By Ruby Thomas, Record Staff Writer
More than 220 people attended the annual Archdiocese of Louisville Young Adult Mass celebrated by Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz Oct. 15 at St. Albert the Great Church, 1395 Girard Drive.
The Mass was organized by St. Albert with the support of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Archdiocese of Louisville. It was held during St. Albert’s usual Sunday evening 6:03 p.m. Mass.
The “6:03 Mass” features upbeat, contemporary music and caters to young adults and young families, offering childcare during the service and hospitality afterward. It starts at 6:03 rather than on the hour, organizers said, to acknowledge that sometimes people run a little late for Mass.
In his homily, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz drew the congregation’s attention to the first reading from the book of Isaiah, where the prophet describes what life in heaven will be like.
In heaven, said the prophet, there’ll be a banquet of rich foods, veils will be torn away and tears will be wiped away.
The mention of rich foods in heaven, said the archbishop, calls attention to the fact that many on earth are going without enough to eat. It also means, he noted, that “the needs we feel here on earth, will be satisfied.”
The veils the prophet spoke about are the conflicts that separate people, said the archbishop.
“There are veils that separate whole nations from one another,” said Archbishop Kurtz. “Those veils will be lifted.”
Archbishop Kurtz also told the congregation of young people that he received more than 3,000 requests for prayers during the 2016 Catholic Services Appeal. Prayer request cards are distributed during the appeal and people are invited to send in requests — even if they can’t make a donation.
The archbishop read about a dozen of those prayer requests during the liturgy, telling his listeners that the requests moved him and, in a way, helped him get to know the people in the archdiocese.
“When we share our food with others, when we help remove the veil from the lives that blind other people and sometimes when we shed a tear for someone in need, we are already grasping in some small way the gift of life in heaven,” said Archbishop Kurtz.
Kelly Schmitt, who regularly attends Mass at St. Albert, went to the Sunday evening liturgy with her sister and two friends.
Schmitt said she liked that the Mass was preceded by eucharistic adoration — in which she took part.
“It’s good to see other young adults practicing the faith. It’s reaffirming,” said Schmitt.
Ashley Brown, a young adult who normally attends Mass at St. Margaret Mary Church, was also among those at the Sunday evening liturgy. Brown said she enjoyed gathering with others her age. It’s a reminder, she noted, that she’s not alone in living her faith.
“It’s difficult to live a holy life. It’s like going against the tide,” said Brown. “It’s good to know there are other young adults striving to do the same. A Mass like this one provides solidarity, which is very helpful in living a life of faith.”
