Dear Community Night, Meet Your Cooler Replacement, “The Catholic Edge” – Catholic Studies Blog
Catholic at UST, Leadership Internships, Social Events

Dear Community Night, Meet Your Cooler Replacement, “The Catholic Edge”

Posted by Monica, UST Senior, Catholic Studies and Psychology

100_1060One fateful night during the Catholic Leadership Interns Spring Institute in Chicago, Illinois, the idea for “The Catholic Edge” was born. When focusing on the once “Community Night”, the Interns found themselves asking, what is our objective; what is the purpose of these nights? It seemed that an important element was missing: Challenge. The interns realized that what the Catholic community at St. Thomas needed was some good old fashioned challenge. We have come to a point in which the envelope needs to pushed; we need to encounter our faith in a way which makes us talk, discuss, figure out things which lead us to greater action. Our campus is in need of action. “The Catholic Edge” initiative is to encourage a more intentional way of learning about and living out the faith while tapping into the greater Christian Catholic community at large.

Wednesday, September 21st was the pilot night of this new initiative and to no great surprise (at least not to the Holy Spirit), the event was a success. The evening started with Mass followed by dinner, and then a talk given by Dr. Gregory Coulter (from the UST Philosophy Department). His task was to provide an “edgy” topic that would get students to really figure100_1064 out what they thought about said topic. Coulter chose to tackle gender issues in relation to St. Paul’s letter regarding husband and wives. The language of this letter has shot controversy waves across many social groups and has been a very interesting passage in the Bible to discuss and to determine thoughts and practical applications. So, after his short talk, discussions opened up at the tables and the loud mummer of controversy was afoot. Each table was really trying to work out everything Coulter had to offer and figure out the truth and the best way to act on it. After the discussion at tables, a question and answer session with Coulter allowed tables to bring up specific questions, arguments, clarifications about what was talked about.

The simple fact that after the bell of 7pm rang for the night to be over and many people stayed to continue discussing the topic, shows that the effect the Interns were hoping to have happen, happened. The evening not only allowed people to enjoy the company of their fellow Catholics, but to encounter their faith and be challenged in issues within the faith. Overall, the edge seemed to be sharp (pun maybe intended), and it seems that the future nights will continue to spark fantastic discussion, dialogue, and growth in the Catholic Community at UST.   100_1074

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