What is the vision of CYA? We want to be a community where young adults in the city of Austin and particularly at the parish of St. Mary’s Cathedral:
(1) encounter the Lord in the sacraments, interior prayer and the community
(2) choose to accept the invitation of Jesus Christ to be Intentional Disciples
(3) strive to become holy through participation in the sacraments, prayer, community, formation
(4) go out in service to the parish, the community, the world
(5) continue to call, encourage, and teach others to do the same.
Do I have to be in my 20s or 30s to be in CYA? While the group is primarily made up of single, professional Catholics in their 20s and 30s and events are geared toward this demographic, anyone between the ages of 18-40 is welcome to join, including young married couples. Our members cover the spectrum in how they define and practice their faith, but whether you are a devout Catholic or haven't been to church in years, you'll find our group is welcoming and nonjudgmental.
What will I get out of CYA? People participate in CYA for a variety of reasons. Some join for the social aspects and to meet others with similar backgrounds. Others have questions about their faith that they want to explore. Some want to become more active in community service activities. 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 other Catholics. Whatever the reason, CYA welcomes your participation!
What kind of activities / events does CYA offer? Our primary activities are:
(1) community events where we gather socially to share live together as young adult Catholics, like picnics, parties, etc
(2) Community Groups/Bible Studies, where we gather together intentionally in small groups to grow together in formation (human, spiritual, intellectual and Apostolic) as brothers and sisters in Christ
(3) Activities centered around worship of God and communal prayer like Adoration
(4) Spiritual Accompaniment, where men and women walk with their brothers and sisters in a one-on-one capacity in form each other in the various aspects of Christian discipleship.
Is there a cost to join? No, CYA is a ministry, and as such, there are no membership fees. Some events may have a small fee to offset costs, but the vast majority of social outings are pay-your-own-way.
Is there a minimum time commitment or meetings I'm required to attend? No, you may participate as much or as little as you like. However, those who participate on a regular basis tend to get much more out of their involvement in CYA. For those who would like to take on a more active role, the CYA Core Team is always looking for people interested in sharing their time and talents to further the ministry's mission.