Ten books on the shelf ...

Bookshelf, by Colin Thompson

CBS students and grads are always asking me to provide book recommendations. Although I can't seem to find time to blog on the subject, I found this excellent listing of "Ten Books on the Shelf" of Walter Brueggemann in  Sojourners magazine.

To see Brueggemann's review of each book,click here:

And here's the "short" version:

1. Job, part of the Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary series (Smyth & Helwys, 2006), by Samuel E. Balentine

2. The Seven Pillars of Creation: The Bible, Science, and the Ecology of Wonder (Oxford University Press, 2010), by William P. Brown

3. The Arrogance of Nations: Reading Romans in the Shadow of Empire (Fortress Press, 2008), by Neil Elliott

4. The Ten Commandments (Interpretation commentary series; Westminster John Knox Press, 2009), Patrick D. Miller

5  In Apocalypse against Empire: Theologies of Resistance in Early Judaism (Eerdmans, 2011) Anathea E. Portier-Young

ORE Leader to Receive Award

The Biblical School has been profoundly blessed by the ministry of Patricia A. Keck, M.A., Assistant Director in the Office of Religious Education for the Archdiocese of Hartford. "Behind the scenes," Pat has smoothed the way for developments that have enhanced the experience of students and graduates in the Biblical School, including our recent accreditation and the addition of new continuing education programs for CBS grads.

Thank you, Pat, and congratulations on receiving Fordham University’s Sapientia et Doctrina Award (Fordham’s motto for wisdom and knowledge) for Service to the Renewal of the Church.

The ORE staff will be joining Pat's family and friends to honor her at Fordham this Friday evening, October 21.

"Keck’s path to receiving this award is rather unexpected," as Maria Zone, Communications Director for the Archdiocese, writes. "For twenty years, Keck worked in the corporate world as a director of management information at Aetna Life & Casualty, where she developed impeccable organizational skills and the ability to set goals and get things done. She never contemplated a career in religious education. As it turns out, the same skill set has served her well as Assistant Director in the Office of Religious Education. She supervises a large staff of professional religious educators, including RCIA, Catholic Biblical School, Adult Lay Ministry Formation, Catechist Formation, Youth and Young Adult Ministry, Catholic Scouting, and Catechesis for Hispanics.

"Keck says working in religious education has fulfilled her life. When she worked in corporate America,

New Series: HCBS Grads Living and Leading in God's Word

Hundreds of graduates and students of the Biblical School are involved in ongoing ministries in their faith communities throughout Connecticut and even around the world. If you are, or someone you know is, a CBS graduate who--by their lives and activities--helps others to encounter God's Living Word, we want to hear about it! Send a descriptive paragraph to BJ at cbs@orehartford.org.

Living and Leading in God's Word #1

Nancy Stimac (Class of 2011)
Mary and Lawrence Galarneau (Class of 2010)
St. Mary, Windsor Locks

For the past couple of years, Nancy, Mary and Larry have facilitated a Centering Prayer group at their parish. During this time, they've been fortunate to have the pastor, Fr. O'Grady, sponsor several contemplative prayer workshops offered by the renowned retreat master, Fr. William Sheehan, OMI, who was recently at St. Mary Parish to introduce the ancient prayer practice called Lectio Divina.

One of the principal ways to develop receptivity to God's Word in the Bible, Lectio DIvina teaches us to deeply listen and hear; to spontaneously respond; and then to consent and surrender to the indwelling of Christ, God's Word, within us. St. Mary parish was blessed with 40 attendees at this workshop, a number of whom were CBS grads and students. 

The Hartford Catholic Biblical School encourages Lectio DIvina as a way of praying in conjunction with formal Bible study.

CBS Recommends—“Hearing the Lord’s Gospel ...

... Hearing the Gospel’s Lord,” A Day of Reflection at St. Thomas Seminary
 
Romans 10:17 says, “Thus faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.” With this biblical writing in mind, the Pastoral Department of Small Christian Communities (SCC) of the Archdiocese of Hartford is sponsoring a day of reflection called, “Hearing the Lord’s Gospel, Hearing the Gospel’s Lord.” It will be held on Saturday, October 29, at the Archdiocesan Center at Saint Thomas Seminary, 467 Bloomfield Ave, in Bloomfield from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Brother Robert K. Moriarty, S.M., will lead the conference in prayer, reflection and conversation.

Year Two Class Scheduling Alert

If you are in Year Two of the Biblical School, please note that Fr. Donahue's class in Cheshire (Epiphany Parish) will NOT be meeting on November 28, as previously scheduled.

Instead the class will meet on November 21 (the Monday before Thanksgiving). The material covered in all other CBS classes during the week of 11-28 through 12-2 (Year 2 Unit 2 Lesson 2) will be covered (for Fr. Donahue's class in Cheshire only) on 11-21.

If you have questions, please call Jill Costa at 860-243-9465, ext. 2670.

Post Your Own Proverbs!

The Hartford Catholic Biblical School wants to post your original proverbs.

Successful entries will be written in the biblical style of the Book of Proverbs but will incorporate contemporary elements that address lived spirituality for today.

Within the limits of the editor's time and imagination, all suitable entries will be posted in this blog with a by-line (so please include your full name, as you prefer it to appear, with your proverb). Entries will not be returned or acknowledged, but successful proverbs will be posted on this blog.

Inspired by CBS Year Four Optional Challenge #1.3. Have fun with it!

And here's an example, by third-year student (and CBS resident rapper--see April 2010), Margaret (Marj) Hurley:

Better than glib promises are commitments honorably kept.

Email yours to: cbs@orehartford.org. Contemporary (and of course "clean") imagery and language encouraged!

Echoes of Canaanite Concepts in Biblical Language

Biblical School graduates, their guests, and other leaders in parish and archdiocesan ministries are welcome to register (by October 7, please!) for this seminar exploring the mythological background of our biblical texts:

Ruins at Ras Shamra

When: Saturday, October 15, 2011, 9:30-noon

(Sign in and "coffee and" begins at 9:00)

Where: St. Thomas Seminary, Room 2A

(Click here for directions.)

Presenter: Mr. Paul Sansone, life-long biblical educator

Since 1929 when the first Canaanite (Ugaritic) texts were found at Tel Ras Shamra in northern Syria, a steady stream of publications has made us aware of the religious beliefs of the people who wrote these texts. The people of Canaan shared a common culture with the people of Israel. These writings shed light on the religious language of the Old Testament (and indirectly on some important New Testament imagery).


During this session, we will discuss examples that illustrate how the biblical authors drew on their cultural background to forge a rich and textured language about God (including various divine titles used in the Old Testament) and God's interaction with human beings. We will also consider how these cultural forms of expression influenced Israelite worship and look at some of the theological debates presented in the Old Testament through the lens that this language provides us in order to gain a better understanding of the biblical authors' meaning and message.