Change of Schedule for Passion Narratives Opening Class

The September 3, 2014 class introduction for new students has been cancelled by Dr. Gray. All students will instead begin together on September 10, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

 

Sufficient numbers have been reached for the class to move forward, so we will be processing your payment checks at this time. But because of the change in start date, we can extend the deadline for enrolling to this Friday, August 29. If you have not yet registered but wish to do so, please contact Jill Costa right away at 860-242-5573, ext. 2670 or jill.costa@aohct.org.

 

Catholic Biblical School

Alumni Continuing Education Course:

“The Passion Narratives in the Gospels”

St. Peter Claver Parish Center,* West Hartford
Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 pm Beginning Sept. 10, 2014
Open to All Graduates of the Catholic Biblical School

 

The text for class will be Donald Senior's Jesus: A Gospel Portrait. This was your summer reading in CBS Year 2, so you should all have a copy. (Time to dig through your bookshelves!)

 

Jill Costa will be there that night (9/10/14) to answer questions or help with anything that's needed, but you can contact her in advance if you wish.

 Remember: No news is good news! If you have registered, please plan to attend on Sept. 10.

*Class will meet in what they call the "Choir Room," of the Parish Center.

Weekly Bible Study - Romans 11:33-36

24 August 2014

21st Sunday in Ordinary Time  

The opening verse of today’s passage from Romans should stop us right in our tracks as it did Paul.

Oh the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!

The Apostle to the Gentiles has been frustrated in his efforts to convince fellow Jews of God’s plan of salvation fulfilled in Christ. They’re just not buying it. But God’s mysterious ways are hard at work among the Gentile community which will provide a rich harvest for Paul's mission. Paul realizes that he must abandon his efforts at logic and reason to explain God’s ways and surrender himself to the wisdom of the divine plan. A lesson for us all!

When our own minds and hearts are weary of trying to figure out God’s ways, can we not simply turn to acknowledging that God is God and we are not? When we are frustrated that answers don’t come as we would like them, can we not trust that God knows what it best for us? When we find it difficult to wait for God to work in our lives, can we not acknowledge that God’s plan for us is unfolding in ways more wonderful than we can imagine?

Oh, the depth of the riches of God. Look around with eyes wide open to the wonders of God in our midst: the miracle of life, the beauty of creation, the desires of the human heart, the life of God that pulsates within our being, the blessings we realize each day, the gift of Eucharist. 

Oh, the depth of the wisdom of God. Be humbled by His wondrous plan of salvation unfolded for all humanity. Behold the Cross, the pinnacle of that plan, and realize God’s limitless love poured out.

Oh, the depth of the knowledge of God.  Marvel at his unfathomable ways made known to us in the Scripture. Seek this knowledge in God’s Sacred Word. Allow these truths to reveal to your heart the mysterious plan God has in mind for you.

Can we be content to put aside our own logic and reason and simply trust in the providence of our loving God?

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 15:21-28

17 August 2014

20th Sunday in Ordinary Time

What in the heck is Jesus doing in today's gospel? His actions in today’s Gospel seem very much out of character!

As the story unfolds, Jesus has traveled to “Gentile” territory.  He is met by a Canaanite who boldly calls out to him to heal her daughter. At first, Jesus is silent. Is he ignoring the woman? What is he thinking, feeling, plotting? The disciples, eager as always to protect Jesus (or their own interests), want her sent away. Perhaps they are thinking, “There is enough ministering to be done among our own! Jesus shouldn't waste time with foreigners!” The disciples do not seem to understand that God includes everyone, but the woman understands, as we see when her encounter with Jesus continues.

The foreign woman insists on being heard. Jesus’ first response is puzzling and somewhat insulting: “It is not right to take the food of children and throw it to the dogs.” The woman counters with cleverness and spunk. She knows she is worthy of his consideration. Whether through self-confidence or desperation, she persists. And Jesus recognizes and rewards her for her faith.

