DETROIT — Is your parish actively reaching out to the “young adult” generation, asks Christopher Gawel, the young adult and campus ministry liaison to the Archdiocese of Detroit.

Young adults, who fall into the 18- to 35-year-old category, were merely 5.6 percent of those who responded to the November 2013 “Perceptions of the Faithful” survey of Metro Detroit parishioners.

But Gawel, who is in contact with roughly 500 Catholic young adults within the archdiocese’s boundaries, pointed out that young adults are also some of the most active Catholics in Metro Detroit.

Gawel said many young adults are busy juggling school, possibly several jobs, and the transition into life on their own: “They’re trying to get the biggest bang for their buck: ‘I have an hour, or two hours Friday evening to devote to my faith life.’”

Gawel offered some practical steps to encourage more young adult involvement in parishes.

Service opportunities: Young adults want to “give of themselves,” and it’s not just cleaning up after events: “It’s really contributing one’s gifts to the life of the parish, to the ministry, to the poor … They want to see that they’re making a difference in the lives of other people.”

Devotions: Stations of the Cross, rosary, eucharistic adoration, “those things we’d recognize as ‘very much Catholic,’” are very important to young adults.

Accessible Mass and confession: If daily Mass is only 8 a.m. and confessions are only on Saturday afternoon, it won’t meet the fluid schedules of young adults, Gawel said: “Parishes that offer Mass in the evening, Sunday evenings, confessions before Mass, all of a sudden they see a rise in (young adults’) participation.”

Openness to discussion: Young adults will differ in their views of the controversial topics of the day — but that doesn’t mean they’re against it: “It’s that they’re trying to figure it out. And questioning brings them into greater ownership.” Be willing to engage tough topics, Gawel added.

Interpersonal relationships: Young adults live in a technologically advanced world of texting and social media, so social activities with both peers and older adults encourage them to come out of their shells: “It doesn’t matter what the topic is for the presentation; they’re looking for that fellowship.”