This article is a copy of an article originally published by the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. Read the original article here.

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ARCHBISHOP NELSON J. PÉREZ ENDORSES DEVELOPMENT OF PHILADELPHIA YCP CHAPTER

The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is pleased to announce that Archbishop Nelson J. Pérez has approved the establishment of a Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) chapter in the five-county metropolitan area.

YCP is a national organization that seeks to bring together young Catholic professionals in a communal atmosphere of encouragement at all stages of their faith journeys. YCP equips them with the tools to live their Catholic faith through their daily work in the broader world for the glory of God. Currently, YCP has 27 chapters across the country, with four others currently planned for establishment.

“It is with hope and enthusiasm that I endorse YCP to carry out their ministry here in the Philadelphia region,” said Archbishop Pérez. “I am confident that these efforts will bear great fruit.”

The Catholic Foundation of Greater Philadelphia (CFGP) awarded a $25,000 grant from its Ministry Support Fund to YCP to establish the founding chapter within the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.

“We feel very fortunate to be involved with bringing YCP to the Archdiocese of Philadelphia,” said Sarah O. Hanley, President and CEO of CFGP. “Their work is invaluable to the Church in Philadelphia and to young people of faith on the local and national levels.”

The establishment of a YCP chapter in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia is significant. Engaging younger generations in faith formation is important for the future of the Church in Philadelphia and beyond. YCP helps to deeply connect members of this generations to their faith in ways that are relatable. In turn YCP strengthens relationships between young people and Christ and is a catalyst for evangelization.

“YCP is doing something that no one or not many others are really focusing on – helping young adults integrate their faith and work lives,” said Matthew Davis, Director of the Archdiocesan Office for Ministry with Young Adults. “Bringing YCP to the Archdiocese will provide a new forum for young adults to examine and deepen their faith. The YCP approach to engaging young adults through the integration of faith and work will allow us to connect meaningfully with  many young adults that our traditional young adult ministries are not reaching. I am also grateful to CFGP for providing the startup funds required to get YCP off the ground here.”

On August 21, 2021, YCP will hold its inaugural event at the National Shrine of Saint John Neumann to celebrate the establishment of the YCP Philadelphia chapter. Young Catholic professionals from across the five-county Archdiocese are invited to attend the free event that begin with Mass celebrated by Archbishop Pérez at 6:00 p.m. in the Upper Church. A social event will be held immediately at the Saint John Neumann Center following the conclusion of Mass where attendees can gather and network. YCP founder, Jennifer Baugh, will be a special guest at the event.

Those interested in attending can register through a dedicated link by visiting: https://www.ycpphiladelphia.org/cpages/home.