Join St. Matthew Young Adult Life Ministry for our Summer 2018 Taproom Talks!

Come on out for some good conversation, a drink, and to hear our guest speakers!

Meet us at Seaboard Taproom & Wine Bar, 213 N. Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105

On June 19, July 24, & August 14
7:00pm – 9:00pm

• On June 19, the guest speaker will be Catherine Fowler Sample.

The Dating Project: for the first time in history 50% of America is single. Whether or not you are among the ranks of singledom, we can all see that the way people seek and find love has radically changed. The cultural trends of hooking up, texting and social media have profoundly altered our dating landscape. Traditional dating is all but labeled “outdated,” and yet men and women still seek meaningful relationships. During my journey while writing and producing the film, The Dating Project, I found insights that I believe can help redefine dating, and that led me to find love in the age of swiping left or right.

Speaker Bio: Catherine Fowler Sample wrote and produced the award-winning film, The Dating Project, which Fox News calls “the most important documentary in recent years.” Through making The Dating Project, she met, dated and married her husband, and they now have a beautiful baby girl! As a new mom, she runs on coffee, lives for Saturdays, and writes whenever she has a spare minute. Catherine’s first two books: The Dating Project: How to Find Love in the Age of Swiping Left and Right, and Celebrate Catholic Women, will be released June 2018.

• On July 24, the guest speaker will be Deacon Gary Schrieber.

Divine Mercy: What is Divine Mercy, and why do many say it is critical to our salvation? Part of the definition of Mercy is forgiveness, and we believe that through Christ we have forgiveness. Or do we? Many of us don’t forgive, and others don’t believe they can be forgiven – not even by God. The focus of this devotion is on three things: ask for His mercy, be merciful, and completely trust in Jesus and the graces of His mercy. Jesus instructed us (through St Faustina) to spread this devotion so that many more souls can be saved. Participating in a Cenacle of Divine Mercy is a great way to learn more and to share this devotion with others.

Speaker Bio: Deacon Gary has been a parishioner at St Matt’s since 2004 when he and his wife and two children moved here from Ohio. He has served at St Matt’s since being ordained in 2014 and joined the Divine Mercy movement because he believes in a merciful God. Throughout his life, he has come to see how this has been an integral part of his faith journey.

• On August 14, the guest speaker will be Catherine Wright.

Spirituality and the Environment: Today, there are many things that we do that distance us from creation, and thus, our Creator. But the Spirit is constantly working to animate dust (Genesis 2), invigorate dry bones (Ezekiel 37) or like a mighty wind (Acts 2), move us from apathy and fear to new relationships that will bring abundant life for all. You are invited to join in an invigorating conversation about ecospirituality – Earth centered spirituality — and let the breath of the Almighty bring us all new life (Job 33).

Speaker Bio: Catherine Wright has a science degree in zoology, worked as a science and math teacher, was invited to be a chaplain in two high schools over an eight year period and then went back to get her PhD at the Toronto School of Theology so that she could better integrate her love of God, her desire for more vibrant communities of faith, and her love of creation. What fascinates her is how we are inspirited bodies – or as St. Augustine writes, terra animata or animated earth — and alongside all of creation are animated by the breath of God. Her inspiration for her book on suffering (Paulist Press, 2017) and her forthcoming interactive ‘workbook’ for individuals, families, schools and congregations on how to live the creation care of Laudato Si’ comes from taking every opportunity she can to appreciate the teeming beauty of North Carolina where she lives with her two and four legged family.

For more information or questions, contact Francis Ahn, Young Adult Ministry Coordinator at 704-543-7677 ext. 1193.