Pete Burak, director of i.d. 916 and a graduate of Sacred Heart Major Seminary, will host virtual event with notable Catholic speakers

ANN ARBOR — Going out has been canceled across most of the United States, and there are only so many times you can watch Tiger King, so why not make the most of staying in? 

That's the thinking behind what is presumed to be the first-ever Virtual National Theology on Tap, sponsored by the Ann Arbor-based apostolate i.d. 916 and the Our Sunday Visitor Institute.

The virtual event starts at 9 p.m. EST on Thursday, April 16, and will feature national Catholic speakers including Jason Evert, Sarah Swafford and Fr. Agustino Torres. As of Wednesday, April 15, more than 1,300 people had preregistered from all over the United States. 

Pete Burak, director of i.d. 916 and the evening's master of ceremonies, said the event will hew to the style of a late-night talk show.

“Each speaker is going to have a slightly different emphasis,” Burak, a graduate of Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, told Detroit Catholic. “The topic I presented to them is: ‘Let’s talk about whatever is burning on your heart right now.’ We want it to be more of a conversation and let the Holy Spirit lead.”

Burak plans to invite participants to donate the cost of their typical drink to Catholic Charities USA in order to help fight COVID-19. 

Burak encourages young adults to participate and embrace the opportunity to hear from Catholic speakers who will bring a message of hope and to help young Catholics connect with the Gospel.

“We are in the Easter season, and times like this demand a certain inner reflection and paying attention to what the Lord is doing,” Burak said. “We hope tomorrow night will be a source of hope and joy, but also of digital connection.”

Register for the National Theology on Tap here and stream the event here.