Graduate Students & Young Adults (GYA)
Welcome
GYA is a group created for graduate students, postdocs, and young adults in the surrounding Evanston community who are in their 20s and 30s. GYA gathers regularly for a variety of events built around social, spiritual, educational, and service initiatives to help you stay connected.
Get Connected
Join GYA most Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m. during the academic year in the lower level of Sheil's Evanston Campus, located at 2110 Sheridan Road, Evanston. Meet new friends while exploring your faith. We look forward to meeting you!
See our full list of upcoming activities below. To be notified about GYA events, we invite you to register here with the Sheil Catholic Center to be added to the email list. Questions about GYA? Contact Tim Higgins, Campus Minister, here or call 847.328.4648.
Small Group
Small groups are a place where our larger campus Catholic community gets small. This is a space to help you find genuine community and grow your faith in Jesus, because your faith needs friends.
This fall, a graduate and young adult small group will form and meet for six weeks starting with the launch of our new preaching series Embracing Belovedness. The group will meet for 90 minutes each Tuesday from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the lower level of Sheil from Sept 26th through Oct 31st to share faith and dive deeper into the weekend homily. If you are a graduate student, postdoc, or young adult and are new to small groups, we encourage you to join the experience, because life is better connected.
Fall Camping Retreat
Do you enjoy the outdoors or want to experience a night in nature? Come join GYA on our camping retreat October 14-15, 2023. The goal is to praise the Creator as we delight in His beautiful creations! This fall, we’re going to Big Foot Beach in Lake Geneva, WI for picnics, campfire reflections, stargazing, and more! No camping experience or equipment is required. Cost is $50. Scholarships are available.
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, September 13, 1-3 p.m. - The Graduate School Resource Fair at Norris
Sunday, September 17, 12 p.m. - GYA Kick-Off at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Tuesday, September 19, 7 p.m. - Bonfire at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Tuesday, September 26, 7 p.m. - GYA Bible Study at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Tuesday, October 3, 7 p.m. - GYA Bible Study at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Tuesday, October 10, 7 p.m. - GYA Bible Study at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Saturday, October 14 - Sunday, October 15 - GYA Camping Retreat at Big Foot Beach, click here to sign up!
Tuesday, October 17, 7 p.m. - GYA Bible Study at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Tuesday, October 24, 7 p.m. - GYA Bible Study at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Sunday, October 29, 12 p.m. - Brunch with GYA, Catholics at Kellogg, and Chicago Campus Catholics (location TBD)
Tuesday, October 31, 7 p.m. - GYA Bible Study at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Sunday, November 5, 12 p.m. - Cooking for Hilda's Place Shelter at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Saturday, November 11 (time TBD) - Ice Skating at Evanston's Robert Crown Community Center
Tuesday, November 14, 7 p.m. - Praise and Worship at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Sunday, November 19, 12 p.m. - Cooking for Hilda's Place Shelter at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Tuesday, November 28, 7 p.m. - Cooking and Baking Competition at Sheil Catholic Center, Evanston
Saturday, December 2, 7 p.m. - Christmas Party (location TBD)
To see a full list of upcoming events with the Sheil Catholic community, click here.
GYA Leadership Team
The GYA leadership team includes, from left to right, Ethan Garvey, Yaxin Cui, Tracey Dinh, and Naomi Zidon.