"We are all called to be saints at every phase of our lives; we are all on the road to sainthood!" — Jason Martin, coordinator of Our Road to Sainthood  (OR2S), a new young adult ministry based at Holy Cross, for those age 21 and above.

> Click to add yourself to the OR2S contact list

Early in our journey, as children in the church, we encounter saints as framed images, as statues on pedestals and places of significance around the church or maybe even in our homes. We are told stories of their great abilities, their extraordinary relationships with God, the supernatural gifts they may possess and how they shared those gifts with others. All the while, as young Catholics, we are encouraged "to be like them," to be "saintly."

Our relationship with God is fostered through preparation for and receiving our Sacraments of Initiation, and we are reminded constantly of our potential to achieve great and holy things!

The elders of the parish are recognized and revered for their years of dedication to practicing their faith, for the many ways they have given to the community and to the Church. Many of them may be referred to as "saints" as a reflection of their love for God, the hardships they have overcome, and the many sacrifices they have endured throughout their lives. These seasons of our Christian lives and these accomplishments in our lives as Catholics represent the on-ramp at the beginning of our journey or approaching that far-off mile marker towards the end of our trip: a distant memory or distant destination, marked with indicators of noteworthy progress along the way.

Remember: Everyone who makes it to Heaven is a saint, and the path to becoming a saint starts simply, with a "yes" — saying "yes" to God at some point within the context of our lives, continuing to turn towards His will and staying in that lane.

In many ways, the impact and contributions of young adults in the church goes unseen, unknown or untapped. Consequently, the sense of direction that is provided early on doesn't account for some of the detours that our journey may entail.

Young adults are those who have graduated from being pupils of the Faith to being its practitioners.

Young adults have moved into the roles of employees and entrepreneurs, homeowners and homemakers, parents and public servants, trainers and taxpayers, organizers, administrators, facilitators and faculty members. Each one of these roles includes a "yes" to God's plan! Some are still sorting out their role and response.

Just as families, local communities and the government need their contributions, so, too, does our church. Young adults have the accumulated experience to be competent and independent, responsible and reliable. Unlike the youngest members of the congregation, young adults have full agency and the authority to make effective decisions. They possess the foresight to plan, the capacity to organize, the ambition to initiate change and the vitality to see those plans come to fruition. These are just a few of the ways that one's God-given gifts and abilities can be shared.

Again, unlike the youngest members of the parish who are being taught new lessons about the saints and who are continually encouraged to be "saintly," young adult parishioners are left to stand firm on their "Catholic upbringing," distant and fading lessons from Catholic school or Sunday School classrooms, or maybe from the condensed curriculum of RCIA courses.

While we strive to remain stable in our faith throughout adulthood, the uncertainties and challenges of life can shake our foundations. Young adults are on the longest stretch of the road to Sainthood; the part where structural integrity is tested and reliable maintenance and technical support may be necessary. 

Welcome to "Our Road to Sainthood" —  an initiative at Holy Cross Catholic Church of Durham to gather, encourage and embolden young adults of the parish (age 21-plus) to recognize their invaluable role —  to participate in and contribute to the life, health and growth of our beloved Church, both locally and universally.

Young adults are invited to indicate their interest and register to attend sessions which will begin in the near future.

> Here's the signup link again.

Each session will include sharing faith, fellowship and food! After a brief presentation of content supporting the central theme of the session, attendees will have an opportunity to interact with their peers through group discussions and to meet representatives from the many ministries of Holy Cross. Participants will learn more about the countless ways our God-given talents, time and treasure can add to the vitality and longevity of the church — our spiritual home on Earth — while on the road to our eternal home, Heaven, the home of all saints!

— Jason Martin previously coordinated the Young Adult Scripture Study Group at Holy Cross for many years. That ministry has evolved into this new opportunity for young adults: Our Road to Sainthood (ORTS)