By Blanca Morales - Florida Catholic
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
From left: John Schmerold who works in finance, Andrea Puente, who works in film, and Silvia Torres, who works in marketing, get to network with peers at Catholic Young Professionals events.
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
From left, Steve Flanagan, Eddie Gonzalez and Juan Campos get to network with peers at Catholic Young Professionals events.
MIAMI | As millennials migrate to city centers, Miami has seen a steady increase in the number of young professionals working and living in downtown’s financial, business and arts districts.
The Brickell corridor in particular has become a popular venue for entertainment as well as work. A 2016 report by the Miami Downtown Development Authority found that about half of the area’s growing population of over 88,000 consisted of people between the ages of 21 and 40, most of whom reside in Brickell.
These downtown young professionals tend to be highly educated and high earning, and spend their recreational time on fitness, restaurants and upscale bars.
But amid the glitter of the city’s nightlife, many young professionals still seek authentic relationships and deeper conversation, said Michelle Ducker, recently hired coordinator of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the archdiocese.
Ducker was one of several young adults who participated in the 2012 synod to voice the concerns of young adults in the archdiocese. In fact, she served on the Synod leadership and integration teams. She also served as director of campus and young adult ministry at St. Augustine Church and Catholic Student Center, across from the University of Miami.
Now Ducker has teamed up with a local group, the Agrupación Católica Universitaria, to put together the Catholic Young Professionals Series, a monthly event featuring guest speakers, networking, and of course, faith-sharing. The CYP meetings take place at the John Paul II Retreat Center, overlooking Biscayne Bay amid a slew of sleek new luxury towers.
ACU is a men’s movement of university students and young professionals founded in Cuba in the 1920s. The group, which leans on Ignatian principles, balances on the pillars of spirituality, professionalism and apostolic work. ACU’s members, known as “Agrupados,” are “men formed in their faith who both know and understand what the Catholic Church teaches and why,” according to their mission statement.
The group’s pastoral administrator, Eric Vieira, said the Agrupación provides formation that equips young men to mature in their faith and career. This means they are being sent forth with knowledge of the teachings of the Church and skills in leadership.
Photographer: COURTESY PHOTO
This sculpture of St. Peter "fishing" overlooks Biscayne Bay outside the John Paul II Retreat Center in Miami. It is a reminder that Jesus called his disciples to be "fishers of men."
At the Catholic Young Professionals’ first official meeting in April, attendants sipped wine while listening to Julio Villafañe, a telecommunications professional who serves on the Salvadoran American Humanitarian Foundation, and is also a member emeritus of Georgia Institute of Technology’s Board of Advisors.
The speaker at their May meeting was Randolph McGrorty, attorney and chief executive officer of Catholic Legal Services of the Archdiocese of Miami.
Ducker said the goal of CYP is to inspire a life of faith amid work, and to promote deeper communion among working young Catholics. A core group of young professionals, many of whom work in marketing and communications, will serve to connect young professionals through LinkedIn and Facebook as well as the speaker series.
“What I like about (Catholic Young Professionals) is that it introduces us young adults to others and (to) working professionals (who) are examples of how to live as Catholics in the world,” said Leah Estrada, an attendee at the April event.
“I like the John 10:10 verse (Villafañe) used,” said Fatima Georges, a member of the St. Clement young adult ministry. “I gained ideas on what I really want to do in life listening to him speak.”
Sergio Leon, a 25-year-old marketing analyst, noted how Villafañe “was able to really show (how) his faith has affected his decisions throughout his life.” He’s hoping future events will allow him to “take away” a thought-provoking conclusion to mull on.
This article has been modified to note that Michelle Ducker served on the archdiocesan Synod's leadership and integration teams.FIND OUT MORE
- Catholic Young Professionals meets every first Monday of the month. The next meeting will take place June 5 at 7:30 p.m., with speaker Lenore Rodicio, executive vice president and provost for Miami Dade College.
- The John Paul II Center is located at 720 N.E. 27 St., Miami. Street parking is available on 27th and 24th streets.
- To get connected, follow CYPMiami on Facebook and LinkedIn; or contact: [email protected].
