Friday, March 19, 2010

What Graduates of the Biblical School Are Saying

I used to wonder how the three readings at Mass really applied today. After all, there are no shepherds or lambs or Pharisees in my neighborhood.  There are no kings or pharaohs either. Egypt is a country in Northern Africa that is part of today’s world and a subject of ancient history. Why do the readings speak so terribly about what Egypt did to the Hebrews?  Egyptians don’t do those things today.

I have copies of the Douay-Rheims Bible, the Jerusalem Bible and the New American Bible. Each uses a slightly different phraseology to express a particular message in one or more of the books within the Bible. How come? I wondered why there wasn’t just one translation. And, we Catholics have a different translation from the one the Protestants use. Why is that?

But, then, I enrolled in the Catholic Biblical School four years ago.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The Biblical School Recommends—Today You Shall Be with Me in Paradise

The Story of Jesus' Passion,
Death, and Resurrection in Luke's Gospel


Date: Sat, Mar 27 (9:00 to 3:00) and Sun, Mar 28 (1:00 to 3:00)
Place: St Patrick-St Anthony Church, Hartford
Presenter: Mr. Paul Sansone
Suggested Offering: $30.00; includes lunch on Saturday 
    During this weekend workshop, we will read the significant episodes of Luke 22-24 with an eye both to how they reflect the themes of Luke's Gospel and also how they challenge us to be better disciples as we contemplate the awesome and life-giving events of our redemption.

    For more information or to register, contact Ms. Pat Curtis, Pastoral Associate of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Church at: pcurtis@spsact.org.

    (This event is not sponsored by the Catholic Biblical School, but is authorized as a "make-up" for certain requirements. Contact BJ Daly Horell to make arrangements.)

    Friday, March 12, 2010

    Are You Ready to Explore the Bible with Us?

    Or do you know someone else who is looking to deepen their encounter with the Word of God?

    The Catholic Biblical School First-Year Opening Day is September 11, 2010 at St. Thomas Seminary. Classes begin the following week.

    Enrollment involves two steps: (1) complete the application form and (2) come in for an interview with the Coordinator of the Biblical School.

    To find out more about all that the Biblical School has to offer, check out our videos on YouTube (links are in the right-hand column of this blog), our website, or contact Barbara Jean (BJ) Daly Horell directly at cbs@orehartford.org or (860) 243-9465, ext. 11.

    To download the application form, click here.

    Friday, March 5, 2010

    March News in Faith Formation

    What's happening in the Biblical School, adult spirituality, catechist enrichment, youth ministry—it's all here in the March 2010 edition of ORE Connections. Click here to explore what's happening this month in faith formation in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

    Monday, March 1, 2010

    "We Are God's Guests" by Sr. Grace Marie Del Priore, February "Bible Blog" Winner

    The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want....

     You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
    You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
    Surely goodness and kindness will follow me all the days of my life,
    And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
    Psalm 23:1,5-6

    Often, when we think of hospitality, we imagine ourselves doing what this psalm describes: preparing the table, filling cups, making others welcome in our homes. In our own way, we offer our guests goodness and love, both through our actions and through the warmth we bring to our actions.

    The Psalmist, however, attributes these actions to God, not people. God sets the table, making the food and pouring the wine. God makes us welcome in His house, so much so that we can stay “forever” (v. 6). We are blessed by this divine hospitality, experiencing it especially through the sacraments. By virtue of our Baptism, we become children of God and are welcomed into the family of faith. As we continue to journey with the Church, taking part in Reconciliation, receiving Communion, and being confirmed, we become more active participants in the community, which is the Body of Christ.

    We also experience it in all the blessings God pours out over us in our daily lives. God is leading us by example. We are being invited to be “good stewards of God’s varied grace,” (1 Pt 4:10), to cooperate with God in His hospitality. We can be a blessing to others, in as real a way as God blesses us. More than that, we can, and in fact are called to be, the instruments of His blessing. We do this in simple, ordinary ways.

    CBS Announces—"Bible Blog" Contest Winner for February

    Sr. Grace Marie Del Priore, a first-year student in the Hartford Catholic Biblical School and a novice in the Felician Order in Enfield, CT, is this month's winner in the CBS Fifteenth Anniversary "Bible Blog" Contest.

    And remember: You don't have to be a CBS student or graduate to enter our monthly contest! For contest details, click here or email BJ Daly Horell, Coordinator of the Hartford Catholic Biblical School.