By Rose O’Connor | Correspondent
Addressing the more than 50 young adults gathered in a comfortable pub-like setting, Bishop David M. O’Connell, C.M., admitted he had been looking forward to the June 27 Theology on Tap series for weeks.
“I am thrilled, over the moon to be here tonight. I have to tell you though, it’s the hardest audience I’ve ever prepared for,” Bishop O’Connell said while serving as the keynote speaker of Theology on Tap at Triumph Brewing Company, Princeton, an event sponsored by the diocesan Department of Evangelization and Family Life and hosted by the young adult ministry of St. Paul Parish, Princeton.
Photo Gallery: Theology on Tap with Bishop O’Connell
Theology on Tap is an evangelical movement in partnership with RENEW International that brings together a speaker with a Catholic or Christian topic and young adults. The meetings typically take place in a relaxed atmosphere, like a bar or restaurant setting.
During the evening, Bishop O’Connell spoke not on a specific topic, but on faith itself.
“Belief, faith is not simply an acceptance of a book or a set of doctrines, or set of teachings, although that’s an important part of it, but belief and faith is belief in a person. And that belief in a person sets up a relationship. The person, of course, is Jesus Christ,” Bishop O’Connell said. “The more the relationship exists, the deeper the relationship grows, the more faith you have.
“When you believe and when you have faith, it is like eating one potato chip – you want more,” he remarked.
He spoke of the challenges facing the Church, citing statistics and examples such as how one-half of Catholics will leave the faith between their Baptism and age of 20.
“As Bishop, I often ask myself, ‘Where are they going? Where is everybody? Why is only 17 percent of our Diocese participating? Is it Jesus? Does his message turn people off?’” he said. “I don’t think so. There’s always something attractive, something that draws us in when we try to get to know Jesus. Christ never loses his relevance.”
He continued, saying, “I think more often than not, it’s the how and the why of our faith. It’s how that faith is presented, and it’s the reason why that faith is important.”
Bishop’s role
Bishop O’Connell also explained his role and responsibility as Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton.
“Jesus Christ established the Church to bear witness to God’s kingdom here on earth. The Church exists because Christ created it,” he began.
“When he came to bring his mission to earth and when he walked this earth, he decided to call to himself 12 people. This is the foundation of the Church. It was Christ; it was God who founded it. God desired those 12 guys to be the beginning of what he has now. The apostles, and through the laying on of hands, the bishop’s office is of divine origin.
“I come before you today, not as your speaker; I come to you as a successor of the apostles,” he said. “I don’t mean the bishop is divine, but the job he has, the office he has, the call that he has is a call that came directly from Christ.
“When I think of myself being a successor of the 12 apostles, it’s one of the most awesome and humbling thoughts that I could have. When I look at my life, I just don’t feel worthy of that, but that doesn’t matter. The responsibility of the bishop really is to teach, to govern and to make holy, to sanctify. The bishop’s primary role is preaching. That’s how he hands on the faith,” he said.
Grateful Responses
Bishop O’Connell continued to hand on the faith by answering questions posed by the young adults on the topics of Catholic education, evangelization, communities of faith and vocations.
He encouraged those present to “continue to meet like this. You need each other – continue to support each other. Bring this back to your parishes and bring a friend next time. Be a force in your parish for good.”
As the evening came to a close, Bishop O’Connell reaffirmed that he was encouraged by the young people. “The sincerity of their questions is evident and reassuring,” he offered.
Krysta Ortiz, who is visiting the area from the Diocese of San Antonio and staying at St. Ann Parish, Lawrenceville, as part of the Center for FaithJustice, a nonprofit social justice mission for young people, said events such as Theology on Tap are important to cultivate community.
“We’re incredibly involved in service and incorporating young adults and teenagers into service and enlightening them as to why service is such an important aspect of our faith, moving from a scope of solely works of charity to a broader understanding of justice,” she said.
Christina Dietzler, also visiting the area with the Center for FaithJustice, said she was glad she attended.
“I am always looking for ways to grow in my faith, and I was trying to figure out how to share my faith with others,” she said. “I liked how Bishop O’Connell totally answered a question for me when he said that ‘through our witness and our love’ we will teach others about our faith.”
Matt Marzorati frequently attends the Theology on Tap series and was looking forward to “hearing what Bishop O’Connell had to say.”
The parishioner of St. Aloysius, Jackson, enjoys these nights for young adults. “It’s great to see other young adults in the Diocese and learn more about our faith,” he said.
Katie Doran, parishioner of St. John the Baptist Parish, Allentown, said she also looks forward to such events and appreciated Bishop O’Connell’s openness when discussing “the challenges our local Church is facing, both financially and spiritually.”
She also encouraged other young adults to participate in further events for young adults in the Diocese of Trenton.
“It’s always good to keep an open mind on different positions, and this is just a time to ask questions and bounce ideas off of each other.”
Theology on Tap host Kait Mayer, coordinator of young adult ministry in St. Paul Parish, was pleased with the evening.
“The Bishop engaged us in real dialogue. This was an awesome opportunity,” she said.
Her husband, Bryan, also applauded the Bishop for his availability and sincerity.
“It was just great to be here and to talk to him. You really got a sense of his deep love for the people of the Diocese of Trenton and his deep love for the ministerial role of Bishop.”