i.d.9:16 combines community, orthodoxy with call for evangelization

Bloomfield Hills — When you divide up your already-busy life — with time slots devoted to work, family, social life and everything else — it seems far too often that “growing in the faith” doesn’t get the attention it needs.

This is a struggle faced especially by the Catholic 20s and 30s crowd, and a struggle that an Ann Arbor-based ministry, called “i.d.9:16,” seeks to address.

Jonathan “JJ” Jorissen helped establish an i.d.9:16 chapter at St. Hugo of the Hills Parish in Bloomfield Hills. There, young adults meet once a month for Mass, dinner, conversation and a presentation on a faith-related topic.

Though St. Hugo’s chapter usually live-streams the presentation part of the evening from the Ann Arbor location, Auxiliary Bishop Michael J. Byrnes celebrated Mass and gave a special presentation at the Jan. 15 gathering.

Jorissen, who worked with friend Joe Richotte in starting the chapter in September, calls the monthly gatherings an “easy, fun way to meet people who are trying to make more room in their lives to understand their faith and grow together.”

“It’s a fun evening, you’ll learn a little bit, meet new people,” said Jorissen, who belongs to the National Shrine of the Little Flower in Royal Oak, but explained that the group is open to anyone in the area.

i.d.9:16 is structured so parishes can easily offer it to their local young adults. Though i.d.9:16 started in the Diocese of Lansing, three chapters have already sprung up within the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Besides St. Hugo’s chapter, a second currently meets in Plymouth, and another will have its first meeting in the Downriver area Feb. 5.

 



Question of identity

The concept of i.d.9:16 came about in 2011, said its director, Pete Burak, after a group of young adults went on a weekend retreat with Peter and Debbie Herbeck, founders of Ann Arbor-based Renewal Ministries.

“We were feeling there was a need for greater discipleship in people in their 20s and 30s, married and single, kids or no kids,” Burak said. He said one of the biggest issues in the millennial generation is a “fear of commitment to anything.”

However, young adults respond well to the intentional, personal invitation, he said, as well as good leadership.

As for the name itself, “i.d.” refers to “intentional disciples” of Jesus, and “9:16” refers to 1 Corinthians 9:16, specifically the passage, “Woe to me if I do not preach the Gospel.”

“What we have found is that young adults are hungry for community, genuine community, where they are valued and seen,” Burak said.

Standing on four pillars of community, communion, orthodoxy and mission, i.d.9:16 seeks to simplify its focus: “Jesus and the Church and what really matters as a disciple,” Burak said.

Additionally, the presence of gender-specific Disciples Groups — made up of six to 10 men or women — helps young adults dig even deeper during the time between the monthly meetings.

 

Opportunity to grow

Richotte was talking with St. Hugo’s associate pastor, Fr. Eric Fedewa, about ways to grow in the faith when Fr. Fedewa suggested forming an i.d.9:16 chapter at the parish.

While several St. Hugo’s (and surrounding area) parishioners had been driving to Ann Arbor each month to participate in the monthly groups, Richotte realized the Holy Spirit might be calling his own parish to bring i.d.9:16 to Bloomfield Hills.

He connected with his friend and former colleague Jorissen — both are attorneys — about helping to create the chapter. Coincidentally, Jorissen had been reading Matthew Kelly’s book “Forming Intentional Disciples” at the time.

“What we’re seeing in the culture and society is that generally speaking, faith is becoming less important,” Jorissen said. “I think there’s also a tendency to be private about the faith.”

Jorissen said the 20s and 30s crowd are “in the minority in terms of living out the faith.”

“We’re called to live it out with each other and to bring it to other people,” he said.

 

Bishop’s visit

Fr. Fedewa was attending a local event in October when he encountered Bishop Byrnes, who had been vice rector of Sacred Heart Major Seminary when Fr. Fedewa was a seminarian.

“He said, ‘I heard you’re starting an i.d.9:16 chapter, I really think it’s a good program. If there’s any way I can help just tell me,’” Fr. Fedewa said.

So he invited the bishop to be St. Hugo’s January speaker, and the bishop obliged.

“The talk was very powerful,” said Fr. Fedewa of Bishop Byrnes’ presentation, adding about 15 to 20 people attended.

“We’re not trying to say this is only way to reach young adults, but we believe that it’s an effective way and one of the ways we can use to be very effective to reach this age group,” he added.

Bishop Byrnes agreed, telling the gathering that “i.d. 916, with its emphasis on conversion, communion, orthodoxy, mission, is hitting all the right notes. That’s the exact response that’s needed for us as a Church today.”

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Editor's note: An earlier version of this story listed an incorrect date for the Downriver i.d.9:16. The event will be Feb. 5.

 

i.d.9:16 on the Web

• id916.com


• Facebook.com/id916


• Twitter.com/id916


• Contact [email protected][email protected]

 

Upcoming Disciples’ Nights in the AOD

• St. Hugo of the Hills Parish on the first Thursday of every month, beginning with 6:15 p.m. Mass in the Stone Chapel, then dinner in parish hall at 7 p.m.; Ann Arbor speaker live-streamed. Cost is free, but RSVP for dinner count.


• Downriver Vicariate, held at St. Frances Cabrini Parish on Thursday, Feb. 5, beginning with 6:15 p.m. Mass in the church, then dinner at 7 p.m. in Holy Family Hall. Speaker will be live-streamed from Ann Arbor. Cost is free, but RSVP for dinner count.


• Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish, held at The Inn at St. John’s, on the third Friday of each month beginning with 6:30 p.m. Mass, then dinner at 7:15 and presentation from 8-9 p.m. Cost is $10 for dinner/cash bar. Free childcare is available.