Defending Their Faith

Young Professionals Ministry helps Catholics ‘know what they profess’

MORRISTOWN  Earlier this year, the Young Professionals Ministry at Assumption Parish here decided to deepen their understanding of Catholicism and hone their abilities to defend the faith by taking it upon themselves to develop monthly talks on Catholic apologetics, taking turns researching various aspects of the faith and then presenting that information to other young adults and interested parishioners.

Since, the Young Professionals have explored a broad array of subjects, during their talks on the last Friday of the month, including the Creed, “Why We Believe What We Believe,” “Why We Pray to Mary?” and “How to Answer an Atheist.” The group of Catholics, ages 21 and older, also welcomed Bob Bird, the father of member Elena Zolnick, who spoke about the Shroud of Turin. The Catholic Apologetics series continues on Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. in Assumption’s community room with a presentation by parishioner John J. Mihalko on “Why Do Catholics Pray for the Dead?” He will discuss the Communion of Saints as the Church approaches the month of November, when it prays for the dead and honors the saints.

“The Young Professionals came up with idea for the Catholic Apologetics series. I told them, ‘Great! Go for it,’ ” said Father Przemek Nowak, Assumption’s parochial vicar, who oversees the group; reviews the material for each session before the presentation; and attends each sessions to be available for discussion and questions. “I’m impressed [with the presenters’ research and presentations]. They want to know Catholic values and truths about the faith. It’s a good group of people, who are living their faith and are looking to understand it,” the priest said.

Those who attend the Catholic Apolo­getics sessions learn to build a case for their faith in the public. These two-and-a-half-hour events are BYOB, where pizza is provided, and start with fellowship, followed by a presentation — usually delivered with the aid of a PowerPoint slide program — and questions and discussion. The series — which is open to the parish — will start back up in January, after Thanksgiving and Christ­mas, Father Nowak said.

Zolnick, a professional opera singer, helped develop the Catholic Apologetics series and even delivered the first presentation on the Creed with his husband, Matthew.

“I thought, ‘What make us Catholics different from other Christian denominations?’ There are a lot of complex features of our faith. Let’s discuss them,” Zolnick said. “In this day, it’s important for Catholics to engage in conversation with other Catholics and non-Catholics about what it is that we truly believe. The secular media doesn’t give a clear picture of the faith, so it’s important for people to know what the Church teaches. We should not be ashamed of what we profess. But first, we need to know what we profess,” she said.

The Catholic Apologetics Series grew out of the Young Professionals’ continual hunger for spirituality and service. Every other week, they hold Grow in Faith Thursdays — sessions on topics to help strengthen their faith. On alternate weeks, they gather for Fellowship Fridays, when they go out to eat, go bowling or go see a movie. The group — which includes married couples, young families and their friends — also has embarked on pilgrimages; collected Christmas Cookies for the Troops; conducted a bale sale for educating children in Haiti and held Thanks­giving, Christmas and Easter parties. Recently, a few members experienced the joy of seeing Pope Francis twice during his visit to Philadelphia: once at the Festival of Families and again at the papal Mass, attended by 1 million people, Father Nowak said.