Proverb for Today

"Less is More."

When I hear this contemporary proverb, some lyrics from the 1972 Franco Zeffirelli film, "Brother Sun, Sister Moon" come to mind:

"If you want to live life free,
         take your time go slowly.
Do few things but do them well,
         simple joys are holy."

Portrait of an Ideal Husband?

Most of Proverbs 31 is an eloquent poem in praise of what one ancient near eastern sage calls the "ideal" woman or wife. The poem includes some surprises for those who expect the ideal woman of the Bible to be docile and meek:

She picks out a field and acquires it;
from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She girds herself with strength;

She exerts her arms with vigor.

She enjoys the profit from her dealings. (Prov 31:16-18a)

Gary Tatro, CBS Class of 2012, offers his "take" on a "Portrait of an Ideal Husband," based on his study of the Book of Proverbs this year:

When one finds a wise husband

his value is far beyond any earthly thing.

A wife's prize is her husband's faithful and

reliable heart that pines for her above all earthly things.

He is kind and compassionate to all,

even the beast of the fields rejoice in him.

He is hardworking,

tilling his own land to provide food in season and out of season.

Happy is the family of a wise man whose way is illuminated by integrity

whose steps are not directed by ill-gotten gains.

A wise husband is generous,

and despises not the hungry.

He is truthful and what he tell you can be assured is true.

A wise husband is not a jealous man.

He has a positive outlook on life

and is a constant strength to her and those around him.

Happy is the woman whose husband avoids excesses

her home will be the abode of peace and prosperity.

He uses words to calm wrath and not give it strength.

His words are soothing and healing.

 A wise husband can keep a confidence.

His honesty will be rewarded and richly blessed.

He seeks to calm the storms of life

and prevent damage.

Wiser is a patient man who rules over his temper

than a warrior who takes a city.

A wise husband has control of his temper

and doesn't let his anger be victorious over him.

He is forgiving

and slow to anger.

Wise is a man who is willing to be corrected

and listen to counsel.

His humility lifts up his wife and children.

Happy is the woman whose husband fears God

and is obedient to His Word.

Year One Lenten Scripture Day

Reminder: All students in Year One of the Hartford Catholic Biblical School (St. Thomas Seminary CBS 100) are required to attend the Lenten Scripture Day on March 31, 2012. Sign-up sheets verifying your attendance were completed in class, but if you were absent when the list came around, you must call Jill Costa to verify  your attendance by March 27, 2012.

Here is the information:

Exodus, Passover and the Paschal Mystery in the Life of the Church
Presenter:  Celia Sirois, Faculty, St. John Seminary, Brighton, MA
Date: Saturday, March 31, 2012, 9:00-3:00
Location: The Archdiocesan Center at St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, CT

If for any reason you can't make it, you need to contact BJ right away.

Year 2 Class Rescheduled

Fr. Donahue's Year 2 class on Monday nights, 7-9 pm at Epiphany Parish in Cheshire, WILL be meeting on Monday of Holy Week (April 2, 2012). This class will replace the class normally scheduled for Easter Monday (April 9, 2012).

Year 2 students, please take note. If you are planning to attend that class for Lesson 3.5, you'll need to attend on April 2, NOT April 9.

Biblical Archaeologist Dr. Richard Freund

On Monday, March 12, first-year CBS students at St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield, were treated to a special lecture by biblical archeologist Dr. Richard Freund.

Dr. Freund is known internationally for his leadership in uncovering what many believe to be the lost city of Atlantis off the coast of Spain. He is the Director of the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies at the University of Hartford and is the author of Digging Through the Bible: Understanding Biblical People, Places, and Controversies through Archaeology. His research and teaching interests include: The Archaeology of the Land of Israel, Biblical Studies, Jewish Ethics and Philosophy.

Archaeologist Dr. Richard Freund on a dig site at Bethsaida

Boadt Medal to Be Awarded

As part of this year's "Celebration of Sacred Scripture," the 2012 Fr. Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal will be awarded.

