Theology @ the Pub Melbourne

Theology at the Pub is an opportunity for Catholics aged 18-35 (and religious of all ages) to meet, have great conversations over a meal and a drink and listen to interesting talks by engaging Catholic speakers.   This months speaker, Matthew MacDonald, is a counsellor and psychotherapist working in private practice. For more than a decade before this, he was the director of the 'Life, Marriage & Family Office' of the Catholic Archdiocese, where his work centred around presenting age-old truths on life and love in fresh and accessible ways. His interest is in helping people find a path forward in the often-messy reality of their lives, drawing on the riches of the Catholic tradition along with research and best-practice from the field of psychotherapy.

The role of the Saints in our daily lives Rev Dr Michel Remery M.Sc. (1973), is a priest of the Diocese of Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He studied architecture at Delft University of Technology, and worked for the Royal Netherlands Air Force and later as an expat engineer in the Baltic States for the consulting and engineering firm Tebodin. Father Michel studied philosophy and theology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and was ordained a priest in 2004. For several years, he was a member of an advisory committee on new media and young people at the Vatican office for Internet affairs. In 2008, he completed a doctoral dissertation on the relationship between liturgy and architecture. He published various books and articles on this theme and is a research fellow of the School for Catholic Theology of Tilburg University. 

Australia: What Went Right? What Went Wrong? with Fr Anthony G. Percy    Theology at the Pub is an opportunity for Catholics aged 18-35 (and religious of all ages) to meet, have great conversations over a meal and a drink and listen to interesting talks by engaging Catholic speakers.  

Our speaker this month is one of our own on the T@P team: Fr Nathan Rawlins speaking on "Evangelisation Post Lockdown".

Suffering like a Saint with Fr Marcus Goulding | T@P October 2021

Monsignor Joe Takchi, a Melbourne based Maronite Priest  speaking on the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Holding onto Hope during these difficult times. This is a beautiful talk by Sr. Mary Helen O.P. a Dominican Sister of St Cecilia in Melbourne, livestreamed on the Theology at the Pub Melbourne Facebook page.

Pope Francis has proclaimed 2021 to be a Year of Saint Joseph. This month we were blessed to be joined by Archbishop Peter Comensoli, who shared with us some wonderful reflections on this patron saint of the universal Church. Prior to the Pope's proclamation, Archbishop Comensoli had dedicated the Archdiocese and city of Melbourne to Saint Joseph's intercession.

We are thrilled to be back after a year-long hiatus due to the COVID pandemic. To kick off our first event for 2021, we were joined by Dr Andy Mullins who teaches formation of character at the University of Notre Dame Australia. His doctorate investigated the intersection of neuroscience and moral behaviour and he's the author of Parenting for Character. What a great way to start our year! Apologies for missing the first few minutes of the talk in the recording.

What's the big deal about Shakespeare? What is his relationship to the Catholic Tradition and why should I care? In this talk, Angela Schumann tackles the big questions about the Bard, exploring history, psychology and theology to discover the profound role that the Catholic Church had in creating one of the biggest literary geniuses the world has ever seen. Angela Schumann is doing her PhD in Literature at Monash University, looking at confession and self-deception in Shakespeare's plays.

We were thrilled to kick off the New Year with our very own Archbishop Peter Comensoli, talking on the topic of Being a Catholic in 2020 Melbourne. “Be immersed in our culture, but not absorbed by it" - listen to this podcast to hear the Archbishop's three pieces of advice offered to the 200+ gathered at this month's T@P.

2000 years since the life, death and resurrection of Christ, we find ourselves in a whole new world. The call to evangelize is perennial and the Gospel message timeless, however, the Church is seeking new methods and new blood to present it’s salvific message to the modern world. This talk will equip you for the New Evangelization and explore how we as Christians share our message with today’s culture.Nathan works full-time in Campus Ministry at Australian Catholic University. He is a co-founder of the Frassati Fraternity in Brisbane and holds a Bachelor of Theology (ACU) and Masters of Theology (JPII). He is married to his wonderful wife Jennifer and has two children. He is passionate about teaching and sharing the Catholic faith particularly in the areas of Marriage and Family, Theology of the Body, and Evangelization.

Memory and Reconciliation: The Church and the Faults of the Past In the Creed we profess our faith that the Church is holy. Yet across 2000 years of history we’re challenged by many actions of Catholics that were not holy: wars, persecutions, violations of human rights. In 2000 the International Theological Commission published Memory and Reconciliation: The Church and the Faults of the Past, which explored this contrast. At our September t@p, Fr Justin Ford will take up those reflections and will show, with historical examples, how the essential holiness of the Church is untainted by the sins of her members. Fr Justin Ford grew up in Bentleigh, attending St Paul’s Primary School and St Kevin’s College. He worked as a structural engineer after studying at Melbourne University, later also gaining degrees in philosophy from the same institution. He entered the seminary in 2001 and was ordained priest in 2006. Fr Justin is now parish priest of St Mary’s Ascot Vale and Spiritual Director of the Melbourne Senatus of the Legion of Mary.  

