Young Catholic Professionals

✨ "So goes the youth, so goes the Church," Fr. Richard Eldridge once said, but as I learned from YCP, "So goes the young adults, so goes the Church." Many years ago, Butch Bercher met Fr. Richard Eldridge, TOR, who emphasized the importance of investing in Catholic youth. Years later, Butch was invited to speak at the Fort Worth YCP Chapter and had the opportunity to learn about our ministry. It was then that he realized helping young adults live out their faith in the workplace is just as crucial to the future of the Church. Inspired by YCP’s mission to form mission-driven leaders and modern-day saints, Butch saw the amazing work being done at YCP and knew he had to get involved.  “It was a no-brainer—Sign me up to help in whatever way possible!! And oh how that YCP mustard seed has grown!! They are now up to over 40 chapters!” This Giving Tuesday, you can help us grow even more and reach more souls through our #iGiveCatholic Campaign! Your prayers and support directly invest in the next generation of Catholic leaders. Donate any time between November 18th and December 3rd to help us build a stronger Catholic presence in the professional world. #iGiveCatholic #FaithInTheWorkplace #YoungCatholicProfessionals #SupportCatholicLeaders

"I've only just joined YCP, and the Indianapolis chapter hasn't gone live yet, but the Conference gave me so much insight into how I can think about my legal practice and pursue sanctification in my everyday work." – 2024 YCP conference attendee  As a young Catholic navigating today’s professional world, it can sometimes feel like you’re walking a tightrope. On one side, there’s the pressure to succeed, to climb the corporate ladder, and to measure your worth by promotions and performance reviews.  On the other, there’s your faith—your desire to live authentically, serve others, and honor Christ in your daily work. Balancing the two can feel overwhelming and daunting, especially in a culture that often pushes faith to the margins. Do you sometimes find yourself in spaces at work or in a corporate setting where your values aren’t respected or worse, ridiculed? Or maybe you’re struggling with how to live out your Catholic faith in environments where success seems to demand compromise with what you believe in. This is the constant push and pull many young Catholics like yourself face today—how to embrace the faith in pursuing your professional aspirations without losing sight of who you are and what you believe in. That’s where our annual YCP conference comes in: one weekend with hundreds of Catholics where deep conviction in your faith meets professional development and authentic community. Next year’s conference, Verso L’Alto: Ascend with Hope, will be held in Dallas, TX from April 25 - 27.   Imagine spending a weekend surrounded by people who get it—who understand the challenges of being a young Catholic professional today.  Expect a weekend filled with transformational career advice, inspiring speakers, interactive workshops, networking opportunities with other like-minded Catholics, plus a deeper purpose in how you approach your work, every day. Don’t miss out on this event dedicated to not only professional growth but spiritual renewal. At the Verso L’Alto: Ascend with Hope conference, you’ll walk away with more than just career advice. You’ll leave with a deeper sense of purpose, equipped to bring Christ into every aspect of your life, especially your work. This conference isn’t just about networking or career takeaways, it’s about discovering how to pursue sanctification in the everyday tasks that might seem small but, in God’s eyes, are deeply meaningful.  Whether you’re striving for leadership, struggling with work/life balance, or pursuing sanctification of the work Christ calls you to at this moment in your life, you Belong at Verso L'Alto: Ascend with Hope. From embracing humility in leadership to seeking sanctity in the smallest tasks, this conference will inspire you to bring Christ into the heart of your career. Are you ready to strive for the heights with us? Join us in 2025! 

