Hello, I recently moved to Oahu and I was looking to be a part of an active group on Oahu. While doing my search I came across your young adult article. I read it and found it interesting. I’m a 30-year-old male, Hispanic descendant. I was brought up in a Catholic environment all my life. During my teenage years, I was an active member of a youth group (charismatic-oriented). Once I reached my 20s I started to move away from God. Though I kept good conduct and morals, I didn’t serve God as I once did.

Now in my 30s, I’m looking for God again. But being so ignorant about the islands, I don’t know where to look. I don’t know exactly what you guys do but I want to serve God. Hopefully you can help me to find the path back on the road to God. —Newbie to the Islands

Aloha Newbie, Welcome to Hawaii and welcome back to the church! Thank you for taking the initiative to seek out a group to be active in. There are many young adult groups across Oahu that you could connect with. We’re not sure exactly where you live in order to better assist you in finding a group convenient to your location.

First of all, we suggest that you begin at your parish. Check on the ministries or groups available at your parish. There may be young people serving as liturgical ministers in your parish, introduce yourselves to them and see if they’re involved in weekly small group gatherings.

Otherwise, here’s a small listing of the many ministries available in our diocese that minister to young adults:

Hawaii Catholic Charismatic Renewal (HCCRS) conducts monthly Holy Spirit gatherings. Contact Flo Andrade at 455-3224 or check out their website: www.hccrs.net.

In-Him Ministries conduct Young Adult Bible Study groups at Sacred Heart Church in Punahou and St. Anthony Church in Kailua on various dates. They also have “On-Fire” Masses monthly at different parishes. Contact 542-9736 or check out www.inhimhawaii.org.

Basic Christian Community of Hawaii conducts young adult retreats yearly. Their next YA Retreat is Aug. 15-17 at St. Anthony Retreat Center in Kalihi. Their website is www.bcchi.com. Their young adult cell group meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. at the chancery office, 1184 Bishop Street. Contact Karl Sandbo at 520-4337.

Agape Ministries have youth and young adult retreats and community groups at St. Joseph Parish in Waipahu and St. John Apostle & Evangelist Church in Mililani. Contact Al Simbahon at St. Joseph, 677-4276 or check out their website: www.agapehawaii.tripod.com.

SHWAY has a young adult group at St. Jude in Kapolei and Sts. Peter & Paul in Honolulu (near Don Quijote’s). They meet Fridays 7-9 p.m. and Saturdays 6:30-9 p.m. Contact Keith Febrero, 561-8587, or www.shway.org.

College students at the Chaminade University and University of Hawaii may contact Soane & Margaret Uiagalelei at 728-8718 or www.newmanhawaii.org.

St. Elizabeth Parish, Aiea, has a young adult group, called L.I.G.H.T. (Living In God’s Hope & Trust). www.stelizabeth.org/light

In Pearl City, Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish’s young adults minister to the homeless Thursday nights. www.olgchawaii.net.

Our Lady of Perpetual Help has a YAM (Young Adult Ministry) that gathers Friday nights in Ewa Beach. Contact Marites Barangan at 277-5123.

We hope that helps in your search. We pray that you’ll get connected somehow. God bless you. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)