St. Charles Young Adults

St. Charles Young Adults St. Charles Young Adults is a community of Catholics ages 18–35 seeking to deepen their relationship with Christ and His Church. All are welcomed!

We meet every Sunday at 5 PM for prayer, catechism study, and open discussions on all things theology.

In the Nicene Creed, Catholics profess that we believe in “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic” faith. We believe the Cat...
06/18/2026

In the Nicene Creed, Catholics profess that we believe in “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic” faith. We believe the Catholic Church is the one true Church instituted by Jesus Christ, universally practiced, and handed on by the apostles.

The Church of today is the one true Church the apostles professed. Jesus promised “there would be one flock, one shepherd” in John 10:16. Paul writes in Ephesians 4:4-5 there is one body, one spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one God and Father. We are united into one body by the sharing of one bread (1 Cor. 10:17), which we know as the Eucharist.

Secondly, the Church is holy in that it was instituted by the all-holy God and has been endowed with the Sacraments and the Word meant to make the sinners of its body holy. This doesn’t mean that the members of the Church are perfect or “holier than thou”; it means the Church is able to dispense the graces given by Christ through the Sacraments and Holy Scripture. Christ loves us and gave Himself up for us that He might cleanse us and make us holy (Eph. 5:25-27) thereby instituting a holy Church.

Thirdly, the Church is “catholic”, meaning “universal”. Any person from any nation can be a part of the faith. It is no mere coincidence that on the “birthday” of the Church, known as Pentecost, there were Jews from every nation present when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles (Acts 2:5). Many accepted the faith right then and there and carried and spread the Good News in their native lands. This faith is for all people at all times in all places.

Fourthly and finally, the Church is apostolic–founded upon the apostles through the commission of Jesus. The apostles, chosen by Jesus (John 6:70), were given the power and authority to pass on the truths given to them by Jesus. The successors, or bishops, were handed over this power and authority to maintain these truths; the New Testament references this in Titus 1:5-9. All Catholic bishops to this day have the authority that originated with the apostles.

Jesus Christ founded the Catholic Church upon the authority of the apostles, available universally to all people, and instituted the Sacraments meant to make all men holy and united in His one Church. We are, and always have been, one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.

This series isn’t meant for debate, but simply to share what Catholics actually believe.

This week we spotlight St. Ephrem (or Ephraim) of Syria, the only deacon Doctor of the Church. Ephrem was born at the be...
06/15/2026

This week we spotlight St. Ephrem (or Ephraim) of Syria, the only deacon Doctor of the Church. Ephrem was born at the beginning of the 4th century in Nisibis (in modern-day Turkey) to poor farm laborers. He was raised in piety, but from a young age, he was known for his quick temper and impulsive behavior. He often fought, acted unreasonably, and doubted God’s Providence. As he grew up, Ephrem finally underwent conversion by the grace of God and followed a path of repentance.

Ephrem became a disciple of St. James of Nisibis, an ascetic defender of the Christian faith and denouncer of A***nism. Through James’ tutelage, Ephrem became meek and humble, submitting to God’s will and finding the strength to withstand temptations without complaint. Ephrem was transformed into a humble monk, entrusted by James to preach sermons, instruct children, and even went with James to the First Ecumenical Council at Nicea in 325.

After the capture of Nisibis by Persians in 363, Ephrem moved to a monastery in Edessa. There he joined the ascetics dwelling in caves, praying and creating psalms set to music. It was here that Ephrem developed his future talent in psalmody, creating hymns that are still used in Eastern Orthodoxy to this day. While in Edessa, he also grew in the gift of teaching, bestowed upon him by God, and many came to hear his counsel. Ephrem instructed everyone in repentance, faith, and piety, denouncing the A***n heresy that caused turmoil at that time. Pagans who heard his preaching converted, and many Christians devoted themselves more concretely to God.

