Baltimore chapter of Young Catholic Professionals celebrates successful first year February 18, 2026By Katie V. Jones OSV News Filed Under: Feature, Local News, News, Young Adult Ministry The Baltimore chapter of Young Catholic Professionals celebrated its first anniversary in October with almost 200 people at the Baltimore Museum of Industry enjoying drinks, food and tours of the museum. For Vincent Principe, president and founder of the chapter, it was a highlight to a year of learning and celebrating faith. Vince Principe, a real estate consultant, serves as president of the Young Catholic Professionals Baltimore, which is currently in its second year of operation. (Kevin J. Parks/CR Staff) “It shows we’re doing something right,” said Principe, a parishioner of the Catholic Community of South Baltimore. While there was “definitely a learning curve” in its first year, to see “dozens of people continuing to show up” is “encouraging and inspiring,” he said. A national organization based in Texas, Young Catholic Professionals offers adults in their 20s and 30s opportunities to network, socialize and share their faith at various events throughout the year. In Baltimore, Principe and his team host one event each month. “What works best is to stay focused on the quality of the event,” Principe said. “Doing too much at once, or shoving too much in one event, we learned quickly, doesn’t work.” Events typically alternate between featured speakers and happy hours. Past speakers have included Father Leo Patalinghug and Tim Watkins, president and CEO of Renegade Communications. There are two types of happy hours – holy happy hours include prayer and eucharistic adoration, followed with drinks and fellowship, and networking happy hours at local breweries and wine bars. Both have been popular events with good attendance, Principe said. Jenna Espiritu, co-director of evangelization for Young Catholic Professionals Baltimore, raises her hand in recognition of her leadership efforts during the organization’s first anniversary celebration at an event held October 2025 at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. (Courtesy of Young Catholic Professionals Baltimore) “It has exceeded my expectations in so many ways,” Carl Comasco, a YCP Baltimore board member said. “The leadership team does just a phenomenal job. To see these young folks leading in so many ways and bringing young Catholics together.” Comasco, a parishioner of the Catholic Community of Ascension in Halethorpe and St. Augustine, in Elkridge, was not familiar with YCP before he was asked to be a board member more than a year ago. He was immediately drawn to it, he said, as his faith has been a “foundation of my life,” guiding him in his profession, his marriage and as a father. “There are so many traps in today’s world. It is so easy to get derailed,” Comasco said. “Young Catholic Professionals is not just Bible study. It is coming together as practicing Catholics … to enrich your ability to live in the world.” While most YCP events are free to attend, yearly memberships provide discounts for paid events. Membership also offers connections to national networking and mentoring opportunities with professionals from YCP chapters around the country. Victor Esposito, a member of the Young Catholic Professionals Baltimore leadership team, enjoys light-hearted conversations during the organization’s first anniversary celebration, which was hosted in October 2025 at the Baltimore Museum of Industry. (Courtesy of Young Catholic Professionals Baltimore) As the Baltimore chapter has attracted many young professionals from Anne Arundel County, it will host its first event outside of Baltimore Feb. 26 in Annapolis. The holy happy hour will start at 7 p.m. at St. Mary Church with eucharistic adoration followed by drinks at Harry Browne’s Restaurant. “It is so far out from the city, I’m interested to see how it plays out,” Principe said. “It is really for people to come down and take advantage to see another parish.” The group also is planning a half-day retreat during Lent. For the chapter’s next year, Principe would like more leaders to step forward to allow himself and other officers to step back and take on smaller roles. “I would love for this to be a thing regardless of if I was involved or not,” Principe said, though he is confident it will continue. “Speaking with so many people, YCP is doing the Lord’s work for sure.” Email Katie V. Jones at kjones@CatholicReview.org Read More Young Adult Ministry Pope Leo XIV urges Chicago students to be ‘co-workers for peace with Christ’ From discipleship to apostleship: SEEK promises encounter with Christ that continues Catholic influencer’s matchmaking social media posts lead to new dating app Mount 2000 attracts more than 1,100 for eucharistic retreat SEEK 2026 summons youth to draw close to Christ, discover his plan for their lives Baltimore students inspired by trip to SEEK conference in Ohio Copyright © 2026 OSV News Print
