Program attracts young adults

"Theology on Tap," sponsored by the diocesan Office of Evangelization and Catechesis and the Young Adult Ministry of the Albany Diocese, drew over 100 young adults who listened to Bishop Howard J. Hubbard speak on Catholic social teaching.

The event was the first of its kind in the Albany diocese. "Theology on Tap" is a regular offering in the Archdiocese of Chicago, where participants gather once a week for four weeks to learn about Catholic teaching and discuss issues that are important to Catholic young adults.

Who are they?

According to the document, young adults in the 21st century face challenges previous generations have not. Known as Generation X or the "Post-Moderns," they were the first generation of latch-key children, the first generation where divorce was a norm, the first generation since the Civil War not guaranteed to be better off economically than their parents, and the first multi-cultural and media-savvy generation. Given these challenges, the Church must look at creative ways of ministering to young adults.

Eamonn McGirr, owner of Eamonn's Loudon House, said he had learned of the Chicago program on a television news show. He said he liked the idea of having a Catholic priest in a pub discussing theology.

"I thought I'd like to do this at my place," he said. "But I thought it would be pushing the envelope a bit so I left it on the back burner."

Glad to help

Sean Maguire, coordinator for Theology on Tap for the Young Adult Ministry of Albany and a parishioner of St. James parish in Albany, was pleased with the turn out for the event. With 12 members of the Young Adult Ministry, Mr. Maguire joked that they knew they would have at least 24 people at the event, as each member of the team would bring a guest. The standing-room-only crowd of more than 100 was more than they expected.

Events like "Theology on Tap" are important, Mr. Maguire said, because young adults don't always feel connected to parish life.

"We do a great job in providing for our families, children, and elderly," he said of the Church; "but sometimes we as young adults feel forgotten about for those years between youth and campus ministry until family-oriented ministries."

Loud and clear

Bishop Hubbard was pleased with the attendance. "I'm delighted at the turnout," he said.

The bishop described young adults as being a well-informed, highly-educated generation with a deep hunger and thirst for God and spirituality.

During his formal presentation, Bishop Hubbard explained the roots of the Church's social teaching. Given the events of September 11, and the United States' retaliation, he also talked about the "just war theory."

During the question-and-answer session, the Bishop fielded questions about the challenge to love enemies, the Church's response to the Vietnam War, and ecumenical and interfaith dialogue. Following the formal presentation, the bishop mingled with those present.

Plus side

"Tonight was wonderful," said Alvaro Alacon, a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle in Delmar. "It's a good way to meet other young adults."

Jesse Hession, a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament in Albany, remarked that "I thought it was a good opportunity to talk informally." Events like "Theology on Tap," he said, show that the Church can minister to young adults in many ways.

"It gets people to think outside of the box," he said.

The Diocese will continue to look for ways to minister to young adults, organizers said. "I think that it is important that our Church sends a message to young adults that it is aware of who we are, where we are, and what our needs are," Mr. Maguire said. "I think that 'Theology on Tap' starts to do that, but it does not end with that. We need to continue to provide programs and other resources for young adults that connect them with their faith, the Church, and their peers within the Church."

(The next "Theology on Tap" session will be held Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m., at Eamonn's Loudon House. For information on this and other offerings for young adults, visit www.yamAlbany.org or contact Carol Pickel, associate director for young adult and adult faith formation for the Office of Evangelization and Catechesis, at 453-6630 or email her at [email protected].)

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