Tour the Holy Land!

It's not too late to tour the Holy Land in 2011!

Journey in faith with Monsignor Motta to Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Galilee, and other ancient and holy sites.

During ten days of discovery led by Msgr. Motta and CBS Graduate, Deacon Dick Sennett, pilgrims will read the Scriptures, pray, and celebrate Mass in places that Jesus actually lived and preached. And those who continue for an additional seven days will camp at Mount Sinai, cross the desert into Egypt to sail the Nile, visit pyramids, and immerse themselves in the land of the Pharaohs!

Travel begins from JFK in New York City on February 6, 2011. Cost for ten days starts at $1998, with an optional extension to Egypt for an additional $1398 (plus tax, tips, and fees). Contact Msgr. Motta at 860-243-9465 for more details.

Touring the Holy Land is an exceptional way to learn about the Bible. Participation in this tour can be used as a "make-up" for many missed CBS requirements!

CBS Recommends—An Advent Retreat: Isaiah 40-55

A Voice Cries Out: Isaiah 40‐55 in the Days of Advent

Saturday, December 4, 9:00 a.m.—3:00 p.m. and

Sunday, December 5, 1:00—3:00 p.m.

All are welcome to explore Second Isaiah, the section of the book of the prophet Isaiah that is the source of some of the most beloved sections of the Old Testament.  In these weekend sessions we'll read selected portions, describe their original setting, and discuss the main metaphors through which Isaiah announces God’s assurance that the exiles will return home. We'll consider the use of this book in the liturgy of Advent and its meaning for us today who, though perhaps not exiles from our homeland, nevertheless struggle with the spiritual and emotional exile that is part of every human life.

Presenter: Paul Sansone

Location: St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish, Hartford 

Suggested Offering: $20.00 (includes lunch on Saturday)

This program is offered by St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish, located at 285 Church Street, Hartford, CT. This event is not sponsored by the Catholic Biblical School, but is authorized as a "make-up" for certain missed requirements.

For details and to register, kindly contact Ms. Pat Curtis, Parish Pastoral Associate, at pcurtis@spsact.org or 860-756-4034.

New Vatican Bible Document Released

At the historic Synod on the Word of God two years ago, church leaders forcefully affirmed the central importance of Scripture study for every Christian.

This past week, our Holy Father, Benedict XVI issued the post-synodal apostolic exhortation VERBUM DOMINI ("Word of the Lord"), an exhortation to place Scripture at the heart of our faith. He tells us, "Throughout its history, the People of God has always found strength in the word of God, and today too the ecclesial community grows by hearing, celebrating and studying that word."

Click here to read more about what His Holiness says to "the bishops, clergy, consecrated persons and the lay faithful on the Word of God in the life and mission of the Church."

(Note: You'll have to scroll down a couple of pages before the text begins.)

Remembering Our Departed

The Feasts of All Saints and All Souls have just passed, and in November it is customary for Catholics to remember their dearly departed.

The Catholic Biblical School occasionally suffers from the loss of a student, graduate, or faculty member. In recent weeks one of our newest students, Dr. Ann Evers Spodnik, died of complications from Breast Cancer. Her time with us was very short, but we feel deeply the loss of all Ann could have brought to our studies and our gatherings.

Please keep Ann and her husband, Mark Spodnik, in your prayers this month.

Other deceased members of the Biblical School family we ask you to remember in prayer are:

JoAnn Kiniry   Angelo Valentino   Joan Hunt   Lawrence Boadt

(Listed in order of their passing)

May these, and all our faithfully departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace.

November News in Faith Formation

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

One Last Anniversary Hurrah! (Two, Really)

At the end of 2010, the final curtain will come down on the Biblical School's 15th Anniversary activities. But there's still time to get in on the fun. Here's how:

1. Register by November 12 for a special CBS program, "Connecting Families to the Bible." In a spirit of celebration, we have extended invitations beyond Biblical School graduates to include anyone interested in promoting the Bible in their faith communities. Call Jill Costa at 860-243-9465 or email her at jcosta@adh-ore.org for details.

2. Submit your own spiritual reflections on a biblical text or topic to the CBS "Bible Blog" Fifteenth Anniversary Contest. Click here for details on how you can become a CBS Blogger!

"Gospel of John" Talk to Appear on ORTV Crossroads Magazine

Dr. Harold Attridge at CBS Anniversary
Photo Courtesy of The Catholic Transcript

For those of you who were not able to be with us on October 21 to celebrate the Catholic Biblical School's Fifteenth Anniversary, part of the celebration is coming straight to your TV set this Saturday morning, November 13, at 10:30 a.m.

Crossroads Magazine, produced by the Archdiocese of Hartford's ORTV, will be airing an interview with Dean Harold Attridge, New Testament scholar and Yale Divinity School Dean, together with portions of Dean Attridge's presentation on the Gospel of John from the Anniversary Celebration.

If you can't "tune in" on Saturday, Crossroads Magazine is also available online through the ORTV website. Click here to select the program you're interested in viewing.