Celebration of Sacred Scripture

St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield

Sunday, March 25, 2012

12:30-4:30 (Sign in at Noon)

The recipient will be an outstanding graduate or student of the Catholic Biblical School and St. Thomas Seminary Certificate in Biblical Studies program who demonstrates outstanding service and achievement in the following two categories: 1) Excellence in the study of Sacred Scripture; and 2) Active contributions in promoting biblical literacy and devotion to God’s Word in a faith community.

All Are Welcome! Registration Required by March 16. Download the registration form by clicking here, or contact Jill Costa at jcosta@adh-ore.org or 860-243-9465.

Is Environmental Theology "Radical"?

One presidential candidate recently characterized environmental theology as "radical." But this "radical" theology "is the creation theology that recent Popes have supported in their preaching and writing," as the executive director of Franciscan Action Network, Patrick Carolan, recently reminded us in his article on the Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good website. (For an abbreviated listing of such papal documents, check out Carolan's full article by clicking here.)

Creation theology is also at the heart of Sacred Scripture, beginning with Genesis 1 and concluding in the Book of Revelation. As Carolan writes, "In these 40 days of Lenten purification, Catholics remember the 40 days of rain which cleansed the world in Noah’s time. When the flood had subsided, God stated clearly and repeatedly 'the covenant between me and you and every living creature with you' (cf. Gen 9:8-15), a covenant of care and protection rather than destruction."

The flood narrative and the relationship between the natural world and moral theology will be addressed by Dr. Dianne Bergant, world-renowned biblical scholar, at the Office of Religious Education's Celebration of Sacred Scripture, Sunday, March 25, 12:30-4:30 p.m. Registrations required by March 16. Click here to download a registration form, or contact Jill Costa for more information (860-243-9465 or jcosta@adh-ore.org).

http://www.orehartford.org/cbs/CSS%20Brochure%202012%20final%20copy.pdf

Is Natural Disaster God's Punishment for Sin?

Various forms of natural disaster are often presented in the Bible as divine retribution. This prompts us to ask: Is there a relationship between the moral order in human life and the natural order of the world? Are natural disasters really punishment for human sin? In  order to answer these questions in two brief sessions, Sr. Bergant will examine biblical passages that describe natural disasters, namely, the flood (Genesis 6-8), the plagues, and the final destruction at the end of time.

Celebration of Sacred Scripture

All Are Welcome! Advance registration required by March 16.
Download a registration form by clicking here.

St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield

Sunday, March 25, 2012

12:30-4:30 (Sign in at Noon)

This program is a required “Scripture Day” for students enrolled in Years 2, 3 and 4 of the Catholic Biblical School  (St.  Thomas Seminary CBS 200 and 400) and is ideal for anyone interested in exploring this topic! There is no charge for this event; free will offerings accepted.

Biblical scholar and theologian Dr. Dianne Bergant, CSA, is Professor of Old Testament Studies at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and a Sister of St. Agnes. She has served as President of the Catholic Biblical Association of America and as an editor of several major biblical and theological journals, including The Bible Today. She is now on the editorial board of Biblical Theology Bulletin, and Chicago Studies. She wrote the weekly column "The Word" for America magazine (2002-05). She is currently working in biblical theology, particularly regarding issues of peace and ecology.

Living and Leading in God's Word

Deacon Bill Gilles, Catholic Biblical School Class of 2010, is living and leading in God's Word, both through his deep engagement as an ordained Catholic minister, and as a husband, father and grandfather. (His wife Eileen is the Chair of the Mathematics Department at East Catholic High School.)

He is engaged in social justice ministry at St. Christopher Parish in East Hartford, where he is currently assigned, and is a leader in the deacon community's environmental awareness ministry. He also does Baptism preparation, Marriage preparation, adult education, RCIA, serves when needed in the religious education program in the parish, in addition to his liturgical duties, including preaching God's Word at Sunday liturgies.

St. Christopher Parish, East Hartford

OXFORD ATLAS in the ADVANCED YEAR

"ORANGE" CURRICULUM GEOGRAPHY TASKS

(provided by Mr. Jay Pershing, Class of 2012)