'Theology on Tap' presents church teachings in a Jacksonville bar

The Rev. Tom Willis leads a Power Point presentation to young Catholic adults at the Mudville Grille Tuesday.

[Churchman]

I don't see anything wrong with this so long as it is the changeless Gospel of Christ -- the Deposit of Truth once delivered to the Saints -- that is being presented. I do think it is ashame that one of our Protestant Churches have not done something on this order ... making a robust appeal for people to consider the claims of Christ and summoning them to give themselves to Him in faith and obedience.

Where is Bishop Howard? He should be leading the charge.

[Obi Won]

It is an great format and in an informal setting goes through the teachings of the Church. It is topical, but leaves room for discussion and questions.

[noshellswill]

I thought The Inquisition handled these issues. Gawdsakes can't anybody do a job right? Don't ya just hate those "innovations"? Well there's another 10-centuries in Purgatory.

Oh yeah ... somebody got a match ?

[noshellswill]

I want to be a Catholic priest, you know why!!!!

[JCRyle]

noshellswill wrote:

I want to be a Catholic priest, you know why!!!!

I hope it is because you have sense of vocation and are eager to announce Jesus by Word and Sacrament to the world. Otherwise, you might ought go into some other vocation.

FROM THE EPISCOPAL PRAYER BOOK

ALMIGHTY God, giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers Orders of Ministers in thy Church; Mercifully behold these thy servants now called to the Office of Priesthood; and so replenish them with the truth of thy Doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of life, that, both by word and good example, they may faithfully serve thee in this Office, to the glory of thy Name, and the edification of thy Church; through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen.




The Epistle. Ephesians iv. 7.

UNTO every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

The Gospel. St. Matthew ix. 36.

WHEN Jesus saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

[noshellswill]

No that is not it.

[Maggie]

noshellswill wrote:

No that is not it.

You are AWESOME!

[Ben]

Is this gonna be more spin? The catholic church is the joke. Is this gonna be more of the same? Is this going to be more of, "be proud to be catholic". Please stick your head a little deeper in the sand while we molest your children. This crime is been going on for decades. "The holy father, he is so holy". He has conspired and covered up this continuous crime against our children. If you're not gonna stand up and have a backbone for your children, then you really do not deserve to have them. Shame shame shame.

[JCRyle]

Ben wrote:

Is this gonna be more spin? The catholic church is the joke. Is this gonna be more of the same? Is this going to be more of, "be proud to be catholic". Please stick your head a little deeper in the sand while we molest your children. This crime is been going on for decades. "The holy father, he is so holy". He has conspired and covered up this continuous crime against our children. If you're not gonna stand up and have a backbone for your children, then you really do not deserve to have them. Shame shame shame.

As an Anglican, I don't have a dog in the fight, but I am sure MOST Roman Catholic priests are good and honourable men. It is grossly unfair to accuse the whole lot with unspeakable crimes. Go watch the Bells of St. Mary's. Bing will show you what most priest are like.

[Ben]

JCRyle wrote:

<quoted text>
As an Anglican, I don't have a dog in the fight, but I am sure MOST Roman Catholic priests are good and honourable men. It is grossly unfair to accuse the whole lot with unspeakable crimes. Go watch the Bells of St. Mary's. Bing will show you what most priest are like.

I'm not referring to the average priest. I'm referring to the decades old practice of the hierarchy of the church of moving a known child molester from one Parrish to another. This is a crime that continues to this very day. Stand up and DEMAND that they STOP IT NOW! I think if it was your kid then you would have a very different attitude and opinion. I say this with all due respect.

[JCRyle]

Yes, I agree. Your point is well taken.

[Obi Won]

Churchman wrote:

I don't see anything wrong with this so long as it is the changeless Gospel of Christ -- the Deposit of Truth once delivered to the Saints -- that is being presented. I do think it is ashame that one of our Protestant Churches have not done something on this order ... making a robust appeal for people to consider the claims of Christ and summoning them to give themselves to Him in faith and obedience.
Where is Bishop Howard? He should be leading the charge.

A positive attribute of Theology on Tap is that it brings the Gospel where the people are. For years there had been an expectation that people will come to the church for bible classes and catechesis. Maybe that is why we are surprised when we hear about some priest or religious sister going door to door, or ministering in downtown areas on the street.

We have had Theology on Tap here for as long as I can remember. It is non-confrontational. A great program to be sure.

[Jos Soroka]

Obi Won wrote:

<quoted text>A positive attribute of Theology on Tap is that it brings the Gospel where the people are. For years there had been an expectation that people will come to the church for bible classes and catechesis. Maybe that is why we are surprised when we hear about some priest or religious sister going door to door, or ministering in downtown areas on the street.
We have had Theology on Tap here for as long as I can remember. It is non-confrontational. A great program to be sure.

It really maks no difference whether it is in a bar or not. by gathering young people together, and demonstrating a positive understanding of Church, it offer a fundamental understanding of Church and evangelization. The process assists peoples in understanding the ordering of gifts and teaching within the Catholic heirarchy. The sessions help develop the Church's self-understanding, as well as understanding Go. The process offers a unique view of the laity, in particular their role in the Church, the participatory role, and the shared gifts of the laity. All in all it helps to move peoples from a negative to positive understanding and experience of Church.

[Sheryl 1]

JCRyle wrote:

<quoted text>
As an Anglican, I don't have a dog in the fight, but I am sure MOST Roman Catholic priests are good and honourable men. It is grossly unfair to accuse the whole lot with unspeakable crimes. Go watch the Bells of St. Mary's. Bing will show you what most priest are like.

Much as I'm an embittered ex-catholic, I've always said the scandals are not the church's fault, but of the guilty priests. And there are many very good and devout priests out there.

[FarmerFred]

Theology on Tap came from Rome just like everything else. Recently, the Camden Diocese, New Jersey did it at a bar/grill (18-30's year old's) near Rowan College. One of the guest speakers was the infamous "bishop" joseph galante himself who also refused to do confirmations.

So going to bar to talk to young people in place of the Sacaments...

[Jeanne]

Any particular reason these sessions can't be done 'outside' these pubs instead, or how about somewhere nearby as well for those who might have a drinking problem, that the priest may not know about (that the individual may be keeping hidden)? Might be good in 'theory' but why tempt fate??? If it's the Holy Spirit who's doing the work of touching the hearts, then wouldn't being near or outside work just as well???