The woman who hoped for only a discarded crumb receives from Jesus the hidden treasure of his storehouse: salvation is for all. At this moment, she understands Christ far better than his disciples do.

But what about us? Do we see others as “foreign,” and keep them at a distance? What about immigrants, the poor, the uneducated? Did the pagan inclinations of the woman “from the other side of the tracks” matter to Jesus?

What do you think?

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.

Put your biblical knowledge to work for our future!

Faith communities in the Archdiocese offer many opportunities to witness to the power of God’s Word by working with Youth and Young Adults. For instance:

• Religious Education volunteering
• Leading a Youth Bible Study
• Attending OREE's Word Y Vino

Contact us in the Office of Religious Education and Evangelization for guidance or to explore more options.

First World Problems

Weird Al Yankovic is great at putting our gripes into perspective. Check out his music video, "First World Problems" on vevo: http://www.vevo.com/watch/weird-al-yankovic/first-world-problems/USRV81400345?syndicationid=bb8a16ab-1279-4f17-969b-1dba5eb60eda&shortlink=yRwiKB&country=US

Thank you Jennifer McClintock for sending me this link!

Scholarship Alert

Even Moses needed a little help from his friends!

An Opportunity!

The scholarship committee has been delayed in meeting this summer. This is good news, if you missed the June 1st deadline for applying for financial aid, because now you have another chance to apply. Get your application in by August 25 to qualify for partial tuition remission. Applications can be downloaded here: http://www.orehartford.org/joomla2/index.php/our-programs/catholic-biblical-school/financial-aid


The first-year student deadline has also been extended to August 25.

Remember: the "Statement of Need" portion of the application is a crucial part of the application and should be provided using either the reverse side of the application form or on another sheet of paper.

Mail, fax or email your application to:
Mr. Ryan Hinton, Assistant Director
Office of Religious Education and Evangelization
467 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield, CT 06002
FAX: 860-243-9690
Email: ryan.hinton@aohct.org

Weekly Bible Study - 1 Kings 19:9, 11-13 and Romans 9:1-5

10 August 2014

19th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Do our expectations sometimes get in God’s way? Elijah and Paul might have something to say about that!

In the inspiring and familiar passage we read this Sunday from the Book of Kings, we find Elijah exhausted and afraid, having spent forty days fleeing the wrath of Israel's King Ahab. Settling into a cave, Elijah seems ready to abandon his prophetic calling. God offers reassurance to Elijah, but does so in ways the prophet does not expect. Elijah seems to think, “If earthquakes and other powerful phenomena don’t reveal God to me, then where is God?” Unexpectedly, the divine encounter comes in a mere wisp of a sound.

Paul, too, is anguished at something he didn't expect. He is surprised that his fellow Jews are unable to recognize Jesus as the Messiah and Lord. He acknowledges all of the advantages the chosen people had. They ought to recognize Jesus as Christ! But he is grieved that they cannot move beyond their narrow expectations to accept God’s presence in Jesus Christ.

Are our expectations still getting in the way of recognizing God's presence? For example, when we pray, do we expect that certain “things” may happen in those moments: answers, inspiration, comfort, peace--some kind of “experience” of God? What if none of that seems to happen? Has our prayer failed? Has God been absent?

Like Paul and Elijah, perhaps we are being asked to free up our expectations and look for God to be with us in new, surprising ways. We may find (like Paul and Elijah and many folks in the Bible) that God wants to surprise us in order to to make all things (and by all things, I mostly mean "us") new.

If we look to experience God in unexpected places, then perhaps our eyesight will be clearer, our ears and hearts better able to listen to God's Word all around us.


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 New Look!

Don't let our new look fool you! You're on the right page.

This is the Hartford Catholic Biblical School blog, but with an updated style. If you want to provide input into the new style (or the blog in general), email BJ at catholic.biblical.school@aohct.org.

"Silent Auditing" for CBS Alumnae and Alumni

Registrations due August 29, 2014.

Imagine: All the perks of the Biblical School community, but without the homework (because you've already done that...).

Classes begin September 8. Click here to download the required registration form: http://www.orehartford.org/joomla2/index.php/upcoming-events.

News from Hartford's "Spin-Off" Biblical School

Jerry Siegmund (Pioneer Class of 1999) recently let us know that his second group of students will begin their four-year journey through the Biblical School at his parish of St. Brendan on the North/South Carolina border.

And he has recruited two members of the St. Brendan's Class of 2014 to teach in the program: Rich Rismiller and Diana Zurowski.

Here's what Rich has to say:

Let me begin by telling you that your former student (Jerry Siegmund) makes a tremendous instructor. He has made a significant difference in my life and my faith. Diana and I are looking forward to this venture. Personally I am praying daily that God will give us the knowledge and wisdom to help our students to come to know Him in a more meaningful way through the Scriptures.

As we work to enroll students in both Hartford and North Carolina, I urge you to pray for the new students, the instructors and staff, and the entire Catholic Biblical School community.

NEW TEACHER - NEW LOCATION!

Drs. Casey and Gray at Sr. Jewel's Retirement Dinner

Our CBS course for alumnae/i has a new teacher! Dr. Donald Gray of the CBS faculty, will be replacing Dr. Casey (who has requested a leave of absence) this fall. Thank you to both: Dr. Gray, for stepping in on short notice, and Dr. Casey, for sharing your wisdom these past two years.

Catholic Biblical School

Alumni Continuing Education

“The Passion Narratives in the Gospels”

St. Peter Claver Parish Center,* West Hartford, Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 pm

New Students Begin Wed., Sept. 3, 2014

Continuing Students Begin Wed., Sept. 10, 2014

Registrations Due August 25!!

We need sufficient enrollment in order to go forward with this class, so we will not process your check until we know we have enough folks registered. Contact Jill Costa for details (860-242-5573, ext. 2670).


*Note also the new location. No more student desks to navigate!

Who Deserves to Understand God's Word?

Everyone! And that's not just my opinion, that's the opinion of Dei Verbum, The Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation from the Second Vatican Council.

...The word of God should be accessible at all times. (Dei Verbum 22)

This applies especially to "all the Christian faithful," but also applies to every human person:

God, the beginning and end of all things, can be known with certainty from created reality by the light of human reason (see Rom. 1:20); ... it is through His revelation that those religious truths which are by their nature accessible to human reason can be known by all men [and women] with ease, with solid certitude and with no trace of error, even in this present state of the human race. (Dei Verbum 6)

So it seems that we should use every means possible to promote faithful Bible study.

All students who are willing to treat with respect Catholic teachings are welcome in the Catholic Biblical School, regardless of whether they agree with our point of view. We have a significant number of non Catholic Christians in our School, and we have (once!) even enrolled atheists who wanted to learn about our beliefs.

All classes are taught from a Catholic perspective, engaging authentic Catholic catechetical and spiritual traditions. But we also welcome dialogue with those who may wish to place their traditions in dialogue with the Catholic tradition.

Come find out more about us on Sunday, August 10, at 2:00 pm at the Knights of Columbus
Museum, One State Street, New Haven, CT. RSVP to Jill Costa at 860-242-5573 ext. 2670.



To read more from Dei Verbum, click on the icon below: http://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19651118_dei-verbum_en.html

Information Fair this Sunday!

CBS Information Fair

Sunday, August 10, 2:00 pm
Knights of Columbus Museum
One State Street, New Haven
(free parking and admission)

All are welcome! Please RSVP to Jill Costa or BJ Daly Horell at 860-242-5573, extension 2670.

Weekly Bible Study - Romans 8:35-39

3 August 2014

18th Sunday in Ordinary Time

It takes profound personal experience to be able to say: “I am convinced!”

In today's reading, Paul's voice comes to us from the time near the end of his second missionary journey. Paul has heard of the concerns of the young community at Rome. He desires to visit them, to offer encouragement in their struggles. But when he goes to Rome he will go in chains. By that time Paul has undergone struggles of his own: torture, starvation, persecution for his faith, and shipwreck. Because of his profound personal experiences, Paul can proclaim with the deepest conviction: “I am convinced that nothing can separate me from the love of God poured forth in Jesus Christ!”