Ephrem wrote the first Syriac commentary on the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. He wrote many prayers and hymns, his most famous to the Most Holy Trinity, to the Son of God, and to Mary, the Most Holy Theotokos. He composed hymns to celebrate the Twelve Great Feasts of the Lord, including the Nativity, Baptism, and Resurrection of Christ. St. Ephrem’s Prayer of Repentance is recited during Great Lent, the most rigorous season of fasting in the Eastern Orthodox and Christian Churches.

Though he converted many and was a great instructor, Ephrem struggled with feelings of guilt and moral anxiety. He believed himself to the least and worst of all, even to the end of his days. He visited Caesarea in Cappadocia with Saint Basil the Great, who wanted to ordain him a priest, but Ephrem considered himself unworthy and only consented to becoming a deacon. Later, Basil tried to make him accept a bishop’s throne, but Ephrem feigned madness to avoid this, still considering himself unworthy of any higher honor.

At the end of his life, Ephrem hoped to live in solitude in Edessa, but God called him to serve the poor and suffering. A devastating famine swept through Edessa, so using his gift of speech, he convinced the wealthy to aid those in need. From those offerings, he built a poor-house for the poor and sick. After this, he withdrew to a cave near Edessa after contracting the plague from ministering to the sick, and he succumbed to the sickness in 373.

St. Ephrem of Syria teaches us that humility is attainable, even if we struggle with anger and impulsiveness, even if we feel guilt and anxiety. All we must do is trust in God and use the gifts He provides to better the lives of those around us. St. Ephrem of Syria, pray for us!

This week we spotlight St. Bernard of Montjoux, a priest whose life was dedicated to serving travelers, spreading the Go...
06/08/2026

This week we spotlight St. Bernard of Montjoux, a priest whose life was dedicated to serving travelers, spreading the Gospel, and caring for those in need. Born in the 10th century in Italy, Bernard felt called to devote his life to Christ and became known for his zeal, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping others.

As archdeacon of Aosta, Bernard worked tirelessly to strengthen the faith of the people in the Alpine regions. He preached against pagan practices that still lingered in the mountains and encouraged people to embrace a deeper relationship with God. His ministry was marked by courage and perseverance as he traveled through difficult terrain to bring the message of Christ to remote communities.

Bernard is perhaps best remembered for establishing hospices in the Alps to aid pilgrims and travelers crossing the dangerous mountain passes between Italy and Switzerland. These shelters provided food, rest, protection, and care to those facing harsh weather and treacherous journeys. His dedication to hospitality and service saved countless lives and became a lasting testament to Christian charity. The famous Great St. Bernard Pass and St. Bernard Pass were later named in his honor.

Despite the challenges and dangers of his ministry, Bernard remained faithful to God’s call. He saw every traveler, pilgrim, and stranger as a person deserving of dignity, kindness, and compassion. His life reminds us that serving Christ often means meeting people where they are and offering help when it is needed most.

✨ This week, ask St. Bernard of Montjoux to pray for you—that you may have a generous heart toward those in need, the courage to serve others selflessly, and the faith to be a source of hope and hospitality wherever God places you.

Catholics believe in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, a defining belief of the faith. The bread and wine bec...
06/04/2026

Catholics believe in the True Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, a defining belief of the faith. The bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ through consecration, even though physically they still look, smell, and taste the same. But there have been instances where the bread and wine became true flesh and blood after consecration. These Eucharistic miracles have happened all over the world, and many have been examined by leading medical scientists and institutions.

There are close to 150 Eucharistic miracles that are recognized by the Church. All of them involve the bread and/or wine being consecrated and changed physically into flesh and/or blood. Many of these miracles have preserved evidence, and there are aspects shared in common out of the ones tested by scientists and medical experts. First, all of the flesh samples are heart tissue, specifically from the left ventricle. Of the incorrupt flesh evidence, there are intact, active white blood cells present–blood cells that should have died within minutes of being outside of a living organism. The flesh shows signs of being under extreme duress and torture. Second, all of the blood is AB. This blood type is also found on the Shroud of Turin, the burial shroud of Jesus.

