Who Are “Young Adults”?
When we speak of young adults we mean adults between the ages of 18 and 35. Most of today’s young adults are members of two groups termed “Generation X” (born between1964-1979) and the Millennials (born after 1980). The young adult population of our diocese is characterized by greater diversity than older age brackets, with a preponderance of Hispanics, as shown in this graph from the Houston Chronicle, 29 March 2001 (used with permission): In 1996, the U.S. Catholic bishops gave us a plan for young adult ministry, Sons and Daughters of the Light. They begin their introductory letter with a confession: We acknowledge the pain many of you speak of feeling unwelcome and alone–strangers in the house of God. For any failure to extend hospitality we apologize and promise anew greater efforts to welcome you into church life. They invite young adults to give the Church another chance: We know that your talents, and those of other young adults, can enrich the Church and be a sign of God’s pre
