CBS Classes Going Forward

Beginning Wednesday night, all classes are expected to meet for the rest of the week. If you are still not cleared out where you are, let your teacher know when you get back to class.

"Micro" Catechesis for Busy Adults

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation and the grace of forgiveness.

In many ways the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is by far the clearest example of God’s gift of forgiveness. By Christ’s will, the Church possesses the power to forgive the sins of the baptized. This is normally exercised through bishops and priests in the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. One who desires to obtain reconciliation with God and with the Church, is obliged to confess to a priest all the unconfessed grave sins they remember after having carefully examined their conscience. This is the only ordinary means by which the Church in the name of Christ can reconcile a person with God and the Church. Because of this, one of the Church’s precepts is to confess your sins at least once a year.

The regular confession of even venial sins is highly encouraged. It helps to form one’s conscience, and lets one be healed by Christ and progress in the life of the Spirit. In response to God’s mercy and compassion, true penitence involves a conversion of heart. This authentic conversion entails a sorrow and abhorrence for sins committed, a firm disposition to discontinue sinning, as well as the necessary action to turn from evil and remain united with God.

In whichever form the celebration of the rite takes, the four essential elements of the celebration of the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation remain: repenting for the sins committed, confessing sins to the priest, receiving absolution, and doing penance and correcting any wrong that was done.

Celebrating the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation is one of the deepest and most profound ways we can experience God’s gift of forgiveness.

Reflection Question
Think about the first time you celebrated the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. In what ways has your experience of this sacrament matured with you over time? Do you experience this sacrament as a joyful celebration designed to assist you to live more fully as a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Scripture to Explore


Romans 6
 
Additional References
Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 986
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults pp. 233-247
Catechetical Framework for Lifelong Faith Formation MA.2.2.34

Resource for Adult Faith Formation
Prepared for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Distributed courtesy of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL)

© Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the copyright holder.


Permission is hereby granted to all (arch)dioceses, parishes, Catholic schools, and other ecclesial entities to reproduce this document in whole or in part, in whatever form is most expedient, for the purposes of catechizing the People of God, provided that the copyright information on this page is included in its entirety. This grant does not diminish the rights reserved hereunder.

CBS Classes Cancelled Tuesday Evening and Wed Morning

We will evaluate again tomorrow to determine whether sites and roads have been cleared enough to hold classes Wednesday evening. Remember, students who missed class earlier in the week could attend on Thursday evening or Friday morning, God willing!

Students should prepare to hand in homework for both THIS week and NEXT week, when you meet next week.

Official notifications can be found at http://www.stsregistrar.org/cgi-bin/CBS/cbsstudentlogin.pl . Stay safe and warm, and pray for the safety of all, especially the homeless.

CBS Classes Cancelled Mon evening and Tues morning

We will evaluate again tomorrow to determine whether sites and roads have been cleared enough to hold classes Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning.

Students should prepare to hand in homework for both THIS week and NEXT week, when you meet next week (God willing).

Official notifications can be found at http://www.stsregistrar.org/cgi-bin/CBS/cbsstudentlogin.pl . Stay safe and warm, and pray for the safety of seniors and children, especially.

Weekly Bible Study - Jonah 3:1-5, 10

25 January 2015

3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

The main character the Bible’s beloved "fish tale" is not the historical prophet Jonah. This "fish tale" is
exactly that--a fictional story used to teach people something. Make no mistake--Jonah was a real prophet and Ninevah was a real city. But nothing in the Book of Jonah resembles anything like what we know as historical fact. Rather, the story is SO far-fetched it reads like a parody, designed precisely to make us laugh at ourselves and at the narrowness of our own limited human thinking, in contrast to the vast expanse of God's mercy.

The part of the Jonah story we hear this Sunday tells of a servant who answered the Lord’s call to preach repentance to Ninevah, capital of Assyria and Israel’s worst nightmare from the ninth to the seventh centuries BCE.

In this story Jonah convinces the "evil empire" of his day to repent. And to everyone's surprise, they do so! Jonah even convinces God to repent of the evil he had threatened upon this city. (God repenting? An interesting play on words!)


But it is difficult to know, from today's reading, what is really in Jonah’s heart. Other parts of the story tell us much more about that. For instance, what we don’t hear proclaimed today* is how stubborn Jonah was, before answering the Lord’s call. When asked to go east to Ninevah, Jonah heads west to Tarshish. God has to arrange for a storm at sea and then a great fish to dump Jonah right back where he started. You see, it is only after the greatest reluctance that we meet the (finally) obedient Jonah in today’s reading.

Another thing we miss, if we only pay attention to this week's portion of the story, is Jonah’s narrow-minded attitude. He is displeased that the Lord forgives and spares the city of Nineveh. How, Jonah wonders, can God’s mercy possibly extend to those who perform massive violence in the world? who threaten genocide against God's chosen people? How can God's mercy extend to "them"!

