LEWISTON – The title, “Theology on Tap,” is meant to be provocative, a mix of spirits and spirituality.

It also hints at informality – church without the churchiness.

Yet Cathy Malo, the 33-year-old Lewiston woman who is organizing “Theology on Tap,” insists that serious discussion can be found in a casual setting. Her meeting, aimed at reaching out to young Catholics who may be put off by stained glass and stone columns, is anything but frivolous.

“We’re not talking about who won the Super Bowl,” Malo said. “We’re asking, ‘Why did He make us? What are we doing on Earth?’ “

Only here, the prayers are accompanied by pizza and beer.

It’s a notion that has made “Theology on Tap” surprisingly popular.

According to the Web site www.Catholic.org, chapters exist in 44 states and six other countries.

Malo, a freelance copy editor, became a regular tap-goer while living in Washington. When she moved to Maine about a year ago, she hoped to find a local group. None existed.

Since then, several meetings have popped up in Waterville and Portland. Malo organized a tap meeting last fall at DaVinci’s Eatery in Lewiston. About 30 people attended.

A second local meeting is planned for Sunday at 6:30 p.m. at DaVinci’s. She hopes to draw even more people.

How serious is Maine’s Catholic Diocese taking the meeting? Bishop Richard Malone is scheduled to be Sunday’s host.

Targeted at 19- to 39-year-olds, the meetings play to young people who often are reluctant to attend church or have questions about their faith, said Sue Bernard, spokeswoman for the diocese.

The meetings are connecting with a crowd that is too-often overlooked, she said.

Once someone heads to college and then to the workplace, the church has little direct contact. Later, when they marry and have children, the church reaches out again.

“During the time in between, there’s no faith formation,” said Bernard, herself a former Theology on Tap speaker.

For church leaders, the event is another reason to reach out into the community.

“That’s part of what we’re called to do,” Bernard said.

Malo agreed. Sometimes religion needs to go to the people.

“Almost every young adult is comfortable in a restaurant and bar setting,” she said. “Many young people are frightened by something that’s too churchy.”

Besides organizing these events, Malo also started a young adults group titled, “Generation JP2,” a nod to the generation of Catholics who grew up with John Paul II as their pope.

For those who attend Sunday’s session, it may be a chance for people to have their first visit with the bishop, Malo said.

The meeting is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. for Bishop Malone’s talk, and questions slated to follow at 7:15 p.m. It’ll likely wrap up by 8 p.m, she said.

Whatever is accomplished, the session isn’t expected to replace a weekly church service, Malo said.

“I’m a member of Saints Peter and Paul Parish as well as Generation JP2,” Malo said.

Both are part of her spiritual life.

“It’s just another forum,” she said.