Florida Catholic | Theology On Tap

THEOLOGY ON TAP IN PENSACOLA

Bishop encourages young adults to exhibit mercy

AMY M. FERRARA | FLORIDA CATHOLIC STAFF

Published: 10.12.07

Young adults take part in the inaugural meeting of Theology on Tap at McGuire’s Irish Pub in Destin Sept. 25, where Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, was the featured speaker.
AMY M. FERRAR | FC

DESTIN | Young adults from the Destin/Fort Walton Beach area who attended the first meeting of a theology discussion group designed for their age group heard Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, speak about compassion.

Bishop Ricard began his talk at the Sept. 25 Theology on Tap gathering at McGuire's Irish Pub in Destin by referring to Matthew 25:34-40. He told the group of about 30 young adults to heed Jesus' words: "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me."

There is more in the next life, he assured, but to enter God's kingdom, people need to act on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy.

In Pensacola, the Theology on Tap series will meet throughout the year. The series that runs each Wednesday through Oct. 24 from 7-8:30 p.m. at et Café in Pensacola focuses on what Catholics believe about the Bible, Mass, chastity, Mary and the saints, Theology of the Body, and early Church Fathers. All young adults from the Pensacola and Santa Rosa areas are invited. For more information, call the diocese's Christian Formation Office at 850-435-3523.

As the Gospel of Matthew states, these works of physical and soul-extending compassion include feeding the hungry, visiting the sick, counseling the doubtful and forgiving offenses willingly.

Bishop Ricard then asked the group to give an example of a person who continuously showed mercy, thus reflecting daily what he or she believed. Someone suggested Mother Teresa and others nodded their heads.

"Young people need a guide," Bishop Ricard later said. There are temptations in the world, he continued, but priests such as Father (Nick) Schumm can offer guidance away from potential sinfulness. Father Schumm, parochial vicar at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fort Walton Beach, was present and had introduced the bishop.

Regarding their Catholic faith, Bishop Ricard told the group, "The more people (of various religions and denominations) you meet, the more it confirms your faith as Catholics."

Additional meetings of the Destin/Fort Walton Beach Theology on Tap group will be scheduled.

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Bishop encourages young adults to exhibit mercy

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