Questions about Registration?

RETURNING STUDENTS please take note:

Everyone who has submitted registration forms for next year's classes should assume you are registered in your first choice of course location and time, unless you hear otherwise from BJ. We do not automatically send out confirmation letters upon receipt of registration. If there are questions or problems with your registration, or if your registration is missing altogether, we will contact you right away. Otherwise you will not hear from us about fall enrollment until late summer, when it is time to think about Opening Scripture Days and the completion of your summer reading assignments.

You should have received a copy of summer reading assignments when you received your registration form. If you have misplaced that information, please go online at www.orehartford.org, click on "Our Programs," then "Catholic Biblical School," then "Registration. There are links to all forms, textbook lists, and reading assignments on that page.

The due date for your summer reading assignment is the same as your Opening Scripture Day, listed at the top of the reading assignment page. Please make a note of the date so you will keep it free of other engagements. Bring your reading assignment with you on that date.

Note that your Opening Scripture Day (Years 2 and Advanced Year) will take place AFTER
your first class meeting, so do not turn in your summer reading assignment to instructors until the second week of class. You'll need that assignment for group discussion on Scripture Day.

Thank you for paying close attention to these directions, and do not hesitate to call or email with questions for clarification.

Returning Students: Registrations Due May 1

Registration forms for continuing in the Catholic Biblical School are due on Wednesday, May 1.

Tuition deposits ($150 for non-credit students and $230 for credit students) are not due until June 1, but we need an indication of your intent to continue right away so we can plan for next year's classes.

Please don't hesitate to call with any questions you may have before you send in the form.

Forms can be scanned and emailed; they can be faxed or sent via US post. Here's the information you'll need to send it in:

• Email: cbs@orehartford.org
• Fax: 860-243-9690
• US Post: Office of Religious Education and Evangelization, 467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, CT 06002

PS: If you aren't sure which class you'll be attending next year, please return the form with your best guess indicated. Changes can be made up until August 15 by emailing or calling BJ at cbs@orehartford.org or 860-243-9465.

A Weekly Bible Study - Revelation 21:1-5a

Fifth Sunday of Easter

“Behold, I make all things new.”

Throughout the Book of Revelation the language points, for the most part, toward a future time. As an apocalypse, Revelation portrays graphically God’s conquering of all evil and offers hope and consolation to Christians of all ages. But did you notice that here, when God says "I make all things new," the text has shifted from future tense to the present tense? God makes all things new--not just at some far-off distant time, but here, now, in our everyday when God is invited into our lives.

It makes sense that our author would envision God speaking in the present tense because Christian tradition asserts that God is not bound by space or time but exists at all times together (see St. Augustine's Confessions, for example).

Drawing on this traditional belief, Gregory Collins, OSB, explains one of the implications of this teaching for our own spirituality: “The inner essence of a saving act carried out by God in the past, its deepest meaning and power," Collins writes, "are capable of being rendered present.”* He goes on to describe how the moment of eucharistic consecration at mass is a present happening. We participate in mass not in a reenactment of Jesus' saving death but in the very essence of that event made present today, on this very day!

Notice too that this is the only time God is described as saying anything at all in the Book of Revelation. This is God's one dynamic utterance: “Behold, I make all things new.”  What greater assurance do we need?

*Collins, Meeting Christ in His Mysteries, © 2010, Liturgical Press, pages 79-80.


The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Anna—A Biblical Model for Aging

A character study by Robin Gallaher Branch in Bible History Daily, online magazine of the Biblical Archaeology Society, describes the widow Anna as "one of the Bible’s most unusual women." Introduced in Luke's Infancy Narrative (Luke 1:1-2:40), Anna is the last of six "upright" men and women of Israel who are key figures in the birth stories of John the Baptist and Jesus. "Luke pairs and contrasts Anna with Simeon, who praises the Lord while Anna offers thanks; he prophesies, but she is called a prophetess."

For more of this interesting article, click here.

CBS Grads Living and Leading in God's Word

Spring Into Scripture

Ann Eden
Mary Lee Frisbie
Pat Pavlucik

Every month these three members of the CBS Class of 2008 lead "Spring Into Scripture" at St. Ann Parish in Milford (two sessions - Sat a.m. and Wed p.m.), opening lively discussions about biblical themes. Some topics of conversation have focused on:

Hospitality

Biblical Couples

 Angels

God on Wheels

St. Ann, Milford CT

Yes, we said, "God on Wheels!" If you want to find out more come and ask them on May 11 or May 15 when Ann Eden will lead the discussion on "Scriptural Mothers."