This month Theology @ the Pub and Catholic Vocations Melbourne were proud to host internationally renowned author, podcaster and speaker Matt Fradd on his Melbourne tour. Matt’s podcast Pints With Aquinas receives hundreds of thousands of downloads every month. An Aussie by birth Matt lives with his wife, Cameron, and their children in Georgia. Join us as Matt shares from his vast experience on the topic 'How to Win an Argument Without Losing a Soul'. To find out more about T@P and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/

Ever wondered why we wash feet or cover statues in Holy Week? This month Fr Nicholas Pearce takes us on a journey through the Church’s most Sacred Week and unpacks for us the various ceremonies and rituals that make up Holy Week.  Fr Nicholas Pearce is the Assistant Vocations Directors for the Archdiocese of Melbourne, and Parish Priest at Holy Family in Mount Waverley. Before entering the seminary he studied Youth Work at Australian Catholic University, and since his ordination to the priesthood, has been involved in various men's ministries across Melbourne. He is currently the Chaplain to the Frassati Fraternity and is completing a Masters in Psychology. To find out more about T@P and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/

“Each woman who lives in the light of eternity can fulfill her vocation, no matter if it is in marriage, in a religious order, or in a worldly profession.” – St. Teresa Benedicta of the CrossThis month we hear from three powerful women who each in their own way, are living out their vocation to holiness and are building up the Church in Australia. Alyssa Agius is a 28 year old singer/keyboardist/teacher from Melbourne, fronting Top 40 covers enterprise ‘Un-Limited’ with her husband Daniel. Alyssa recently returned from World Youth Day, where she toured with Fr Rob Galea, and recently released the chart topping single ‘Set Fire’ with Georga Byrne.Natasha Peart lives out her faith as a busy mother of three with her husband Josh, whilst also working in Real Estate and as a Copywriter.Sr Mary Sarah OP is of The Dominican Sisters of St Cecelia. Through their teaching apostolate, the Sisters serve over 15,000 students in nearly 50 schools in the United States, Canada, Australia, Italy, Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. To find out more about T@P and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/

This month Emma Fradd spoke on the mass, the beauty found within it and the graces we can receive when we attend. Emma converted to Catholicism 10 years ago after spending 5 years calling herself an atheist. Since then she has lived in 3 different countries working in youth and music ministry, as well as pursuing her own music, with 6 national tours in Canada, England, and Australia.She is passionate about encouraging and training musicians within Catholic Parishes to be well formed, reverent and enthusiastic, leading quality music within the liturgy; that which leads the congregation to deeper prayer and worship.Along with worship, Emma writes her own music with authentic lyrics and intricate guitar work to share her relationship with God.Emma has served 2 mission years with NET Ministries, where she now works full time in Brisbane, often travelling to promote the truth, goodness, and beauty in the Catholic church to youth and young adults across Australia. She loves most food, good coffee, dancing, beaches, and gets a twitch when she see’s a drum kit.  To find out more about T@P and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/

This month we heard Simon Carrington present on 'Sexual Desire: A Call to Love’.Simon is the founder of Fire Up Ministries and was raised in a devout Catholic family of eight and is married to his beautiful wife Madeleine. Simon has completed a Bachelor of Theology, minoring in Philosophy at the University of Notre Dame Australia, and is currently undertaking a Certification Course at the Theology of the Body Institute in Pennsylvania USA. Simon has been active in youth ministry for several years, with a passionate focus on St Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Apologetics and Evangelisation. This event was supported by Parousia Media.  To find out more and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/

This month Fr Nicholas Pearce talks on the problem of pornography and the harmful effects it is having on our society.  Fr Nicholas Pearce is the Assistant Vocations Directors for the Archdiocese of Melbourne. Before entering seminary, he studied Youth Work at Australian Catholic University and since being ordained has been involved in various men's ministries across Melbourne. He is currently the Chaplain to the Frassati Faternity and is completing a Masters in Psychology. He has a particular interest in the area of how pornography addiction effects a man's ability to fully commit to his vocation as a disciple of Christ. To find out more and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/

This month Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers presents on 'Apologetics 101: Seven Truths of the Church You Must Know To Defend Your Faith'.Deacon Harold is a dynamic Catholic speaker, radio host, and best-selling author, making him one of the most sought-after speakers in the Church today. He is a powerful and passionate evangelist and preacher from the United States, whose no-nonsense approach to living and proclaiming the Catholic faith is sure to challenge and inspire those who hear him.   To find out more and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/

Annie Lawrence loves being a woman! She is a woman of faith, a wife and a mother. This month she joyfully presents on 'Australia's beauty crisis and why every woman should know she is beautiful'. Her talk looks at what true beauty is, the struggles women today face, femininity and relationships. Her message is as important for men as it is for women. To find out more and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/      

After hearing Fr Dominique preach, while he was still a deacon, Mother Teresa asked him to oversee the spiritual formation of her contemplative order of sisters and later of all her sisters.In this talk Fr. Dominique Faure will speak on the topic many people, even those of good faith, sometimes struggle with and that is the question of suffering in our world.  To find out more and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/

In this months talk, Sr. Mary Rachael OP talks on the topic of Acedia and how to combat falling into the state of 'being bored'. Sr. Mary Rachael OP is of the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia who were founded in Nashville, Tennessee in 1860. They have been serving in the Diocese of Sydney since 2008 and this year have expanded to serving in Melbourne.  To find out more and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/

Deacon Joseph Leach is a planetary geologist, recently retired lecturer from Melbourne University’s Department of Geomatics and also a former NASA researcher. This months talk explores the idea of Earth being a Goldilocks planet and the Copernicus principle. Deacon Joe speaks on the reality of how special both our universe and planet are when there is an insistence by some that there is nothing special about the Earth - and, by implication, nothing special about human life.  To find out more and dates of future talks visit, subscribe and like: https://www.theologyatthepub.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/tapmelb/ https://www.instagram.com/tap_melb/