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Catholic News Herald

Serving Christ and Connecting Catholics in Western North Carolina
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102723 Young Catholic Professionals logoCHARLOTTE — Catholic professionals in their 20s and 30s will soon have a chance to gather for fellowship, networking, mentoring, spiritual formation, and other enriching opportunities.

A new chapter of Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) is starting in the Diocese of Charlotte. To celebrate, a free launch party will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 16 at Truist Field – home of the Charlotte Knights Minor League Baseball team – amid ‘twinkle lights’ and dramatic views of the city’s skyline.
The event will feature remarks from several Catholic leaders in the diocese and time for networking and mingling as well as free appetizers and a cash bar. Attendees will learn about YCP and network with other young professionals.

“Charlotte is one of the fastest growing cities in America, attracting thousands of young professionals each year. Our city features vibrant young adult groups at many of the local parishes, but there can sometimes feel like a gap in opportunities to bring everyone together – specifically in a professional environment,” says Santiago Cubillos, YCP’s Charlotte chapter president.

YCP bridges that gap, he said, by bringing together participants’ professional, social and faith lives.

Chapter activities include networking happy hours, an executive speaker series, executive panel discussions, mentorship, a local annual retreat, and the national conference.

Some of the benefits to members include spiritual formation with fellow young Catholic workers, personal mentorship from local Catholic executives, and job placement resources and portal.

Cubillos stresses the new chapter is meant to partner with the parishes and ministries in the diocese to inspire young professionals with the beauty of the Catholic faith.

“Young Catholic Professionals aims to bring all these groups together with the mission of growing in our Catholic Faith and inspiring young adults to ‘Work in Witness to Christ’ – the YCP motto,” Cubillos says. “We want to empower the next generation of Catholic leaders.”

— Annie Ferguson

Make plans to attend

RSVP for the free Young Catholic Professionals Charlotte Launch Party on Nov. 16, as space is limited to 400. To register, go online to www.youngcatholicprofessionals.org/chapter/charlotte