The Theology on Tap series, hosted this summer at the University of Saint Francis, will bring young people from across Fort Wayne together as they dive deeply into the themes centered on finding Christ in various aspects of faith and life. The series planned by a team of local young adults, entitled “The Paradox of the Christian Life”, will offer a weekly talk by a local follower of faith and the opportunity to enjoy food, drink, and fellowship. Individuals of any faith or non-faith are encouraged to attend.
There will be one talk each Tuesday from July 9th – July 30th at the University of Saint Francis Cougar Den (Student Center). Food and bar service opens each week at 6:00 PM, and the week’s talk will begin at 6:30 p.m. On August 6, there will be a closing Mass at 6:00 PM at the University of Saint Francis Chapel followed by a closing celebration in Achatz Hall at 6:30 PM. The event is generously sponsored by the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. Dinner will be available for purchase at a discounted rate, $8 thanks to their support.
The goal of this series is to help young adults navigate an increasingly complex society and equip them with resources to be better Christians in a secular world. Our society and culture are often dominated by “either…or” extremes by which individuals are expected to define themselves. Even within the Church, this temptation to be “either…or” exists. But what we see revealed in Jesus Christ is that to be a follower of His is to live a paradox – to hold two things that seem opposed in tension, and allow the Holy Spirit to purify and animate our life in that space – which is often referred to as the “both…and” of Catholicism. Each of the series talks will focus on a “both…and” theme that young adults encounter regularly, and will offer guidance on how to live this paradox in imitation of Christ, who is both God and man and reveals to us what we are created for.

On July 23, Father Mark Hellinger will share what it looks like for disciples of Jesus to live as citizens of Heaven and citizens of earth’s particular societies. The paradox for Christians is to find the balance between being concerned with the good of our fellow man on earth by working for a more just society through active citizenship (such as voting), and also recognizing that we cannot expect to form a perfect society here on earth because the true Kingdom and homeland for us is Heaven. How do we live in this tension in imitation of Christ?
Father Mark Hellinger was born and raised in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is the youngest and only son of his family, with three older sisters and many nieces and nephews. After graduating from Bishop Luers High School, he entered seminary. He finished his philosophy studies at Marian University and Bishop Simon Bruté Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana and completed his STB in Sacred Theology at the Gregorian University in Rome in 2021. He was ordained a priest in 2022 and completed his STL in Dogmatic and Sacramental Theology at the Pontifical Atheneum of St. Anselm in Rome in 2023. He is currently the Parochial Vicar of St. John the Baptist, Fort Wayne and is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Saint Francis for the Fall semester of 2024. He is passionate about theology and teaching and enjoys reading, cooking, sewing vestments, and hanging out with friends.

Website: https://diocesefwsb.org/tot-fw/