CBS Recommends—Lectio Divina Workshop

Learn the ancient art of praying with sacred texts (principally Scripture) with a master.



St. Mary's Parish Center, Windsor Locks - 45 Church St., Windsor Locks
Saturday, September 24, 2011

• Sign in: 9-9:30

• Program: 9:30 to 3:30

• 4:30 liturgy celebrated by Fr. Bill available

Coffee and danish provided for breakfast; beverages throughout the day. Lunch is your own brown bag.


Suggested offering: $20
Information and reservations: Mary or Larry - 860-623-9132
Presenter: Rev. William Sheehan, OMI

If God Had Texted Moses (8)

Moses: Check your phone!

No 8: You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. (NIV Dt 5:19)

Courtesy of Sr. Carol Cimino, PhD and Religious Education Consultant for Sadlier Publishers.

Did Women Play a Role in Forming Our Biblical Faith?

We know that the Bible is a patriarchal book. It's true that it is filled with the adventures, exploits, deeds and misdeeds of male characters, from Adam and Abraham to Moses and Jesus and Paul.

But while men dominate the Bible's story line, women also play significant, decisive roles as well. And when women do come on the scene they are usually not passive, timid or submissive. They are, most often, rather active, fearless and assertive.

Learn about these women who shaped our faith. In the first year of the Biblical School,  get to know women like Rebecca and Leah, Deborah and Jael, Miryam and Huldah. In the second year, meet Mary, Jesus' mother and Mary Magdalene; Joanna and Junia; Elizabeth and Lydia. In years three and four, get acquainted with Lady Wisdom and Dame Folly; Judith and Esther; Gomer and Suzannah.

We still have a few spots in our first-year class. Click here for more information and to download an application. Or call us at the Office of Religious Education, 860-243-9465, ext. 2670 and 2679.

Some of this post paraphrases an email I recently received from the Biblical Archeological Society, For more information about BAS, click here.

If God Had Texted Moses (7)

Moses: Check your phone!

No 7: You shall not steal. (NIV Dt 5:19)

Courtesy of Sr. Carol Cimino, PhD and Religious Education Consultant for Sadlier Publishers.

Finding the "Buy in" in Bible

I recently found a terrific blog post that I think you might like from Jesuit priest, Jim McDermott of LA. Here's an excerpt and a link:

"Catholics do not read the Bible. They just don't. I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe it seems like work? Or it's daunting, what with all the books and strange references? Or was it something I said?

"But it's really too bad, because there's so much lovely material in there waiting for us if we're willing to venture forth -- psalms that capture the cries of our own hearts; little tales of family and faith, heroism and self-sacrifice; weird and wonderful moments like the bird who poops on Tobit and makes him go blind.... 

"...Maybe one way to turn the Bible from chore/encyclopedia -- do we still have encyclopedias? -- into an adventure is to let kids have the opportunity to read around, choose for themselves from among a much wider range of stories or books, and see what they find interesting.  Let them find their own favorites." ...

[And BJ thinks you should start with Bel and the Dragon. As Fr. McDermott puts it:]

"Why give this to kids? Hello, it has a dragon.  Also, lions. And a really fun story about how Daniel proves an idol isn't a god. And ... it's short.

"But most of all -- Come on, it has a DRAGON."

To read more of Fr. McDermott's witty blog, click here:

Gone Walkabout: Bible Camp

First-Year Alert!

Your Scripture Day is Sept. 10, not August 20! Notice that yesterday's blog was directed to Years 2, 3 and 4 in the Biblical School.

Have You Started Your Summer Reading?

Countdown to Scripture Day (Advanced and Year Two students). Imagine, just one month and counting to our first gathering of the Academic Year 2011-12!

Remember, your summer reading assignment is due at your Scripture Day, August 20.

If you haven't started reading, here's your wake-up call. But of course, CBS students are diligent--you probably have the assignment done and typed (or printed VERY neatly, to save your instructor's eyeballs).

And in case your book hasn't made it into your beach bag yet, here are links to assignment sheets for both years, plus another link to the text for the advanced-year assignment:

• Year Two Assignment Sheet
• Advanced Year (3 and 4) Assignment Sheet
• Adv Year Text for Reading

Look for a mailing in early August to remind you once again. See you on August 20!

Unearthing the Bible’s Bad Boys

Ancient carving of Philistine warrior

The Philistines, those "villains" who gave David headaches and sleepless nights (not to mention a paycheck for a while, but that's another story...), are once again making headlines.

Excavations recently underway are shedding more light on an ancient people who vie with Egypt and Assyria for the title of "worst enemy" of Israel in Biblical times. At Tel el Safi in southern Israel, the remains of the Philistine city of Gath are being excavated under the direction of authorities at Bar Ilan University.

Gath’s most famous resident was Goliath, the giant said to be killed by David in one of the Bible’s most popular stories.

It seems that the Philistines, believed to be of Greek origin, arrived on the southern coast of the biblical lands as one of the "Sea Peoples" around 1200 B.C.  Archeologists tell us they held fast to their Greek culture and were still worshiping Greek gods five centuries after their arrival in the area we still call Gaza, after one of the Philistines' ancient cities. Find out more about everyday living in ancient Gath by clicking here.

Taken from the Biblical Archeological Review and Yahoo News, July 8, 2011.

If God Had Texted Moses (6)

Moses: Check your phone!

No 5: You shall not commit adultery. (NIV Dt 5:18)

Courtesy of Sr. Carol Cimino, PhD and Religious Education Consultant for Sadlier Publishers.

If God Had Texted Moses (5)

Moses: Check your phone!

No 5: You shall not murder. (NIV Dt 5:17)

Courtesy of Sr. Carol Cimino, PhD and Religious Education Consultant for Sadlier Publishers.