Ten Points for Fruitful Scripture Reading

No. 10: Reading isn't enough.

"If Scripture remains just words on a page, our work is not done. We need to meditate on the message and put it into action in our lives. Only then can the word be 'living and effective.' (Hebrews 4:12)."


From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,
USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

A Good Question

A graduate of the Catholic Biblical School recently asked me, "Was Jesus born in the Old Testament or the New Testament?"

I've never heard anyone classify Jesus' birth as either Old Testament (OT) or  New Testament (NT). If anything, he was born in the Intertestamental Period, which basically is just what it sounds like--the time between the two testaments.

Because the terms "Old Testament" and "New Testament" refer to a set of Sacred books, rather than a distinct time period, it may not make a lot of sense to talk about Jesus being born in either the OT or the NT. The account of Jesus' birth in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke are, of course, in the New Testament. But those accounts were not written during Jesus' lifetime and probably not in the lifetime of many who were eyewitnesses to Jesus' earthly life and ministry.

If we refer to the OT Period and the NT Period, however, scholars think that Jesus was born sometime in the last decade before the "Common Era" (Anno Domini, Year of our Lord). He is said, in the gospels, to have been born during the reign of Herod the Great, and that particular Herod seems to have died in 4 BC.

But what's more important is to think in terms of Jesus' experience and intentions. He was Jewish for his whole lifetime and, by all reasonable accounts, never intended to be anything but Jewish. The New Testament was written about him, but he himself did not write the NT.

Christianity and the New Testament was formed during the 80 years or so after Jesus' death and resurrection. The Acts of the Apostles makes it clear that Jesus' first followers thought of themselves as Jewish. And throughout Paul's lifetime (he died in the mid-sixties) it was a controversial question whether Gentile converts would consider themselves Jewish or not.

Both Christians and Jews today think of themselves as heirs to the People of Israel described in the Christian OT and the Hebrew Bible (much of which overlaps). It is the hope of many people of good will that our common heritage might become a source of greater dialogue and increased understanding between the faithful of these two great religions.

And while we don't really know the precise date of Jesus' birth, we celebrate 2000 years of the Incarnation of God-with-us, Emmanuel, every December 25. Merry Christmas my friends, and may God's holiness fill your house whatever holy days you celebrate at this time of year.

Ten Points for Fruitful Bible Reading

No. 9: What is God saying to me? 

"The Bible is not addressed only to long-dead people in a faraway land. It is addressed to each of us in our own unique situations. When we read, we need to understand what the text says and how the faithful have understood its meaning in the past. In light of this understanding, we then ask: What is God saying to me?"


From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,
USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

Archaeologist's Report: Nazareth, Israel

Excavating with Dr. Richard Freund

Editor's Note: Dr. Freund, internationally recognized archeologist, has sent the first installment of promised updates of his winter excavations in Israel. We will post Dr. Freund's notes in short batches, verbatim, as they come to us directly from the Holy Land.

"The Jesus Boat" courtesy walkingmaryswell.com

17 December 2012
2:00 a.m.

It is now day 10 of our archaeological projects in Israel and I wanted to report on what the progress has been...

Professor Maha Darawsha of the University of Connecticut  and I have worked together on many archaeological projects but none have been more personal then the excavations in Nazareth. This year we began on Saturday night, after the end of Shabbat, on Dec 15th in the midst of one of the biggest public celebrations in recent memory in Nazareth. Because we are working in a store open for the tourist trade we begin after the festivities and all of the stores are closing.

The project (also with the University of Haifa) is a religious trifecta with Muslims, Christians and Jews working to unearth a missing chapter from Nazareth's ancient history. Maha is from a prominent Muslim family in the suburbs of Nazareth and she is married to one of the leading scholars writing on Nazareth, UHart Professor Hazza Abu Rabia, who teaches in the Greenberg Center. The work brings science, history, art, culture, politics, religion and anthropology together in a way that simply does not happen in a campus in Connecticut. As I write, staff member Nick Jaeger is creating a website that is already live of his daily site,  Walkingmaryswell.com and our scientific site for "Diggingmary'swell.com" that will go live before Christmas to show the world what "a private university with a public purpose"  can do all over the world.

