OECTA TSU RAC [Religious Affairs Committee] held it's first "Beer + Biblefest" on the top floor room (fitting .. ;-) of the downtown Toronto Madison Pub on Friday night. Committee Chair Mark Sherlock introduced us to speaker Frank O'Neil. He gave us a presentation on the Gospel of St. Luke, examining among other issues, the value of Luke's social justice teachings as as they apply to our vocation as classroom teachers.
Speaker Frank O'Neil presents St. Luke in a stimulating light for us!
The Pub had a decent school turnout from St. Pat's , St. Mary's, Pope John Paul 2 among others. Our RAC committee member's John Cafferky, Chris Clovis, Irene Urbaniak + Al Zawadski helped us host the evening. A lot of our TSU activists attended, always reassuring during these especially challenging political times for our OECTA teachers. The guests included: Executive alumni + distinguished PAC members Gerard Ardanaz, Frank Bruno, Don Schmidt + Barbara Swit. TSU Executive members 1st VP Dave Szollosy + Councillor Bianka Hudak. Also in my official capacity as 3rd VP, yours truly. Staff rep Pamla Spearn came. Metro 7 members were in attendance. We were pleased to have OECTA Provincial's James Ryan and then later on Halton Elementary President Bad Boy Brock drop by as well too.
TSU RAC Members: Mark, Chris, Irene, + Al were our hosts with the most!
As executive liaison I was aware of the wide range of concerns about the pub running the full gamut from blasphemy to a very boring idea for a Friday night. I am relieved to quite heartily report, it was neither. Our members enjoyed a very stimulating + down to earth evening of good fellowship + camaraderie, spiked with interesting discussion + debate on a wide range of issues both spiritual + secular, as well as chicken wings, pizza + beer. It seemed to be a great pub night for most if not all of us who were there. Our RAC Committee pointed out that if each member in attendance brings one more member next time, we could see the beginning of a fine new TSU RAC annual tradition.
John Cafferky, me, Irene, James Ryan, + Frank Bruno on a Friday nite! ;-)
It is worth noting that similar "Theology on Tap" nights have become a popular regular monthly event sponsored by the Sister of St. Joseph at various downtown Toronto pub locations. I hear they are very popular elsewhere as well for those who might enjoy a night out on the town that is lively, fun and quite out of the ordinary. Our Catholic social justice wing is a fine long standing part of our church teachings with many important + very relevant applications to the political, social and democratic struggles of the many working families + their children who we serve as teachers today.
Metro 7?!?
Pax + Solidarity to all who attended! We look forward to doing this again! Spread the good word!
PS: My only regret was that I was unable to attend the Rank + File Education Workers' Benefit at the Free Times Pub because we were double booked. I hope that was a great success too. Rank + File fight the good fight for social justice + have been very active over the past year. They deserve all affiliate teacher support. In solidarity!
TSU union activist + 1st VP Dave Szollosy, Sister, Mark + I hoist one 4 you. Come next time!
PS: Kindly remember with a prayer TSU RAC member Jennifer Kolz who sent her regrets after she had a bad slip on the ice making her way to our event!
Speaker Frank O'Neil presents St. Luke in a stimulating light for us!
The Pub had a decent school turnout from St. Pat's , St. Mary's, Pope John Paul 2 among others. Our RAC committee member's John Cafferky, Chris Clovis, Irene Urbaniak + Al Zawadski helped us host the evening. A lot of our TSU activists attended, always reassuring during these especially challenging political times for our OECTA teachers. The guests included: Executive alumni + distinguished PAC members Gerard Ardanaz, Frank Bruno, Don Schmidt + Barbara Swit. TSU Executive members 1st VP Dave Szollosy + Councillor Bianka Hudak. Also in my official capacity as 3rd VP, yours truly. Staff rep Pamla Spearn came. Metro 7 members were in attendance. We were pleased to have OECTA Provincial's James Ryan and then later on Halton Elementary President Bad Boy Brock drop by as well too.
TSU RAC Members: Mark, Chris, Irene, + Al were our hosts with the most!
As executive liaison I was aware of the wide range of concerns about the pub running the full gamut from blasphemy to a very boring idea for a Friday night. I am relieved to quite heartily report, it was neither. Our members enjoyed a very stimulating + down to earth evening of good fellowship + camaraderie, spiked with interesting discussion + debate on a wide range of issues both spiritual + secular, as well as chicken wings, pizza + beer. It seemed to be a great pub night for most if not all of us who were there. Our RAC Committee pointed out that if each member in attendance brings one more member next time, we could see the beginning of a fine new TSU RAC annual tradition.
John Cafferky, me, Irene, James Ryan, + Frank Bruno on a Friday nite! ;-)
It is worth noting that similar "Theology on Tap" nights have become a popular regular monthly event sponsored by the Sister of St. Joseph at various downtown Toronto pub locations. I hear they are very popular elsewhere as well for those who might enjoy a night out on the town that is lively, fun and quite out of the ordinary. Our Catholic social justice wing is a fine long standing part of our church teachings with many important + very relevant applications to the political, social and democratic struggles of the many working families + their children who we serve as teachers today.
Pax + Solidarity to all who attended! We look forward to doing this again! Spread the good word!
PS: My only regret was that I was unable to attend the Rank + File Education Workers' Benefit at the Free Times Pub because we were double booked. I hope that was a great success too. Rank + File fight the good fight for social justice + have been very active over the past year. They deserve all affiliate teacher support. In solidarity!
TSU union activist + 1st VP Dave Szollosy, Sister, Mark + I hoist one 4 you. Come next time!
PS: Kindly remember with a prayer TSU RAC member Jennifer Kolz who sent her regrets after she had a bad slip on the ice making her way to our event!
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