THEOLOGY ON TAP

Bringing God to Brother Mike’s
On any of the four Thursdays in February, a small group of students could be found gathered around the fireplace at Brother Mike's at The Hill.  Not unusual, you might say. Located in the Roche Dining Commons, the new, student-run campus pub is a popular hangout for those over 21 years of age. But this was not just an ordinary get-together. It was “Theology on Tap.”

On these special Thursdays,  you could order a beer and take part in a discussion of Theology guided by one of the Holy Cross fathers and student host Joe Conley ’08.

"Theology on Tap has been a great experience for all those involved," says Conley. 

"The Holy Cross fathers have really enjoyed the opportunity to meet and talk with students.  The students, in turn, have loved the discussions and the informal setting in which they have been held," he added.

A Religious Studies major, Conley studied at Oxford University during his junior year and plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology, hopefully at Harvard University.

Topics for Discussion
Recently, Fr. George Piggford, C.S.C., assistant professor of English, challenged the group to tell him what bugs them about the Church:  "Bring it on!  What would you like to know about Catholicism?"

"We had such a productive discussion as the students asked mature, edgy questions. The atmosphere was conversational but adult. The topics ranged from what makes a marriage a sacrament to ordination to Catholic relations with other religions. I asked them to bring it on and they grilled me all evening long, " said Fr. Piggford.

Fr. Paul Pudussery, C.S.C., assistant director of Intercultural Affairs, took a global approach to his “Theology on Tap” session with the topic: “Finding the Many Faces of God in Our Sisters and Brothers Throughout the World.”

Fr. Mark Cregan '78, C.S.C., president of the College, gathered with students to “Understand the Creed." In their discussions, they asked,  “What do statements composed over 1600 years ago in a far off place have to do with me living my faith today?”

Taking an unusual approach to the topic of Incarnation, Fr. Robert Kruse '55, C.S.C., counselor to the president, used a passage from J.D. Salinger's Franny and Zooey to engage students in discussion on how God "became flesh."

"Thus far, Theology on Tap has been a great success and I know many students are extremely excited to turn 21 so they can join in the discussion," notes Conley.

How It Began
Originating 20 years ago in Chicago, “Theology on Tap” began when a parish priest and a young man shared a discussion on the meaning of life.

The conversation was a great success, and they concluded that more meetings of the kind were needed. They also agreed that more young people should be invited, and the Archdiocese agreed. Meetings like these could attract young adults to the Church.

"Theology on Tap" seeks to spread the word of God using an unusual method: weekly gatherings with 20- to 30-year olds in a relaxed and casual atmosphere, such as the local pub. Following the example of Jesus, who mingled in everyday settings with ordinary people, the new program has quickly spread.

Discussions like these around religious studies can now be found in major U.S. cities such as Washington, D.C., New York, and Boston.

For example, The Kells of Boston, located at 161 Brighton Avenue in Allston, Mass., was chosen as a site for “Theology on Tap” because of the high proportion of students and young adults who live and work in the neighborhood.

The first talk, held on September 9, 2007, was “Guinness, Pretzels & Catholics,” given by Fr. George Salzmann, OSFS, chaplain at Harvard University. He discussed the immense range of opportunity in the Catholic Church.

On Wednesday, October 3, 2007 at 7 p.m., the Irish pub Bad Abbots, located in Quincy, Mass., was host to Cardinal Sean O’Malley, archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, for the “six-pack” sessions. The Cardinal’s mission: to engage patrons who might not be your typical church-goers.

Issued 02/20/08