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Trivia nights build community and help those in need

Ashleigh Kassock | Catholic Herald

Contestants participate in trivia night Sept. 16 sponsored by the St. Jude Knights of Columbus. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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It was a packed house Sept. 16 for trivia night sponsored by the St. Jude Knights of Columbus. ASHLEIGH KASSOCK | CATHOLIC HERALD

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Can you name the 2009 American Music Award Artist of the Year or
list five countries that border Russia? If you can, you might be a good
candidate for a trivia night. The fun brain teaser game is popular in Northern
Virginia bars and restaurants, and now, not only has it made it on the Office
of Youth, Campus and Young Adult Ministries calendar, it’s become a successful
fundraising event for Catholic groups.

For the Young Adult Ministry, trivia comes on the heels of the
popular Theology on Tap speaker series, one of the office’s most popular
recurring events. Many of the venues that host TOT talks also offer trivia.
Groups come early to form teams, answer obscure questions and win prizes. 

Trivia was a fun addition to TOT talks in 2016 at the Auld
Shebeen in Fairfax. This past June, the Young Adult Ministry held a separate
trivia night at O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub in Arlington, according to Brendan
Gotta, Young Adult Ministry coordinator. “We had over 75 young adults show up.
I think it was very well-received because it was an event that allowed young
adults to just be engaged in a relaxed setting,” said Gotta. “It was a great
way for people to get to know one another, as many people came without having
teams set up prior.” He believes more than 100 young adults might show up for
the next trivia at O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub Nov. 13.

Kaitlin Ammirati, a parishioner of St. Raymond of Penafort Church
in Springfield, has been going to trivia nights regularly with a group of
friends since 2013. They call themselves the Back Alley Latin Teachers and are
always quick to invite others to join them.

According to Ammirati, it’s a great way to get to know someone
because the game allows everyone the chance to contribute and also provides
enough down time for socializing between questions.

“It’s not for everyone, but neither is swing dancing,” said
Ammirati. “My faith has grown being part of this group. You tend to emulate the
people you surround yourself with, so if you surround yourself with good strong
Catholics, chances are you will become a good strong Catholic.”

Young adults who have been bitten by the trivia bug are taking
the game from the pub to their parish. Andrew Flusche, Grand Knight of the
Knights of Columbus council at St. Jude Church, has organized two trivia night
fundraisers. His wife, Nicole, suggested the idea after attending one of the
Young Adult Ministry trivia nights.

“Trivia definitely seems to attract a diverse crowd,” said
Flusche. “We had a team of middle school students in April. We had several
teams of young adults, and of course all ages beyond that.”

Their first trivia night raised money for Mary’s Shelter in
Fredericksburg, a home for pregnant mothers and their children.

“The attendees had a great time, and so did the volunteers who
helped to run it,” said Flusche. “We decided to try doing two trivia nights per
year to help solid organizations within our community.”

The St. Jude Knights sponsored a second pub-style trivia night benefiting
St. Vincent de Paul in the parish activity center in Fredericksburg Sept. 16.
According to Flusche, it was a huge success with more than 80 people in
attendance.

If you’ve never played trivia before, now might be a good time to
start. Hint: Mongolia is one of the countries that borders Russia.

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