What is the Sunday Evening Mass? That question prompted a search for a variety of pithy and witty titles, the winner of that beauty contest stands (or limps) proudly above.
Our monthly Sunday evening youth mass has begun as a bit of an experiment. Is there a need or a desire for the youth/young adult/young professionals of the parish to have their own space to meet up, worship together and form community together? Is St Martin de Porres a good place for it to happen? And is it ultimately sustainable?
Recent research suggests that connection to others is not simply a nice-to-have, but a real and growing need among young adults. The World Health Organization’s 2025 report on social connection identifies loneliness and social isolation as widespread public health concerns and notes that adolescents and young adults are among the groups most affected. Similarly, the 2024 Walton Family Foundation–Gallup study of Gen Z found that young people are seeking meaningful relationships, a stronger sense of community and a purposeful life. This indicates that opportunities to gather in person, build friendships, worship together and feel a sense of belonging are likely to be a genuine priority for many young adults rather than an optional extra.
While it seems that this is an important need, our target population is limited. While we are a growing parish, we are still a small parish. This means that we will need to work harder at drawing people to it. We may also struggle with musicians, the majority of which we borrow from neighbouring parishes. We need a core group
committed to this parish should we want to maintain the standard of the liturgy and possibly even grow it to more than just once a month. We need leaders united around a common vision which they are passionate about.
We also need to consciously work towards helping people encounter Christ and one another at a deeper level. This is too central to this project to not plan it. I ended mass last Sunday saying that maybe we should think of calling the mass something different. While it will always be a youth led and youth focused mass, its primary
intention is encounter and connection. Maybe over time our Sunday evening mass will evolve into an “Encounter” mass, with “Connect” groups and activities afterwards.
Something to think about.
As we take this project forward, a project I passionately believe in, I hope that we can be better at being intentional and invitational. Better at welcoming those who don’t fit into established friendship groups. Better at creating moments of real encounter and connection. I know this is a big ask, of us and of the group of leaders coalescing around this project. But I know it can be done, and that it can be done by us. I believe
that God wants to do great things here at St Martin de Porres, in us, with us and through us.
Encounter Christ through worship, service and community!
