CBS Students and Grads: Living and Leading in God's Word

The kingdom of God is in our midst. How do I know? Signs of Christ's presence are everywhere! God's word is being lived and shared in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

Thanks to the life-giving witness of both clergy and faithful, our archdiocesan family is experiencing increasing opportunities to listen for God's word in Scripture. A few examples:

• St. Catherine of Sienna in West Simsbury holds two weekly Bible studies led by Kathi Bonner, CBS Class of 2011, and by Fr. Whyte and Lou Daniels, Class of 2014.
• St. Francis Xavier in New Milford hosted a study of the gospel of Matthew this winter and will follow that up in the Easter season with Threshold Bible Study's, "The Holy Spirit and Spiritual Gifts," led by Maura Pauli, Class of 2012.
• Church of the Incarnation in Wethersfield offers a year-round Bible study, led by Barbara Gawle, Class of 2001.
• St. Mary's Parish Center, Windsor Locks offers a weekly Bible study, led by Nancy Stimac, Class of 2009, and Kathy Bosse, Class of 2012.

Over 150 students are benefiting from these four Bible studies alone!

Looking for ways to listen more deeply to God's word? The Office of Religious Education and Evangelization can help. Our programs are just the beginning--we can match you up with faith enrichment of all kinds, being offered throughout the Archdiocese of Hartford. Contact us at 860-242-5573 ext. 2670.

Weekly Bible Study - 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13

30 March 2014

4th Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)

In order to appreciate today’s first reading we must take a few steps back in salvation history.  Poised to enter the “world stage,” Israel seeks the leadership of a king. The choice, based on appearance and stature, falls to Saul who is

anointed by the prophet. But as it falls out, Saul's reign will essentially displease God: As Scripture tells us the Lord regretted having made Saul king. His bumbling disregard for the prophet's (i.e., God's) word was symptomatic of the entire peoples' lack of faith in God. Furthermore, Saul’s emotional and psychological disintegration, as well as suspicion of his successor David, resulted in his ultimate failure as king. 

Something for us to ponder: Did the Lord make a bad decision in having Saul anointed? Or rather, did the Lord simply answer the misguided prayers of the people, allowing them to stumble and fall, to see the error of their ways? Scripture doesn’t tell us.

But, as we join Samuel in today’s reading, God gives his people another chance. Samuel is instructed to journey to Bethlehem. He is told that Israel’s next king will be from among Jesse’s sons. As eight sons are presented, the youngest and least likely is finally selected. He will prove to be one “after God’s own heart.” And despite his lack of credentials David arises as Israel’s greatest king, empowered by the Spirit of God that rushed upon him that day. A simple humble shepherd is transformed into greatness. His descendants will be found worthy of the Son of God.

God indeed saw into David’s heart and found—not someone perfect and strong, but one who knew his need for God's word, who listened for God’s word and acted upon it.

God knew exactly what his people needed then as now: an attitude of listening to God's word and acting upon it every day.



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.

Evangelizing Youth!

Our two day-long programs for evangelizing youth was a big success this past Friday and Saturday, with about 70 people attending one of the two days. From the Catholic Biblical School  the following people attended, learning important skills for bringing God's Word to today's Youth (the "little ones" of Matthew's gospel):

Angela Pietrowski-Arpino, Class of 2005, Boadt Medal 2010) 
Kathleen Bosse, Class of 2012
Robert Brown, Class of 2009
Marlene Carrier, Class of 2017
Jill Costa, Class of 2010
Regina Martindale, Class of 2003
Carol Moriarty, Class of 2009
Linda Ward, Class of 2015
Donna Yatcko, Class of 2002

Thanks especially to Shawnee Baldwin, Class of 2000 and Archdiocesan Coordinator for Youth and Young Adult Ministry for bringing the Center for Ministry Development here for this important program.

Meeting God in the Bible: God's Work and Our Work

A Celebration of Scripture in three sessions:

I. God's Revelation in Human History   The introductory session will "unpack," in plain language, what the Church means by biblical revelation and will explore revelation in connection with Jesus' farewell address in the gospel of John.

II. Exile: God's Work in Our Lives    The second talk will focus on the meaning and relevance of Israel's Exile to the lives of people today, with flashes of genius from the prophet Jeremiah.
 
