Tapping into Authenticity at Theology on Tap

By Emily E. Long
|Contributing writer

Photos by Mary Angela Fisher

For Catholics, Lent is an opportunity to grow deeper in faith. Many parishes hold retreats, missions, and events to help lead their flocks through the Lenten season. For young adults, the Office of Adolescent Catechesis and Discipleship hosts Theology on Tap.

The format is simple; young adults aged 18 to 39 are invited to spend four Thursday evenings at a local restaurant for food, drinks, fellowship and a presentation. The four-week series is being held in two locations this year, Abbiocco by A Mano in Syracuse and Factory by Beer Tree in Binghamton.

T-o-T 2024 centers around the theme ‘A.I.: Authentic Intelligence’

“When choosing a theme for Theology on Tap we start by looking at current ‘hot topics’ circulating in the young adult community and from our past Theology on Tap surveys,” shares Bob Walters. The Director of the Office of Adolescent Catechesis & Discipleship adds that “for the last few years, we have collaborated with the diocesan communications department to work on our themes and talk titles. Due to the rapid innovation and circulation of AI (artificial intelligence) technologies, creating a theme related to AI seemed timely.”

Walters and his team ultimately settled on “A.I. – Authentic Intelligence”. He explained that the term ‘authentic intelligence’ has been used to contrast with artificial intelligence, “to highlight the dignity and primary contributions of the human person in life and work.” The group tagged the discussion series with language calling on participants to live their Catholic faith authentically in a world enamored with artificial realities. “With insight from our presenters, we created four weekly topics related to authentic Catholic discernment, doctrine, and devotion,” Walters told the Sun.

Kicking off the 2024 series, Father Brendan Foley gave a 40-minute crash course on Ignatian discernment and how to authentically listen to God’s voice. He said that young adults are commonly focused on discerning the big decisions in life: should they go to college, who they should marry and what career path should they take.

“Discernment is about our everyday life and has to do with the familiarity and openness to the Holy Spirit, of the Lord’s … constant abiding presence with us.” He offered “that when our hearts are receptive to this intimacy with the Lord, it should fuel our everyday decisions.” Father shared that more so than self-reliance, our faith goal should be trust and reliance in the Lord for guidance concerning our daily interactions.

Beyond authenticity, Father Foley stressed that when the Lord is involved in our daily life, one will find peace and freedom, drawing upon St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:17: “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”

“I think it’s really easy to forget that a lot of the time,” observed Emily Apakian of Liverpool. “It was a good reminder to just center myself and be reminded that where God is, I will find peace and strength.”

When Theology on Tap started 15 years ago, the event was confined to just 4 tables at Kitty Hoynes restaurant in Syracuse. Attendance at the current sessions easily filled the space at Abbiocco, with some people standing in the back of the room.

Fayetteville resident Sabastian Notaro shared that “it was nice that the room was packed. It’s a sign of the excitement for the faith amongst young people that we have in our diocese. And the talk … was inspiring, especially during the season of Lent when the church kind of asks us to dig a little deeper.”