Young Catholic Professionals

"I think it starts with reflecting on magnanimous examples of the past. St. Thomas Moore, St. Stanislav of Poland, people who witnessed to their conscience, who had a high degree of professional excellence and prestige, and were willing to sacrifice all that, and indeed did sacrifice all that. It's easy to lose perspective when we're only aware of our own times. So studying the great figures of the past. And then bringing that to our prayer discerning what is God asking of me today and in my life, and what is the biggest impact that I can have. You talked about the origin of the name Refiners Fire. let's keep in mind that the Refiner's Fire is painful, that growth comes through burning. What an image that the sacred scripture used of a fire. Melting the silver, melting the gold, testing the heart, or of the Fuller's lie, which burns, burns as much as an acid, though it's on the opposite end of the spectrum it's a base. So, realizing that our growth and our identification with Christ." Dr. Johann D'Souza 🌟 Reflecting on the wisdom of the past with inspiration from saints like St. Thomas More and St. Stanislav of Poland, we are called to ponder our own sacrifices and strive for excellence. In prayer, we discern God's call for our lives, embracing the Refiner's Fire that purifies and tests us, much like the sacred scripture's imagery of melting precious metals. Let's welcome growth, even through trials, as we seek to identify with Christ. ✨  Our next Refiner's Fire episode is coming up soon!  How ready are you to face adversity when you have so much at stake?  #Faith #Reflection #SpiritualGrowth #Inspiration #Saints #Prayer #RefinersFire #TrustInGod

“When we look at St. Joseph reflected in the sacred scripture, he is a man of no words. There’s no speaking parts that he has , but he is referred to as a man who is righteous and a skilled worker. Having St. Joseph in Young Catholic Professionals as our model and patron should make us want to do all things better.” — Fr. Ken Geraci CPM, Workers in the Vineyard In the quiet strength of St. Joseph, we find a powerful example for our lives. Though he has no speaking parts in sacred scripture, his actions speak louder than words ever could.  As Fr. Ken reminds us in his homily at our Workers in the Vineyard conference, St. Joseph’s righteousness, integrity, and dedication to his craft are the hallmarks of a true role model. We’re blessed to have St. Joseph as our patron Saint at YCP. His silent witness challenges us to pursue excellence in all we do, to be steadfast in our faith, and to live out our identity as children of God with unwavering integrity.  In our careers and personal lives, let’s strive to embody the same virtues that made St. Joseph an example of righteousness. Let St. Joseph’s life be a testament to what we can achieve when we live with purpose and dedication striving for modern-day sainthood. #StJoseph #YCP #YoungCatholicProfessionals #WorkersintheVineyard #ModernDaySaints

“Each one of you is here on this Earth for a mission and a purpose that will make you very, very happy and that will make others very very, very, happy. I mean, in a way when God loves each one of us into existence with a purpose, with a mission, with a vocation, he’s saying to us ‘I love you, I trust you, I want you to work in my vineyard. Come with me, it’s an invitation’. He doesn’t force, he’s very gentle. He’s very loving. He respects our freedom, but he also says ‘Would you be with me? Would you work in the vineyard with me?’. And then He gives us a certain amount of time on this Earth to do it. We don’t know how much it is." -Fr. Luke Mata, Workers in the Vineyard Each of us is here for a divine purpose, a mission uniquely crafted to bring joy to ourselves and to others. Fr. Luke Mata’s words remind us that our existence is a testament to God’s love and trust. He invites us to join Him in His vineyard, gently calling us to embrace our vocation with freedom and love. At YCP, we recognize this profound truth. Our lives are filled with the potential to bring truth, beauty, and goodness into the world, guided by the gentle hand of God who respects our freedom and lovingly asks us to work alongside Him. Being part of YCP means more than professional success; it’s about discovering and fulfilling our God-given purpose.  We don’t know how much time we have, but we do know that every moment is an opportunity to grow in faith, to inspire others, and to deepen our relationship with Christ.  How are you opening your heart today to the vocation God has called you toward?  #CatholicProfessionals #YCP #FaithInAction #Community #YoungCatholicProfessionals #Vocation