Courtesy of The Greenburg Center

Today, as I write this we are excavating the basement of a store in Nazareth at one of the holiest locations for Greek Orthodox Christianity, the Church of the Annunciation by Mary's Well. The shop, aptly called "Byzantion" after the center of the Greek Orthodox church, is a small shop  hung with icons and religious illustrations. The Christmas tourists and shoppers are all in their homes and we are in a bathhouse structure which may indeed date back thousands of years. Core-samples from the floor are being sampled for Carbon 14 dating and the excavation of the section will continue every night until Dec 19th.

On Monday morning at 11 am (after getting a few hours of sleep), Dec 17th we will start a new Nazareth project at the Church of the Annunciation with the Greek Orthodox Church and the Municipality of Nazareth.

These collaborations are important because they provide international connections, but we are also continuing work on a television documentary on our work here with public television producer, Gary Hochman. Gary, a science editor at Nebraska ETV made the NOVA special, "Ancient Refuge in the Holy Land" on our Cave of Letters excavations and is making a documentary "Hidden Holocaust" on our work and the excavations of Ben Gurion University at the Sobibor extermination camp in Poland.

This is installment one of our work. Much More to follow.

Richard Freund, Director
Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies
University of Hartford

How Can We Rejoice Today?

On Gaudete Sunday, the parish where I worshiped announced the funeral of one of the staff of Sandy Hook Elementary School. I live close to Newtown, CT. I happened to be in Sandy Hook last Friday when my daughter texted me that her school was in lockdown.

So how can we rejoice? On one level, it feels heartless, insensitive, to continue in joyful expectation of Christmas.

And yet, the song tells us that, for Christians, "How can we keep from singing?" If we truly believe that God is with us, then how can we ever fail to rejoice?

It's very confusing. Of course we CAN'T and DON'T rejoice in the face of this tragedy. But does the kind of senseless brutality experienced in Newtown last week destroy the faith Christians celebrate at Christmas, that God is with us? Of course not.

If Christmas were only a memorial of the past, then maybe we should cancel Christmas this year. But more even than remembering our Lord's birth in the past (one of the greatest mysteries of our faith), Christmas is also about the present and the future: giving birth to Christ in our lives, today, and anticipating Christ's coming in fullness.

So Christians, in the face of tragedy of monstrous proportions, find small ways to embrace the life of our God among us. For many, this will surely be a sorrowful Christmas. But Christmas it will be, nonetheless.

As Christmas nears, let us pray that each of us will find our own unique way to bring into our corners of the world the fullness of joy that Jesus promises. (John 15:11) May we become signs of God's presence (Emmanuel) for our friends and neighbors, signs of Christ living among us--especially to our children, our school teachers, and our neighbors in Newtown.

To echo Barbara Gawle's Weekly Bible Study: "Powers feared are nothing in the face of the coming of our Lord. And so... Isaiah urges: 'Cry out with joy and gladness: for among us is the great and holy One of Israel!'”

A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara A. Gawle

No. 6  Third Sunday of Advent

Zephaniah 3:14-18, Philippians 4:4-7
Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 3:10-18
 

In today's readings for “Gaudete” (Rejoice) Sunday, both the prophet Zephaniah and St. Paul are offering reassurance to communities facing fear and anxiety. The people of sixth century BC in Judah, under threat of a brutal invasion by the cruel Assyrians, are urged to find security by returning to the Lord and reforming their lives. Likewise, Paul’s Christians at Philippi are instructed to dismiss their anxieties,  anxious division between two different church leaders in their community. Paul urges these Christians to approach the Lord in confidence, prayerful thanksgiving, and to strive for unity.

In the Gospel of Luke, John the Baptist’s audience is also filled with fearful expectation as John describes, rather dramatically, the everlasting consequences of living a sinful life. "What should we do?" they ask John.

For each of these groups of people living in fear, the biblical writers extend the promise of the peace and security that comes when the Lord is with us. And so they (and we) are moved from reassurance to rejoicing because the powers feared are nothing in the face of the coming of our Lord. And so, the reading response by the prophet Isaiah urges: “Cry out with joy and gladness: for among us is the great and holy One of Israel!”

