Trivia Night at St. James Church in Falls Church was a real test of faith.
More than 150 people gathered Oct. 21 in groups of 8-10 with humorous team names including: Habemus Answers, 9 o’clock Massers, the Newshounds and Fish Fry Ladies.
For the people who thought they knew the Catholic faith inside and out, the competition might have left them ready to head to a refresher course.
Hosted by the St. James social outreach committee, the event “was about helping others while celebrating our Catholic faith,” said Karen Bushaw-Newton, organizer. Father Paul D. Scalia, pastor and episcopal vicar for clergy, and other priests and laypeople wrote the trivia questions, which ranged from categories on Popepourri, It says somewhere, All creatures of our God and King, Religious women and women religious, and Close to home.
Some of the easier questions — Which pope reigned only 33 days? (Pope John Paul I) — were countered by several more that challenged the Bible scholars and theologians in the chairs. In the Saintly remarks section, a question asked who said, “Marriage is good for those who are afraid to sleep alone at night?” (St. Jerome.)
Father Scalia kept the competition moving and enforced the time restrictions. The room was quiet at times while the teams collaborated on answers and grew rowdy as the answers were announced.
The admission fee was a donation of toiletries and household cleaners for Catholic Charities. By the end of the evening, the white charities van parked outside was filled with items — 1,650 pounds — bound for the agency’s key relief work in the diocese.
“We filled the van,” shouted Lori Sikra, Catholic Charities outreach specialist, during the intermission. “You don’t know what these donations mean to Catholic Charities.” Bushaw-Newton said she was in awe of the generosity of those who came and impressed by their knowledge.
The top three teams — Extra Ecclesiam Nulla Salus, Carpe Vinum and the Life Liners — left with Amazon gift cards, hand-decorated canvas tote bags and bragging rights.
