During a discussion with Deacon Dr. Harry Schnitker of the Maryvale Institute, Tim Glemkowski explored one of the program’s most distinctive features: the community life that develops outside formal classes.

At the center of that experience is a local pub overlooking the River Thames. While it may seem like an unlikely setting for theological formation, Deacon Schnitker explained that it creates space for meaningful conversations that often go deeper than those found in the classroom.

Students from a wide range of backgrounds gather there to discuss faith, culture, history, literature, current events, and life itself. With participants ranging in age from their mid-20s to their late 70s, the conversations are enriched by decades of experience and diverse perspectives.

For Deacon Schnitker, this reflects a central goal of Catholic education: theology should not remain isolated as an academic subject. Rather, it should shape how we understand every aspect of human life. “Theology should infuse the way we think of history, the way we think of culture, of literature, the way we think of other human beings,” he explained.

Drawing inspiration from the theological vision of Pope Benedict XVI, Deacon Schnitker emphasized that faith provides a lens through which Christians can engage the world. Informal discussions become opportunities to test ideas, deepen understanding, and allow the truths of the Faith to influence society.

The lesson is a simple but an important one: authentic Catholic formation happens not only in classrooms and books, but also in friendships, conversations, and communities where faith and life meet.

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