recreation and more religious activities for many individuals both inside and outside the parish, according to Fitzgerald. In this particular program, the parish keeps two goals in mind. “We want to present topics in Catholic theology and thought,” says Fitzgerald, “and to engage a young adult audience in an exchange of ideas on faith.” Fitzgerald, along with Natalie Ackerman, a first-grade teacher at the parish school and Rev. Thomas Scirghi, S.J., a professor of liturgy at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif., hope to draw young adults back into the active practice of their Catholic faith. “Typically, Theology on Tap has more than just a positive influential effect on an audience that might be wandering around in their spiritual journey,” says Fitzgerald. In addition to helping coordinate the program, Father Scirghi offers his services as speaker. He presents easy-to-understand analogies between Catholic practices and symbols and everyday living at Theology on Tap
sessions. He hopes that attendees will learn something that will help nourish their own lives in the Church. “We are opening them up to what I like to think is the richness and the variety of the Church’s teaching,” says Father Scirghi. Having worked with young professionals in Boston, New York and Oakland, Father Scirghi acknowledges their superior academic capacity, but he finds their understanding of the Church and its tradition limited. “These people are asking for more, for a deeper understanding, especially as they marry and then have children. They want to pass something on.” Natalie Ackerman cites the community-building feature of Theology on Tap as one of its most beneficial aspects. “It’s a very welcoming setting, and melts away those structured feelings,” she says. For the 26-year-old publicist Nicole Quigley, moving to Washington, D.C. from her small hometown presented a challenge in many ways, particularly when it came to her
faith. Searching for connection to other young Catholics, she heard about Theology on Tap from friends. After attending a couple of meetings, she felt she had found a way to regenerate that link. “Theology on Tap meetings keep your faith on your mind during the work week, rather than just focusing on God on Sundays,” she says. The opportunity to socialize with other young Catholics in this setting also appealed to Quigley. “You work in a secular world. It’s good to connect with others who think like you do.” More important, she sees the program as a positive response on the Church’s part to the needs of young people. “Theology on Tap reinforces the pope’s focus on youth. It’s a good way to complement his vision,” Quigley says. Although the wisdom, expertise and knowledge of all parishioners is important, Cusick emphasizes the need for input from younger members of the parish. “The backbone of Catholic parish life 30 to 35 years
ago was people 25 to 40. Oftentimes today, the age group 25 to 40 is missing,” Cusick says. “As a Church, we have to learn to regenerate parish life and Church life.” Even though the program has existed for 23 years, Cusick notes that success takes time. “Too often we adopt the American mindset that it’s got to be perfect and feel good right from the first moment. To me, this is like building blocks,” he says. As the Catholic Church continues the process of maintaining strong ties with all generations in the global community, Theology on Tap is delivering a healthy dose of spiritual sustenance for young adult appetites. Phyllis M. Hanlon is a freelance writer whose work has been published in a variety of business, medical, academic, general interest and religious publications. Reprinted with permission from America. Copyright 2003 by America Press Inc.
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