Something good is brewing at the BK Coffeehouse

Sparta - The folks at Blessed Kateri Parish have a message for the community: “If the post-holiday blahs are depleting your mojo, a free refill at the BK Coffeehouse might just be what your body and soul need right about now.” Their solution, the BK Coffeehouse, open Saturday, Jan. 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the church at 427 Stanhope Rd. This month, the coffeehouse will serve up an evening with “The Potter,” Ray Boswell. Get into the groove with Boswell’s moving presentation and reflections followed by steaming conversation, open mic, and of course, a cup of joe, beer, wine and refreshments. Father Tom Fallone said he and BK parishioner Grace Lane organized Coffeehouse as a place “where people can get together in an informal setting for fellowship amid some serious discourse on matters of the Catholic faith.” Lane added, “We want people to see that talking about theology and faith can be a great learning experience and a lot of fun.” She explained that the idea for a Sparta-based gathering spun off of Theology on Tap, which BK previously co-hosted with St. Michael’s parish in Netcong at The Mount Olive Bar & Grill, targeting a younger crowd. The co-founders saw the need for a venue closer to home and wanted to include a 30-something and up audience as well. Each month, the evening starts with an informal presentation followed by discussion and an open mic, which gives people a chance to praise God in word and song through music and poetry. “We learn a lot about living out our faith by sharing it with each other,” said Lane, who is amazed at the incredible talent she’s witnessed in the parish. Father Tom is a regular among the musicians on the open mic stage. In past months, he and his Seagull (guitar that is) have dished out great Springsteen and U2 covers, as well as tunes the parochial vicar has written himself. Fr. Fallone is a great advocate of music and recognizes it as being a huge part of God’s salvation history. “When I think about how monumental Catholic writers have shaped the world, I recall how central things like poetry and music are to the very earthy Catholic faith.” He cites the writings of Flannery O’Connor, JRR Tolkien, and Pope John Paul II as “examples of how the faith is truth found in beauty.” Attendee reaction to the coffeehouse has been overwhelmingly positive, some referring to the gathering as “Brew and the Bible.” Lane declared, “We are just putting out His message and God will do the rest!” BK is working towards keeping the coffeehouse buzzing on the third Saturday of each month. Topics will vary. Coming up on Feb. 24, “A walk through the Holy Land: Two priests went to Israel and all they got was a lousy T-shirt.” Gather on common ground to hear Father Tom Fallone and Our Lady of the Lake’s Father Pawel Szurek offer meditations and impressions from their Holy Land pilgrimage with Bishop Serratelli. On March 24, Blessed Kateri’s own Jim McAvinn presents, “Souls in Cyberspace.” Admission and refreshments are free; donations are accepted. For more information or to suggest any percolating ideas, contact Fr. Tom Fallone at 973-729-1682.