The first, and most infamous, recorded miracle happened in Lanciano, Italy, around 750 AD. The monk presiding that day had serious doubts about whether the Eucharist truly was the Body and Blood of Christ. When he spoke the words of consecration, the Host changed into flesh, and the wine became blood that coagulated into five distinct blood clots. Both the flesh and blood have remained incorrupt for over 1,200 years without use of chemical preservatives, and they are on public display at the Church of San Francesco in Lanciano. Two of the most recent miracles both occurred in 2013 in India and Poland; the picture shown is of the miracle in India where the face of Christ was revealed in the Host. In Poland, a dropped Host was placed into water to dissolve it–the typical practice for that instance–but instead it transformed into living heart tissue with type AB blood.

Jesus knows how our hearts wrestle with this belief, and so He has given us these miracles to show us His power and His willingness to be offered to us in Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. May these miracles strengthen the faith of Catholics and convert non-believers!

For more details and stories on Eucharistic miracles, go to https://www.miracolieucaristici.org/en/liste/list.html an international exhibition designed and created by St. Carlo Acutis in 2002.

This series isn’t meant for debate, but simply to share what Catholics actually believe.

This week we spotlight St. Philip Neri. Philip was born in Florence, Italy, on July 21, 1515. He was known for being che...
06/01/2026

This week we spotlight St. Philip Neri. Philip was born in Florence, Italy, on July 21, 1515. He was known for being cheerful and obedient even as a child. He was taught by the friars at the Dominican monastery, San Marco, in Florence.

At age 18, he went to live with a wealthy family member in San Germano, presumably to inherit the family business, but soon after he got there, he received a mystical vision from God. He later referred to this as his Christian conversion; it dramatically changed his life. He felt a call to renounce property and wealth and instead live for and serve Jesus Christ and His Church.

He moved to Rome and became a live-in tutor for a fellow Florentine family. The two boys under his tutelage improved greatly, proving Philip’s talent of bringing out the best in people through impactful relationships. He then spent two years practicing ascetics, eating very small meals of bread and water with a few vegetables and dedicating most of his time to prayer. After that, he spent three years studying theology and philosophy at the Sapienza and St. Augustine’s monastery but discerned out of priesthood. He instead set out to help the poor of Rome and re-evangelize the city.

Philip frequented street corners and public squares, striking up conversations and leading listeners to consider a new and better way of life following Christ. People gravitated toward his warm personality and great sense of humor. He encouraged fellowship among the people, calling them to gather for discussion, studies, prayer, and music. He was known to ask, “Well, brothers, when shall we begin to do good?”

In 1548, Philip founded the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity, a confraternity for poor laymen to meet for spiritual exercises and service of the poor. His amicable nature won him over friends from all walks of life, including Sts. Ignatius of Loyola, Pius V, and Charles Borromeo.

At 34 years old, his confessor, Fr. Persiano Rossa, thought Philip could do so much more if he became a priest and implored Philip to be ordained. Philip was convinced and was ordained to the diaconate and then to priesthood on May 23, 1551. He joined Fr. Rossa at San Girolamo and continued his mission through the confessional. Philip spent hours every day listening to people’s confessions, sometimes going into informal discussions for those who really wanted to live a better life.

Philip began to attract pilgrims and other priests wanting to help in his mission. A large room was built above the church in San Girolamo to accommodate them. Philip and the priests were soon called “Oratorians” because they would ring a bell and call the faithful to their “oratory”. A few years later, the Congregation of the Priests of the Oratory was founded. Philip’s rule for the Oratorians was to share a common table and perform spiritual exercises. They were not bound by a vow or called to denounce their property, though.

Philip continued evangelizing Rome, hearing confessions, and developing friendships from the poorest of the poor to powerful popes, kings, and cardinals. He called for a reformation of the Church and worked toward that through gentleness and friendship. Philip earned the title “Apostle of Rome” due to his dedication to the lay people of Rome.

On the feast of Corpus Christi, May 25, 1595, Philip was in seriously bad health. For the remainder of the day, he listened to confessions and saw visitors as normal. Before heading to bed, Philip stated, “Last of all, we must die”. Around midnight, Philip passed.

