The Archdiocese of New York’s Office of Young Adult Outreach has been hosting its annual summer series, “Love & Responsibility,” with gatherings that feature speakers discussing “relationship topics relevant to modern men and women everywhere.” 

This summer’s meetings are hosted at 7 p.m. in the front courtyard of the Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral on Mulberry Street in Lower Manhattan. Past speakers include Father Agustino Torres, CFR, co-founder and president emeritus of Corazon Puro, Gene Zannetti, Catholic author and speaker, former nationally-ranked, All-Ivy League wrestler, and co-founder of Z-Winning Mindset, Colin Nykaza, director of evangelization at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Pjetër Nilaj, current director of Young Adult outreach.

Christy Vaissade, head of the theology department at Immaculata High School in Somerville, New Jersey, and former assistant director of Young Adult Outreach, will be the last presenter for the series on Tuesday, August 20. 

But the Love & Responsibility gatherings will formally end on August 27 with a Talent Showcase, with young adults displaying their talents, such as singing, dancing, stand-up comedy, and poetry reading. 

The talks stem from the teachings of St. John Paull II’s Theology of The Body, with topics related to dating, marriage, chastity, and relationships to offer “explanations of what the Church teaches and practical life advice to young adults (ages 21-39) striving to live whole, happy and healthy lives,” organizing material states. Love & Responsibility offers a forum for young adults “to gather and discuss how to build healthy relationships of authentic love.” 

“It’s really important for the young adults to get together and talk about these topics of Theology of the Body,” Kaitlyn Colgan, assistant director of Young Adult Outreach, told The Good Newsroom in an August 14 phone interview. “And it’s a chance for them to get to meet each other with the social gathering afterward. It’s something that people look forward to every summer; we’ve heard that from a lot of people.” Colgan said the attendance range is 100 to 150 young adults.  

Maria Jose Corniell, a parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village, attended two of this summer’s L&R gatherings.

“As a young adult, I find it crucial to learn from these talks to deepen my understanding of faith and to benefit from the experiences of others. This knowledge is as important for shaping my mind as reading on these topics,” Corniell said in an email to The Good Newsroom. “These talks are valuable not only because of the insights shared by distinguished speakers, but also because they provide an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, nurture existing friendships, and forge new ones.”

Inspirational music at the L&R meetings and other Young Adult Outreach evening events is provided by New York-area vocalists and musicians. 

The Office of Young Adult Outreach also offers a monthly Young Adult Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, usually the first Wednesday of each month – preceded by a Holy Hour and followed by a social gathering. There is also a Holy Hour and Social at St. Joseph’s Church in Greenwich Village every second Wednesday of the month, and a Homeless Outreach Night every third Wednesday of the month, where participants first gather at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and then walk Midtown streets engaging in outreach – providing food, friendly words, and prayer cards. 

For more information visit: www.catholicnyc.com