FoT launch with Jessica Aravena

Within a month of WYD celebrations in Sydney, Brisbane launched their first Faith on Tap (FoT) on Monday August 11, to a huge crowd of young Catholics under 35 from Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. 

Over 100 young people turned out to hear Jessica Aravena talk on her conversion story - from staying at the five star Ritz hotel in Paris to working as a Catholic missionary on the campuses of Poland.

The emergence of Faith on Tap in Brisbane has followed on from the launch of Theology on Tap in Sydney last year and Theology @ the Pub which launched in Melbourne in June 2008.

During Brisbane's Faith on Tap talk on Monday, Jessica quoted form Cardinal Pell's WYD Opening Mass homily that was given at Barangaroo saying, "It was as if he was speaking directly to me when he said 'Don't spend your life sitting on the fence, keeping your options open, because only commitments bring fulfillment. Happiness comes from meeting our obligations, doing our duty, especially in small matters and regularly, so we can rise to meet the harder challenges. Many have found their life's calling at World Youth Days.'"

Aravena addressed the audience about how being on the other side of the world, away from her Catholic friends and living a five star lifestyle, bit by bit she dropped off her faith, stopped going to Mass, stopped praying and drifted away from the Church. She emphasized the importance of good Catholic friends, and how events like FoT are a good place to make new Catholic friendships.

One of the FoT organisers Allison Atkins said, "WYD in Sydney showed that young people are willing to make the effort, to rise to the challenge, they don't want the easy way out! They are not afraid to be Catholic and they transformed Sydney during that week. We have every confidence that the 'fire' started in Sydney will really make a difference in Brisbane! Young people have a taste now for coming together, to think big and change culture! It's exciting to know that it's an opportunity right here, right now!"

"This is only just the beginning. The Church in Australia is about to experience the fruits of a new Pentecost - in the words of Pope Benedict XVI himself, 'to bring about a new generation of apostles, to bring the world to Christ'," she continued.

"WYD ... has given a whole new generation 'permission' to go for it with their faith, to be apostles, to preach the good news."

Trevor Tibbertsma, 20, who MC-ed the event and also did a mission year last year himself (with the Youth Mission Team), said "It was such a great opportunity to be a part of an initiative borne out of WYD to help get our Church more active."

Anthony Goodwin from St Peter and St Pauls Balmoral said, "Faith on Tap was an exciting launch - way better then I expected. Jess has managed to connect with everyone and the Pineapple Hotel was a perfect setting. I'm really looking forward to next months – it was really good to see a really good mix of young Catholics and have a great time in a friendly combination!"

Also present at the launch were Samantha Ovett and Joe Frasetto who retold the exciting story of Joe's WYD wedding proposal which stopped the flow of pilgrims across the Harbour Bridge to Randwick as he got down on bended knee to ask Sam to Marry him. (Joe and Sam were recently featured on the front page of the Catholic Leader in Brisbane).

The Pineapple Hotel at Kangaroo Point relived World Youth Day on the big screens, which showed some WYD highlights and a number of familiar WYD songs filled the air.

New technology such as the Facebook and xt3.com websites helped in getting the word out. The Facebook site had almost 200 members before the actual launch and helped to get the invites flowing.

"It was great for so many different groups to meet and mix, swapping ideas and future plans since their inspirational trips to WYD," said Justin Lynch, one of the FoT organising team. "Since going to Sydney many young people now feel empowered to put on new initiatives like FoT in a new and more encompassing way. WYD showed us that if you put on big events people will travel – even 'to the end of the earth!'."

"We were so delighted with the location at the Pineapple. A great atmosphere and they even agreed to host the night for free!"

FoT already have a plan rolled out for their next two speakers. A monk of the Order of St Paul, Fr Columba, will give the September Faith on Tap talk, entitled “A Monk’s Life” and International Secretary of the World Congress of Families, Allan Carlson, from the USA will be speaking in October on the topic: "Why Marry?"

For more information on Faith on Tap (Brisbane) visit www.faithontap.org.au  

For more information on Theology at the Pub (Melbourne) visit www.theologyatthepub.com.au

For more information on Theology on Tap (Sydney) visit www.ndstms.com.au

For more information visit or find the groups on Facebook and XT3.com