Green Branch Open Group Gathering
(3/2024 – 6/2024)
In order to allow working young people to experience the faith group more effectively, the CYA Young People's Faith Group (Qingzhi) will hold four public evangelization gatherings from March to June 2024. The themes are death vs. life, loneliness vs. communion, bondage vs. freedom, meaninglessness vs. fruitfulness. Through relevant Bible chapters, participants will discuss related topics and reflect on the impact of faith on themselves. The gathering process is similar to ordinary group gatherings, including: worship and praise, life sharing, Bible sharing, group sharing and prayer.
I am really grateful that different young professionals participate in each public evangelization meeting. Most of them are personally invited by the Green Branch members, and some of them are non-church friends. Everyone participates and shares with enthusiasm. Many participants say that it is rare to meet a faith group of young professionals. They like the sharing and prayer parts. In addition, the Bible sharing part also allows everyone to reflect on the meaning of their own lives.
Be a Better Half
(2/2023 – 8/2023)
The gathering is the 2023 evangelization gathering of the CYA Young Professionals Faith Group (Qingzhi), which has a total of six gatherings led by different church speakers. Following the theme of last year, Be a Better Me, the theme of this year's evangelization gathering is Be a Better Half, so that everyone can prepare themselves to become better partners. Through the first three gatherings, the relationship between the participants and themselves, family, and God will be explored; and the last three gatherings will explore the needs of men and women, gender communication, marriage and the meaning of sex, so that participants can enhance their learning about getting along with partners.
Through games, sharing and communication, participants can enhance their self-awareness and deepen their understanding of how to get along with the opposite sex. Some participants even attend with their partners, so that they can exchange their experiences of getting along with each other. In addition, there are group prayer sessions during the gatherings, allowing participants to entrust the challenges in life and relationships to God in prayer, and experience the companionship and support of group members. Through evangelization gatherings, young professionals will consider joining group life in the future, open their hearts, and experience God.
CYA Faith Small Groups 2022 Young Working Adults' Evangelization Sharing Gatherings
(1/2022 - 7/2022)
Every year in the first half of the year, CYA organizes a series of evangelization sharing gatherings specifically for young working adults, with different themes each year.
The theme for the 2022 Young Working Adults' Evangelization Sharing Gatherings was "Be a Better Me," focusing on personal growth. These gatherings were held once a month, totaling six sessions. They explored various practical topics relevant to young working adults' lives, such as self-awareness, life's meaning, financial management, career planning, family relationships, and emotions. The sessions were led by different Catholic speakers with expertise in these areas.
Through interactive games, activities, speaker sharing, and group discussions, young working adults discovered their faith through relatable topics. This led them to actively participate in CYA events and gatherings.
The gatherings were conducted in small groups, with CYA members serving as group leaders, facilitating group discussions and providing individual follow-up support to group members.
Over 60 people participated in the activities, including some non-believers and seekers. This helped increase their understanding of faith small groups. Due to the severity of the pandemic, the gatherings from January to March were held online, while the ones from April to July were fortunate enough to be conducted in person.
Through the six sharing sessions, many young working adults were able to openly share the challenges they faced, and group members journeyed together and exchanged experiences. Everyone was grateful for the opportunity to participate in these gatherings. Some members even joined CYA's young working adults' small group, continuing to deepen their faith within the community.
Shine Program Series
Young adults entering the workforce often face numerous challenges, particularly in their work and relationships. These challenges require nurturing of their faith, allowing them to grow rooted in God's love. In the past, CYA has organized various evangelization gatherings for young working adults, including the Shine Program series, which consists of WorkShine for professional development in the workplace and LoveShine for cultivating healthy relationships. These gatherings provide a relaxed and interactive environment where young working adults can receive appropriate guidance and engage in meaningful discussions related to their work and relationships.
Although young working adults are gradually transitioning into adulthood, they still require sufficient support and guidance in their lives and spirituality. CYA's evangelization gatherings for young working adults welcome those who may not have a faith background or who come from different faith traditions. By participating in these gatherings, individuals can freely share and exchange experiences, benefit from the sharing and journeying within a faith community, and even foster an interest in the Catholic faith among non-believing young adults, thereby promoting youth evangelization.
