FAITH can often take a backseat to the constant ‘go-go-go’” of adult life.
It is a challenge that Evangelisation Brisbane’s Arnie Hurdoyal and David Kruse know all too well.
“On the daily, it’s wake-up, work, looking after and spending with the wife and kids, housework, making meals, cleaning up – the days get consumed quickly,” Mr Hurdoyal said.
“Even weekends can feel the same with social events.
“If there isn’t an intention to make time for prayer in the morning or purposefully take out time either as a couple or individually to receive some formation… it’s hard to feel we’re growing in our faith journey or receiving as much as we did in our teenage or early young adult years.”
This was where Reclaim Plus could make an impact, he said.
Reclaim Plus is for people aged 25-45 years old, dubbed millennials, looking to connect with people in their stage of life who are interested in their faith.
Mr Kruse said millennials often struggled to find a spiritual home that had Catholics in their stage of life.
“People tend to flock to parishes where they feel welcome and with people their own age, and a parish generally attracts certain age groups based on what’s available at the parish,” he said.
“A parish that tries hard to make things appealing for millennials will likely attract them.
“But oftentimes, it’s easier for a parish to go about business as usual and do things that are appealing more for empty nesters, or retirees.”
He said the knock-on effect of this was that millennials could often feel like “outsiders, infringing on a culture that’s already established and in which they are the odd-duck”.
“This can make it very difficult to meet people in a similar state of life who have an interest in the faith and all of the blessings and crosses that come with it,” he said.
Mr Kruse said Reclaim Plus age-bracket was wide but “when it comes to the faith life, we find that there is a need for ministry to that age group as a whole”.
“There might be 25 year olds with two children, or 45 year old with none who, in the context of the faith, have very similar needs.”
He summed up the needs in two words – catechesis and spirituality
“Millennials want catechesis and spirituality that is clear, understandable, that makes sense, good news that keeps us wanting to learn more,” he said.
“Suspicious of simply subjective experiences, millennials like reliable truth made credible by authentic witnesses.
“Millennials like mentorship, authenticity, intuitive knowledge, innovation and a project that takes principles of goodness and turns them into practical realities.”
Mr Hurdoyal said the venue Jugar was a spacious café with an indoor playground.
He said the Reclaim Plus team would have babysitters there too while the parents could engage with the group more.
“Our hope for this group is to establish a place where millennials who struggle to find spiritual vitality can find it,” Mr Kruse said.
“Here, among like-minded, curious Catholic Christians in the same walk of life as them, attendees can get a quick break from whatever burdens they carry, and receive something that is specifically for them, and from God.
“We hope to facilitate an encounter between them and God that leaves all in attendance feeling curiously refreshed, spiritually nourished, and interested in going deeper into the well of peace that is Jesus Christ and his beautiful Church.”
To find out more, please visit: evangelisationbrisbane.org.au/event/reclaim-plus