III. Ezekiel's Visions of Restoration   In the final session we will take in the importance of the formal study of Spiritual Experience to see Ezekiel's visions of the restoration of the People of God in chapters 1, 9-11, and then 40-48.  These chapters are often dismissed as bewildering or even scary, but on careful examination, they may actually look quite familiar to people who are used to encountering God in sacraments.

Deadline to register: March 28, 2014
Click here (then scroll down) for registration information

 

America Magazine Series: The Living Word

Jesus and the Bullied

Bullies and their taunts have plagued vulnerable children—and adults—from the biblical period to our own day.... Everyone at some point will become a witness to acts of bullying—a reality that carries its own corrosive emotional current. As we seek to educate our children about and protect them from the heartbreaking experience of being taunted by a bully, we may look to the model and teaching Jesus offered when he encountered this problem.

We encounter biblical examples of the anguish of being taunted in both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures.

From the prophet Elisha in the 8th century BC to the New Testament stories of the Prodigal Son and the Blind Man Bartimaeus, author Brian P. Pinter makes connections between ancient and contemporary experiences of bullying. He sums up by saying that

Jesus, by his own example and preaching, empowers us to move beyond being bystanders, to embrace and shield, through bold but loving action, those suffering under the yoke of bullying and taunting.

 You can read the article--and access complementary articles and tools—online by clicking here: http://americamagazine.org/jesus-and-bullied .

Weekly Bible Study - Genesis 12:1-4

16 March 2014

2nd Sunday of Lent

The first eleven books of the Bible describe, among other things, the turmoil caused by humanity's attempt to "take matters into their own hands" at the beginning of the human story (Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel, The Great Flood, the Tower of Babel). Today's reading marks a fresh start for the world, the beginning of a new age. God will renew his relationship with humankind starting with one person and one family: the family of Abram. The history of God's People begins here with the story of Abram's call.

By ancient standards, Abram is an old man, 75 years in age. His hope of progeny has all but dried up as his wife, Sarai, is also advanced in years. Into this scenario steps the Lord God with a deceptively simple request. God asks Abram to leave his homeland, his father, and his livelihood (essentially his security) for a place unknown. The promise of greatness and blessing is given to him and his descendants.

Descendants? Abram must surely have wondered, “How will that happen?” Furthermore, it is likely Abram would have wondered, “Who is this God among so many gods? Who is this One, that I should trust him?” Or “Why should I uproot my life for a God I do not even know?” In future accounts of God’s dealing with Abraham, he acts freely to challenge and question God. 
But our text tells us nothing of any inward struggle. Abram's simple, complete turning in the direction God sends him is uncanny. Genesis simply tells us, "Abram went." Though uncertainty may have found a place in Abram’s heart, on a deeper level within that heart Abram must have known that the One making the promise was trustworthy.

As Lent moves forward in earnest, let all of us look deeper within our own hearts for that same One who calls us to greater levels of trust as we walk with Him daily to places unknown. Let us allow this One to direct us especially when we feel uprooted. We know that the One who walks with us is trustworthy and that the destination will be just where the Lord wants us to be.

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.

Basic Certificate in Biblical Studies

Students enrolled in CBS 200 (Year 2) may be eligible to receive the Archdiocese of Hartford Basic Certificate this June.

This week in class, remind your instructor to provide you with the Eligibility Form that you must complete and return to BJ by April 15, if you wish to be considered for this first level certificate.

We will also publish (asap) a download link to the form on the Registrations page of the website at www.orehartford.org.

Advanced Year Planning 2014-15: Deadline March 20

CBS students entering their third and fourth years in the Hartford Catholic Biblical School study together in combined Advanced Year classes. This allows for greater student diversity in each class and enhances the learning experience for everyone, while keeping CBS tuition costs as low as possible.

We are taking a survey to help us identify the best locations and times for Advanced Year (CBS 300, the green curriculum) classes. Most of you were sent an email with a link for completing the survey online. 

Please only complete the survey ONCE! If you have already completed the survey, thank you.

If you have not received the emailed link, call Jill and choose between two options:

1. Receive a new link by email.
2. Receive a paper copy of the survey at your postal address.

The survey requires your careful and prompt attention; otherwise, you are more likely to be disappointed with CBS course options for 2014-15.

This survey represents your only opportunity to impact next year’s class scheduling and must be completed by March 20, 2014.

And kindly note: Classes may or may not be scheduled in the same times and places as your current class, but we will do our best to accommodate your wishes, as expressed in the survey.