We await the coming of Christ this Advent, but already rejoice with the Lord who is in our midst!  The Lord is near indeed!

The Bible is a living Book opening us to the beating heart of God.

 

Ten Points for Fruitful Bible Reading

No. 8: You do not read alone.

"By reading and reflecting on Sacred Scripture, Catholics join those faithful men and women who have taken God's Word to heart and put it into practice in their lives. We read the Bible within the tradition of the Church to benefit from the holiness and wisdom of all the faithful."


From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,  USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara Gawle

No. 5  Second Sunday of Advent

Luke 3:1-6

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. (Luke 3:1-2)

Why all the names? (Honestly, isn't it hard not to "tune out" at the beginning of this week's gospel reading?)

Who are all these people? Emperors, governors, local rulers, high priests: these are the political power brokers of Jesus' day. Authority, domination and military might usher in the opening scene of this Sunday's gospel. Could this be a deliberate act on the part of Luke to provide a striking contrast to what will follow?

The word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the desert. John went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
(Luke 3:2-3)

In the starkness of the wilderness, a WORD will come forth to silence the raging powers.  Is this not the Word that will bring forth an even mightier kingdom? Is this not the “all-powerful Word that leaps down in the stillness of the night” as the author of the biblical Book of Wisdom tells us? Such a powerful contrast to Rome and its mighty earthly rulers!

Ponder this amazing scene: a humble, gentle Word (Jesus, the Incarnate Christ) will break through to bring forth a new age and a new kingdom.  It will be a kingdom not of domination and injustice, but one of salvation when all things will be made new.

Advent Prayer
May the Word who is Christ enter our hearts
        in quiet and gentle ways;
May the Holy Spirit help us to appreciate more fully
        the gift of salvation;
May we celebrate our own “baptism of repentance”
        by turning (or returning) to God during this season.
May all our thoughts, words and actions
        help to prepare the way of the Lord.

Every time we open the Bible our hearts should tremble.
 

Ten Points for Fruitful Bible Reading

No. 7: The Old relates to the New.

"The Old Testament and the New Testament shed light on each other. While we read the Old Testament in light of the death and resurrection of Jesus, it has its own value as well. Together, these testaments help us to understand God's plan for human beings."

From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,
USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara Gawle

No. 4 First Sunday of Advent

Jeremiah 33:14-16
Jeremiah, a prophet of the 7th century B.C., spoke to a nation in crisis.  Religious reform in the land of Judah (Israel), initiated by King Josiah, had given way to idolatry and  infidelity.  Babylon was about to crash through the gates of Jerusalem, taking Israel captive in a foreign land, and there was no help for it.

Today's brief reading is part of a longer passage that promises that, even though Israel is suffering for its sins, one day God will restore and heal Israel, bringing abundance and lasting peace. So even when the people is mired in faithlessness, God looks kindly upon his people.

Today's reading is kind of short, but it contains three very powerful messages. Through Jeremiah, God promises:

• "The days are coming…when I will fulfill the promise I made…." Not even Jeremiah could imagine such a savior who came to free us from the bondage of our infidelities and sinfulness. Oh, what a gift!
• "The one I raise up will do what is right and just in the land …." God's promised savior would bring about justice and righteousness and would become our teacher in the ways of righteousness. Oh, what a gift!
• "Jerusalem shall dwell safely.…" God's promised savior would restore peacefulness to the land, healing the people from the ravages of their oppressors. In God we learn to find a safety and security far beyond what earth could ever provide. Oh, what a gift!

In Advent we reflect on these three gifts given to us by God in the person of Jesus: (1) Our renewal and forgiveness of sins; (2) God's forming us in righteousness; (3) God's deeply needed gift of peace, for ourselves and our world.

Prayer
May the words of Jeremiah speak to your hearts today as we journey through the week. In this way we hope to be informed, formed and transformed by God's Holy Word this Advent.

 

Ten Points for Fruitful Bible Reading

No. 6: The sum is greater than the parts. 

"Read the Bible in context. What happens before and after – even in other books – helps us to understand the true meaning of the text."


