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Each year, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and the Saint Mark Young Adult Ministry host a very special event for young adults called Theology on Tap. Since Summer 2015, we have been blessed to offer this four-week speaker series that draws over 400 young adults annually from all over Los Angeles County. This year we've embraced the unique opportunity before us and taken to Zoom to have our first virtual Theology on Tap. We’ll be joined by speakers and participants both here at home in Los Angeles and from around the globe. If you are a young adult, ages 18-39, we invite you to join us at 7:00 pm on Thursday evenings this Fall!
Keep scrolling for more info about this year's presenters, registering for the event, and opportunities to help us keep this series going.
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Not a young adult? You can support Theology on Tap by praying for the success of ToT, encouraging young adults in your life to consider attending, or making donations via Venmo to @StMarkVenice noting "Theology on Tap" in the caption box. If you have questions or want to get involved in this unique event, please email yam@stmarkvenice.com.
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October 15, 7:00pm
Fr. George Teodoro, SJ
Faith + Voting
Many questions arise for Catholics when elections roll around. Join Fr. George Teodoro, SJ for a discussion of voting as a person of faith in the upcoming election. We will discuss party politics, life issues, racial justice, climate change, immigration, and many other hot button issues on the ballot this fall. Learn why Pope Francis teaches that "Good Catholics meddle in politics." Bring an open mind, challenging questions, and a strong drink!
In the registration form, there is an opportunity to submit questions and suggest topics to Fr. George. Be sure to register early if you'd like your submission to be included!
Fr. Teodoro is a Jesuit priest and historian who specializes in the intersection of faith, culture, and public policy. He currently serves as Parochial Vicar and Director of Pastoral Ministries at St. Francis Xavier parish in Phoenix, AZ. Prior to this, he was missioned to Verbum Dei High School in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, where he served the past five years as priest, teacher, and director of adult faith formation.
October 22, 7:00pm
Olga Segura
How We as the Young Church Can Lead the Fight Against Racism
Olga will be discussing the Black Lives Matter movement, the Catholic Church, and how Catholics can lead the fight for racial justice.
Olga Marina Segura is a freelance writer and the opinion editor at National Catholic Reporter. Previously, she was an associate editor at America Media, where she wrote and solicited articles on race and culture. She is a co-founder and former co-host of the podcast, “Jesuitical.” Her writing has appeared in The Guardian, NPR, Shondaland, Sojourners, Refinery29, National Catholic Reporter, and The Revealer. Olga is currently working on a book on race, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the Catholic Church. Orbis Books will publish it in Spring 2021.
October 29, 7:00pm
Dr. Michael DiPaolo
Who Am I Now in 2020? The Spirituality of Self-Reflection
Scripture tells us that "We are all parts of one body." You have many parts inside of you, yet they are often in conflict with one another. Somewhere amidst those parts is the self – the God-image at our core that can welcome and heal those parts. Join us in exploring the question, “Who am I now?” as we provide a map of the soul to understand our many parts, identify 8 core characteristics of the self, and guide you through a 5-step process of self-reflection.
Dr. Michael DiPaolo is a clinical psychologist & certified Imago Relationship Therapist in West Los Angeles. He has counseled over 1,500 couples in marriage preparation throughout the archdiocese of Los Angeles. Dr. DiPaolo is a frequent speaker, workshop presenter, and retreat leader at parish and archdiocesan gatherings. Dr. DiPaolo has been married to his wife Jennie for 21 years. They have 3 wonderful children, along with a hyperactive dog. He can be found online at www.DrMichaelD.com.
November 5, 7:00pm
Dr. Heather Banis
Living Through Trauma: God, Presence, Resilience and Hope
As human beings, we are constantly engaged in the writing and re-writing of our life-stories – these ongoing narratives embody our self-understanding in light of what has happened to us and is happening all around us. These sacred stories are interwoven with our faith, capturing moments of strength and despair. This program will explore such sacred stories with a focus on understanding how God is present during, and after, traumatic experiences.
Dr. Banis is a clinical psychologist who has specialized in trauma. She is a graduate of Occidental College, earned her Ph.D. at USC, completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, and completed a Master’s degree in Theology and Leadership from Gonzaga University. She began working with the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in Victims Assistance Ministry as a consultant almost 12 years ago, and for the past three years has served as the coordinator. A frequent public speaker, Dr. Banis was honored to speak at the USCCB General Assembly in November 2018, addressing all the Bishops from the United States regarding their pivotal role in responding to victims of clergy sexual abuse.
Ways to Help with Theology on Tap
Every year we depend on our local parish communities to aid in the success of Theology on Tap. We make dozens of phone calls, send hundreds of messages, and ask for volunteer support in a variety of ways. This year everything is different. However we've seized this rare opportunity to continue connecting and supporting young adults, like us, that are seeking to explore and delve into their faith. Here are three ways you can continue to help young adults in Los Angeles (and around the world) connect with their faith during the pandemic:
- Pray for the success of Theology on Tap! We know the power of prayer and we welcome you to let us know if you're praying for us by visiting this link and filling out the form so we can feature our community during our events. Find the form by clicking here.
- Spread the word! Like, follow, and share our social media and this website with other young adults that you may know. You can find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as @saintmarkyam and @yamlosangeles.
- Please consider making a donation to help us and other Theology on Tap sites in Los Angeles continue funding this speaker series. You can help us reach our goal of $1000 by donating at givebutter.com/tot via Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal, credit/debit card or Venmo. Donations can also be made via Venmo to @StMarkVenice noting "Theology on Tap" in the caption box.
If you have questions or want to get involved in this unique event in other ways, please email yam@stmarkvenice.com.