Detroit — More than 300 young people attended the kickoff event of Young Catholic Professionals’ Detroit chapter on Aug. 1 at Ste. Anne de Detroit Parish.

The networking event, which featured food, drinks, fellowship and distinguished guests such as Archbishop Allen H. Vigneron and Auxiliary Bishop Donald Hanchon, drew many more attendees than organizers were expecting.

“It was probably the single most successful young adult event we’ve seen in the Archdiocese of Detroit in at least the last 15 years,” said Erik Coules, regional coordinator for parish life who attended the event.

Young Catholic Professionals, which also has chapters in 15 other U.S. cities, will begin its executive speaker series, a free, monthly event in which Catholic professionals in their 20s and 30s are invited to hear Catholic executives share their faith and professional journeys.

The first event in the series, which begins Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. at Old St. Mary’s Parish in Detroit’s Greektown district, will feature Mike Ritchie, president of Comerica Bank’s Michigan market.

For more details, visit ycpdetroit.org.