Favorite Bible Bits

Sally Albert, Class of 2009, writes:

"When I was a small child, my father told me, "I’m your father and I love you very much and I can't even imagine how much God loves you!"  Keeping his words in mind and relying on them has helped many times throughout my life.

"This passage from Isaiah confirms that statement for me."

ISAIAH  43:2-5  (Jerusalem Bible)

Do not be afraid, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name, you are mine.
Should you pass through the sea, I will be with you;
or through rivers, they will not swallow you up.
Should you walk through fire, you will not be scorched
and the flames will not burn you.
For I am Yahweh, your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your saviour.

I gave Egypt for your ransom,
and exchange Cush and Seba for you.
Because you are precious in my eyes,
because you are honoured and I love you,
I give men in exchange for you,
peoples in return for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you.

BJ's Note: I think we sometimes use theological words like "redeem" without really understanding fully what we're saying. This passage from Second Isaiah puts it in a nutshell: I give peoples in return for your life. Of course, in the New Testament we learn that it is even more than "peoples" God gives; it is God's own self. We redeem our spent, unhealthy (sinful) lives by exchanging it for God's own life given to us in Christ Jesus. Thanks for the beautiful reminder, Sally!

TV at its Best!

Hot off the press!

Dr. Richard Freund of the University of Hartford announces the television premier this Sunday of Atlantis Rising.

Oscar-winning filmmaker and deep sea explorer, James Cameron, teamed up with Emmy-winning investigative filmmaker Simcha Jacobovici for an upcoming National Geographic Channel documentary special: “Atlantis Rising” (January 29, 2017, (9:00 Eastern Time). “Atlantis” is mentioned in the writings of the Greek philosopher Plato (4^th century BC) as a legendary port, capital of an ancient empire that was destroyed in some kind of natural disaster. “We set out to archeologically investigate the most interesting theories that argue that there is some kind of history behind the myth of Atlantis,” said Cameron.

Graduation Activities Form

Member of the Class of 2016
with faculty Dr. Donald Gray

As we approach graduation, fourth-year students in the Hartford Catholic Biblical School need to complete the online graduation form by April 15 to receive your four-year certificates and to let us know what festivities you and your family are planning to attend. Here is a link: https://goo.gl/forms/GsOqjkmxtsUE0x903.

Any change of plans or updated information can be made as the time draws nearer by calling Jill Costa at 860-242-5573, ext. 2670.

I promise, you won't want to miss a thing! Here is the essential information:

Mt. Nebo Day

A time for reflection, prayer and fellowship with your classmates and other CBS alums.
Saturday, June 3, 2017, 8:30-2:30, St. Thomas Seminary

Graduation Prayer Service and Reception

Receive your certificates in the context of a prayerful celebration at St. Joseph Cathedral.
Saturday, June 10, 2017, 1:00 pm (Graduates please arrive by 12:15) at the Cathedral of St. Joseph

Class of 2016

Registering Online for Celebration of Sacred Scripture

The registration link I posted here on January 6 seems no longer to be working. Sorry if you've had trouble accessing the online form! I've fixed it in the 1/6/17 post and am also providing a new link here, for your convenience:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScF7AqMV1XktorucP84q8l2HyNy9T8MXsEEhimhRlLVjqxrxQ/viewform?c=0&w=1

Transformative Encounters in the Gospel of John with Dr. Harry Attridge is not to be missed! It's been 7 years since he was last with us, and who knows when he'll be able to return?