Bishop Back by Popular Demand at Theology on Tap

By Linda Busetti
HERALD Staff Writer
(From the issue of 2/14/02)

A full house welcomed back Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde as speaker for Theology on Tap at Whitlow’s in Arlington last week. Many had been on hand for Bishop Loverde’s talk last August, when people were turned away for lack of space.

Theology on Tap is a series for young adults held in an informal restaurant/bar setting. The diocesan Office for Family Life’s Young Adult Office is the sponsor.

Blane Saucier of St. Mary Parish in Alexandria and Philip Schmidt, who is Protestant, were among the young professionals at "happy half-hour" prior to the 7:30 p.m. talk. Saucier and Schmidt are regulars at Theology on Tap. "The talks and discussion expand your horizons," Schmidt said. There is a "non-threatening atmosphere" that makes people feel comfortable in question and answer sessions following the talks, he said.

"This a great example of Catholic outreach to the young," said Joe Murphy from Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in Vienna. The silver-haired Murphy said it is "an opportunity for young adults to come together in a friendly environment."

Pam Albanese, director of the Young Adult Office, introduced Bishop Loverde, who spoke on, "Lent: The Meaning Behind the Mystery."

While some see Lent as a "gloomy, difficult, somber season," Bishop Loverde said, others find it "a freeing and liberating time, the season of growing closeness with the Lord and with one another, a season for improvement."
Bishop Loverde invited his audience to consider positive, constructive and energizing images of Lent. "Lent is the season to live more intensely the way we should be living all year long," Bishop Loverde quoted Pope St. Leo the Great.

"Sept. 11 will never be forgotten," Bishop Loverde said. "I know no other way of facing the future except to do it with Christ and with each other. When we are linked with the Lord and with each other we can face whatever comes, even the Sept. 11s of our lives."

Bishop Loverde said we continue the process of "putting on Christ" during Lent through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. "If we don’t pray, we won’t be around long as followers of Jesus," the bishop said.

Fasting "allows us to be free for responding to God," Bishop Loverde said. "This giving up allows us in turn to give for others, especially the poor." He shared some creative ways of fasting he had read, "Fast from anger and hatred. Give your family an extra dose of love each day. Fast from judging others … Fast from discouragement. Hold on to Jesus’ promise. He has a perfect plan for your life. Fast from complaining … Fast from resentment and bitterness. … Fast from spending too much money. Try to reduce your spending by 10 percent and give these savings to the poor."

Almsgiving is "doing deeds of mercy, doing acts of charity in the name of Christ and of His Church, especially for the needy …" said Bishop Loverde. In the Gospel, Christ "identifies Himself with those who have no food, with those who are vulnerable, with those who are ill, with those who are in prison, all of the little ones…" Bishop Loverde said. Once we are made aware by prayer and free by penance, "we are willing and able for almsgiving," said Bishop Loverde.

"Lent is the season to do more intensely what we ought to be doing all year long. If we have a good Lent, we may well have a better year," Bishop Loverde said.

The bishop was the last speaker in the current series. The next series runs July 9- Aug. 13 on Tuesday evenings at Whitlow’s at 2854 Wilson Blvd. in Arlington. For more information, call Pam Albanese at 703/841-2537. 

Copyright ©2002 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.