Verbum Domini and the Synod on the Word of God

The new papal document, subtitled: "On the Word of God in the Life and Mission of the Church," was recently promulgated by the Vatican as follow up to the October, 2008 Twelfth General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on the Word of God. Verbum Domini--Latin for “Word of the Lord,” is the first world-wide document on the Bible to come out since 1993, when the Pontifical Biblical Commission gave us The Interpretation of the Bible in the Church.

In 2008, Pope Benedict XVI invited 253 bishops from around the world “to reflect”, said Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, secretary general of the Synod of Bishops, “on the Word of God, on its central role in the life of the Church and on its dynamism which encourages Christians in mission to announce in words and deeds the Good News and the presence in our midst of the Risen Lord Jesus.” (Asia News, October 4, 2008, as reported by Catholic Online, www.catholic.org).

In addition to the bishops, Pope Benedict also invited several special guests to speak to the assembly, including: the Chief Rabbi of Haifa, Israel; a leader from the ecumenical Taize community; and the Ecumenical Patriarch. In addition, 41 experts and 37 auditors, men and women from dozens of countries, were in attendance.

In the two years since the closing of the Synod, those of us who are interested in Catholic biblical studies have been anticipating the arrival of Verbum Domini, which is expected to shape the way we preach and teach the Word of God in the coming decades.

The new document, Verbum Domini, can be read online at: http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20100930_verbum-domini_en.html.

Christmas in Asia Exhibition of Creches

China; Artist Unknown; Maryknoll

The Knights of Columbus Museum offers its sixth annual Christmas crèche exhibition including more than 100 crèches (or Nativity Scenes) from 22 Asian countries. The crèches come from the Holy Land in the Middle East and across the continent to Japan on the Pacific Rim. Many of the countries have only a small population of Christians, in contrast to the Philippines which is the third largest Catholic nation in the world.

Also included are original Holy Family paintings and prints from Japan, China and Korea. Some styles are uniquely Asian while others follow European techniques and craftsmanship. The exhibition’s crèches and paintings are on loan from seven collections, including the Maryknoll Missionaries in China.



Dates: Nov. 19, 2010 - Feb. 13, 2011
Location: Knights of Columbus Museum
One State Street, New Haven, CT

Visitors to Christmas in Asia can also enjoy the Mother Teresa: Life Spirituality and Message exhibition, which will continue to April 3, 2011. The Museum’s 10th annual Christmas Tree Festival will open Dec. 1, 2010 and run concurrently with Christmas in Asia.

The Museum offers free admission and free parking. For more information, click here.

Bible Grants Serve Disadvantaged Youth

Saint Mary's Press is spreading the Good News to Youth living in poverty or detention centers. Since 2000, Saint Mary’s Press has donated Bibles to those incarcerated or living in detention centers, as well as to Catholic parishes and schools serving those living in poverty. Since its inception, Saint Mary’s Press has donated close to 50,000 Bibles to individuals and institutions.

Do you know of a school or ministry that could benefit from this program? Click here to find out more.

CBS Recommends—Learning About Sacred Scripture

Icon of St. Timothy

As Americans we are part of a rich Judaeo-Christian civilization. Our language, many customs and often our outlook on life, love, good and evil are conditioned by the Judaeo-Christian heritage in which we are rooted. You cannot possibly understand them without knowing the Judaeo-Christian classic: the Bible.

The first session of St. Timothy Parish's exciting Biblical Series was a big hit with 30-40 adults attending as Sr. Jewel Renna, CND presented "An Introduction to the Bible."

All are welcome to join us as the series continues:

Dec. 14, 2010    The Infancy Narratives
Ms. BJ Daly Horell

Feb. 10, 2011    An Introduction to the Psalms
Fr. Aidan Donahue

Mar. 8, 2011     An Introduction to the Prophets
Sr. Barbara Bozak, CSJ

April 12, 2011   The Passion Narratives
Professor Wayne Rollins

Each evening will begin a 7 P.M. and take place at St. Timothy School, 1116 North Main St., West Hartford, Milligan Hall.

Advance reservations are appreciated.  For more information and registration please call Ms. Pat Piano, St. Timothy Pastoral Associate: 860:232-8594. Do not miss this golden opportunity to enrich your faith life.

November "Bible Blog" Winner—a Poem by Emelda Alexander

Follow the Ark

My walking is aimless my life is bland
Under my feet is sinking sand
My heart is wicked my sin in a stack
Oh Lord help me follow the Ark.

I long for home on solid ground
To till the soil amidst the sound
Of birds above the song of larks
But Lord you say, follow the Ark.

I hear your voice and I tremble
Your word can make my world crumble
You send the fire create the spark
My only way through is to follow the Ark.

Lead the way I will follow thee
Part the waves I can cross the sea
When the cloud is hung and the night is dark
Oh Lord my God I will follow the Ark.

CBS Announces—"Bible Blog" Contest Winner for November

The CBS publishing contest continues, with more "Bible Blogs" inspired by the Word of God.

November's winner is Emelda Alexander, first-year student in the Catholic Biblical School. Congratulations, Emelda, and thank you everyone who submitted your profound reflections on Scripture.

This is the last month of our Fifteenth Anniversary Publishing Contest, so I hope to get many, many biblical reflections during December. As you prepare for the coming of our Royal Savior, put some of your thoughts down on paper and email it as an attachment to BJ at cbs@orehartford.org.

And look for our next winner just after we "ring in" 2011.

For contest rules and information about how to submit your entry, click here.