News

Diocese taps into more theology

	Upcoming Theology on Tap programs ... • Green Bay • Appleton • Marinette • Antigo Related articles ... from February 21, 2003 issue: • Theology talks tap into young adult interests from September 6, 2002 issue: • Tapping into young adults from July 12, 2002 issue: • Young adults invited to tap into theology from June 28, 2002 issue: • Beer isn't the only Spirit now on tap

Just over a year ago, diocesan organizers were hoping young adults would be interested in talking about spirituality and religion in bars in Green Bay and the Fox Cities.

The idea proved so popular that not only has Theology on Tap continued throughout the year in Green Bay, but this month it will resume in Appleton -- and expand to Marinette and Antigo at the request of local residents who offered to do the planning.

Month after month, anywhere from 40 to 80 people in the target audience (single and married adults in their 20s and 30s) and those a bit older gather at BrewBaker's Pub in downtown Green Bay to hear a priest or a nun or a lay person share profound, spiritual moments in their lives.

"Theology on Tap is a fairly simple format," said Sr. Peg Gabik, diocesan consultant for adult and young adult catechesis. "Basically, someone speaks for an hour, maybe shares some handouts, encourages participants to interact with each other during the sessions and answers questions. What attracts so many people to Theology on Tap is the comfortable and casual environment in which sessions are held and the relevant topics speakers present. People are hungry for spiritual information and experiences but are not necessarily sure of where to turn to."

Now folks in Marinette and Antigo are hoping their young adults will tap into a little theology.

In Marinette participants in a just completed diocesan Young Adult Training Certificate Program "were excited about creating the same energy (as found in Green Bay) with young adults in their area," Sr. Gabik said.

She met with several participants who offered to help organize Theology on Tap in Marinette after attending a session in Green Bay. "In all," she said, "there probably are about 15 people planning the series."

In Antigo, "several religious education coordinators were hoping to offer something for young adults," Sr. Gabik said. "They heard about the success of Theology on Tap in Green Bay and Appleton. They pulled some young adults together, met with me and planned a summer series."

Here is the Theology on Tap schedule by city:

GREEN BAY (7 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays at BrewBaker's Pub, 209 N. Washington St.)

• July 15 -- "What Trips Your Trigger?" with Peg and Dcn. Steve Vande Hey of Kaukauna, on how to have fulfilling relationships.

• July 22 -- "Resume Hope," with Kris Napier, national motivational speaker who suffers from Lupus, on "Why should I hope and not despair?"

• July 29 -- "Taking the Secular and Making It Sacred," with Rabbi Sidney Vineburg of St. Norbert College, De Pere.

For more information on the Green Bay sessions, contact Sr. Gabik at pgabik@gbdioc.org, (920)437-7531 or 1-877-500-3580 ext. 3.

APPLETON (7 to 8 p.m. Wednesdays at Adler Brau, 1004 S. Olde Oneida St.)

• July 16 -- "What Trips Your Trigger?" with Peg and Dcn. Steve Vande Hey of Kaukauna on how to have fulfilling relationships.

• July 23 -- "Resume Hope," with Kris Napier, national motivational speaker who suffers from Lupus, on "Why should I hope and not despair?"

• July 30 -- "Prison: What Is It Really Like?" with Peggy Sue Malueg, a Green Bay area woman who will share her experience of being incarcerated in a federal prison camp.

For more information on Appleton sessions, contact Sr. Gabik at pgabik@gbdioc.org or 1-877-500-3580, ext. 3.

MARINETTE (7 to 8 p.m. Sundays at Rail House Restaurant & Brewery, Old Pestigo Road).

• July 20 -- "What Return Shall We Make for All that God Has Done for Us?" with Auxiliary Bp. Robert Morneau on how to live the faith.

• Aug. 3 -- "Learning Life's Lessons from Unexpected Sources" with Sr. Mary Jo Kirt, a speaker and retreat leader in northeastern Wisconsin.

• Aug. 17 -- "Beads, Candles and Music: New Age?" Lee Nagel, diocesan director of Total Catholic Education, on prayer.

For more information about Marinette sessions, contact Rose Koronkiewicz at rosekronk@aol.com or Kathy Lieburn at hfparish@mari.net.

ANTIGO (7 to 8 p.m. Mondays at the Refuge Restaurant, Northwoods Bar, corner of Highways 45 and 64).

• July 21 -- "Packers, Prison and Perspective Priests" with Fr. Jim Baraniak, Norbertine vocation director and a prison and Packers' chaplain.

• July 28 -- "Medicine, Music and Faith" with Dr. Mark Szmanda.

• Aug. 4 -- "The Journey of Recovery" with Ken and Kitty Fassbender.

For more information about the Antigo sessions, contact Caron West at 715-627-2936, Joyce Wagner at jjwags@newnorth.net or Eileen Hartl, hartl@antigopro.net.

Theology on Tap is partially funded by the Bishop's Appeal and the Catholic Foundation. It also relies on the generosity of business owners who provide the locations.

Theology-on-Tap began in June 1981 at St. James Parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago. For more on the Chicago program go to www.yamchicago.org/yam-faith.html.