Divine Mercy/St. Bernard Parish Young Adult Group sets an example

Macie Becker

Media Intern

As part of the Diocesan pastoral plan, the diocese has partnered with the Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI). CLI has been working with the parishes in the diocese on long-term pastoral plans for each parish. Divine Mercy and St. Bernard Parishes, Bellevue and Dayton, are a part of Next Generation Parish, a program in which the parish is paired with a CLI consultant to help not only develop but also to implement their plan.

One of the goals for the Divine Mercy/St. Bernard (DMSB) pastoral plan is to increase parishioner involvement in social and service groups within the parishes. DMSB has a thriving young adult community, drawing in people from in and out of the parishes to their events. Father Martin Pitstick, Pastor, refers to it as one of their parish’s “charisms.” Having events almost every day, the DMSB young adults have been an influence on the parish community, setting an example for the pastoral plan.

The young adults within the parish have continued to set this example by getting involved with other aspects of parish life, such as serving Masses and planning after-Mass brunches for the parishioners. Mr. Nienaber says the reason for starting integrated events is for the parishes to be “living and breathing and really healthy going into the next 20, 30, or 40 years.”

They combine the religious and recreational, planning events like Masses and Bible studies, as well as fun events like bonfires and swing dances. That dynamic has drawn in many people, both Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Oftentimes, non-Catholic participants in these recreational events end up being drawn to the Catholic faith by it.

“We always try to find that balance,” says Colin Nienaber, DMSB Young Adult Minister, who continued to say, “we’re having a lot of fun, but we also want to integrate the rest of the parish so that it’s not like two different parishes being made.”

“The young adults are taking on the service role for the life of the rest of the parish to leverage and to be the yeast for helping the rest of the parish,” said Father Pitstick. He continued, saying “no program is perfect, but you take valuable resources from the program, and we’ve done that and it has been very helpful.”

To learn more or get involved with DMSB or their young adult ministry, visit https://dmsbcatholic.com/.