“YCP’s ministry has had a profound impact on my life. The fruits I’ve received from this ministry are more than I would have imagined, and I will be forever grateful. A friend introduced me to the YCP Portland Chapter during a time when I was struggling in my faith and with my trust in God's plans for me. After participating in a few events, I decided to attend the 2021 YCP National Conference and was blown away to see so many young adult Catholics in one place and was inspired by everyone’s desire to grow closer to Christ. That was the year of St. Joseph in the Catholic Church and the theme of the Conference too, so I left the Conference with new friends across the U.S. and a desire to learn more about St. Joseph as my intercessor. I did the consecration to St. Joseph that summer, continually asking him to guide me to my future husband and a new job. I began to see St. Joseph as another spiritual father, and I knew I could trust him to lead me to the right place." In a moment of doubt and uncertainty, Emma found a renewed sense of hope in her faith through the YCP community, a spiritual father in St. Joseph, and a life transformed by new friendships, a career change, and even marriage. Her testimony reminds us of the beautiful fruits that come when we say 'yes' to God’s plan, no matter how unexpected or uncertain that yes may be.  What fruits have you seen bloom through a new interaction at YCP?  #YCP #YoungCatholicProfessionals #WorkinginWitnessforChrist #VersoLAlto

Today, we celebrate St. John Paul II, our first Polish Pontiff and the second longest-serving Holy Father, a powerful Saint who left a legacy of conviction and examples of what total devotion to God looks like. In his 1981 encyclical, his powerful teachings in Laborem Exercens (On Human Work), JPII elevates the dignity of human work.  His words remind us that labor is not just about punishment, struggle, and strife, but it’s about partnering and co-creating with God in the building of a more just and dignified society. Here are our favorite takeaways from Laborem Exercens: 💼 View work as a path to holiness: Our jobs, no matter how big or small, are opportunities to grow closer to Christ and serve others. 👥 Human dignity comes first: Work should always respect the inherent value of the person, it’s about people, not just profits. 🤝 Collaboration over competition: Through solidarity, we recognize we’re all connected and responsible for building a more loving community. 🌎 Work transforms the world: JPII believed in our work’s potential to renew culture and society, calling us to strive for the common good. “The future is in your hearts and in your hands. God is entrusting to you the task, at once difficult and uplifting, of working with him in the building of the civilization of love.” - Saint John Paul II  How do you find dignity and greatness and the work you’ve been called to live out today?  #StJohnPaulII #JPII #DignityofWork #YCP #LaboremExercens #FaithandWork #YoungCatholicProfessionals #WorkinginWitnessforChrist

Navigating your 20s and 30s as a Catholic professional can feel like swimming upstream. Living out your faith at work is challenging, and finding a supportive community is even tougher.   Young Catholic Professionals (YCP) is here to help.    We offer young Catholics opportunities that will truly build them up in all areas of their lives - spiritually, professionally, and personally. YCP provides: ➝ a quality Catholic community ➝ access to mentorship and professional development opportunities ➝ support and encouragement from like-minded Catholics ➝ access to trustworthy opportunities for career change and growth  If your journey has been positively impacted by YCP, a strong mentor, or a supportive community, pay it forward this Giving Tuesday.   Support our #iGiveCatholic campaign and help us raise $15,000 to support our operations and inspire young workers to pursue excellence in their faith and careers.    Early giving begins on November 18th!  Will you donate to YCP this Giving Tuesday? #iGiveCatholic #YCP #YoungCatholicProfessionals #GivingTuesday #PayitForward

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI reminds us that integrating our faith into our professional lives goes beyond just avoiding moral pitfalls—it's about striving for excellence and creating something truly admirable. Whether it’s a meticulously crafted spreadsheet or a service that genuinely helps others, what does it mean to produce work that reflects beauty and admiration? In Episode 37 of our Refiner's Fire Podcase, Dr. Brandon Vaidyanathan, Professor of Sociology at the Catholic University of America, challenges us to dive deeper into faith-work integration by opening ourselves up to beauty.   What does that look like for you? Say a prayer this week inviting Christ to guide you to better live out the transcendental of beauty in your work.   The full episode with Dr. Viadyanathan can be found in your Belong Portal.  #RefinersFire #YoungCatholicProfessionals #beauty #FaithWorkIntegration

