Cardinal Blase Cupich has enlisted actor Mark Wahlberg to help re-engage Chicago's youth in the Catholic Church.
Wahlberg, who the Archdiocese of Chicago notes is a "renowned actor, producer, father, husband and businessman" as well as a devout Catholic, will join Cupich on Oct. 20 for (re)ENCOUNTER, a young adult faith night.
The event, hoping to draw thousands of young adults, takes place from 6:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. at UIC Pavilion and will feature live music, special guests and conversations to "remind you that you are not alone in your faith."
Cupich and Wahlberg are expected to discuss the "importance of repentance and rebirth, how Mr. Wahlberg discovered truth through his own reconciliation in the Catholic faith, and the role the Bible and Jesus Christ play in his everyday life," according to the event listing on the Archdiocese's website.
Sr. Bethany Madonna of the Sisters of Life, Fr. Paul Mueller and DJ Joe Melendrez are listed among other guests.
Earlier in the month, Cupich talked to NBC 5 about the future of the church and the challenge of getting young people to regularly attend Mass.
Cupich noted that statistics show 36 percent of millenials claim no affiliation with organized religion, and of those who are Catholic, only 17 percent attend Mass every week.
"I'm finding that kind of the back door into church life for young people today are the charitable works of the church," Cupich said. "We have a wonderful group of young people involved in Catholic Charities. Young people have good hearts."
