Episode 383: Where Coffee Meets Catholicism: St. James Coffee in Rochester, Minnesota with Melissa Scaccio

St. James Coffee in Rochester, Minnesota, is more than a place to grab a cup of coffee—it is a creative work of Catholic evangelization. In this episode, Fr. Edward talks with Melissa about her relationship with St. James Coffee, including the amusing story of how she learned to enjoy coffee despite not being much of a coffee drinker when she first began working there.

They discuss some of the shop’s uniquely Catholic creations, including the St. Polycarp Pistachio Latte and a new drink in development called The Purgatory, which will appropriately feature a little pepper burn. Melissa also shares whether Bishop Robert Barron ever stops by—and what he orders when he does.

The conversation goes deeper into the Catholic identity of St. James Coffee: why the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in a tabernacle at the shop, the role of Catholic art and decor, and how the space strives to be recognizably Catholic while still remaining welcoming to everyone. As Melissa describes it, the atmosphere is “just Catholic enough that they aren’t being imposed upon and feel comfortable.”

They also explore the significance of St. James the Apostle and the Camino de Santiago to the coffee shop’s identity, and ultimately how a coffee shop can become a place of encounter, hospitality, conversation, and evangelization—even for people who might never think to walk through the doors of a church.

http://stjamescoffee.com