Curious to know what inspired our 2025 conference logo, Verso L'Alto: Ascend to the Heights?  Stop scrolling and take in the natural beauty as we break it down for you!  🏔️ The mountain represents our spiritual journey toward heaven. Inspired by Bl. Pier Giorgio Frassati, who saw mountains as places to encounter God, symbolizing the climb we're each met with to reconcile or get 'eyelash to eyelash' with Christ, both in challenges and in joy. ☀️ The Eucharist as the Sun represents Christ at the peak of this ascent, our journey, and the ultimate goal of our spiritual lives. He stands bright guiding us to holiness and communion with God. 🌌 The clear sky reflects our focus and clarity, free from worldly distractions, as we strive for something greater—an encounter with Christ. Our conference logo embodies the message that, through the Eucharist and our faith, we're called to ascend “to the heights” as young Catholic professionals, inspired by Frassati’s adventurous spirit. Are you ready to reach the summit with us next year? Get your conference tickets today (link in bio)!  #YCPConference #VersoLAlto #AscendToTheHeights #YoungCatholicProfessionals

Last week, our dedicated team gathered at our Headquarters in Dallas, coming together from seven cities across the country for a transformative week of retreat, camaraderie, and professional development. Here are some of the highlights that made this experience truly special: • Our Executive Director Peter showed us true servant leadership by graciously flipping burgers for our team dinner. • Santi, our new Regional Chapter Manager, spoiled us with some authentic Colombian guacamole, made from scratch! • We bonded as a team by sharing stories around the bonfire. • We participated in active listening exercises with the Divine Comedy Improv group, enhancing our communication skills. • Msgr. Morris led a profound spiritual reflection on the virtue of hope, inspiring us all. • Our founder, Jennifer Baugh, joined us as we brainstormed innovative solutions for future improvements to our Chapter Support offerings. • We capped off the week with laughter during a game of the Catholic Card Game, reinforcing the importance of fun in our work culture. The Holy Spirit works wonders when we unite in community, and we look forward to seeing the positive impacts of this retreat unfold in our organization. Thank you to everyone who made this week memorable! #TeamBuilding #ProfessionalDevelopment #Leadership #YoungCatholicProfessionals

We get it. Life is busy, work is hectic, you don't know anyone else going, or you simply just don't have the time.  Here are 5 reasons you may not have considered and why the Verso L'Alto: Ascend with Hope conference will be totally worth it: 1️⃣ Refresh your spirit with Christ: Step away from the daily grind and focus on your faith. You’ll leave energized and refreshed to return to work with clarity, purpose, and a renewed sense of mission. 2️⃣ Build lasting friendships: You may not know anyone else going now, but by the end of the conference, you'll have a network of like-minded young professionals and friends who share your values and conviction to spread truth in the world. 3️⃣ Personal growth: From leadership workshops to inspiring talks, you’ll walk away with tools to excel in your career and grow in holiness. 4️⃣ Inspiration from modern-day saints in the making: You’ll hear powerful stories of how others tackle integrating their faith in their work, reminding you of your own potential and ascent towards Christ. 5️⃣ Expand your network with like-minded Catholics: Surround yourself and network with hundreds of other Catholics working in different industries across the US.  Say ‘yes’ to an experience that can shape your year, career, and faith. Get your ticket today and take the next step in your journey! ycpconference.org #YCP #YoungCatholicProfessionals #VersoLAlto #AscendWithHope

Join us today through Oct. 22 as we begin the JPII Healing Novena together!  Many of us have experienced pain or injustice in our workplace and professional spaces, whether it’s through a co-worker not respecting healthy boundaries, unmet expectations, or feelings of inadequacy.  Through the intercession of St. John Paul II, we invite the Lord into these painful spaces for complete and total healing.  Over the next nine days, leading up to the Feast of St. John Paul II, we invite you to join us on this Healing Novena to ask for courage, peace, and restoration in whatever burdens you’ve been carrying in your places of work and to help elevate us as better employees and co-workers with the light and grace of Christ within us. Follow along here: https://lnkd.in/e4HWiYrm #HealingNovena #PrayWithUs #StJohnPaulII #YCP #YCPCommunity #JohnPaulII