From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,
USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara Gawle

No. 3  Prayerful Approaches to Bible Study

Study of the Word of God in an historical and cultural perspective is important.  Using tools such as footnotes and written resources can provide a richer understanding of the original intended meanings of the passages.  A second component of Bible Study is equally important: the prayerful reflection upon the Word. Two of these approaches to Bible Study are summarized below and will be incorporated each week. 

St. Benedict's Legacy
Many centuries ago when most people were illiterate, the faithful would often go to local monasteries to listen to the Word of God or be given a passage upon which to reflect. We carry on this tradition by allowing our daily reading to leave us with thoughts that we can ponder throughout the day. Perhaps as we linger with a special passage or phrase, it may contain the Holy Spirit’s message for us this particular day. This practice was incorporated into four prayerful “movements” known as lectio divina (sacred reading): lectio (reading of or listening to the Word), meditatio (reflecting upon the Word), oratio (prayerfully responding to the Word), and contemplatio (observing a silent presence before the Word).  

An Ignatian Way
St. Ignatius of Loyola and others offers another approach to Scripture based upon imagination. While immersed in a Gospel passage, for example, followers of this approach might imagine the scene, the dialogue, the crowds, the healing, and the preaching, and place themselves into the setting. They would imaginatively “walk with Christ” in his every encounter. This approach can certainly enhance the meaning of a passage and bring one close to the heart of Christ’s activity and message.

Approaching the Bible in ways like these can draw us personally – our history, experiences, personalities, emotions, and longings – into the very depths of our being, where we can encounter the living Christ more fully.

Prayer
As we journey through Scripture, may we embrace the Word more deeply and come to know Christ, the Incarnate Word, more intimately.

Sunday: Books for Purchase

Hot off the press: Digging through History: Archeology and Religion from Atlantis to the Holocaust, by Dr. Richard A. Freund.


Dr. Freund is our presenter for Sunday's presentation on biblical archaeology and will be bringing copies of this, his newest book, for purchase at the reduced cost of $25.00.

If you are interested in purchasing this book on Sunday, you'll need to bring your checkbook or have cash, because we will not be able to process credit cards.

Ten Points for Fruitful Bible Reading

No. 5: Know what the Bible is – and what it isn't.

"The Bible is the story of God's relationship with the people....  It is not intended to be read as history text, a science book, or a political manifesto. In the Bible, God teaches us the truths that we need for the sake of our salvation."


From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,
USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

A Weekly Bible Study by Barbara Gawle

No. 2: What is Bible Study?

Bible Study is a personal encounter with the revealed Word of God through reading, study, prayer and reflection.  With ongoing study we come to a deeper understanding of revelation, of God’s plan of salvation and of the meaning of our call to Christian living. Bible Study enhances our faith and increases our love both for God and for one another. Ideally this study is conducted in a group setting. When this is not feasible, individuals may wish to spend time alone with the Sacred Word.

How Can I Begin to Approach Bible Study?

• Set aside time each day for this encounter with Christ.
• Choose a reading from the day’s liturgy or one of the Bible’s 73 books.  If a book is selected it is best to start at the beginning and continue to completion.
• Begin with a short prayer invoking assistance from the Holy Spirit.  It is the same Spirit who inspired the writing of the Word.
• Read a passage through until there is a natural break or if you feel the need to stop and ponder.
• As this is a “study,” it is recommended that all footnotes be read as well. This will provide additional background information and will enhance your understanding of the passage or event.
• Spend time pondering the passage, observing its context, its characters, and its tone.
• Allow time to listen quietly for a deepening of its meaning and message.
• Work slowly through a book; there is no timetable for completing an encounter with mystery.
• Read with expectation. Expect intimacy and understanding, with empty hands and hearts, with an interior silence, with no agenda, with humility.

If you are new to Bible Study, you may want to begin with a Gospel or one of the Letters of the New Testament. As you become more comfortable encountering the Word, select core books from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). These might include Exodus, Job or Isaiah. You may be pleasantly surprised and moved by these rich writings. It is recommended that a good study Bible be selected, such as the recently revised New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE) or the New Revised Standard Version (NSRV).

Next Week:  Prayerful Approaches to Bible Study

Ten Points for Fruitful Scripture Reading

No. 4: The Bible isn't a book. It's a library.

