February 3, 2012

Theology on Tap sets sights on young Catholics

Jack Murphree, Tennessee Register

When young people leave their parents’ home and strike out on their own, they often drift away from their faith and church. The drift often occurs when young people, buffeted by a culture that present numerous moral challenges, most need a strong relationship with Christ.

One of the newest vehicles designed to entice young Catholics back to an understanding of where they fit into a faith-filled community is a faith-focused encounter called Theology on Tap.

Theology on Tap originated in the Archdiocese of Chicago 25 years ago as an outreach program of catechesis and evangelization of young adult Catholics in their 20s and 30s, married, single or single again, with or without children.

“We are reaching out to young Catholics where they are,” said Joan Watson, coordinator of catechesis at Aquinas College. Along with Belmont student Lori Hanson, Watson is spearheading the revival of the newly-reformed chapter.

“We’re not a club or a group. We are not posturing with a holy-roller message or asking young people to come to a holy hour,” said Watson. “We are inviting people to a casual, non-threatening atmosphere for a pint and to talk.”

Theology on Tap events, typically held in restaurants, bars and coffee houses, feature engaging speakers presenting theological topics, time for discussion, faith sharing, and community building.

The Theology on Tap gathering place is McNamara’s Irish Pub located at 2740 Lebanon Road in Nashville. The group plans to meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16, and on the third Thursday of every month thereafter.

Speakers for the first event will be Dr. and Mrs. William Bellet. Dr. Bellet is a clinical psychologist specializing in marriage and family therapy and the author of “The Psychology of Marriage.” His wife, Marie, is a recording artist who has written and recorded five CD’s based on her life as a Catholic mother striving for holiness in the world. They are parents to nine children.

Tagged as a social event formed in faith, Watson believes the Theology on Tap setting removes that wall which makes young people feel like outsiders.

“We want young Catholics to know that there is a place for you in the Church and that you do fit in,” said Watson.

An estimated 42 percent of all Catholics leave the church at some time during their lives. Greater than 50 percent of those dropping out are Catholics 25 years or younger.

“It is part of the secularism of our society,” says Tom Samoray, diocesan director of vocational awareness. 

“Many young people believe that, instead of (the church) supporting one another together, if God and I are OK, then that’s all I need,” said Samoray.

A quick glance at the landscape of U.S. Catholic parishes reveals a startling reality, according to Jeremy Rivera, director of communications for FOCUS Ministries, a national fellowship of Catholic university students.

“There is a generation missing,” said Rivera. “We are preparing the world’s and the church’s future leaders on America’s college campuses to hit-the-ground-running in their parishes where, unfortunately, they do not have the luxury of stepping into thriving ministries filled with young people.”

“We are honest with them when we say that they have to be pioneers,” said Rivera. 

“One of the problems inside Catholic parish life is that Churches don’t always reach out to their congregations at every stage of life,” said Joe Thomashefki, youth director at Christ the King Parish.

This disenfranchisement of the young Catholic may start with the Church itself, according to Thomashefski. “After confirmation, the resources in terms of budgets and environments are not always there,” he said.

“Young Catholics must step up and take servant-leadership positions from the get-go with the realization that they are vital parts of the Body of Christ and, as the Church, have an important role to play in God’s redemptive plan of salvation.” said Rivera.

Young adults are often perceived to value the critical discovery process of independent thinking and to bristle at anyone who expects them to be obedient, much less bear a cross.

“I believe the pendulum is swinging the other way,” said Samoray. “Young Catholics often carry a holy longing they can not ignore and once they quit resisting and come back to faith community, they find a celebration of spirituality,” he said.

“Christ established the Church on earth for that very purpose,” said Samoray.

“I think the Church is desperate for young leaders to start authentic outreaches to young adults; to get creative and set up shop outside the sanctuary,” said Rivera. 

“We need to do a better job of speaking and teaching on practical topics young people face today – relationships, sexuality, career transitions, how to heal from broken homes, how God defines success and how to manage life,” said Rivera. 

Watson, who attended a Theology on Tap chapter in Rome, Italy, where she studied, agrees and encourages parents and grandparents related to Theology on Tap’s countercultural target audience to tell their young people about the Theology on Tap experience that is waiting for them.

“They will find people of like mind and interests there as well as new friends looking for community and to fill a gap,” Watson said.

“Getting them there is the stepping stone, the beginning of our introduction of the Gospel in a new and real way.”

For more information about Theology on Tap, visit www.renewtot.org.