Young Adult Summer Speaker Series
Open to young adults ages 18–39 | Held at parishes throughout Lake County
Wednesdays, May 27–July 8, 2026
All events begin at 7:00 PM, with doors opening earlier for food and fellowship
Embark on a transformative journey of faith and fellowship with our Summer Young Adult Speaker Series, specially curated for Catholic young adults aged 18–39. Begin rooted in the Eucharist as we gather for Mass and community, and continue through a dynamic exploration of faith in everyday life—recognizing God’s presence in the ordinary, encountering the depth of Christ’s love through the Sacred Heart, and learning the art of discernment in the midst of life’s decisions.
In a world searching for purpose and belonging, discover your essential role in the Church’s mission and reflect on your unique voice and calling within it. Experience the richness of the Church’s tradition through the beauty of the Byzantine Liturgy, and be invited into deeper prayer through Adoration, praise, and worship.
These enriching opportunities not only deepen your understanding of the Catholic faith but also offer practical ways to live it out daily, forming you to be a witness of hope and love in the world. Join us as we gather in fellowship, dialogue, and prayer, igniting the flames of faith and building lasting connections with one another and with God.
Wednesday, May 27, 7:00 PM
Doors open at 6:30 PM
St. John the Evangelist Day Chapel (9330 Wicker Avenue, St. John, IN 46373)
Host Parish: St. John the Evangelist, St. John
Questions? Contact Isaac Cohen, icohen@stjohnparish.org
Mass for Young Adults
Start the Young Adult Speaker Series by gathering for Mass with other young adults who are seeking connection, purpose, and deeper faith. This Kickoff Mass sets the tone for the series ahead—rooted in prayer, fueled by community, and open to where God is leading. Join us for a cookout and bonfire after Mass. All are invited, so bring a friend!
Wednesday, June 3, 7:00
Doors open at 6:30 PM
St. Matthias, Crown Point (101 W Burrell Dr, Crown Point, IN 46307)
Host Parish: St. Matthias, Crown Point
Questions? Contact Mike Morris, mmorris@stmatthiasparish.net
The evening will begin with a gathering in the sanctuary at 7:00 PM, where Allison will offer her talk, concluding with Adoration. Following this, participants will move to the larger hall for food and fellowship. The field will also be available for a bonfire or other outdoor activities.
“Holy Ground”: Ordinary Places. Eternal Presence
Join us for a talk by Alison Powell on recognizing God’s presence in the ordinary moments of daily life, where the Holy Spirit reveals the sacred in everyday spaces. The evening will conclude with Adoration.
Alison Powell
Alison Powell is a beloved daughter of the Diocese of Gary, where she was born and raised. She now serves as a worship leader and parish music director while raising her daughter, Beatrix, as a widow. Prayerfully, she has been blessed to lead music in the Holy Land, Rome, and on mission in Mexico City, as well as at conferences such as Ascend and Emmaus. Her greatest joy is leading others into an encounter with Jesus—awakening hearts to His presence in the ordinary and the sacred alike. In quiet moments, she enjoys collecting books, hiking, and spending time with her mini poodle, Nard.
Wednesday, June 10, 7:00
Doors open at 6:15 PM for food and fellowship
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs-South Campus (8303 W Taft St, Merrillville, IN 46410)
Host Parish: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Merrillville
Questions? Contact Melissa Novak, evangelization@qofm.org, (219) 319-9173
Gather in Vamos Hall, located the parish activity center for food & fellowship at 6:15pm. Bonfire to follow pending the weather.
The Sacred Heart: The Love That Never Gives Up on You
What if the heart of God is closer and more personal than you ever imagined?
In the Sacred Heart of Jesus, we encounter the intensity of God’s love for humanity and for each of us individually. Through the revelations given to two saints and the Church’s rich tradition, Sr. Solana will explore how devotion to the Sacred Heart reveals a love that is wounded for us, burning for us, and constantly inviting us into deeper relationship.
Sister Solana Voegsel, OSF
As a Sister of St. Francis of Perpetual Adoration, Sr. Solana has committed her life to letting Love be loved through her hours of Adoration and ministry to her co-workers at Franciscan Health in Mission integration and formation. She is passionate about sharing the message of our dignity found in Christ’s unfailing love. Sister’s community carries out their apostolate of Perpetual Adoration at their Motherhouse in Mishawaka, IN and would be honored to pray for your intentions submitted at ssfpa.org/prayer.