We also do not learn, in this part of the story, that all of (fictitious) Nineveh repented of its sins immediately and in great earnest. Unlike God's holy prophet, this god-forsaken city was, at least in this biblical story, far from stubborn or reluctant.The ironic twists in this allegorical story portray a bit of God’s (or at least the human author’s) sense of humor. There is also much food for thought here. This is a story of repentance, love and mercy, and we learn this lesson from the unlikeliest of all sources, "them"!

Who is "them" for you?


And who belongs to "us"? Can we reach beyond "us" to see "them" as beloved of God? Are we willing to do what it takes to speak God's Word, even when it makes us uncomfortable, embarrassed, or downright frightened? How might "we," our closest faith community (parish, school, family) help us overcome our reluctance? How might God send storms and "great fish" to help us?

*An important aspect of Bible Study is to consider the entire context, rather than an isolated passage. This often sheds more light on the selection’s message.

Jointly authored by Barbara Gawle and Barbara Jean Daly Horell.

Joy of the Gospel #8

THE HOLY FATHER FRANCIS
ON THE PROCLAMATION OF THE GOSPEL
IN TODAY’S WORLD

 39. Before all else, the Gospel invites us to respond to the God of love who saves us, to see God in others and to go forth from ourselves to seek the good of others.

Under no circumstance can this invitation be obscured! All of the virtues are at the service of this response of love. If this invitation does not radiate forcefully and attractively, the edifice of the Church’s moral teaching risks becoming a house of cards, and this is our greatest risk.... The message will run the risk of losing its freshness and will cease to have “the fragrance of the Gospel."

Gospel Links to Ponder: 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5

"We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labour of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers and sisters beloved by God, that he has chosen you, because our message of the gospel came to you not in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction." (1 Thessalonians 1:2-5)

After word: Paul's message here suggests that it is God's love for us that empowers us to live in loving communion with one another and to radiate God's love to the world. Consider: Does our love for one another reflect God's love for us? Do our actions and ways of relating to one another model God's love for every human person?

Paragraph numbers are provided to help you find the quotes for further study and to place these ideas in their original context, should you wish to do so. To read the text in full, click here: http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html#II.%E2%80%82Mary,_mother_of_evangelization

CBS Alum Continuing Education Spring Course

CBS Alumnae/i courses will resume in the fall. As an alternative this spring, we are coordinating with St. Patrick-St. Anthony in downtown Hartford to bring you a weekend study of the Servant Songs in Isaiah.

THE SERVANT SONGS IN ISAIAH
Saturday, March 28, 9:30-3:30 pm
continuing to Sunday, March 29, 1:00-3:00 pm
The book of the prophet Isaiah is one of the most important and influential books of the Hebrew Scriptures. In the second section of the book (Isaiah 40-55), written just before the end of the Babylonian Exile, four passages, commonly called Servant Songs (Is 42:1-4; 49:1-7; 50:4-11; and 52:13-53:12), bring into focus the identity and the role of the servant. By way of conclusion, we will consider the ways in which the New Testament authors used these songs to clarify the identity of Jesus and his mission. Suggested Offering: $15.00. Please bring your own bag lunch for Saturday.

Place: St. Patrick-St. Anthony Parish, Hartford
Presenter: Paul Sansone
This program is open to the public but requires advance registration. For registration and information, contact Pat Curtis, Pastoral Associate of St. Patrick-St. Anthony parish: pcurtis@spsact.org (860) 756-4034, ext. 113.

Connecting Our Lives to the Bible to Our Lives

Explore with us a proven strategy for sharing and teaching the Bible in our daily lives. In two sessions we'll explore biblical texts using Dr. Thomas Groome's method of evangelization and religious education, learning how to use this approach in pastoral contexts and interpersonal encounters.

All are welcome! Free of charge!

Sunday, March 8, 2015, 12:30-4:00 pm

Sign-in and "Coffee And" begin at noon

Bring a friend! Advance registration required. To download a registration form click on this link: http://www.orehartford.org/2015/CBS/flyerregistration.pdf

Registration Deadline: March 3, 2015. For more information contact Jill Costa or BJ Daly Horell in the Office of Religious Education and Evangelization (860-242-5573, ext. 2670 or catholic.biblical.school@aohct.org).

CBS 200 and 300 students (Years 2, 3 and 4) are required to attend and must submit a completed registration form.

Dr. Thomas H. Groome is a highly sought-after presenter who speaks and publishes internationally. He is a professor at Boston College’s School of Theology and Ministry and lives with his spouse and young son in Niantic, CT. He is the author of What Makes Us Catholic and has authored catechetical materials for Sadlier (US) and Veritas (Ireland) publishers.

Weekly Bible Study - 1 Corinthians 6:13-20

18 January 2015

2nd Sunday in Ordinary Time  

There are so many ways we speak of the body of Christ. Think about it: We think of Christ’s body as a baby in his mother's arms and as a grown man, broken and bruised for humankind’s salvation. We revere the eucharistic bread transformed into the real presence, the Body of Christ. We celebrate and worship as members of the mystical Body of Christ, the church. We believe in the resurrection of Christ’s body and await in hope our own transformation. We may even see in two bodies becoming one flesh the sacred symbolism of Christ’s union with the church. All of these realities bespeak a “body” that is unmistakably sacred.

