-
December 7, 2017By Tanya Connor | The Catholic Free Press
A senior citizen was held up at a tavern – as an example for young adults.
Father Jonathan J. Slavinskas, pastor of Our Lady of Providence Parish in Worcester, shared stories from his struggling neighborhood and challenged them to live holy lives.
He was guest speaker for Theology on Tap, which drew about 50 people to The Compass Tavern on Harding Street in Worcester Tuesday.
“Theology on Tap is a gathering for young adults (ages 18-39) that provides an informal and laid-back atmosphere to meet other young adults, encounter Christ, and dive deeper into…real-life issues that relate to our faith,” said an email from the diocese’s young adult ministry, which organized the event.
Timothy T. Messenger Jr., director of the New Evangelization Worcester For Youth & Young Adults office, said they hope to have Theology on Tap monthly at the tavern. The next one is Jan. 9.
Mass mobs – a play on the term flash mob – are also planned, to gather young adults for Mass at a different parish each month, he said. The first is Jan. 20 at St. Paul Cathedral, with Bishop McManus celebrating.
Father Slavinskas began his talk with a prayer of thanks for family, friends and “our ability to encounter…your true presence” in the Eucharist.
“We have a Savior who loves us,” who calls everyone to holiness, he said. “How are we responding?”
He told of a 71-year-old who sustained broken bones when hit by a truck. When he visited her in the hospital she said, “I told you, Father, I’m a tough old broad.” What was she to do, she asked, cry about it or realize Jesus was asking her to live in a new way?
“She never once said, ‘Damn it, God, why’d you do this to me?’” he said. “The first thing she asked, ‘How is the driver doing?’ … That’s holiness. She knows her Jesus and she’s incorporating” him into her life.
Father Slavinskas told about teenagers stopping to visit him after school and said, “He’s not calling me to be holy by shutting the shades of my rectory.” One’s holiness is for the sake and salvation of others, he said.
He told about praying for an abandoned youth who felt comfortable only in a gang, who is dismissed early from his public school to work at the church. The youth is trying hard, he said.
“We’ve got to remember we were created out of love, for love,” Father Slavinskas said. “It’s not always easy to live out. We’ve got to enter into that prayer relationship with Jesus Christ. … I’m talking about shutting up…so we can” listen to him.
Father Slavinskas also called for attending Mass weekly and doing the corporal works of mercy. He spoke of non-Catholic youth wanting to serve Mass at his parish and of a person collecting extra T-shirts for young people he knows who don’t have a change of clothes.
“Anytime you want to volunteer, come on down,” he told the young adults. He also said “even just offering words of encouragement to one another” is good and urged, “Pray with one another.”
“I really appreciate how he was talking about being Christ to others, rather than forcing the relationship with Christ,” said John McBride, an Assumption College senior.
Brian Westgate, president of the Newman Club at WPI, said the talk was meaningful, and mentioned points about bringing Christ to others and seeing Christ in others. He also said it was nice to see students from other schools.
Robert Turner, of St. John, Guardian of Our Lady Parish in Clinton, said some of his friends came and more wanted to, and that it was nice to get to know people in the area and have a young priest speak.
“I appreciate talks about vocations,” he said. “My brother’s in seminary and I have a sister who’s a nun.” He said he would like to hear more about the true presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
“I think it’s neat to have a gathering in a public space that’s kind of relaxed,” said Sara Zglobicki, of St. Columba Parish in Paxton. She said holiness is living a good life.
“With God at the center,” added Megan MacKenzie, of Mary Immaculate of Lourdes Parish in Newton.
