150 Young Adults Brew with Bishop Sartain

Brew with the Bishop: Amazing Crowds Turn Out!

On Thursday, July 9th, 150 young adults from all around the Diocese of Joliet crowded into The Coal Ben Restaurant on the campus of Benedictine University in Lisle to have a brew while Bishop J. Peter Sartain shared his time and wisdom with those gathered.

The bishop shared his thoughts on the fruits of the Holy Spirit and how they move us to become the best versions of ourselves, the way we were created to be - in the image and likeness of God.

This event marks the kick-off for a great Theology-on-Tap season around the diocese. Starting Sunday evening, eight great sites will feature presenters and conversations on issues related to faith and young adult life.

For more info about the series, go to www.dioceseofjoliet.org/yam/yamtot.asp.

See you at the Coal Ben!

Brew with the Bishop tonight!

Bishop J. Peter Sartain will be kicking off the 2009 Theology-on-Tap season in the Diocese of Joliet at "Brew with the Bishop" tonight (Thursday, July 9th at 7:00 p.m.) at the Coal Ben restaurant on campus at Benedictine Univeristy (5700 College Rd.) in Lisle.

All young adults in college and in their 20s and 30s are invited to be there, meet the bishop, and connect with others their age in a fun, comfortable, and faith-filled setting.

The Coal Ben, shown above, is the old Benedictine University powerhouse that was converted into a bar and grill last year, thanks to the generosity and insight of the Benedictine fathers and brothers. Throughout the year, the restaurant is open to students for meals, but they have wonderfully opened their doors for a few nights this summer for Theology-on-Tap.

No cost to attend, so drop on by this summer evening. See you there!

Celebrate the Patron of Young Adults!

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati

On July 4th, not only do we celebrate Independence Day in the United States, we also honor the feast day of Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati (1901-1925), Patron of Young Adults.

Blessed Pier Giorgio is an incredible role model for all men and women in their late teens, twenties, and thirties. In his late teens and early twenties, Pier Giorgio was active in the Church, regularly attending Mass and other Catholic activities and festivals, but was also very active in charity and service to the poor, outcast, sick, dying, and struggling people of the community. Born to a rich family, he gave his money to those in need whenever he saw others suffering.

In addition to his life of prayer, ethical fortitude, and social justice, Pier Giorgio was also a very popular young adult. He was a skilled athlete, mountain climber, skier, and sportsman. He spent time with his friends, and because of his great sense of humor (and habit of practical jokes), he was dubbed with the nickname "The Holy Terror."

Pier Giorgio radiated joy and compassion wherever he went. He was a model young adult Catholic, someone young people today can look up to in their everyday lives.

Sadly, on July 4th, 1925, he died from a disease he contracted while serving the poor the week before. In 1990, after years of devotion and affection for this young adult hero (and after reports of miracles in his name), Pope John Paul II beatified him and gave him a new nickname: "The Man of the Beatitudes" as he embodied all the goodness that Jesus declared on the Sermon on the Mount.

As we prepare for Theology-on-Tap in the Diocese of Joliet and as we celebrate this wonderful feast day, let us pray with Pier Giorgio to God that young adults in the Chicagoland area might come to know Christ through this special series of talks, conversations, and networking.