The Catholic Project held an interactive panel discussion on Friday, July 19 at the National Eucharistic Congress. Moderated by Sara Perla (TCP Communications Manager) and J.D. Flynn (The Pillar), the six single panelists were Lillian Fallon, author of Theology of Style; Chika Anyanwu, author of My Encounter: How I Met Jesus In Prayer; Mari Pablo, presenter at Ascension Press; Lucas Kaliszak, a medical student and content creator for CatholicMatch; Cody Etheridge, a marketing and communications specialist at Catholic University; and John Mittel, co-founder of the beverage company Phocus.

Before the event, we asked all registrants to consider a few questions:

1. What’s the biggest challenge you face in dating as a Catholic today?
2. What could the opposite sex do to make dating a bit easier?
3. If we all dislike dating apps, why are we still using them?!?!

It was an energy-filled event and received some media coverage:

Why is Catholic dating so hard? Find answers at the NEC - Rachel Hoover Canto, OSV

Catholic dating panel to be featured at National Eucharistic Congress - Grace Porto, CatholicVote

Single Catholics talk struggles of dating at National Eucharistic Congress event - Aleja Hertzler-McCain, RNS