Happy and blessed 4th of July! 🇺🇸 Today reminds us of the values we cherish: truth, beauty, and goodness. Just as our forefathers acted on their convictions, we’re called to live our faith with boldness and heroic virtue. Independence Day celebrates the founders' pursuit of freedom and justice, driven by their belief in God-given rights.  At YCP, we strive to embody heroic virtue in our work and daily lives, empowering each other to live boldly and authentically like the Saints in heaven. Beyond the fireworks and festivities, let's remember true freedom comes from living according to God’s will. Our faith calls us to seek virtue and to surrender all of our desires, worries, and doubts to Christ as we watch in full confidence as He pieces our lives together.  Together, we can build a future for our country as witnesses of our core values: truth, hope, love, and commitment to the common good. Happy Independence Day! #IndependenceDay #YoungCatholicProfessionals #YCP #WitnessToFaith #4thofJuly

Today we celebrate St. Thomas the Apostle, one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus Christ. Known for his initial doubt about Christ’s Resurrection, Thomas, also called Didymus, mirrors the curiosity and questions we all carry in our faith journey. When Thomas saw the wounds on Christ’s resurrected body, his faith solidified, leading him to a missionary journey to India. There, he preached the Good News and was recognized for his skills as a builder. Invited by a king to construct a palace, Thomas chose to distribute his payment to the poor, resulting in imprisonment.  Despite this, he continued spreading the Gospel until he was martyred by a spear, reminiscent of the wound he touched on Jesus. Thomas’s unwavering dedication and ultimate sacrifice led to his canonization as a saint. St. Thomas the Apostle is the patron saint of architects, symbolizing both the building of physical structures and the spiritual foundations of our faith. His story is one of hope, inviting us to deepen our relationship with Christ and surrendering our fears and worries to Christ so He can build up our interior castle from within. By doing it, we become witnesses to others, especially in our vocations and work, embodying the essence of our shared Catholic values. #YCP #YoungCatholicProfessionals #FeastOfStThomas #StThomasTheApostle #PatronOfArchitects #WitnessToFaith

We invite you to reflect on the words of St. Josemaría Escrivá in his book Friends of God. We find a beautiful reminder of our divine calling: "You and I belong to Christ's family, for 'he himself has chosen us before the foundation of the world, to be saints, to be blameless in his sight, for love of him, having predestined us to be his adopted children through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his Will'. We have been chosen gratuitously by Our Lord. His choice of us sets us a clear goal. Our goal is personal sanctity, as St Paul insistently reminds us, haec est voluntas Dei: sanctificatio vestra, 'this is the Will of God: your sanctification'. Let us not forget, then, that we are in our Master's sheepfold in order to achieve that goal." This quote reminds us that we aren’t just members of any community, but of Christ’s family. We’ve been chosen, loved, and predestined to be saints. Our mission is clear: personal sanctity. This journey towards holiness is not a solitary one; we walk it together, as part of a nurturing and supportive community. At YCP, we embrace this calling with joy and commitment. By focusing on these shared Catholic values, we look up to heaven, inspired by the virtue and boldness we see in the Saints and in each other. Remember that you are chosen for greatness. Your efforts to live a holy life are part of a larger purpose, aligning with God’s Will.  Join us in this mission. Dive deeper into your relationship with Christ, let your light shine, and be a witness to others in your vocation and work.  How are you practicing everyday holiness?  #StJoseMariaEscriva #FriendsofGod #SaintsInTheMaking #YoungCatholicProfessionals #YCPCommunity #HeroicVirtue #YCP #EverydayHoliness

