Monday, January 29, 2018

Lectio Divina Introductory Workshop

Opportunity for Praying the Bible

Reading and praying Scripture is sacramental. It fills us with grace and conforms us to Christ. Jesus gave his life proclaiming the Word and explaining Scripture before revealing the Word by offering his body and blood. Just as the Lord incarnate made his dwelling place among us, our hearts are restless until we make our dwelling place in his Word. This is the what the Holy Spirit teaches us in lectio divina.

Where: Mary Gate of Heaven Parish, Windsor Locks, St. Robert Hall

When: February 17, 2018 - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

By: Commissioned Presenters of Contemplative Outreach, Mike Smoolca and Nancy Stimac, CBS Class of 2011, Boadt Medal Recipient

Free will offering. Light breakfast available at 9:30 a.m. check-in. Bring your own brown bag lunch.

To register contact Nancy at 860-683-4490, or text 860-967-7833, or email prayereventswl@aol.comor log-on and register at: http://www.co-ct.org/ldintro.html.

This event is not sponsored by the Catholic Biblical School (CBS) but is an approved substitute for certain requirements in the CBS curriculum.

Friday, January 12, 2018

Holy Families

One of my favorite “days of Christmas” is the Feast of the Holy Family. My three children were all baptized on the Feast of the Holy Family. Every year we celebrate with gifts and special foods, lifting up the holy family as our model for the new year. Of course, we walk in holiness no more, and maybe no less, than most Catholic families of our generation. But we have been gifted with one special grace. We were raised in a kind of “heart-knowing” of one who is unequivocally holy: my granduncle, Fr. Solanus Casey, OFM, Capuchin.
Fr. Solanus died five years before my birth, so there are many who speak with more authority about Fr. Solanus than I: my cousin Sr. Anne Herkenrath, SNJM, for example. She is a Casey of my own generation, and unlike me, she was privileged to have met Fr. Solanus face-to-face, as God spoke to Moses. I am more like one of the crowd of underlings in the Book of Exodus, struggling with brazen calves but still hoping some of God's holiness will trickle-down on me.

Migration Week 2018

Please watch Archbishop Blair's eloquent and important video. The Bible must come to infuse every part of our lives in a communion of faith.

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Updated Registration Processes

Registration for Office of Education, Evangelization and Catechesis (OEEC) events and programs is moving to an online format, accessed through the OEEC website at www.catholicedaohct.org. You will notice that the new system is designed as an online purchasing site. Think of it this way: you are "purchasing" (sometimes at no cost) a seat for an event. If a particular class or event does require a fee, only then will you be asked to provide credit card information to cover the cost.

The Catholic Biblical School is using the new process beginning now, with the Celebration of Sacred Scripture (CSS) on March 3. Please use the following step-by-step instructions to register for CSS and to learn the process for upcoming classes and events.

Remember to call us in real time at 860-242-5573 if you are having trouble navigating the new system. Please do not email us, as it is difficult to help you navigate unless you can see each step on the screen in front of you! When you call, ask the receptionist for the OEEC. Any of our staff can assist you.

Step-by-step Instructions:

1. Online, go to www.catholicedaohct.org.

2. Click on the words Catholic Biblical School that appear in the blue menu bar at the top of the page.

3. Under the heading, "Beyond the Basics," choose the link "CBS Events."

4. You may have to scroll down to find the event or class you want to register for. When you've located the event or class you want, follow the instructions printed there. In this case, the link to register reads, "Register by February 23rd. Click here." (See the text circled in red in the image below.) 


5. That link will take you to the login page for all current OEEC registrations. On that page you will do one of two things:
  • If this is your first time using the new OEEC registration page, there are two steps to the process. First, you will need to create an "account" by completing three fields. See the blue arrow in the image below.  Create your account, taking note of the password you create. We recommend writing it on the inside cover of your study Bible or your workbook. Once you've created your account, wait 24 hours for the system to set up your account. Second, once the system has set up your account, you can register for the event by clicking "Login." See the red circle below. 
  • If this is not your first time using the new OEEC registration page, simply click on the "Login" button near the bottom of the page. See the red circle in the image below.



6. Next, a screen will appear with a description of the event or class for which you are trying to register. For example, to register for CSS, scroll down and choose "one" registration at $0.00 cost. Click "Add to Cart." See the red arrow in the image below. 


7. In the "Shopping Cart" that appears (see below), click "Checkout" to complete registration, and follow the prompts that follow to complete your "order."