Wednesday, June 17, 7:00
Doors open at 6:15 PM for food and fellowship
St. Michael the Archangel, Schererville (1 W Wilhelm St, Schererville, IN 46375)
Host Parish: St. Michael the Archangel, Schererville
Questions? Contact AnnMarie Hemmerling, annmarievcd@gmail.com
We are so excited to have you! Please park on the East side of the church and enter through the doors on that side. Doors open at 6:15pm for a potluck and fellowship in St. Patrick’s Hall located within the church. Please sign up to bring a dish to share! The talk will begin at 7:00pm. Board Games and/or a bonfire with yard games to follow!
Consolation and Desolation: Ignatian Discernment of Spirits
Have you ever wondered how to make a prayerful discernment instead of an impulsive decision? Do you struggle to interpret your gut feelings or rationalizations? This talk is about discernment, prayer and understanding the ups and downs of the process (consolation and desolation).
Dee Bernhardt
Dee Bernhardt has spent her life as Director of Campus Ministry in many settings, currently in her fourteenth year at the Catholic Center at Purdue. She has been involved in spiritual direction and retreat ministry in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Minnesota for thirty years. She offers spiritual direction rooted in her certification with the Spiritual Exercises and Christian Spirituality at Creighton University. Dee has been directing groups of young adults in the Spiritual Exercises in Everyday Life annually for over twenty years.
St. Michael will be hosting a potluck for this event! Please bring a dish to share.
Sign up here with your dish.
Wednesday, June 24, 7:00
Doors open at 6:00 PM for food and fellowship
St. Mary Catholic Church – Parish Hall, East Chicago (802 West 144th St., East Chicago, IN 46312)
Host Parish: St. Mary, East Chicago
Questions? Contact Albert Cornejo, albertcornejo@sbcglobal.net, (312) 933-1083
Doors at 6:00 PM. Please meet in the parish hall.
Why the Catholic Church Needs Young People
The Church cannot fulfill her mission without young people. In this talk, Fr. Ivan Alatorre will explore why young adults are essential to the Church’s apostolic mission, drawing from Christus Vivit and the vision of moving from Christendom to Apostolic Mission. This presentation invites young people to rediscover their purpose, voice, and place in the life of the Church today.
Father Ivan Alatorre
Fr. Ivan Alatorre is the Associate Pastor of St. John Bosco Parish and co-chaplain at Bishop Noll Institute in Hammond, IN. Father Ivan grew up in Lake Station, where he was a parishioner at St. Mark’s and later at St. Joseph the Worker in Gary, IN. He was ordained a priest in June 2025 after completing his seminary studies at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan.
Wednesday, July 1, 7:00
Doors open at 6:30 PM for food and fellowship
St. John the Evangelist (Day Chapel) (9330 Wicker Ave, St. John, IN 46373)
Host Parish: St. John the Evangelist, St. John
Questions? Contact Isaac Cohen, icohen@stjohnparish.org, (219) 323-4839
Meet in the hall for dinner, doors open at 6:30. There will be a bonfire afterwards!
The Beauty of the Byzantine Liturgy
This talk explores the Byzantine Liturgy and highlights the beauty, symbols, and traditions that shape this unique expression of the Catholic Mass, offering a fresh perspective on worship and prayer.
Fr. Andrew Summerson
Rev. Andrew J. Summerson, S.Th.D. in addition to being St. Mary’s and St. Nicholas’ pastor, is the Syncellus for Doctrine and Worship for the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma. He holds a doctorate in Patristic Theology from the Pontifical Patristic Institute “Augustinianum” in Rome. He was adjunct professor of theology at St. Mary Seminary and John Carroll University, both in Cleveland. Many of his articles on topics about the Christian East and the Fathers of the Church have been syndicated by Catholic News Service. He has also been a guest commentator for papal events for Vatican Radio and EWTN.
Wednesday, July 8, 7:00
Doors open at 6:45
Our Lady Queen of Martyrs-South Campus (8303 Taft St., Merrillville, IN 46410)
Host Parish: Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Merrillville
Questions? Contact Melissa Novak, evangelization@qofm.org, (219) 319-9173
Gathering will begin in the church.
Closing Event: Adoration and Bonfire
Let’s end our summer series with a night of Eucharistic Adoration, praise & worship and fellowship! Adoration will begin in the church with a short reflection, live praise and worship music and intervals of silence for individual reflection time. Bonfire & pizza to follow pending the weather. If it rains, we will have a game night indoors.