About Us:

With the lack of ministry to young adults in larger cities, Fr Jack Wall, a priest at St James in the Chicago suburb of Arlington Heights, created Theology-on-Tap®. His parish would host six speakers throughout the summer for college students home from school. The program culminated with a cook-out at the Bishop’s residence. TOT’s popularity spread throughout the Chicago area, with many parishes copying Fr Wall’s work. Now in its 25th year, young adults can find Theology-on-Taps in 46 states and 6 countries! A great deal of gratitude is due to these first groups of priests and young Catholics from Chicago for creating such a successful ministry.

Theology-on-Tap got its Indianapolis start in June 2002. Alex Scheidler, a native Chicagoan, thought the TOT successes could be replicated in Indy, and a summer “6-pack” was planned. Its first night was hosted at Moe & Johnny’s in Broad Ripple, with Fr Brian Doerr speaking on his top five misconceptions of the Catholic Faith. Under the leadership of Kevin McDowell and chaplain Fr Ryan McCarthy, Indy TOT quickly out grew Moe & Johnny’s. Needing a more central location, the young adult ministry moved to the Rathskellar downtown later that summer. For the two years at the Rathskellar many incredible speakers would come through, including Archbishop Daniel Buechlein, convert from Islam Daniel Ali, and the Pro-Life Action League’s Joseph Scheidler. In August of 2003, Anne Ryder told of her experiences and relationship with now-Saint Mother Theresa to over 300 young adults!

Desiring a more intimate bar setting, TOT moved to the Bourbon St Distillery in fall 2004. The good speakers continued, with the Archbishop making a return visit, CEO of Chatauqua Airlines Bryan Bedford, and numerous young priests, religious and laity of the area, who are always quick to support such young adult ministries.

Aside from the speaker series, TOT sponsors winter and summer socials. The Winter Gala started in 2003 as a semi-formal event to raise funds for TOT speakers. Live jazz entertainment and games of chance provide the setting for a spectacular occasion. The past couple summers the Archbishop has hosted a cook-out for young adults, providing a rare chance to visit the Bishop’s residence and interact with our spiritual leader.

Now in its 5th year, Theology-on-Tap continues to minister to young adults. Twice a month, for nine months of the year, young Catholics gather at Vito's On Penn to learn their Catholic Faith and traditions, hear timely topics unique to a young adult’s position in life, and meet fellow friends who are in the midst of their religious journey.

See you at the Tap!


‘Theology-on-Tap’, copyright 2001, is a trademark of the Young Adult Ministry Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago, 312.466.9473, 711 W. Monroe, Chicago, Illinois, 60661.