1. Does RealLife have an age limit?
Strictly speaking, RealLife does not have an age limit. However, some of our events will require that attendees be over 21. Also, as our name indicates, our subject matter is designed to appeal to a more mature audience, focusing on young professionals and graduate-aged students, so younger attendees may find other groups at St. Mary’s to be a better fit for their particular needs.
2. Is RealLife for men or women only?
No. Unlike other groups, RealLife is a co-ed organization.
3. Is RealLife a singles group?
No. One of RealLife’s core purposes is to build friendships among B/CS-area Catholic young adults. This certainly does not preclude dating, but encouraging dating amongst our members is not part of our core mission, and our members include both single and married people.
4. What is RealLife’s target audience?
RealLife is designed to target Catholic graduate students and young professionals in the Bryan and College Station area. Because we are all at different places in our spiritual lives, RealLife tries to accommodate Catholics in a wide range of their faith walk, whether they have been strong life-long Catholics, recent converts, or those who are struggling with their faith. We actively try to build a non-judgmental, open, and encouraging environment at our functions.
5. Do I have to be Catholic to be a member of RealLife?
You do not have to be Catholic to be a member of RealLife, but fullest participation in all of our events necessitates being Catholic and being in good standing with the Church (i.e…. some events will involve attending Mass and the subsequent receiving of the Eucharist). While we freely welcome anyone to attend our meetings, RealLife is designed to serve Catholic young adults, and our talks and devotionals, in specific, have a Catholic-centric focus.
6. When does RealLife have its meetings?
We have theology on tap and mass and dinner once a month. There is no set schedule please check our calendar to find out when upcoming events are scheduled.
7. Where does RealLife meet?
RealLife is centered out of St. Mary Catholic Center in College Station. Some of our meetings take place at St. Mary’s, but many of our events are held off-site in various establishments around town. Please refer to our weekly email updates for specifics on location, including maps, room numbers, and other pertinent information.
8. What do I do to “join” RealLife?
Very little is required to join RealLife – just register your email address here and we will add it to our mailing list. You should start receiving our weekly emails informing you of upcoming events. We will not share your email address with any other group, and we will not use your email address for purposes other than information regarding RealLife-related events.
9. Once I join RealLife, do I have to attend all the meetings?
No. In general, our meetings are all self-contained. As such, you can come and go to meetings as your needs and schedule dictate. We would recommend that you try to attend different meeting types so that you can experience a broader range of Catholic life. At times during the year, we may have some events that build on previous events (i.e.…a two-part talk stretched over two nights). If that is the case, we will inform our members in advance.
10. Do I have to pay dues or am I agreeing to some other financial or general commitment once I join RealLife?
No. While RealLife officers have a commitment to the group, no members are required to make any financial or time commitment to the group. Some events will require out-of-pocket expenses (i.e.…social function may involve dinner which isn’t paid for by RealLife). When any event requires out-of-pocket expenses, we will inform everyone in advance via our weekly email updates.
11. Do I have to RSVP or give prior notice if I’ll be attending an event?
No – feel free to come to any event and bring along any friends or family who might be interested!