Young Adult Ministry

A ministry for those in their 20s and 30s. New to the area or have specific interests? Send us an email or click below to be added to our email list and receive our monthly email newsletter.

Purpose

Anchored in the Catholic faith, the Young Adult Ministry (YAM) identifies spiritual, service, and fellowship opportunities for young adults (18-40) to strengthen their faith. YAM provides apostolic ministry at the service of others and is a welcoming community for Holy Name Cathedral for all to encounter Jesus Christ.

Staff Liaison: Marta Stepniak
Chaplain: Fr. Ton Nguyen

Pope Leo XIV says, “Sometimes it may be that the context of your life has not given you the opportunity to live the faith, to live as participants in a faith community, and I’d like to take this opportunity to invite each one of you to look into your own hearts, to recognize that God is present and that, perhaps in many different ways, God is reaching out to you, calling you, inviting you to know his Son Jesus Christ, through the Scriptures, perhaps through a friend or a relative… a grandparent, who might be a person of faith. But to discover how important it is for each one of us to pay attention to the presence of God in our own hearts, to that longing for love in our lives, for … searching, a true searching, for finding the ways that we may be able to do something with our own lives to serve others…Be Beacon of Hope!”

In response to this invitation, we offer three guiding pillars to help you aim high and let Christ come alive in you:

1. Communion—fostering formation and fellowship
2. Prayer—through small group journeys
3. Service—through various opportunities to serve others

Communion With Jesus

His Mission and His Ministry

“Then He took the bread, said the blessing, broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me… ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you” Luke 22: 19-20. The goal of our first Pillar is to deepen young adults’ communion with Jesus Christ by helping them to know Jesus, who poured out His life and made Himself the Bread of Life for us as a gift. We aim to bring others to encounter Jesus through the Eucharist, community-building events, social and sports activities, and various formation talks. Our hope is to enable our community to know Him as His disciples did, fostering a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and to create a space for young adults to get to know one another.

Monthly Gathering – the First Sunday of each month

Join us on the first Sunday of each month after the 5:15pm Mass, in the Courtyard or Clubroom, for an evening of fellowship! Enjoy dinner, connect with other young adults, and engage with a relevant topic in a relaxed social setting.

• January 31, 2026: 3rd Annual Young Adult Retreat (10:30 AM – 5:00 PM)
  • Theme: Back to the First Love
  • Retreat Speakers: Patrick McGrath and Fr. Joshua Caswell, SJC
  • Learn more: https://holynamecathedral.org/upcoming-events/young-adult-retreat/
  • Link to sign up: https://holyname.ccbchurch.com/goto/forms/703/responses/new

Young Adult Bible Study

Tuesday, January 20, 2026 6:45pm – 8:15pm – Parish Club Room

Start the New Year by deepening your faith and building a meaningful community! Young adults in their 20s and 30s are invited to join us every Tuesday evening for Bible study, prayer, and fellowship with other men and women navigating life and faith in Chicago.

Join other young adults in their 20s and 30s as we gather for Bible study every Tuesday at 6:45pm at the Holy Name Cathedral Rectory, 730 N. Wabash Ave. We’ll explore the Bible, pray together, and grow in fellowship as young adult men and women in Chicago.

Sign up for this session of Young Adults Bible Study – click here.

Wednesday Adoration Nights – Second Wednesday, starting at 6:00pm

Wednesday, February 11 and March 18

Pope John Paul II often said, “From the Eucharist comes strength to live the Christian life and zeal to share that life with others.” Take time to pray before the Eucharist and reflect.

Wednesday Adoration – Praying for Vocation February 11, 2026 (6:00pm–8:00pm)

TOPIC: “Do You Love Me?” – Returning to the Heart of Our Calling

LOCATION: In the Cathedral

This Adoration centers on Jesus’ gentle yet piercing question to Peter: “Do you love me?” We are invited to reflect on our first love for Christ, particularly after seasons of distraction, failure, or spiritual dryness. This night emphasizes restoration over perfection, reminding participants that Christ continually calls us back—even when we feel unworthy or unsure.

FOCUS IN PRAYER:

Young Adult Frassati Small Groups

What is the Frassati Small Group?
Inspired by Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, the Frassati Small Group is a fellowship of young adults who desire to live a life of holiness, in imitation of Our Lord Jesus Christ, within our modern era. Forming a small group will create opportunities for members to deepen their faith via sharing spiritual conversation, forming good disciplines, and developing authentic friendship.

YA Lenten Small Groups – Fiat90, Exodus 90, Pray40

What is YA Small Group Lenten Journey?

The Small Group Lenten Journey is a spiritual pilgrimage during Lent, emphasizing prayer, sacrifice, and charity. It encourages participants to break away from their daily routines, focus on their spiritual growth, and draw closer to Christ. Joining a small group provides opportunities for meaningful discussions, spiritual practices, and building genuine friendships.

Fiat 90 (Women only) – Registration closed.

Exodus 90 (Men only) – Registration closed.

Lenten Journey Pray40 (Feb 11 to March 28) – Co-Ed

Join us for the Pray40 Journey, where we’ll use the Pray40 Challenge from the Hallow app as our primary resource for daily readings and reflections. Please download the Hallow app and use the Holy Name Cathedral subscription for free access to Pray40, or enjoy unlimited access for just $1 per month. For instructions, visit HNC website at tinyurl.com/HNChallow

Click to register

Co-Ed Lenten 40
(Day Options: Feb 11 to March 28)

Saturdays

• 9:30am – 11:00am
• 11:00am – 12:30pm

Wednesdays

• 6:00pm – 7:30pm

The two evenings when all groups will meet for Adoration and dinner are Wednesday, February 11, and Wednesday, March 18, 2026.

February 11 and March 18 schedule:
• 6:00pm – Adoration (quiet time)
• 6:30pm – Praying the Rosary
• 7:00pm – Guided Adoration (Taizé or praise and worship music)
• 8:00–9:00pm – Dinner and fellowship

If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Ton at tnguyen@holynamecathedral.org or Marta  mstepniak@holynamecathedral.org

 The registration fee is $40, which covers materials and two dinners.

 “I joined a small group last round, and honestly, I was skeptical at first. But as we met weekly, read the same material, practiced spiritual disciplines, and shared our joys and struggles, we really bonded. I feel more connected now and have made great friends. Highly recommended!”
— A Young Adult Participant

To sign up or learn more, click here.

Young Adult Ministry: Service

Answering Jesus’ Call: Service and Charity

“For when you saw me hungry, you fed me. When you found me thirsty, you gave me drink. When I had no place to stay, you invited me in, and when I was poorly clothed, you covered me. When I was sick, you tenderly cared for me, and when I was in prison, you visited me.”

(Matthew 25:35-40)

Service means working alongside God in the great effort to restore Eden. Answering Jesus’ call to live a Christian life means serving Him through acts of charity for our community. Our goal is to help young adult parishioners understand the true meaning of living out their Christian duties, rooted and grounded in charity. As we serve our city’s residents, we are directly serving Jesus.

Mission Trip to Peru in March 2025
Our Young Adults went on the Peru mission from March 13 to March 21. Click on the link below to read their daily journal and see the photos. 

“I will go anywhere and do anything to communicate the love of Jesus to those who do not know Him or have forgotten Him.”
St. Frances Xavier Cabrini.