A youth ministry of the Diocese of Paterson gathers more than 40 young adults every week — people who are looking for something more than a meeting: they are looking for a family.
Every week, at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, a group of young adults comes together to pray, share their faith, and grow side by side. The EPIC ministry — Everything’s Possible in Christ — has grown from humble beginnings into one of the most vibrant youth spaces in the Diocese of Paterson, drawing young adults from different cities and even from other states.
The weekly gatherings combine faith reflection, Bible study, and prayer, but over time they have become something harder to put into words: a place where young people can arrive with their questions, their history, and their search — without fear of being judged. The group also organizes recreational activities — including a recent ski trip — that strengthen the bonds of community beyond the parish setting.
A fire he didn’t want to let die
For Danquiewiez González, it all began with a spiritual retreat and an experience he simply could not ignore.
“I felt the fire of God’s love in my heart,” he recalls. “After the retreat ended, I didn’t want that fire to go out inside me — that’s why I decided to join the EPIC group, to keep learning more about God and strengthen my faith.”
Since then, his involvement in the parish has only grown. He now serves as a lector at Mass and speaks about his faith with a clarity he traces directly to that moment of grace. “Now I see life from a different point of view. All of this is born from the fact that God is in my heart, and I want to serve Him with joy.”
Jonathan Moran came to the group with a similar desire: to draw closer to his faith again and find accompaniment along the way. What he found was that — and more. “Since I joined the group, I’ve received many helpful resources and met people who are willing to help me in my discernment process,” he shares.
Among the experiences that have marked him most is the group’s retreat. To describe what they lived during those days, Jonathan turns to the words of Psalm 133: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in unity.”
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An unexpected return
Brenda Marte grew up in the Church. But like so many young people, her college years gradually drew her away from the practice of her faith. It was a personal experience of conversion that awakened in her the desire to come back.
One day, she noticed an announcement in the parish bulletin for a young adult retreat. She decided to go. That seemingly small decision marked the beginning of a new chapter.
“I have made friendships centered on God. My life has changed for the better,” she says today, with the simplicity of someone speaking from deep conviction rather than fleeting enthusiasm. Her commitment has continued to grow: she now serves as a catechist for the first year of Confirmation and participates in the Shalom missionary community in New York.
What she treasures most about the group are the holy hours before the Blessed Sacrament. “There is something very special about being in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament together with all your friends. Knowing that there are so many young people seeking God, and that we have that mutual support — it is something truly beautiful.”
Building a family, not just a group
Behind EPIC’s growth are people who have invested their time and their hearts in building something that goes beyond a parish program.
Kenneth Acevedo, one of the coordinators, describes his experience in EPIC as something deeply meaningful in his life. Reflecting on his involvement in the ministry, he explains that being part of the group was already a very valuable experience, but taking on the role of coordinator has been even more special. In his own words: “Being part of EPIC has been truly rewarding, but being a coordinator has been one of the best experiences of my life.”
As he shares, the group has grown in recent years and now brings together young adults from different cities and even from other states. The goal of the ministry, he explains, is to offer a space where young people can feel heard and accompanied on their faith journey. With that purpose in mind, he adds: “We have created a place where young adults can come without feeling judged or alone.”
Jessica Alvarez remembers the early days, when only a handful of people would show up to a given meeting. Today, it is not uncommon to see more than 40 young adults gathered on a single evening. For her, that growth cannot be explained by communication strategies or appealing programs — it comes down to something simpler: the human warmth of genuine welcome. “We strive to treat every person like a member of our family.”
And to that family, the coordinators extend an open invitation to any young adult looking to deepen their faith, or who simply wants to find out whether there is something here for them. As Jessica puts it: “There is always a place for you in our family.”
Visit the parish website or social media to learn more.
‘Everything’s possible in Christ’: EPIC group is transforming young lives at St. Anthony of Padua #Catholic –
A youth ministry of the Diocese of Paterson gathers more than 40 young adults every week — people who are looking for something more than a meeting: they are looking for a family.
Every week, at St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Passaic, a group of young adults comes together to pray, share their faith, and grow side by side. The EPIC ministry — Everything’s Possible in Christ — has grown from humble beginnings into one of the most vibrant youth spaces in the Diocese of Paterson, drawing young adults from different cities and even from other states.
The weekly gatherings combine faith reflection, Bible study, and prayer, but over time they have become something harder to put into words: a place where young people can arrive with their questions, their history, and their search — without fear of being judged. The group also organizes recreational activities — including a recent ski trip — that strengthen the bonds of community beyond the parish setting.
A fire he didn’t want to let die
For Danquiewiez González, it all began with a spiritual retreat and an experience he simply could not ignore.
“I felt the fire of God’s love in my heart,” he recalls. “After the retreat ended, I didn’t want that fire to go out inside me — that’s why I decided to join the EPIC group, to keep learning more about God and strengthen my faith.”
Since then, his involvement in the parish has only grown. He now serves as a lector at Mass and speaks about his faith with a clarity he traces directly to that moment of grace. “Now I see life from a different point of view. All of this is born from the fact that God is in my heart, and I want to serve Him with joy.”
Jonathan Moran came to the group with a similar desire: to draw closer to his faith again and find accompaniment along the way. What he found was that — and more. “Since I joined the group, I’ve received many helpful resources and met people who are willing to help me in my discernment process,” he shares.
Among the experiences that have marked him most is the group’s retreat. To describe what they lived during those days, Jonathan turns to the words of Psalm 133: “How good and pleasant it is when brothers and sisters live together in unity.”
Click here to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
An unexpected return
Brenda Marte grew up in the Church. But like so many young people, her college years gradually drew her away from the practice of her faith. It was a personal experience of conversion that awakened in her the desire to come back.
One day, she noticed an announcement in the parish bulletin for a young adult retreat. She decided to go. That seemingly small decision marked the beginning of a new chapter.
“I have made friendships centered on God. My life has changed for the better,” she says today, with the simplicity of someone speaking from deep conviction rather than fleeting enthusiasm. Her commitment has continued to grow: she now serves as a catechist for the first year of Confirmation and participates in the Shalom missionary community in New York.
What she treasures most about the group are the holy hours before the Blessed Sacrament. “There is something very special about being in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament together with all your friends. Knowing that there are so many young people seeking God, and that we have that mutual support — it is something truly beautiful.”
Building a family, not just a group
Behind EPIC’s growth are people who have invested their time and their hearts in building something that goes beyond a parish program.
Kenneth Acevedo, one of the coordinators, describes his experience in EPIC as something deeply meaningful in his life. Reflecting on his involvement in the ministry, he explains that being part of the group was already a very valuable experience, but taking on the role of coordinator has been even more special. In his own words: “Being part of EPIC has been truly rewarding, but being a coordinator has been one of the best experiences of my life.”
As he shares, the group has grown in recent years and now brings together young adults from different cities and even from other states. The goal of the ministry, he explains, is to offer a space where young people can feel heard and accompanied on their faith journey. With that purpose in mind, he adds: “We have created a place where young adults can come without feeling judged or alone.”
Jessica Alvarez remembers the early days, when only a handful of people would show up to a given meeting. Today, it is not uncommon to see more than 40 young adults gathered on a single evening. For her, that growth cannot be explained by communication strategies or appealing programs — it comes down to something simpler: the human warmth of genuine welcome. “We strive to treat every person like a member of our family.”
And to that family, the coordinators extend an open invitation to any young adult looking to deepen their faith, or who simply wants to find out whether there is something here for them. As Jessica puts it: “There is always a place for you in our family.”
Visit the parish website or social media to learn more.