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Young adult ministry leads others to praise God’s majesty in song
By Sylvia L. White, The Catholic Sun
October 4, 2007
More than 550 Catholics gathered Sept. 17 to learn more about Jesus Christ and worship Him through song and eucharistic adoration.
That’s when Adore Ministries’ 2097 10-city tour — which began in Hampton Roads, Va., and ended in Albuquerque, N.M. — stopped in Phoenix at the Pointe South Mountain Resort.
“The Holy Spirit was no doubt alive in that place and I can’t wait for the start of the new semester,” said Erin Lomeli, a parishioner at St. Timothy in Mesa. “The world and Catholics alike are in definite need of this amazing ministry. It was amazing to hear and see such an outpour of God’s love.”
Adore 2097 gets its name from the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Paragraph 2097 speaks of adoring God and recognizing that all of existence is dependent upon Him.
Paul George, cofounder of the ministry, gave the teaching and music ministers Matt Maher, Josh Blakesly and Kelly Pease led the praise and worship.
A small core group began Adore 2097 four years ago, praying in homes in Houma, La. Eucharistic adoration was usually a part of each gathering. This was new for many, according to Maureen Gallagher, creative director for Adore Ministries.
“People aren’t used to having Jesus Christ in the flesh in their living rooms,” Gallagher said. She correlated it to bringing Jesus into the chaos of their lives.
Kristin Niedbala, the Adore coordinator, said the ministry offers a teaching series that includes once a month sessions, a tour stop, such as the one on Sept. 17, or a one night session, independent of the tour, but with the same format.
Those involved in the ministry are also trying to empower local leaders to take over the ministry in several cities, Niedbala said.
This fall Adore Ministries is conducting its third monthly series at Arizona State University. The sessions are open to young adults from all over the diocese, not just ASU students.
Money from the Sept. 17 event benefited Adore Ministries and Catholic Relief Services.
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