And: Melinda Scollin (Class of 2009) and Larry Yergeau (Basic Certificate) have also "stepped up" as guest leaders in this delightful program!

A Weekly Bible Study

The editor dedicates this column to the memory of Joseph Marsan, who came to rest fully in the arms of the Good Shepherd on April 11, 2013.

4th Sunday of Easter
Revelation 7:7, 14b-17
John 10:27-30

One of the most endearing images in Scripture is that of the Good Shepherd. Carried in the arms of our Shepherd, we are wrapped in the security of God’s protection and guided safely on our way. This image provides a beautiful link between today’s passage from Revelation and the gospel.


The author of Revelation describes another vision that offers deep consolation to first century Christians. The elect are swept up into the victory of the Lamb, gathered at the throne of God offering endless praise. The Lamb seated on the throne is also the Shepherd who will provide eternal shelter for his faithful ones. They have come home.

Yet it is the Gospel that seals our everlasting relationship with God. “My sheep hear my voice. I know them and they follow me,” says the Lord. It is the deepest intimacy we can experience. In our earthly life and in eternity we are never separated from the one who gives us life.

Listen for his voice today, know him and follow him, our Good Shepherd.

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

A Weekly Bible Study

3rd Sunday of Easter
Revelation 5:11-14

Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

Jesus, the Lamb of God takes center stage in our reading. The Paschal Lamb appears 28 times in the Book of Revelation and is central to John’s message. J.P. Love, in the Layman’s Bible Commentary, notes that only the kingdom of heaven would dare to use a helpless, slain lamb as its symbol of power and might! In first-century Rome, non-Christians would not have easily identified the Lamb. Christians, however, would know and already be devoted to Jesus as the Lamb of the Christian Passover.

In today's reading we are shown all of creation (represented by angels, human elders and other living creatures) join together in a “fullness” of praise: power, honor, glory, riches, wisdom, strength, blessing. Notice there are seven acclamations—seven is the biblical symbol of perfection! Perfect praise is given to the One who sits on the throne (God) and to the Lamb (Christ). It is a recognition and celebration of Christ’s divinity and his triumph over death.

This scriptural portrait of a heavenly liturgy offered to first century Christians and to us a hope of victory over sufferings with the promise and foretaste of eternal life.

 The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Before Your Team Plunges Into Evangelization...

Parish teams and individuals alike will benefit from the Biblical School workshop on

evangelization and God's Word, led by Celia Sirois--an expert in evangelization and faith formation who teaches at St. John Seminary in Brighton, Mass.

The Word Made FResh

Saturday, April 27 9:30-noon

("Coffee and" at 9:00)

St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield

Advance registration required by April 19, 2013. To register or to get more information contact Jill Costa in the Office of Religious Education and Evangelization at jcosta@adh-ore.org or 860-243-9465.

This program is designed for CBS graduates but is open to anyone who has undertaken significant Bible study and wants to engage God's Word for evangelization. We particularly invite parish leadership of all kinds.

CBS Recommends—Breathing Life into Old Stories

A Day for Mothers and Daughters with Sandra Mattucci, M.A.

Mercy Center at Madison
Saturday, May 11, 2013
9:30 am - 3:30 pm
$45/ includes lunch (or $75 for two coming together)

Have you ever read the Bible?  Really read the Bible? So many of us have ‘listened’ to the readings, but this day will give us time to ‘PLUNGE’ head first into the sacred stories and discover "Spirit."

Storyteller, Artist, Author and Chaplain, Sandy Mattucci will be our guide this day…sharing messages from our Ancient Ancestors of the past revealing truths for today. A perfect opportunity for mothers and daughters to reflect together on their journey of faith and how we learn and grow from one another and the stories of the past.

Register at Mercy Center by clicking here or by contacting Sarah at or 203-245-0401 ext. 122.
sarah@mercybythesea.org

This event is not sponsored by the Catholic Biblical School but could be an authorized make-up for certain requirements towards archdiocesan and seminary certificates in biblical studies. Only contact BJ about this program if you wish to request it as a make-up for your missed requirements.

