s newest priests, will serve as the chaplain of group. He said the new chapter will give young adults a way to stay connected to the Church and their faith – bridging a gap that many young Catholics experience after leaving home and school.
“Many parishes have young adult ministries and faith formation, and we have sacramental preparation in our Catholic schools,” he said.
“But what happens to all of these Catholics who, after high school and after college, want to live an intentional and devotional Catholic life? What comes next for them? Well, YCP does. YCP is the link between those who we form at a young age, and those we hope will continue to cultivate a Catholic culture in the future.”
“Young Catholic Professionals is coming at a perfect time when we can connect between multiple parishes,” said Father Darren Balkey, who was ordained alongside Father Huber last year and now serves at St. Matthew Parish in Charlotte. “For young people who are seeking to further their faith but also their professional lives after college, and taking ownership of their emerging lives, YPC can now offer the opportunity and context for these young people to gather, and gives them the chance to be engaged without being overwhelmed.”
Santiago Cubillos, YCP’s Charlotte chapter president, couldn’t have been happier with the launch and seeing so many young people connecting and getting involved.
“We’re so thankful for this opportunity, not only to partner with the Diocese of Charlotte, but with all the Catholic leaders who helped bring YCP here,” Cubillos said. “Our goal is not to stop after the launch party tonight, but continue to grow – not only as young Catholic professionals, but to become more integrated with our Catholic leaders. In 10 to 15 years, that will be us, and we hope to model and learn all we can from these individuals.”
— Spencer K.M. Brown. Photos by Troy Hull.
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Learn more: www.youngcatholicprofessionals.org/chapter/charlotte
