During the Summer months, this column will be highlighting the good work and parishioners involved in one of our various Parish Ministries.  Each week, we will feature an article from a different ministry, written by one if its members, as a reflection on the generosity and stewardship of the SMOS community.

Young Adults & Professionals

by Amanda Ruszkowski

My name is Amanda Ruszkowski, and I am writing to share my experiences as a member of our parish’s young adult ministries. I was raised all over the country in a military family and came to St. Louis to study physical therapy at Saint Louis University. I came to find SMOS after moving to Shaw in graduate school. New to the neighborhood, I was seeking to establish a community outside of my college experience. I first was introduced to the young adults group at a third Thursday happy hour in 2019. After the unfortunate pause that COVID brought, my husband Luke and I were invited to rekindle the ministry and become core members to assist with event planning.

Our group serves as a social and faith-based community for the young adults and professionals of our parish. This spans from college students to young parents, all are welcome.  The monthly events we host are open to new and established members alike; no prior commitment required.

• Our happy hour/socials are hosted in the rectory kitchen on the Third Thursday of every month. Doors are open from 6-8pm, this is a great casual way to meet new people in the parish or try one of Fr. John’s famous cocktail creations.
• Bible Study is every other Thursday of the month: you can find us at 6:30-7:30pm in the Canmore room in the basement of the rectory.
• We have been serving at Isaiah 58 ministries on the second Monday of the month from 6:30-8:30pm. Located on Grand and Flora, here we help sort and prep donations for our community members in need.
• Outside of these regular events we have also hiked, ice skated, and picnic’d!

Young adults are transient, and it is sometimes hard to grow roots on your own. In a city that I was trying to establish a new home in, being a part of the young adult ministries deepened my feeling of connection and belonging to the parish in a way that I didn’t expect. Not only have I found new friendships, but I have a better appreciation for community outreach and have deepened my faith.

If you would like to receive emails about our events or join our social media pages, please find me or reach out via youngadults@stmargaretstl.org!