Our annual Theology on the Rocks summer speaker and conversation series, geared toward adults ages 35 and up, provides a welcoming environment for adults to connect with each other and engage in discussions with leaders on topics pertinent to our faith.

On July 24, after time to socialize and enjoy drinks and appetizers on the parish courtyard, participants sat at art tables, ready to focus on the theme of the first session, "Living in God's Grace."

Mary DuQuaine, our parish Director of Catechesis, and Alma Blazquez, Ed. D., a parishoner and Founder of Kindness Matters, led the evening's reflections on "grace" with an art therapy exercise. This helped place participants in the present moment to enter a state of "emptying ourselves," or "kenosis," by self-reflecting and feeling God's grace as His children in quiet creativity. The secular and theological definitions of "grace" were presented. Mary and Alma further presented how Saint Therese of the Child Jesus, and all saints, practiced kenosis, the emptying of ourselves, in order to be filled and fully present to receive God's grace. Alma shared her faith journey during a near death experience that placed her in God's grace and was witness to a boundless love from God that is ever present for every one of us. Mary brought the evening together and helped us to see that as beloved daughters and sons of God, and through the salvation given to us through Jesus, we all share a journey of faith as disciples of Christ, "There is a place in our soul where we are known and loved by God... Once we know this we begin to recognize God's grace active in our lives every day!"

According to participant Mary Padjen, "Both Mary and Alma expressed how much God really loves us just where we are, unconditionally....It touched my soul." Deirdre Sandquist commented, "I felt true joy during this event and joyful and inspired following. The session was thought-provoking and reinforces my desire to continue to learn more about my Catholicism."

Session two, held on July 31, took a different approach to sharing our faith. Lisa Wagner-Carollo, founder of StillPoint Theatre Collective and actor, brought to the Saint Clement Chapel her one-woman play about the co-founder of the Catholic Worker movement, Dorothy Day. The crowd of 35 in the audience enjoyed a personal, mesmerizing experience into the life of Dorothy Day, from her early years of her developing Christian faith, to the profound life she devoted to doing the will of God and Christ, attending to matters of the poor and helping the poor herself at every turn for the rest of her life. Ms. Wagner-Carollo changed outfits as she led the audience into the years that passed in Dorothy Day's life, showing us the reality of her life's intense challenges and emerging still, with grace from God. Lisa Wagner-Carollo challenged those in attendance to realize that a life lived for Christ is doable and to realize that the "real ambassadors of the world are the poor." Ms. Wagner-Carollo brought everyone into the Life of Dorothy Day as if she herself were present, and this was truly felt by everyone.

Attending sessions like Theology on the Rocks gives us an opportunity to spend time exploring our faith and challenging ourselves and each other as brothers and sisters in Christ to live in the moment where God's never-ending pure and divine love, and grace is ever present. After both sessions, many stayed to further the experiences of the spiritual energy that we allowed ourselves to feel and share.

Program details and registration forms can be found online. Contact Mary DuQuaine, Director of Catechesis with questions or to volunteer as a catechist.    

First Communion image courtesy of AmyBoylePhotography.com.