Bishop Dennis Walsh speaks during Theology on Tap at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Houghton last month.
By Lindsay Steele
The Catholic Messenger
HOUGHTON — Women from a four-parish cluster in Lee County have grown closer over the past couple years, thanks to the success of a women’s Bible study series. Participant Erin Dop thought Theology on Tap — a program she experienced while living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa —would be a great way to bring more Catholics together for faith and fellowship. “It’s a young family/young adult (program) but it reaches out toward older adults, too,” said Dop, a lay leader at St. James the Less Parish in St. Paul.
The cluster launched its Theology on Tap speaker series in June. Members of the four parishes — St. John the Baptist-Houghton, St. Mary of the Assumption-West Point, St. Boniface-Farmington and St. James-St. Paul — gather at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Houghton every other month to hear a presentation, participate in a Q&A and socialize. Participants can bring their own snacks and purchase beverages on site. Local Catholic teens and a daycare provider from Holy Trinity Catholic School team up to provide free childcare.
Father Mike Phillips, a retired diocesan priest, spoke about baptism at the first event. About 25 people participated. That number doubled at the August event when Bishop Dennis Walsh offered a deep dive into the sacrament of reconciliation.
A committee of young adults from the four parishes plan the events and choose topics. Deacon Mike Linnenbrink, who serves the parishes, is encouraged by their initiative. “They desire to know more about the faith and how to pass it on to their children. It’s pretty exciting to me to hear of their desire for that.”
Dop said the events have garnered positive feedback so far. In October, Father Ross Epping, pastor of St. Alphonsus Parish-Mount Pleasant and St. Mary-Fairfield, will speak about the Eucharist. The group will take the month of December off before reconvening in February for Father John Spiegel’s presentation on confirmation. “I love seeing the community come together and learn together,” she said.
In addition to building community among Catholics, Dop sees Theology on Tap as a way to share the faith in a low-pressure environment. “It’s a way to engage differently and meet people where they might be, where they might feel comfortable. They might not feel comfortable in a church setting just yet, or maybe they’re just trying to explore what the Catholic faith is about. I think this is a good opportunity to start some of those conversations.”
If you attend
The next Theology on Tap event at the Houghton Knights of Columbus Hall will take place Oct. 19 at 3 p.m. Doors open at 2:45 p.m. Father Ross Epping will speak about the Eucharist.
