DATE: 22nd November 2023 @ 7.45pm

LOCATION: Vecchia Napoli, Salini

The MSSP Oratory Youth is pleased to announce the highly anticipated return of the Bible & Beer series. The aim of this event is to provide a safe space for youths, coming from different walks of life, where they can discuss current hot topics, engage in healthy discussions and share ideas whilst enjoying some food, cold beers and some wine.

In our upcoming session: Faith and Desire – Diving into sexuality and the church, we will discuss issues such as pornography, masturbation, sex before marriage, contraceptives and cohabitation. Why is the church so uptight and scrupulous with regard to sexual desires, especially when we are currently living in such a liberal culture? What is the church trying to protect? Are we confusing sex with intimacy? Are we masking emotional vulnerability with sexual interaction? What about the repercussions of rape and the victims of pornography? These are some of the questions we will try to examine collectively and answer during this event. This session will also serve as an introductory session to our next event in the Bible & Beer series where we will be discussing the LGBTIQ+ Community and the church.

We are honoured to introduce our esteemed panellists who will shed light on the subject and help us in our quest for a deeper understanding of the topic. Joining us is Anna Catania, a warranted counsellor specializing in the area of sex and relationships. She counsels and offers psychotherapy to individuals and couples who have difficulties with their sexuality, relationships, intimacy and body image issues. She is also a member of the European Society for Sexual Medicine (ESSM), the College of Sexual and Relationship Therapists (COSRT) as well as the Malta Association for the Counselling Profession.

Our second speaker is Nicola Falzon. She is the Head of the Prevention Department at YMCA Malta, a Trainee Psychotherapist and a mental & sexual health advocate. She is also a member of the European Federation of Psychology Students’ Association (EFPSA) and the European Federation of Psychologists’ Association (EFPA).

Completing our panel is Fr Richard Farrugia. Fr Richard has studied bioethics with a special interest in sexual ethics and has recently been appointed as the new Parish Priest in Xaghra. He has also been involved in youth ministry, acting as the Rector at the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary and was also a formator of new priests working at the Gozo Seminary.

These esteemed panellists have graciously accepted our invitation to share their knowledge and experience to enlighten us on the topic at hand. Their expertise and diverse backgrounds ensure a comprehensive and enlightening discussion that promises to leave a lasting impact on all those who attend.

The event is scheduled for Wednesday 22nd November 2023, and will take place at Vecchia Napoli, Salini, with the opening time being 7:45pm. 

To cover the costs of this event we are asking for a €10.00 donation that would include food and drink (paid in cash upon entrance). This event is open for youths 18 and over. Alcohol will be served.

Testimonies from previous 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
  • ”

    The B&B sessions are an opportunity to listen and share your personal opinions on existing world problems in a comfortable setting without feeling judged. The panelists chosen are selected according to their experience on the topic at hand to discuss the subject from different views, such as: religion, psychology and sociology.

    Kurt Bugeja
  • ”

    The subjects covered in the Bible & Beer series truly pique my curiosity. I am inspired to think outside of the box by perspectives and experiences shared by different professionals who are involved in the topics at hand. I truly recommend this series to inquisitive minds seeking to find various points of view.

    Patrick Bezzina
  • ”

    Making friends with someone I did not necessarily agree with was something I never expected, and it got me hooked! Kept on going ever since. Can’t recommend it enough.

    Luigi Sammut
  • ”

    For us, ‘Bible & Beer’ was a space where we could explore various relevant and even controversial subjects in our everyday lives. The young people who attended, as well as the speakers, brought a human aspect to many questions that we often hesitate to ask in our lifetime. All of this while enjoying a glass of beer with friends! 🙂

    Joe & Lara Fenech
  • ”

    Bible & Beer gave me the opportunity to voice my opinions about controversial topics in a safe environment. Experts in the field lead healthy and thought-provoking discussions which allows me to learn from other people’s thoughts.

    Luca Gauci

MEET THE PANELISTS

FULLY BOOKED