"The Bible is a collection of 73 books written over the course of many centuries. The books include royal history, prophecy, poetry, challenging letters to struggling new faith communities, and believers' accounts of the preaching and passion of Jesus. Knowing the genre of the book you are reading will help you understand the literary tools the author is using and the meaning the author is trying to convey."


From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,
USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

CBS Students Invited December 2

Normally, our CBS seminars are geared for graduates and others who have completed significant Bible study. On December 2, though, our program on biblical archaeology will benefit students as well as graduates.

But you'll need to RSVP for this event, so please send in your registration form by November 26. Click here for additional information.

Registration forms are online at the following URL: http://www.orehartford.org/Freund_Registration_12-2-12.pdf

Hope to see you there!

CBS Notification Policy

IMPORTANT REMINDER: The Catholic Biblical School has a new policy for notifying students in ALL CBS CLASSES, when classes must be cancelled. Here's a review, for your reference:

Students are responsible to find out whether a class has been cancelled. You will not be contacted individually, so you must become familiar with the notification system before you need to use it in an emergency situation.

Two notification systems are in place for your convenience, an online system and a telephone system.

Here are the steps for online notification:

1. Open your web browser and go to the STSRegistrar system by using the following URLs:

• Students log on at http://www.stsregistrar.org/cgi-bin/CBS/cbsstudentlogin.pl
• Faculty log on at http://www.stsregistrar.org/cgi-bin/CBS/cbsinstructorlogin.pl

2. Enter your password in the field indicated. (Remember that student passwords are formatted as follows: your initials in capital letters, followed by your eight-digit date of birth. So Jane Doe, with a birthdate of January 1, 1913, would have a password JD01011913. If you have trouble logging in, check with Jill at jcosta@adh-ore.org to verify your password.)

3. Choose "Notifications" by clicking on the "Select" button next to the word "Notifications."

4. Notices will appear below a blue banner that reads, "Notifications Last updated at X time on Y date." For example:

Notifications Last updated at 9:06 on November 9, 2012

If for any reason you cannot access the website, please use our telephone notification system by calling the Office of Religious Education at 1-860-243-9465. If no one answers, the voice prompt will tell you to select "2" for the ORE, where a voice recording will indicate any cancellations.

Occasionally an instructor may also send an email, but on no account should you rely on email notification. In foul weather, email may be delayed, or your instructor may not have access to her or his email.

ALSO: Remember that conditions will vary from city to city within the state, and so even if it seems safe in your neighborhood, classes may still need to be cancelled. For example, the power may be out in class buildings or parking lots may be icy. In those kinds of cases, we will cancel class for your safety. So please check the online system each week.

To be absolutely clear, let me repeat: It is the responsibility of each student to find out whether class is being held on a particular day. You will not be called, nor can you count on email notification.

Note too that In the event of a dire emergency we may not be able to use these alert systems. (Telephones and computers may be out.) Please always use your best judgment and STAY SAFE.

Advent Scripture Study

Holy Family Passionist Retreat Center invites you to read and discuss the Sunday readings for the season of Advent.

The meetings will be held on Sunday evenings during Advent from 5:30 p.m. until 6:45 p.m., ending with Sunday mass in the chapel at 7:00 p.m.  (The group will NOT meet on Sunday, December 16).

Please contact Liza Peters at lpeters@cpprov.org if you have any questions.

303 Tunxis Road - West Hartford, CT 06107-3119

Phone: 860.521.0440 | Fax: 860.521.1929
holyfamilyretreat@cpprov.org

Do not contact the Catholic Biblical School office about this program. This program is not sponsored by the Catholic Biblical School .

Year of Faith Column: "A Weekly Bible Study"

Ms. Barbara Gawle, 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal, introduces a weekly column of Bible Study that we plan to publish each Monday, beginning today.

A WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY

Church Teaching on Scripture Study

As the Second Vatican Council celebrates its 50th anniversary, we call to mind the words of one of its prominent documents, Dei Verbum:  “In the sacred books, the Father who is in heaven meets His children with great love and speaks with them; and the force and power in the word of God is so great that it stands as the support and energy of the Church, the strength of faith for her children, the food of the soul, the pure and everlasting source of spiritual life.  Easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful. In this way, through the reading and study of the sacred books the word of God may spread rapidly and the treasure of revelation, entrusted to the Church, may more and more fill the hearts of all.”

Fifty years later, in Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI continues to promote Scripture Study among the laity.  He writes:  “Because in the word of the Bible God comes to us and we to him, we must learn to penetrate the secret of language, to understand it in its structure and its mode of expression. I express my heartfelt hope for the flowering of a new season of greater love for sacred Scripture on the part of every member of the People of God, so that their prayerful and faith-filled reading of the Bible will, with time, deepen their personal relationship with Jesus.  We must never forget that all authentic and living Christian spirituality is based on the word of God proclaimed, accepted, celebrated and meditated upon in the Church.”

A New Direction

As we celebrate the Year of Faith, the Catholic Bishops encourage us to enter into this deeper relationship with Jesus through study of the Sacred Word.  

Ten Points for Fruitful Bible Reading

No. 3: Get the whole story! When selecting a Bible, look for a Catholic edition.

A Catholic edition will include the Church's complete list of sacred books along with introductions and notes for understanding the text. A Catholic edition will have an imprimatur notice on the back of the title page. An imprimatur indicates that the book is free of errors in Catholic doctrine.

From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,
USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

CBS Seminar: The Bible and Archaeology

The Exodus from Egypt and the Revelation at Mount Sinai

Dr. Freund on site at Bethsaida

The world-renowned archaeologist, Dr. Richard Freund, excavated a site in southern Israel that may very well be the site of Mount Sinai, as recounted in his book, Digging Through the Bible. It was recognized by the Vatican as such in 2011. This exciting powerpoint presentation will show what we know about the Exodus from new excavations in Egypt and Israel and why the account of the Exodus and Mount Sinai events continue to have ancient and modern meaning.

Sunday, December 2, 2012
1:30-3:30 pm (“Coffee and” begins at 1:00)
Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary
Advance registration required by November 26, 2012
(Click here for a registration form.)

CBS students are especially invited to this presentation, which provides an important supplement to the material on archaeology presented in CBS 100.

Dr. Richard Freund is known internationally for his leadership in uncovering what many believe to be the lost city of Atlantis off the coast of Spain. He is the Director of the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford and is the author of Digging Through the Bible: Understanding Biblical People, Places, and Controversies through Archaeology.

CBS students study Dead Sea scroll replica

Wednesday Evening Classes

All CBS classes on Wednesday evening, November 7,  are cancelled. We will decide by 7:30 tomorrow morning whether Thursday morning classes will be held. Check on the following link to get notifications:

http://www.stsregistrar.org/cgi-bin/CBS/cbsstudentlogin.pl

Stay safe!

POSTPONED: Fordham Youth Ministry Seminar

Friday's seminar, "Were We Ever Their Age? - They Were Never Our Age!" originally scheduled for November 9 has been postponed due to the difficulties that remain in the wake of Super Storm Sandy. We'll post an update to let you know when the seminar is rescheduled.

"Were We Ever Their Age?"

Dr. Harold "Bud" Horell

 

"They Were Never Our Age!"

Dr. Kieran Scott

Ten Points for Fruitful Bible Reading

No 2: Prayer is the beginning and the end.

"Reading the Bible is not like reading a novel or a history book. It should begin with a prayer asking the Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to the Word of God. Scripture reading should end with a prayer that this Word will bear fruit in our lives, helping us to become holier and more faithful people."

From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,
USCCB Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

CBS Classes Resume

Except for the Luke course with Dr. Casey (for graduates only), CBS classes are back in session beginning Wednesday morning.

Dr. Casey's class will resume next week, God willing. (He has extensive tree damage that is penning him in at the moment.)

And remember: If your situation is still precarious after the storm, be advised to stay safe. Pray for one another while we recover from Sandy's wrath!

HCBS Cancellations for Hurricane Sandy

Hartford Catholic Biblical School classes are CANCELLED for Monday, October 29, and Tuesday, October 30. We will reassess on Monday night and consider re-opening some Tuesday evening classes, if possible.

