Catholic apologist Patrick Madrid speaks in Salt Lake City

IC photo/Marie Mischel

+ Enlarge

Patrick Madrid signs one of his books during his Feb. 23 visit to Salt Lake City.

SALT LAKE CITY — Patrick Madrid, host of the Patrick Madrid Show on Relevant Radio, author and Catholic apologist, spoke Feb. 23 to the public on the topic of “Why Be Catholic.”

His presentation was sponsored by Catholic Utah, a nonprofit that was started in October to minister to people who are too old to be served by the Church’s young adult ministries, but not yet served by senior ministries, said Elaina Yenchek, one of the group’s co-founders.

As part of its ministry, the group hosts “Theology Uncorked” events, bringing nationally-known Catholic speakers to speak in a casual restaurant setting with wine and appetizers, she said.

“We hosted Trent Horn at Provisions restaurant in November to a sold-out group of 60 people in our target age group,” Yenchek said.

The evening before the public presentation, which was held at Judge Memorial Catholic High School, Madrid spoke at Catholic Utah’s “Theology Uncorked” event at Café Trio in Cottonwood Heights.

Catholic Utah plans to offer four Theology Uncorked events each year, but the group “will remain small to promote community and friendships in our ‘in-between adults’ demographic,” Yenchek said.

In addition, the group hopes to host two large  community events, like Madrid’s Feb. 23 talk, each year.

About 350 people attended the public presentation, at which Madrid told stories of people’s conversion to the Catholic faith, and also suggested Scripture passages that can be used to defend the faith.

Among those who attended Madrid’s presentation was Dominican Father Augustine Hilander,  chaplain at Salt Lake hospitals.

“We’re always here to grow in the Catholic faith,” he said, adding that he appreciated the “wonderful tips and Scripture passages” that Madrid offered to respond to questions about the faith, especially how to tie elements together, such as the Rock of Peter and the rock that Jesus speaks of in the parable about building a house on solid rock.

Similarly, Marian Murdock, a San Andres parishioner, said she liked learning ways to defend the faith, and also that Madrid spoke about returning to tradition.

For information on Catholic Utah, visit https://www.catholicutah.org/