‘Theology on Tap’ brings Gospel’s evangelizing message to the bar

By Sylvia L. White, The Catholic Sun
March 15, 2007

TEMPE — There’s nothing unusual about a man at a bar using a microphone to speak to people.

What is unusual is for the man to be wearing a cassock.

Fr. Patrick Farley, associate pastor at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, spoke to 25 young adults Feb. 26 at Four Peaks Brewery.

The young adults were not only there for a meal and a drink, but to learn more about the Church’s teachings.

“I wear it because I am a sinner,” Fr. Farley said of his cassock at last month’s Theology on Tap. “We’re all sinners.”

Theology on Tap — which began in the Archdiocese of Chicago — evangelizes by meeting young adults where they are. Some groups meet at parishes, others at bars.

In college, Fr. Farley’s agenda “was to drink a lot of these,” he said as he pointed to a beer. When he “got serious about life,” Fr. Farley began to get together with a friend to pray the rosary and read Scripture, instead of hanging out at the bars.

“We have to be ourselves, but at the same time that doesn’t take away from working on holiness,” Fr. Farley said. He spoke of building up rather than tearing down, reminding others of their dignity.

Fr. Farley addressed the young men particularly about being vigilant with the media. We must have a “filter that doesn’t allow things that separate us from God” to get in.

He also emphasized living “a sacramental life.”

“If you haven’t been to confession, go!” Fr. Farley exhorted. “Be serious about your prayer life. Jump-start it with Scripture.”

He mentioned how fasting and almsgiving help Catholics to be more generous, and said confession is to prayer life what gasoline is to a car.

“The wonderful thing about being a confessor is being a servant,” said Fr. Farley, who was available for confessions after the talk.

“The priest doesn’t remember you for your sins, but remembers you for your humility,” he added.

He told the young adults that if they follow the Beatitudes, the precepts of the Church and the Ten Commandments, “you can’t go wrong.”

For Donald Scott, an Arizona State University law student, this was his first encounter with Theology on Tap.

“Any time you get the opportunity to have catechism with clergy it’s super beneficial,” he said.

His wife, Christa, thought the more casual setting was nice and hopes to bring friends to the next event.

“It’s inviting to people who are not necessarily inclined to go to Church-sponsored events,” she said. The young couple attends All Saints Catholic Newman Center.

“Grill the Priest,” scheduled for March 28, is the next Theology on Tap event. Those planning to attend are encouraged to bring questions, friends with questions and fallen-away Catholics.  A panel of three priests will be on hand with answers.

For more information, call Chris Faddis, Theology on Tap coordinator, at (480) 206-6717.