Young Catholics seek answers over a beer

Theology on Tap speakers challenge The Da Vinci Code

- WCR photo by Bill Glen "Who can we historically trust? Not Dan Brown and not conspiracy theorists." - Fr. Stefano Penna

By BILL GLEN
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code continues to stir debate among local Christians and the Edmonton Archdiocese decided to take advantage.

Using the best-selling novel as a tool for evangelization and outreach, this year's Theology On Tap (TnT) centred around the book that maligns Jesus and reinvents the history of the Catholic Church.

Andrew Papenbrock said it was important to offer the truth to young adults because so many are asking questions.

"The speakers we have this year have drawn a positive response from the people who attended," said Papenbrock, director of the Youth and Young Adult Ministry office for the archdiocese.

"I saw many familiar faces from last year but it's great to see so many new people. We have had to turn some away because the venue can only hold so many."

Varied audience

Young people know what they are talking about and they ask specific questions, Papenbrock said.

"The speakers find it challenging because there are some questions from people with theology training and other questions from people who are exploring their faith. The speakers reach both."

Theology-on-Tap is a copyright program that began in the Archdiocese of Chicago in 1981. It was originally designed as a six-week summer program for young adults, college age through their 30s, married and single. The program is a weekly opportunity for a group of parishes to gather young adults for a speaker, conversation and theology.

"There are so many sources of information out there that is it good to hear something from the Catholic Church," says Erwin Fung, 25. He has not missed a TnT night in Edmonton since its inception four years ago.

"It's a good way to get credible information. And doing it this way is an opportunity for young people to get together and discuss these things outside of a church setting. It's a common place where we would gather anyways. Young people don't feel intimidated."

- WCR photo by Bill Glen "The speakers stimulate conversation with the people I sit with." -Carolyn Slater

Nineteen-year-old Carolyn Slater attended one talk last year that led her to return for every talk this year.

"I've met people from other Catholic parishes. The speakers stimulate conversation with the people I sit with. We take it outside afterwards because there is a lot to think about."

The Da Vinci Code was used as a general theme to discuss a specific topic each of the four weeks, involving the Gospels, Jesus and Opus Dei.

Seeking the truth

Papenbrock said the book has brought out Christians who want answers to what is real about what they have come to believe is the truth.

"People are asking questions about their faith, or they are being asked and they aren't quite sure how to answer," he said. "We are hoping to give them some tools to go out and talk to their peers or their friends and answer the questions themselves."

Upstairs at Brewster's Brewing Company on Aug. 16, Father Stefano Penna spoke about the reality of Jesus.

An adult audience member asked Penna if what is written about Jesus can be accepted as truth. He wanted to know where to begin to look for the answers.

"Is it possible to go to a place to encounter someone who knew Jesus? Dan Brown didn't," said Penna, assistant professor of theology at St. Joseph's College at the U of A.

"We do have a place and that is called the Gospels. Even non-believing historians will readily admit that in the canonical Gospels, there is access to people who knew Jesus directly or who knew someone who knew Jesus directly," he said.

"The memory of those people in the Gospels gives us an incredibly accurate access to Christ. Not in the way of modern biography, but in the way of a faith statement of people who encountered Jesus and even more, met in the power of Jesus - this man, the resurrected Lord."

Accurate stories

If we were to write down stories about our parents for our children, it would be important to do so accurately. Similar care was given by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, Penna said.

"Who can we historically trust? Not Dan Brown and not conspiracy theorists," he said. "Go and open the Scriptures because even more, we believe, they are the living word of God and that Christ Jesus will reveal himself through the Gospel. And that is our core, as Christians."

On Aug. 23, Newman Theological College professor Jason West was to speak about Opus Dei. West is a member of the Catholic organization.

A Mass and windup barbecue are planned for Aug. 30 at the Catholic Pastoral Centre.

Call Andrew Papenbrock at 469-1010 (ext. 238) for more information.

Copyright © 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 -- Western Catholic Reporter