What makes an effective sermon? How should Catholics spread the gospel? What’s the difference between a good atheist and a good Catholic? Who is called to holiness?

For Catholics, these are weighty questions. At Our Mother of Consolation Parish in Chestnut Hill, they’re tackled three times during the summer in a relaxed setting called Salesian Suds. “Salesian,” for the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, and “suds,” for, well … beer.

On a recent steamy Thursday night, five parishioners, two resident de Sales priests and one longtime member of the Sisters of St. Joseph assembled in the Oblates’ expansive living room to take on the issues of Catholic faith. They sit in a loose circle, most on stiff chairs, a couple on a large comfy couch. A sizable portrait of Francis de Sales dominates a far wall.

Most of the attendees don’t drink beer, although one nurses a cold Heineken, another a Yuengling. Two others sip large glasses of red wine, but seltzer water predominates. There’s a plate of crudites and a package of pretzel rods on the coffee table.

Some of the discussions are – in a word – spirited, including the Philadelphia Archdiocese’s new “Catholic Every Day” ad campaign and what it means for the people in the pews. Not everyone is sure. There is a long chat about evangelization – serious stuff – and there is open disagreement about what that really means for Catholics.

Still, the atmosphere could not be more open and hassle-free. In this room, everything Catholic seems to be fair game.

“As you can see, there are some adult beverages, and some snacks,” says Laura Cilia, director of mission and education for the parish and a religion teacher at OMC School. “But it’s really just people sitting around and talking and sharing and asking questions. Some folks are a little quieter and introverted and need time to think things through. Other times, they feel compelled to share or they’ll come with a question or a topic of conversation all ready.”

This is the fourth year for Salesian Suds, which takes its cue from another effort to engage Catholics in tavern settings, called Theology on Tap. Salesian Suds doesn’t draw huge crowds, but those who are there are completely engaged. The session takes place on the third Thursday night in June, July and August.

Freewheeling discussions are encouraged.

“The people we get are not reticent about sharing their opinions or raising questions, and they all know it’s a safe atmosphere where we can talk about different things,” explains Father John Fisher, OMC’s pastor. “We certainly try to stay away from politics because that’s pretty volatile, even within families, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t come up. But it can be a discussion about the Catholic faith. It can be a question about what other faiths practice or believe, and how do we understand that. It could be a parent asking, how do I get my kids to go to church.”

A good deal of the time, Father Fisher says, the conversation is – at least on its surface – simple. Prayer, for example. It’s a big topic, he says. Other times, topics are much more complex.

“One of our participants, a regular, wanted to know what everybody’s concept of sin is,” he says. “Well, that was a lively discussion because, beyond all the classic definitions of ‘missing the mark’ or ‘turning in on oneself’ or just being selfish, what I thought was most uplifting was that sin was described as hurting someone you love – and I thought that was pretty cool. Someone else asked, what’s our concept of God. You don’t know where the night is going to go.”

Though open discussion is encouraged, some participants just sit back and listen – and that’s fine. “They don’t have to share,” he says, “but they choose to be there to be fed something, nurtured, accepted in some way.”

Often, participants will contribute something inspirational, Father Fisher adds. But regardless of what or how they contribute to the discussion, Salesian Suds meets a need for everyone involved because of the way it’s structured. It’s not a sermon. It’s two-way conversation.

“It’s not formulaic. It’s open-ended,” he says. “I’ve never come away from it thinking, ‘Wow, that was a waste of time. It’s a chaotic world, some would say a godless world, and we’re just trying to see where we are with our God and with one another for the journey.”