Today, we're celebrating the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, two major figures in the Church who inspire us as we navigate today's world. St. Peter, the rock Jesus built His Church on, went from being a humble fisherman to a devoted leader. His journey is all about unwavering faith despite his flaws. Peter's boldness in spreading the Gospel and leading through tough times shows us the power of faith, courage, and perseverance. Paul's story is just as powerful. Once a fierce enemy of Christians, his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus shows how transformative God's grace can be. Paul's nonstop missionary work and his insightful writings remind us to passionately live out our faith, no matter where we are. So, how can Saints Peter and Paul inspire us today? ✨ Boldness in faith: Just like Peter and Paul, we’re called to be fearless in sharing our faith. Let's confidently stand by our beliefs and share the truth, beauty, and goodness of Catholicism in our workplaces and communities. ✨ Perseverance through challenges: Both saints faced serious challenges and persecution but never gave up. We, too, might face difficulties, but with faith and resilience, we can overcome them and grow stronger. ✨ Building community: Peter and Paul played huge roles in building the early Church. As members of YCP, we’re part of a vibrant, supportive network. Let's honor Saints Peter and Paul by embracing their virtues and letting their examples guide us. As we look up to heaven, let’s think about how we can live out their boldness, faith, and commitment in our own lives. #YoungCatholicProfessionals #FeastOfSaintsPeterAndPaul #FaithInAction #YCP #ModernDaySaints

Peter Blute reflects on the beginnings of SENT Ventures. We're excited about these fantastic opportunities for YCP Members to plunge into entrepreneurship or showcase their apostolate mission. Peter will be at the SENT Summit this fall. We encourage you all to check it out! Sign-up ends tomorrow for the Pitch Competition. Don't miss your chance to pitch your startups. sentsummit.live

"Despite your brokenness or woundedness. Despite your national identity, it is not an excuse for the absence of virtue in your life. Amen? We have to strive to overcome our own brokenness. We can't say, well this happened to me and that's why I act this way. Or I'm just this national identity and that's why I act and behave this way." - Fr Ken Geraci, CPM This message is a call for hope and empowerment, asking us to rise above our challenges and embrace a life of virtue. Each of us carries our own unique story, marked by trials and triumphs, wounds and wonders. Yet, it’s precisely within these experiences that we find the opportunity to grow and shine.  Our brokenness isn’t a barrier but a stepping stone to becoming the people God calls us to be. It's a reminder that our identity, shaped by our heritage and personal history, isn’t a limit but a foundation upon which we can build a life of virtue and purpose. Fr. Ken's words encourage us to reject the victimization mentality the world shoves in our face and embrace the boldness to act with integrity and compassion, reminding us that our journey towards virtue is an active pursuit, one that requires courage, resilience, and faith. It’s through this striving that we find our true strength and our true selves. This message is not just for reflection but a call to action. As young professionals, you're invited to step into leadership, to take an active role in your community, and to mentor others on their journey. By embracing this call, you not only transform your own life but also become a source of inspiration and guidance for others, as Jesus wants you to be. Join Belong to develop a life of virtue with others! #YCP #YoungCatholicProfessionals #reflection #JesusChrist #Virtue #Purpose

We're thrilled to share that the 2024 YCP National Conference Keynotes and Homilies are now accessible in the Belong Member Portal. It's only been a few months since our National Conference, and we're still on fire from all the amazing speakers and homilists!  We'd like you to reflect on spiritual guidance from Msgr Morris', such as placing your Trust in the Lord or having a Plan of Life. Or get energized and focused with Gene Zanetti's keynote on the "predator mindset."  Here's your quick reminder that the Gospel of Work Workshop is available in your Member portal. Content Includes: Day 1: Gospels of Work Workshop - Andreas Widmer, Rebecca Teti, & Luke Burgis Homily by Fr. Ken Geraci, CPM Day 2:  Homily by Fr. Luke Mata Keynote - Msgr Eugene Morris  Day 3:  Keynote - Gene Zanetti Homily by Bishop Edward Burns Access all these resources in your Member portal for deeper spiritual reflection from our Workers in the Vineyard Conference!  Not a Belong Member? Sign up: