Weekly Bible Study - Acts of the Apostles 2:42-47

27 April 2014

Divine Mercy Sunday

Is Luke (the author of Acts) painting a picture of an idyllic early Christian community that is, for us today, beyond our reach?

Two very important events put today’s passage in its proper context. The great Pentecost experience has energized the nucleus of the early church, and Peter has emerged as its leader and spokesman delivering a passionate speech to the masses. As evidenced by today’s reading, the new “spirited” community immediately puts into practice what it hears.

1. They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles. The community continued the teaching tradition of those directly linked to Jesus. Over time dogmas and doctrines would develop as the church addressed various needs and issues. But its foundation was, and always will be, the message of Jesus and the teaching authority of his apostles, which we ourselves can access faithfully in Sacred Scripture. 

2. All who believed were together and had all things in common. This early community provided its people with a true home. The needs of its members were met and Jesus' commandment of love was put into practice. Gathering as community did not mean only celebrating prayerful religious observances.  They knew that the Gospel message must be translated into direct, loving acts. 

3. Every day they devoted themselves to breaking bread in their homes.  Eucharist was at the heart of their daily lives. In their simple, secular act of breaking bread they now memorialized a sacred event, the Paschal mystery. Ordinary life was now touched with sacredness, with extraordinary grace and meaning.

Scriptural belief, service, and Eucharist came together in that early church, and became, through their fidelity and those of subsequent generations, the foundation of our Christian life and faith. These things are well within our reach.

Bohdan Piasecki, 1998

 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.

In Christ: A New Family and a New Home

CBS Third Year Student on "What It Means to Be a Christian Disciple"

Perhaps it is because Matthew’s gospel is the last one we study in the Biblical School; wisely placed, no doubt, so that students would have the biblical background to better understand Matthew and the cost of discipleship.


This year, I have come to understand better what it means to be a “disciple”, to “deny” oneself, to “carry the cross.”

To be a “disciple” is so much more than regularly attending Mass, although this is an expectation. It is so much more than being the recipient of the gift of the Eucharist. Discipleship requires an openness to forgiving others, and a seeking of the forgiveness of others.  It requires us to deny the security of our own families and open ourselves to the initial “insecurity” of a new family, the church. It requires us to “carry the cross” of possible rejection by family and friends, neighbors or co-workers as we face the challenges of preaching the kingdom of heaven through our behaviors and attitudes.

It requires, most importantly for me in striving to accomplish this discipleship, a meekness that knows only to trust unconditionally in the Lord. Impossible? Knowing Jesus as Emmanuel, “with us” as companion, is empowering, making  “… all things… possible” (Matthew 19:26).

Author Patti Cacciabaudo, Class of 2015, belongs to St. Mary Parish in Milford and studies in the Catholic Biblical School at Christ the Redeemer in Milford.

St. Thomas Seminary Main Entrance Closed

Starting on Monday, April 21st, there will be some rehabilitation work being done on the Tower at St. Thomas Seminary in Bloomfield. Because of the nature of this work, the front entrance will  need to be closed. You will therefore not be able to enter or exit the main entrance on the south side of the building (facing Bloomfield Avenue).

This work will continue until approximately the end of October, 2014, so it will affect not only our Bloomfield classes, but also Mt. Nebo Day, graduation, and our Scripture Days in the fall.

The two front side entrances on both ends of the building will be opened each day to allow access to and from the building. Signage will be in place to direct you accordingly.

CBS Grads Living and Leading in God's Word

Humanity does not live by bread alone, and about 70 folks got together in the inner city every Tuesday during Lent for "Lenten Nourishment" at St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish. Starting with liturgy at noon, lunch is served while speakers provide spiritual insight.

Guided by Pastoral Associate Pat Curtis, the adult education committee of the parish  puts together this "smash hit" every Tuesday in Lent. Topics and speakers this year included: The Call of Abram, Exodus (Sr. Jewel, CBS co-founder), David (Sr. Barbara Bozak, CBS Speaker), Ezekiel (Pat Curtis), Jesus' Entry Into Jerusalem (Dr. Wayne Rollins and Fr. John Leonard).

Members of St. Patrick-St. Anthony Adult Education Committee:

Mr. Bill Baker, CBS Class of 2014
Ms. Marion Kingsbury, CBS Class of 2010
Nancy Lemega Watt, CBS Class of 2007
Susanne Nolan
Steve Starski

This Week in the Catholic Biblical School

Living the Covenant:

Bringing the Old Testament to Life in the 21st Century

Presenter: Sr. Barbara Bozak, CSJ

Place: St. Thomas Seminary

Time: 9:30-Noon ("Coffee And" at 9:00)

The Old Testament is filled with stories, poetry, prayers, sayings and teachings that reveal the God of Jesus to those who have the eyes to see. During our morning together we will consider a few texts of different types, relating them to contemporary life and seeing how they lead us to live the covenant as did Jesus. We will explore a God of mercy and love, a God who offers life and challenges us to grow.

CBS Students Living and Leading in God's Word

Felician second-year novice Sr. Maria Louise Edwards, was among the top students in CBS 100 (Year One) last year. She is one of many religious sisters (not only Felicians but also Associates of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mercy Sisters, and Daughters of Mary) who have labored in the Catholic Biblical School as part of their formal religious formation here in the Archdiocese of Hartford.

In her new ministry at Holy Name of Mary College School in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, Sr. Louise recently led a program on forgiveness and how it can be a healing experience to extend forgiveness to ourselves and those around us.

Sister Louise shared a thought-provoking story and video, reminding the students that it is through God's grace and mercy that we are able to forgive and be set free. Click here to view the video about a mother's witness about forgiving the drunk driver who killed her daughter, with Matthew West's performance of his song, "Forgiveness": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9J6xOT3Ldw.

More than 80 students at Holy Name of Mary College chose to receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, in response to Sr. Louise's program and discussion that day.

Weekly Bible Study - The Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ

20 April 2013

Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday

May the light of Christ rising in glory dispel the darkness of our hearts and minds – Easter Vigil

A hush descends upon the darkened church as the faithful prepare for the lighting of the paschal candle. The congregation keeps silent watch awaiting the flame that will illuminate the darkness of night and dispel the emptiness of hearts where Christ is entombed. The Easter vigil begins with a service of light. This theme will be interspersed among the numerous Scripture readings the church proclaims beginning Holy Saturday through the “Gospel of Easter Afternoon.”  We focus our attention on two selections in particular: the first and the last.

Genesis, the opening reading of the vigil, places our minds and hearts in that vast obscurity before creation. God’s initial utterance scatters that darkness: Let there be light. It is not only the light to mark the day, it is the light of understanding.  The written word of Scripture finds its genesis, its beginning, in the Sacred Word uttered by God for our enlightenment.

 The sacred words that we continue to hear throughout these Easter liturgies acknowledge the wondrous works of God in salvation history.  Gradually opening the minds and hearts of hearers, these words offer a growing crescendo of our enlightenment to God’s unending truth. We move toward its climax as the final reading of Easter Day brings the light of understanding into true focus.  Disciples walking to Emmaus experience the power of Christ’s resurrection in bread and word. This moment of Eucharistic encounter is their true enlightenment. They recognize, they believe, they understand. Their hearts burn within.

Let there be light, the Father says.  Let the glory of my Risen Son enter into you with each Eucharist so that your hearts burn within to recognize, believe and grow in understanding and faith.

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.

Weekly Bible Study - Matthew 21:1-11 Gospel at the Procession

13 April 2014

Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Jesus Christ

We stand among the festive crowd that gathers this day in Jerusalem and ask: “Who is this?”

Who is this One who comes triumphantly into our Holy City? He has no throne but a beast of burden. He has no entourage but the hopeful poor waving tree branches in homage. He has no fine vesture, but a royal cloak and piercing crown will be given him in mockery.

Who is this One to whom we pay homage today as to a king? We call him “Son of David” of the royal line of the ancient monarchy of Judah. But will we be the ones who deny knowing him or (worse) betraying him? Will our “hosannas” soon turn to “crucify him.”

How can this One who is meek, who speaks of bringing peace, cause such upheaval? Is this a foretaste of the power he will demonstrate on that Third Day as he conquers forever the grasp of death?

We knew him in his deeds of forgiveness, healing, compassion as he walked among us. Our hearts burned for more as he spoke of a new kingdom and raised our Jewish traditions to deeper levels of devotion. But do we understand the journey he must now make, a path seemingly unfit for One we honor with songs of praise? Will we stand by him at the cross, or will we scatter in fear? Or worst of all, will we walk away, indifferent to Jesus when the hosannas cease and the challenge of Calvary begins? To stand by the side of the Risen Lord, we must stand beneath the cross with him on Good Friday.

Where will we stand this Holy Week?

We invite you to stand with Christ, in your parish, with the whole Catholic Church, to pray the liturgies of the Most Holy Triduum on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Easter Vigil) this week.

Blessings for Holy Week and a Joyous 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.

Musical "Passion Plays" for Holy Week

The best passion plays are the ones that blossom in our imaginations when we read the Holy Scriptures in thoughtful meditation. But if your imagination needs a little "help," music can be your imagination's "muse."

Classical: The Seven Last Words of Christ - A Sacred Cantata, is powerfully moving. In 1899, Theodore DuBois published his work for organ and choir, using material from all four gospels.

Liturgical: Marty Haugen has musical renditions of the gospels that are beautiful, contemporary and pretty-darn faithful to Scripture. My favorite is Song of Mark, probably because it is the most familiar to me (being the first one he wrote), but there is also Feast of Life: Stories from the Gospel of Luke and That You May Have Life: Musical Stories from the Gospel of John. I haven't seen one on Matthew's gospel yet, but if it isn't available yet, you can be sure Marty Haugen will have it for us soon. (Click here for Marty's publisher, GIA Publications.)

Rock: While Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ, Superstar is not exactly a Catholic interpretation of Scripture (far from it!), for forty years it has spurred the imaginations of rock-loving Christians to prayer. And getting us to prayer in a fun way--isn't that half the journey?

The music for these pieces is available for purchase as CDs or MP3 downloads on the internet. "Google" (or "Bing") the titles and/or authors to find them.

STS Registrar is back online!

Thank you for your patience while we moved our system to a new off-site server. Everything should work as it did before, but do let us know if you find anything amiss.

Bible Study at Hartford's St. Patrick - St. Anthony Parish

This spring, scripture scholar Paul Sansone will lead a six-week Bible study of the Wisdom Literature of the Bible in Hartford at St. Patrick-St. Anthony parish:

Saturdays, April 26, May 17 & 31, June 7, 21 & 28; 1:30-3:45 pm

“All Rivers Run to the Sea”: The Search for Wisdom in the OT

Although ‘searchers for wisdom’ may not be the first description that springs to mind for the people of our age, our purchase of self-help books and life-enhancing products, as well as our questions about the meaning of our lives, and our serious interest in spirituality and its practice attest to our search for what Israel’s sages would have called ‘wisdom’—how one lives well.

During this six-week course, we will investigate this search for wisdom in the biblical books by reading Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Wisdom of Solomon.

Weekly readings will also be assigned from: Richard J. Clifford, The Wisdom Literature (Interpreting Biblical Texts; Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998) ISBN: 978-0-687-00846-9. Participants should obtain this book and read chapter 1 in preparation for the first session. Participants are also asked to bring a Bible with them to each session.

Suggested Offering: $50.00. For information or to register, please contact Pat Curtis at 860-756-4034.

Mr. Paul D. Sansone studied Scripture at The Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., and has been active in adult education and formation for many years.

STS Registrar System Offline

The off-site server provider reports a problem that is making it impossible to use our system website at this time. I will alert you when it is back online. Blessed Holy Week to you all! BJ

Weekly Bible Study - Ezekiel 37:12-14

6 April 2014

5th Sunday of Lent

With cold stony heart and lifeless bones, the People of God lies in a grave of desperation. Babylon brings death, destruction and slavery to Israel. Plaintive cries have not been heard. Appeals to Israel's (Judah's) covenant relationship and “favored” status has not stopped their annihilation. In the 6th century BC, the nation of Israel is out of options.

Will God’s people finally understand the error of their ways as destruction looms? The prophet-priest, Ezekiel, certainly hopes so. He knows God means business! Before Jerusalem is destroyed he must convince his people they are responsible for their own demise. The exile will bring intense suffering, loss of identity, and a severe crisis of faith.

While the people may lose hope, God never does. Nor does he want his people to lose hope. So today’s reading gives them (and us) a glimpse into the hope God wants to give the people. It is a vision of a new Israel that God intends to raise up from the remains of its “dry bones.” These bones must come together to live in a new way. It is not enough for the bones (Israel) to rise and become flesh, sinew and skin. They need “ruah,” God’s spirit, to recall them to the fullness of life God intends for humanity. “I will put my spirit in you that you may live and thus you shall know that I am the Lord.”

Do we experience any kind of exile in our own lives? In what way does sin cast us into the graves of separation from God? Do you hear the dry, lifeless bones of our fractured relationships cry out this Lent for “ruah,” God’s breath of life?

One excellent way to revigorate our own “dry bones” is to participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. God is bringing new life to dry bones every Monday in Lent from 6:00-7:00 pm in every Catholic church of the Archdiocese of Hartford. See you there!

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.