‘Dead Theologians Society’

Great Bend parish opens first local chapter of national society for youth

By David Myers

Southwest Kansas Register

Welcome to the meeting of the Dead Theologians Society.

In a candle-lit basement at Prince of Peace rectory in Great Bend, several young people and adults – including Father Wesley Schawe and DRE, Pam Vainer -- gather in a circle, the sound of Gregorian chants echoing throughout.

Following a prayer, the group, made up mostly of high school seniors and college age youth, delves into the study of the chosen saint for that week -- most recently, St. Patrick and St. Rose.

“It’s for youth who want to delve more deeply into their faith,” explained Vainer, who began the national program at the parish Sept. 9. “They come to learn about the saints. We talk about the life of the saint, and the ways that the things that were holy in the saint’s life can be implemented into today’s world and into their lives, so that they can work to be more Christ-like.”

Of course, none of this occurs until after the students meet for a brief social gathering, complete with a coffee bar and an assortment of munchies.

“The cool thing about the meeting is they meet in a gathering space and visit, then we move them into the meeting room, which is set up with lit candles, and chant music playing softly in the back ground. We bring them into a prayerful mood,” said Vainer.

The program began in 1997 in an Ohio parish and was designed to offer older youth a deeper study of the Catholic faith through the lives of the saints, in a deeply prayerful atmosphere; hence the candles, Gregorian chants, and statues of saints set in the room.

After the group takes part in a study of the saint, there’s a question and answer period, followed by intercession. The title came from the popular Robin Williams movie, “Dead Poets Society,” in which youth study the works of the great poets.

“I think we needed something for our older kids, something a little more serious,” Vainer said.

Father Schawe has attended both of the first two meetings, which are held each Sunday night, and last an hour and a half. There is no charge or registration required.

“For me, the most exciting thing is to have this opportunity for older students, students from Barton County Community College, or students coming back from another college, and for our seniors in high school as well,” he said. “It’s for youth who are interested in a little more serious study of the faith. Some have a yearning for that.”

The first meeting was held Sept. 9, in which three students attended. By the next meeting, Sept. 16, participation had quadrupled.

“They really seemed interested,” Vainer said. “They had a lot of questions for Father Wesley. I think it will grow. We have kids who want to be really active in faith -- living their faith. And we have kids who want to sit down and learn. This takes it to a more mature level.”

Once a participant attends three meetings in a row or five meetings total, they are officially received into membership of the Dead Theologians Society. At a special ceremony performed by a priest, they receive a black “hoodie” (sweatshirt) with a symbol of the DTS -- a monstrance holding the Holy Eucharist. They also receive a scapular, and an olive wood rosary from the Holy Land.

“They are told, ‘May this be a reminder to you of your dignity as a Christian in serving others,’” Vainer said. The motto of the Dead Theologians Society is “Mortuum Mundo Vivum in Christo” (“Dead to the world, alive in Christ”).

While Vainer, who also holds the regular youth group gatherings, will continue to direct the program, future meetings will be overseen by Chris and Julie Mazouch, as well as Bob Drake and Jim Bennett.

For more information, call Pam Vainer at (620) 792-1396, x110.