St. Philip Neri is the patron saint of Rome, U.S. special forces, humor, and joy. His feast day is May 26. May we learn from St. Philip’s example and reach out in love and good humor to call others to conversion. St. Philip Neri, pray for us!

05/31/2026

Today, on the Feast of the Holy Trinity, we celebrate the day of the real love, because God is love, as Pope Benedict XVI reminded us in his encyclical Deus Caritas Est ("God is love")

“Catholics worship statues” is one of the most common misconceptions about the Catholic faith. 🤍✝️But worshipping statue...
05/28/2026

“Catholics worship statues” is one of the most common misconceptions about the Catholic faith. 🤍✝️
But worshipping statues is actually something the Church strongly condemns — that would be idolatry.

Catholics do not worship statues, images, or icons.
They are visual reminders that help direct our hearts and minds toward Christ, Mary, and the saints. 🕊️

Think of them like family photos.
A picture of someone you love isn’t the person itself — it simply helps you remember them and feel connected to them. 🌿

The Church teaches that any honor shown to a sacred image passes to the person it represents, not to the material object itself.

This understanding was affirmed at the Second Council of Nicaea in 787 A.D., which defended the proper use of sacred images in Christian worship and prayer. ✨

Catholics may kneel near a statue, pray before an icon, or light candles as acts of devotion — but worship belongs to God alone. 🤍✝️

Sacred art exists to inspire prayer, reflection, and deeper love for God.

This series isn’t meant for debate, but simply to share what Catholics actually believe. 🤍✝️

05/27/2026

Medicine has limits. Therapy has limits. Human love has limits. The saints know something else.

Some problems feel humanly impossible.
Broken families. Hopeless situations. Prayers that seem unanswered.

But the Church has always believed something simple and powerful: when we cannot carry something alone, the saints can pray with us.

Over the centuries, certain saints became known for helping in situations that seem impossible.

🙏 St. Rita of Cascia (1381–1457) is often called the Saint of the Impossible because her entire life seemed marked by situations that looked humanly hopeless. She endured an abusive marriage for years, prayed for her husband’s conversion until he changed, suffered the murder of her husband, and later faced the possibility of her sons seeking revenge. Even after losing nearly everything, she remained faithful to God with remarkable patience and forgiveness. Many people are drawn to her because she experienced deep suffering firsthand and still trusted God through it.

📅 Her feast day is May 22

🙏 St. Jude Thaddeus (1st century) is known as the patron saint of hopeless causes and desperate situations. One reason for this devotion is that many early Christians were hesitant to pray to him because his name resembled Judas Iscariot, the apostle who betrayed Jesus. Because of this, St. Jude became associated with the forgotten, abandoned, and last resort cases. Over time, countless Christians testified to receiving unexpected help after asking for his intercession, especially in situations that seemed completely beyond hope.

🙏 St. Gregory of Neocaesarea (c. 213–270), also called Gregory the Wonderworker, became known for miracles so extraordinary that ancient Christian tradition says nearly the entire pagan city of Neocaesarea converted to Christianity through his preaching and witness. Stories connected to his life include healings, deliverance from demonic oppression, and miraculous signs that strengthened people’s faith. By the time he died, it was said that only a small number of pagans remained in the city.

🙏 St. Philomena (early 4th century) became widely known for miraculous intercession after her remains were discovered in the Roman catacombs in the early 1800s. Devotion to her spread rapidly after many reported healings and answered prayers through her intercession. Saints such as John Vianney had a deep devotion to her and credited her prayers with extraordinary favors and miracles. Because of this, many Catholics began turning to her in desperate or seemingly impossible situations.

These saints do not perform miracles on their own.
They pray for us. And God answers in His wisdom and time.

When a situation looks impossible to us, it may only be the beginning of what God wants to do.

💬 What’s one “impossible” situation in your life you’re still praying about?

05/24/2026

There is no meeting tonight due to Memorial Day weekend.

Address

6922 State Route 408
Bardwell, KY
42023

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when St. Charles Young Adults posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category