A Pub Ministry Spreads the Faith

Is the lifelong Catholic worried about upsetting patrons who don't want a dose of religion with their Walsh Island fish and chips?

Hardly.

"People stay. They love it," said Troy, seated before a painting depicting the biblical story of Noah's ark. "If this was about Muslims or Judaism, I'd stay and listen. It's about education. We all need to learn more."

Kristin Martin moved to Arlington from Colorado in November. Like Terrell, she saw Theology on Tap as a good way to interact with other young singles.

"It's a chance to meet other like-minded Catholics in a more relaxed atmosphere than say, being in some cold church basement," said Martin, who works for the federal government. "It's a chance to have a pint of Guinness in your hand and socialize."

When the Northern Virginia program started, the seminars drew about 50 people a night, church officials said. These days, it's often standing-room only, with as many as 150 people packing Ireland's Own or Whitlow's on Wilson in Clarendon.

If the speaker is Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde and you fancy a seat, you'd better get there early, organizers say.

A recent series of seminars in Alexandria concluded on Valentine's Day, with a discussion on dating and relationships by the Rev. Dennis Kleinmann, pastor at St. Mary's in Old Town. The next series, "Fact or Fiction," runs April 17 to May 22 at Ireland's Own. Topics will include "The DaVinci Code," the Crusades and the Inquisition.

Hanley, a graduate of the University of Virginia, said he had stopped practicing his religion during his years of undergraduate study. It was a friend's invitation to attend Mass where there would be "pretty girls" that wound up being the catalyst for his renewed spiritual devotion, and that was when he "met God as an adult," he said.

Hanley said he has seen many young Catholics experience that kind of awakening, some at Theology on Tap.

"A lot of people haven't had a connection with a priest since they were in the second grade," Hanley said. "Here, they can walk right up and shake my hand. That's big."

Or maybe someone hasn't been to confession in a long time and feels burdened. Perhaps, Hanley reasoned, the person doesn't feel that God will grant forgiveness.

"We hope they see the face of Christ in us," Hanley said. "Suddenly, they open up and they say, 'Father, can I talk to you?' And then, bam! There it is. That stuff happens in airports and all over the place."

Maybe, it is suggested to Hanley, bars are a logical place for priests to do outreach. After all, they offer emotional and psychological counseling -- a lot like bartenders.

"Only, we serve a much more potent cocktail," Hanley said. "It's heartening to see young people desiring to be close to God. That's what I see. . . . Young people interested in knowing God more deeply."

For more information on "Theology on Tap" and other Arlington Diocese programs, visithttp://www.arlingtondiocese.org.