A Weekly Bible Study

Second Sunday of Easter
Revelation 1:9-19

Over the next six weeks the church will proclaim its second reading from an often misunderstood and misinterpreted book: Revelation. Why Revelation? Because the message of Revelation unlocks the Easter mystery of the Crucified and Risen Christ, who has defeated death and who now (yes, now—not just in the future!) rules over all creation. This book is essentially one long, complex vision of God’s ultimate victory over evil.

But let’s begin with some background

The Book of Revelation is an example of “apocalyptic literature.” Popular in its day, this style of writing offered hope to people facing persecution. As the threat of martyrdom loomed large in the first century, our author (John of Patmos) used “coded” messages to believers in order to communicate the mystery of salvation. The messages were encrypted in symbolic images that would have been familiar to the original audience but which is hard for contemporary readers to decode. By couching his teaching in veiled language John (as other apocalyptic writers) are able to foil Roman persecutors while offering messages of consolation to those facing trials.

One of the conventions of apocalyptic writing was a description of an author’s “visions.” In today’s reading, John first establishes his solidarity with those “in distress” as he is exiled to the Mediterranean island of Patmos, then proclaims his “vision” (symbolic message) that reveals the "Son of Man" (Jesus) who has conquered death forever and now reigns supreme—a very comforting message to those suffering persecution and death for their belief in Jesus!

And a very comforting message for we today who long for Christ's rule to be made complete not only in the hearts of believers, but in all creation as well.


Happy Easter!

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Archaeology and Studies in Israel

Is digging your "thing"? Here's an opportunity to find out more about opportunities to study in

Masada Photo courtesy The Greenburg Center

Israel this summer through the University of Hartford's Greenberg Center's exciting Summer Term in Israel program.

Meet Professors Freund and Darawsha. Please join us for a meeting on Thursday, April 11, 2013, 12:15 pm at the Maurice Greenberg Center for Judaic Studies, in our office at the Auerbach building Room #110. For more information call: 860-768-4964 or email mgcjs@hartford.edu.

Imaging God's Living Word

Using the gift of imagination we will enter into Scripture stories from our Easter Season to experience the presence of Jesus. We may be the seeker, the bystander, the helper, the believer, the doubter... or even Jesus as we break open the Word together to more fully appreciate the message for today’s disciples.

St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish
285 Church Street, Hartford, CT 06103
Tuesday, April 23, 6:30—8:30 p.m.
Presenter: Roberta Horton
Suggested Offering: $8.00

Contact the parish for more information and to register:

Phone: 860.756.4034   Email: info@spsact.org

A Weekly Bible Study

Solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection
John 20:1-9      Gospel of Easter Morning

With hearts like empty tombs, three disillusioned disciples struggle to understand the events of Good Friday. It will take a series of post-resurrection appearances of the glorified Christ for this trio to grasp the reality: He is Risen!

Did the evangelist John deliberately bring these particular three disciples together on this Easter morning? 

The first to witness at the empty tomb is Mary of Magdala. She had experienced a powerful healing at the hands of Jesus. Becoming a disciple and companion of Jesus, her presence at the foot of the cross symbolized a humanity healed and eager to follow in Christ’s footsteps.

Summoned by Mary to the tomb is Simon Peter. He would waiver in faith as he followed Christ, but his post-resurrection declaration of love would resonate in the hearts of all believers. His commission to “feed my sheep” would become cornerstone of the church’s mission.

The first disciple actually to look into the tomb and see what it held (or didn't hold!) is referred to simply as the “beloved disciple.” There is an enigmatic quality about this person whom the evangelist never names but who is traditionally considered to be John the Apostle. Perhaps this is John’s way of telling us that his loving, personal relationship with Jesus enabled him to go into the tomb and “upon seeing, believe.”

On this Easter morning, three disciples are drawn to the empty tomb. Love has embraced forgiveness and faith in search of Jesus. Their own emptiness will go away as they encounter the Risen Lord and begin to understand the everlasting life that emerged from the darkness of the empty tomb. This Easter day the promise and hope of eternity has been realized for all believers. Alleluia!

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is a CBS graduate and the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, The Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.