Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Mary Ann Spanjers reflects on the experience of a Young Catholic Professional Retreat in Chicago, Illinois.
The Young Catholic Professionals of YCP Chicago Chapter 9 which began in 2016 gathered for their annual Lenten Retreat on March 29, 2025
Their website invites young adults to “Come belong to the nation’s largest young professional Catholic network. Together we’ll learn to live and share our Catholic faith through our daily work. Access member-exclusive events and more!”
Franciscan Sister of Christian Charity Sister Mary Ann Spanjers guided the planning of the retreat with former president of the chapter Luis Alejo, current president Francis Schickel and members of the leadership team especially Yamilette Ayala Vice President & Director of Outreach. Father Nathan Linton, OFM Capuchin enhanced the day beginning with the celebration of the Eucharist; sharing two presentation reflections, Eucharistic Adoration and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The emphasis of the Retreat throughout Sister Mary Ann and Father Nathan’ s talks was on how much Jesus is in love with us through the Eucharist and in discovering one’s true self through vulnerability, transparency, faith and prayer following the Gospel of Jesus in the footprints of St. Francis of Assisi, Our Blessed Mother Mary and St. Joseph.
“I am witnessing a powerful movement of faith in the Church by young adults throughout our country; their commitment to growing in their relationship with Jesus, spending quality time in prayer, retreats, Mass, and young adult groups like YCP is a sign of a new trajectory in the Church. It fills me with hope!” Sister Mary Ann Spanjers
