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MSSP Oratory Youth invites you to our next Bible and Beer session, where we’ll dive into a topic that affects us more than we may realize: everyday addictive behaviors. Join us for a relaxed and open conversation as we explore how addictions can creep into our lives, affecting our relationships, mental health, and sense of purpose. Subtle habits like endless scrolling, binge-watching, online shopping, digital distractions can be starters to even more greater addictions like substance abuse, alcoholism and gambling.

We’ll unpack how social pressures, mental health, and faith play a part in our interactions with these addictions, recognizing how something small can quickly grow into a larger struggle. Together, we’ll look at how faith and community can help us find resilience, build self-awareness, and reconnect with what really matters. With a pastoral approach, we’ll also touch on the role of compassion, forgiveness, and mutual support as we work toward renewed relationships with these habits.

Guiding our conversation will be a panel of three experts from counseling, psychology, and spiritual care, each offering insights and perspectives to help us reflect on this very real challenge.

If this resonates with you, we’d love to have you with us! Bring your thoughts, questions, and experiences as we gather for an evening that promises connection and insight.

To help cover costs, we ask for a €12 donation, which includes food and drink. Open to youth ages 18 to 35; alcohol will be served.

Date: 21 November 2024

Time: 8.00pm

Location: Vecchia Napoli, Salini

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Youth reflections from past events

  • We live in a world where many have their own opinion, but we rarely give each other the chance to develop it in a healthy way. Being able to listen and discuss particular topics with other youths can help widen your perspective as you become aware of a reality you might have not yet considered.

    Martina Laferla
  • Why bother listening to a talk? Why not instead simply email the text to every potential member of the audience? Bible&Beer have created new connections amongst participants and key speakers, and spread curiosity, understanding, empathy and excitement through words. It gave words the life they deserve.

    Bernard Grech
  • Bible and Beer … Personally, I think it’s a wonderful initiative to have a conversation and have your voice heard in a setting that is safe but most importantly, judgment-free. I believe that this concept has the potential to develop to contribute to the much-needed social change in today’s world.

    Roberta Cassar
  • It was a very different and enriching experience – I believe that it is very necessary for the Church in Malta to create such spaces of dialogue and encounter where different ideas, thoughts and reflections can challenge and give life to our Christian faith in the 21st century.

    Matthew Grech
  • Despite the fact that I have a bigger affinity with beer than with the Bible these events intrigued me from the start.

    Having a safe space to discuss current hot topics is rare nowadays and this event has provided just that, with the extra benefit of knowledgable and engaging speakers to keep the conversation flowing.

    Julian Vella
  • A true experience of reciprocal hearing done in great humility. Bible & Beer is a true experience of fraternal dialogue, where hot topics were discussed, taboo’s abandoned and we could all share our thoughts, listen to expected but above all receive the gift of one another as we are, with our own stories, perspectives and understandings.

    Ben Flores Martin
  • It is a very enjoyable experience which always leaves you wandering why there isn’t more like it.

    Alec Grech
  • The energy I felt and the genuine philosophical enthusiasm of so many young people was exhilarating. It was a breath of fresh air to share a conversation with people who are sincerely ambitious to make the world around them a better place. That kind of hopefulness in the good of this world has become very rare nowadays.

    Mark Lawrence Zammit
  • I truly enjoyed my experience at Bible&Beer. At first I was a bit skeptical because I was seated with people I didn’t know & I was concerned that our differing opinions might trigger a hostile environment but it was certainly not the case & I feel that that the whole point of events like this is to listen to different views & end up respecting them.

    Tez Saliba
  • Attending Bible&Beer events has been a profoundly enriching experience for me. These gatherings offer a unique blend of thoughtful discussions about faith and scripture in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The casual setting makes it easy to engage in open, honest conversations, whether you’re a seasoned believer or just curious about spirituality. I’ve found that sharing perspectives over a drink creates a sense of friendship and deepens our collective understanding of the Bible’s teachings. It’s more than just an event; it’s a community where you can explore your faith, ask tough questions, and build meaningful connections. I highly recommend joining the next Bible&Beer event to anyone looking to grow spiritually while enjoying good company and conversation.

