The year culminated with a Testimony Night, where 50 young adults from three groups came together for a night of worship, Eucharistic adoration and sharing of testimonies.

“After this event, I received a text from Kelly Knieper asking if once I graduated, I would be willing to take on a new challenge: building a [young adult group] from the ground up, instead of a preexisting group like JP2,” said the New Lothrop native who returned to the area after graduation.

With a core leadership team, including Cole Yaros and Kohen Andres, a young adult group formed at St. Michael Parish in Maple Grove. At first, the group was planned to bridge the gap for college ministry over the summer, but it soon became clear that the Holy Spirit had no intention of slowing down.

“I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity here and those who have stepped up and came to make it a reality! Thank you to the Holy Spirit for truly showing up!” Dominic said. “This group has been a powerful testament to me. I know my faith has grown to see people ... show up with the same drive, the same hunger, to learn more about whatever we may be talking about.”

Landon Miller describes their gatherings as “a laid-back evening where friends and strangers get together to discuss their faith and learn about the Lord and the Bible, but also get to know each other.”

Raised in a Protestant denomination, Landon began coming when Dominic invited him, though he wasn’t sure what to believe. One week, the group studied the Rosary, which interested Landon. Dominic gave him an extra rosary to take home.

“The next day, I called him and was told that I was interrupting his Rosary,” he said. He used what we talked about and prayed the day before and decided to try it the next day!”

Landon said that he has started learning traditional Catholic prayers and he always leaves feeling fulfilled.

“This group has grown my interest and faith in the Lord,” he said. “Throughout the week, I find myself pondering the topics we discuss.”

One young couple, Seth and Austin Wendling, find the group to be a helpful follow-up to the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA) classes, which Austin recently completed with Seth as her sponsor.

For Seth, it has given him the opportunity to learn about the faith in which he was raised, a hunger that began while he went through OCIA classes.

Austin agrees they have grown in knowledge, but also in fellowship.

“I’ve learned more about the Faith as well as deepening my relationship with God, and [realized] that there are other people my age who have the same values and beliefs, as well as the same worries and struggles, too,” she said. “I’ve also strengthened relationships with good friends and made new friendships that I am unbelievably grateful for.”

Dominic expressed gratitude for St. Michael Parish of Maple Grove, which supports them by offering space and helping to set up a fundraiser. As the group continues to grow both in faith and size, the leaders hope they can add pilgrimages and service projects to their calendar.

“We hope to go wherever we are led to go by the Holy Spirit!” Dominic said.

For young adults wondering if they should join, Seth has a simple message: “Come out for a week, and you will want to come back for more!”

Follow St. Michael’s Young Adult Group on Instagram

@st.michaelyoungadults

or join us on Tuesday nights at 6:30 p.m. at St. Michael Parish in Maple Grove.