As we examine the entire passage, let us not be confused by Paul’s use of “principalities and angels.” In his day these terms designated otherworldly pagan powers. “Future things” suggested astrological forces. The terms “powers, height and depth” referred to planetary influences.  These unseen forces were little understood and much feared. While such elements may be foreign to our current thinking, the point Paul makes with deepest conviction is that not even the greatest forces—seen or unseen--can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus!

If only our personal experience of suffering and hardship would lead us to the place of peaceful conviction Paul has found. If only our trials would draw us closer to Christ, rather than distance us from God by our confusion, anger and despair. If only we would find the courage of conviction that Paul found. 

Perhaps we, like Paul, need only and always to look on the cross of Christ. There we see the suffering of all humanity embraced in the greatest act of love imaginable. Are we convinced now? Let us choose not the powers of evil that we do not see—those powers that fuel our fears and estrange us from God’s redeeming love. Let’s instead embrace the greater power that we do see: Christ crucified and risen!


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.

Stephen J. Binz Returns to the Archdiocese in September 2014!

"The Bible: God's Handbook for Evangelization," will be offered in two locations: September  4, 6:30-9:00 pm at St. Aloysius Parish Center, Plantsville or September 5 - 9:30-noon at St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield.

We will explore the necessary relationship between listening to Scripture (Lectio Divina) and witnessing to Scripture (New Evangelization). We cannot evangelize until we ourselves have been evangelized, and the best way to become an evangelizing Catholic is to experience Scripture as an encounter with God's word! Presenter: Stephen J. Binz. September 4 OR 5, 2014 (offered at two times and locations). Sept. 4, 6:30-9:00 pm at St. Aloysius Parish Center, Plantsville or September 5 - 9:30-noon at St. Thomas Seminary, Bloomfield.

ALL ARE WELCOME! Registrations due August 25, 2014. Click here to download the required registration form: http://www.orehartford.org/joomla2/.

Biblical Tidbit

Advanced-Year students might find this note interesting:

 

When I marched with Martin Luther King in Selma, I felt my legs were praying.

--Rabbi Abraham Heschel

Portions of Rabbi Heschel's classic text The Prophets will be studied this year in CBS 300. WARNING: This is a difficult read (perhaps as difficult as a 58 year old man marching 12 hours a day for five days in 1965).

Heschel and King, taken from thecatholiccatalogue.com

So when you read Heschel's work, read in prayerful solidarity with Rabbi Heschel's "praying legs," and ask the Holy Spirit to give you the understanding with which Heschel and King were surely blessed.

But also go gently with yourself. If you find it difficult, ask your teachers to guide you! Your Biblical School teachers can be the Holy Spirit's instrument of understanding!

CBS Alumnae/i Fall Course Registrations Due August 25

"The Passion Narratives in the Gospels"

A Bible study designed and taught by Dr. Thomas Casey for CBS alumnae/i

When? Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 pm

Where? St. Peter Claver Parish Center, West Hartford, Wednesday evenings, 7:00-9:00 pm.

Grads who will be enrolling for the first time will meet for an introductory session on September 3, 2014. Returning students begin on Sept. 10.

Course Description: We will be studying the Passion Narratives of Mark, Matthew, Luke, and John from Jesus' arrest on the Mt. of Olives, through his trial and crucifixion, until his burial and the sealing of the tomb. Students will investigate the traditions behind these narratives, how they emerged, and what historical basis lies behind each tradition. The rich theology of each Gospel's interpretation of the events of the Passion will be central to our investigation. New CBS graduates are free to join the ongoing class. Cost $95 for ten weeks; make checks available to OREE. The registration form is available online at: http://www.orehartford.org/joomla2/

Sufficient enrollment is required for this class to move forward. Your registration fee will not be processed until minimum enrollment (15) is reached.