While many parishes struggle to attract a younger demographic, a regular gathering at St Bernadette’s in Glendalough has been bringing young adults together with a heady mix of relaxed fraternity and strong Marian devotion.
The parish’s young adult cenacle takes place on the first and third Thursdays of the month, beginning at a local eatery and progressing to the parish church for prayer followed by refreshments.
Both the dinner and the cenacle, a recitation of the Rosary following a format used by the Marian Movement of Priests, have been attracting a strong crowd of mostly young professionals aged somewhere between 25 and 40 years old.
Viviana Boyle, 30, who helps facilitate the nights with a small group of dedicated volunteers, said she was inspired to put the idea of the cenacle nights to her parish priest, Fr Doug Harris after her own positive experience at a MMP retreat.
“Starting up a cenacle group for young adults kept coming up in my Holy Hour and prayer. So, I raised the idea with Fr Doug and he loved it and said “Please go ahead”,” Ms Boyle told The Record early last week.
“It’s built a sense of community and belonging for people from all different walks of life, where like-minded people are able to socialise and most importantly pray with other young Catholics. Our regulars have reported receiving many graces in their lives and a feeling of hope from attending these nights. I have observed growth in people’s faith and even personal development.
“Some people come straight from work so there’s a chance to unwind with good company over a meal at 6.30, other people skip the group dinner and meet up at St Bernadettes for the cenacle at 8.00 followed by coffee and cake and a catch-up chat,” Ms Boyle, herself a lawyer working in Perth’s CBD, said.
A lot of strong friendships have formed as a result of the nights, spawning trips to Moore River and Dunsborough and organised and impromptu get-togethers at one another’s houses.
At the event’s heart, however, is a desire to come closer to Christ through the example and intercession of his mother, something Ms Boyle said had been a great source of strength and encouragement in her own life.
“My daily Rosary has strengthened and deepened my faith and has been a source of great peace and grace in my life,” she told The Record. “The cenacle is a way of encouraging and supporting people to turn to Our Lady and the Rosary for strength, grace and hope.”
Ms Boyle said the nights are open to all young adults interested in journeying in faith and friendship and new people are most welcome. One of the nights’ organisers, Adele Coyne, encourages priests and inspirational Catholic speakers to attend. Priests are asked to provide short reflections and to hear confessions. The group welcomed Archbishop Emeritus Barry Hickey to their cenacle gathering early last month.
For more information on the young adult cenacle, contact st.bernadettesyouth@gmail.com.