Youths participate in a discussion during Jesus and Java earlier this year at St. Thomas More Parish in Coralville.
By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger
Jesus and Java offers teenagers in Washington and Coralville an opportunity to gather after Mass and discuss the Catholic faith in a peer-led, casual setting. “Teens were looking to have conversations about their faith” and explore how it relates to their lives, said youth minister Angie Goodwin. “It gives them the space to ask big questions.”
Jesus and Java originated under a different format several years ago at the Coralville parish. Then-youth minister Michelle Montgomery invited youths to meet up during the summer for Mass, followed by a trip to Starbucks. “It was just a fun thing they did once in a while,” said Goodwin, youth minister of St. James Parish-Washington, St. Thomas More Parish-Coralville and Holy Family Parish of Riverside, Richmond and Wellman. Holy Family and St. James parishes share a youth ministry program.
Last year, Goodwin worked with local youth ministry leaders to resurrect and reimagine the Jesus and Java program in Washington as an opportunity for teenagers to gather at the parish after Sunday Mass for structured, youth-led discussions. Parishioner and college student Brynn Beenblossom, a former Totus Tuus minister, stepped up to lead a three-part summer series, Brewing Up Faith. The parish’s Eucharistic Revival committee provided brunch items, coffee and hot chocolate for participants to enjoy.
The program was popular and drew participants from the other parishes. “The youths really connected with it,” and participants from Coralville wanted to start hosting Jesus and Java discussions at their parish, as well, Goodwin said.
“I really enjoyed working with young people who were so on fire in their faith,” Beenblossom said. “Watching the participants discuss and learn from each other was beautiful.” She appreciated participants’ willingness to explore their faith.
Youths pray during Jesus and Java at St. James Parish in Washington earlier this year.
Beenblossom returned to St. Ambrose University-Davenport in the fall, and several older teens volunteered to step in and lead monthly Jesus and Java gatherings in Washington and Coralville during the school year. Goodwin creates a lesson plan and script for the youth leaders to follow using the Sunday readings and Gospel as inspiration. Recent conversation topics included trusting God in all circumstances, resisting temptation, and teamwork. Goodwin and co-facilitator Katie Schneider, business manager for the Coralville parish, offer support by chiming in if the conversation needs a boost or someone has a tough question.
Goodwin believes the peer-led format helps participants open up and feel more comfortable. “They can relate to other teens. They can see them living out their faith.” Many participants have invited friends to attend. “When you see someone close to your age leading discussions and sharing their faith journeys, the faith becomes real and more accessible,” she added, noting that participants have expressed feeling more confident praying, talking about their beliefs and being part of the wider parish community.
“Jesus and Java has been such a great way to not only dive deeper into the readings, Gospel, and homily, but also gives us a chance to connect with our fellow youths at St. James,” said Lauren Horak, one of the youth leaders in Washington. “In the midst of our busy high school lives, this little bit of time after Mass allows us to slow down and appreciate the support of our parish and the love of our God!”
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