    Brandon Farrugia
  • For me Bible & Beer was a space where I could ask questions on current and often controversial subjects. The panel members encourage us to come out of our shell and look at the subject with an open mind. I encourage every youth to attend, but be ready to be challenged on your opinions!

    Lara Borg
  • For me the sessions of Bible and Beer serve as an eye opener, especially on those subjects that affect me in the flesh like the subject of LGBTQI. I also like these sessions because people who don’t come to church can also attend. So I have the chance to listen to their opinions and sometimes I get to open my perspective more on something that I have never thought about.

    Lynn Aquilina
  • For me, Bible&Beer provides a space to open one’s self to differing testimonials and opinions on topics and realities which as a “young” Christian I often contemplate and struggle to reconcile. In these sessions I have found solace in knowing that I am not alone in my struggles and have found guidance from the shared experience of panelist and attendants alike.
    I believe that anyone who is struggling to reconcile between their Christian beliefs and the realities of every-day-life would be greatly benefitted in participating in these sessions.

    John Parnis
  • With today’s fast paced lifestyle it is easy to put our own Hu aside. The Bible and Beer discussion meetings aim to address common daily issues in a more welcoming and relaxed environment. I highly recommend these sessions to youths from all walks of life especially those who seek to enrich their own faith even further.

    Clint Grima
  • The Bible and Beer sessions opened my eyes to the importance of compassion and understanding, highlighting how our diverse backgrounds shape our perspectives. They constantly remind me that dialogue with people of different opinions is of tantamount importance in the mission of the Church.

    Alan De Martino
  • Bible and Bear provides a space for great discussions on vital day to day matters from the Church’s perspective. As an accountant I was particularly interested in the session called “Redefining currency” whereby among other topics was discussed work life balance and greed for more money.

    Nicholas Ferry
  • Bible&Beer is a comfortable space where people can discuss very tangible everyday issues through a Catholic lens. I believe that our faith is not to be compartmentalised to church, or prayer groups – but it ought to be lived in the mundane tasks of everyday. It was therefore very interesting to discuss issues such as finances through the spiritual perspectives in a friendly and informal manner, whilst enjoying the company of friends and good food.

    Maria Giulia Pace
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MEET THE PANELISTS

Fr Kevin Schembri is a senior lecturer in canon law and pastoral praxis at the University of Malta, with a strong pastoral focus. Beyond his academic role, he serves as a promoter of justice and defender of the bond at the Maltese Metropolitan Tribunal.
Known for his approachable style and commitment to pastoral ministry, Kevin is a familiar face within the MSSP Oratory Youth community, where he led various seminars and workshops that inspire and guide young people in their faith journey.

Dr Gianluca Bezzina is a medical doctor specializing in addiction treatment, combining his professional expertise with a compassionate approach to care. He is also known for representing Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013, where his passion for music shone through.

Grounded in Christian values, Gianluca is a devoted husband and father and is actively involved in the Youth Fellowship community. His work in the field of addiction reflects his dedication to supporting individuals in their journey toward recovery and well-being.

Anthony Gatt, a psychologist and Director of Caritas Malta, is an expert in addiction and rehabilitation, having extensive experience with both Caritas and Sedqa, Malta’s national addiction agency. With a Master’s in counseling psychology, he integrates his Christian faith into his work, inspired by the Church’s call to serve the marginalized. Gatt sees Caritas as a refuge that offers dignity and hope, providing compassion and healing through a faith-centered approach to rehabilitation.

Registration

Name & Surname(Required)
This event is designed specifically for youths aged 18 to 35. While we appreciate your interest, kindly understand that the event is tailored to this age group, and we kindly request those outside this age range to refrain from attending. Thank you for your understanding.
Do you have any dietary requirements?(Required)