All updates will be posted on the ORE phone system: 860-243-9465. Please follow the prompts for weather advisory.

Our STS Registrar system has gone offline and may not be re-established before the storm is over, so please use telephones to contact the ORE to find out what's happening with classes later in the week.

Stay safe! BJ

Emergency Procedures

As we prepare for a possible hurricane, CBS students and faculty should review the following procedures: 

1. If you do not feel safe coming to class, please do not endanger yourself, whether or not your class is canceled.

2. We will use the STS Registrar notification system to advise you of canceled classes:

• Students log on at http://www.stsregistrar.org/cgi-bin/CBS/cbsstudentlogin.pl
• Faculty log on at http://www.stsregistrar.org/cgi-bin/CBS/cbsinstructorlogin.pl

3. We will also post a voice recording on the ORE phone system: 1-860-243-9465.

If you are able to access neither the online system nor the  telephone system, please use your judgment. In no circumstances should you endanger yourself to get to class if conditions are not safe.

Remember that conditions will vary from city to city within the state, and so even if it seems safe in your neighborhood, classes may need to be canceled. If the power is out in class buildings or ice cannot be removed from parking lots, we will cancel class for your safety.

It is your responsibility to find out whether class is being held. We will do everything possible to keep you informed about the status of your class during weather incidents, using the online and telephone systems we've put in place for this purpose.

In the event of a real emergency, though, we may not be able to use these alert systems. (Telephones and computers may be out.) Please use your best judgment and STAY SAFE.

STS Registrar is Down

If you haven't been able to log into the CBS communications and record system, it's not just your computer being cranky. The St. Thomas Seminary records system has been down since Thursday. The problem is with the remote server (not on site at the seminary) and so we will not be able to use that system until Monday at the earliest. I will post when it is working again.

Ten Points for Fruitful Scripture Reading

No. 1: Bible reading is for Catholics.

"The Church encourages Catholics to make reading the Bible part of their daily prayer lives. Reading these inspired words, people grow deeper in their relationship with God and come to understand their place in the community God has called them to."


From "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry,
Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm)

Youth & Young Adult Ministries in a Complex, Global Age

On Friday, November 9, Fordham University's Westchester campus (400 Westchester Ave., West Harrison, NY) is offering two public lectures introducing "must see" material for anyone whose work or life is touched by young people today:

"Were We Ever Their Age?"

Dr. Harold "Bud" Horell

11:00 a.m

"They Were Never Our Age!"

Dr. Kieran Scott

12:45 p.m.

FREE OF CHARGE! ALL ARE WELCOME!
LIGHT LUNCH SERVED!

RSVP is required by Monday, November 5, 2012. Email Bill Madden at wmadden@fordham.edu.

This event is not sponsored by the Catholic Biblical School but is recommended.

CBS Retreat for Graduates

CBS Graduates: Mark your calendars! The next CBS graduate retreat is scheduled for October 2013. Here are the details:

Title: "Seeing the Face of God" (tentative)
Director: Sr. Janet Weber, RSCJ
Dates: October 25-27, 2013
Location: Genesis Spiritual Life and Conference Center, Westfield, Mass.


Details will be forthcoming when we get nearer to the date.

Bishops' Website: Ten Points for Fruitful Scripture Reading

"The Bible is all around us. People hear Scripture readings in church. We have Good Samaritan (Luke 10) laws, welcome home the Prodigal Son (Luke 15), and look for the Promised Land (Exodus 3, Hebrews 11). Some biblical passages have become popular maxims, such as 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' (Matthew 7:12), 'Thou shalt not steal' (Exodus 20:15), and 'love thy neighbor' (Matthew 22:39)."

As Mary Elizabeth Sperry, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Associate Director for Utilization of the New American Bible, tells us, "Today's Catholic is called to take an intelligent, spiritual approach to the Bible."

On Fridays between now and the New Year, we will be featuring one of Mary's "Ten Points for Fruitful Scripture Reading," from her article on the USCCB website: "Understanding the Bible" by Mary Elizabeth Sperry, 
 (http://www.usccb.org/bible/understanding-the-bible/index.cfm).