The Diocese of Camden’s Office of Family and Youth Ministries will be relaunching their Theology on Tap series on Thursday, July 14 in Vineland. The event is designed to bring young adults together for a welcoming evening of fellowship and faith.
Jose Rodriguez, Director of the Office and Family and Youth Ministries, hopes that next week is just the first of many in the diocese for Theology of Tap, which caters to young adults married and single in their late teens, 20s, and 30s.
He pointed to the night’s guest speaker, Andres Arango, Bishop Dennis Sullivan’s Delegate for Hispanic Ministry and Director of Evangelization for the Diocese of Camden, as a reason for excitement.
“Andres’ talk on ‘Prayer and Spirituality’ will be beneficial to young adults, in helping them to anchor themselves in prayer, and live out their spirituality,” Rodriguez says, adding that the speaker “will share great points, and foster great conversation around the tables.”
Arango himself adds that his presentation will guide attendees in understanding the truth of the Gospel, which can “motivate all to grow in their personal relationship with Jesus, and live an authentic Christianity.”
Arango is no stranger to the importance of the Theology on Tap program in South Jersey. In 2010, as the Diocese of Camden’s then-Director of Young Adult Ministries, he organized many evenings for young adults married and single, in their late teens, 20s, and 30s.
He recognized then, and Rodriguez recognizes now, that a need exists for people in this demographic to gather and socialize in a relaxed, familiar setting, usually a pub, which allows them to engage deeply with the Catholic faith while including opportunities to ask questions.
“We need to reach [this] generation where they are at, not wait for them to come back to our churches and parish communities,” Arango said, adding that Theology on Tap is fulfilling Pope Francis’ words to be a church that never tires “of walking the streets of life, to bring everyone the consoling word of Jesus.”
The event will be held at Double Eagle Saloon, 1477 Panther Road, beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, contact Jose Rodriguez at the Office of Family and Youth at 856-583-2904.
Since its inception in the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1981, Renew International’s Theology on Tap program has been effective in reaching young adults wanting to learn more about their faith, share community, and who want to feel welcomed and appreciated in the Catholic Church.