The next Young Adult Mass of the Archdiocese of New York is set for Wednesday, July 10, at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, preceded by a Holy Hour and followed by a social gathering. Music at the Mass and Holy Hour will be provided by Gjonzef Pllumaj, who will be singing a capella.

The scheduled principal celebrant and homilist is Father John Wilson, who has ministered in several parishes in the archdiocese, including serving as parochial vicar of St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church in LaGrangeville. He is currently studying in Rome.

“We are very grateful to have Father Wilson celebrate the next Young Adult Mass. He has been a great supporter of young adults, especially in the Hudson Valley; he was a beloved chaplain of one of the young adult groups there,” Kaitlyn Colgan, assistant director of archdiocesan Young Adult Outreach, told The Good Newsroom.

“The theme of the night’s Gospel is Jesus empowering his disciples to go out and do works in His name as, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 10:7). We pray that this night will give young adults the strength to go back to their communities and shine Christ’s light…All young adults ages 18 to 35 are invited to join us and find their community,” Colgan added.

Father Wilson, a native of Hebron, Connecticut, holds a master’s degree from Claremont McKenna College in California. He did his pre-theology training at St. John Neumann Residence and Hall in Douglaston, Queens, before Cardinal Timothy Dolan asked him to undertake major seminary studies at Pontifical North American College in Rome to pursue a licentiate in sacred theology at Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas.

Ordained in May 2016, before pursuing the priesthood Father Wilson covered state and local politics as a journalist for The New York Post.

The mission statement of Young Adult Outreach says in part that the goal “is to connect Catholic young adults to God and each other, by helping you get connected to the young adult communities…The office aims to act as a liaison for new and seasoned New Yorkers, whether you are exploring the faith or have grown up in it, to help you find what you’re looking for.” 

The Mass will begin at 7:30 p.m. The social gathering after Mass will be at nearby Connolly’s Pub & Restaurant. For more information about Young Adult Outreach: www.catholicnyc.com.