So why not keep holy our own bodies? The bodies we so often forget to honor and protect are made in the image and likeness of God. The Apostle Paul characterizes our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit!

Paul "tells it like it is" here, giving spiritual advice to the infant community at Corinth (in Greece):"The body is ... for the Lord, and the Lord is for the body."

The way we use our bodies must reflect our membership in Christ’s Body, the church. In another letter, Paul reminds the Ephesians (in modern day Turkey) about the importance of nourishing and cherishing the body in the same way that Christ cares for the church. So it is clear: It is simply good Christian practice to care for our own bodies—and the bodies of others, by treating them honorably—simply because we are members of Christ's Body.

When we think of our material bodies, do we, as followers of Christ, automatically place our bodies in the context of our unity with the Body of Christ? This unity is so complex and rich that it deserves prayerful consideration. How are we united with Christ’s incarnate body? His crucified, saving body? His body, the church, in mystical communion? His glorified and resurrected body?

If we keep always in mind our sacred connection to the Body of Christ, would we ever even consider dishonoring or abusing our bodies (or the bodies of others)?

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, Class of 2001, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Midwinter Break January 19-23

CBS classes that meet on Mondays and Fridays are in session during the Midwinter Break week, to make up classes missed due to inclement weather.

All other CBS classes are taking a break from class and will resume during the week of January 26-30. Enjoy your holiday!

"Micro" Catechism for Busy Adults

The Eucharist forgives venial sins and preserves one from future grave sin.

Most Catholics, when they think about the relationship of the Eucharist to the idea of forgiveness, probably think first about the teaching of the Church that in order worthily to approach the sacramental encounter with the Lord in Holy Communion, one is to be in a state of grace. That is to say, one is not normally receive to communion if one is aware of any mortal sins on one’s conscience and, in particular, if one is currently living in an objectively sinful state....

While this is certainly true and important, and is not to be overlooked, it sometimes leads people to think of communion as the reward for people who have already been forgiven and neglects the forgiveness made open and possible within the Eucharist itself. In the Eucharistic sacramental sacrifice the faithful, already united to Christ through baptism, join in offering themselves together with Christ’s one eternal offering of himself on the cross. This serves as an offering for the sins of the living as well as the faithful departed who have died in Christ. This sacrifice also provides spiritual and temporal benefits from God by drawing them closer to Christ.

As a result, communion with the Body and Blood of Christ not only increases one’s union with the Lord and one another (as the name itself indicates!) but also forgives venial sins and preserves one from future grave sin.

The Penitential Act at the beginning of Mass, no matter which of the many forms its takes, is a reminder of the mercy of God who in and through the Sacrament of the Eucharist, offers us his gift of forgiveness.

Reflection Question
How have you experienced the offer of forgiveness through participation in the celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist? What difference has it made in your life?

Scripture to Explore
John 6:22-69

Additional References
Catechism of the Catholic Church nos. 1393-1395
United States Catholic Catechism for Adults pp. 224-225
Catechetical Framework for Lifelong Faith Formation G06.2.2.12, MA.2.2.25

Resource for Adult Faith Formation
Prepared for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
Distributed courtesy of the National Conference of Catechetical Leadership (NCCL)

© Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, 2014
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the copyright holder.

Permission is hereby granted to all (arch)dioceses, parishes, Catholic schools, and other ecclesial entities to reproduce this document in whole or in part, in whatever form is most expedient, for the purposes of catechizing the People of God, provided that the copyright information on this page is included in its entirety. This grant does not diminish the rights reserved hereunder.

Hartford CBS is a Prayerful Community!

We all need one another to pray for our health and welfare, as well as our growth in faith at all times.

First-year CBS student, Maria Hacker, requests our prayers at this time as her family navigates through a health crisis.

Please keep them--and all the CBS family
--tucked snugly into the heart of Christ!

CBS Alum is 2014 St. Joseph Medal Winner

Fr. Tom Ptaszynski, Pastor, Ms. Louise Arsenault, Archbishop Leonard Blair, April 2014

Congratulations to Louise Arsenault, Class of 2012, who was awarded the St. Joseph Medal of Appreciation for commitment and service to St. Theresa Parish in Granby.

CBS Classes Cancelled Monday 1/12/15

Because icy conditions are likely to make the roads dangerous tonight, the Hartford Catholic Biblical School is cancelling all CBS classes this evening.

Tonight's classes are rescheduled for Monday, 1/19/15, at their regularly scheduled times.

Most classes will not meet next week (our midwinter snow make-up week), but Monday and Friday classes will be in session to make up for missed classes.

CBS Alums - Living and Leading God's Word

Holy Angels, Meriden

This past fall, Jeanne M. Smith, Class of 2012, began leading adult Scripture study in Meriden, using the Little Rock program, Introduction to Bible Study. She intends to resume this winter with Exodus. If you're interested in attending, contact the staff of Holy Angels Parish at 203-235-3822 or hangels@snet.net.

Weekly Bible Study - 1 John 5:1-9 + Mark 1:7-11

11 January 2015

Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord

 

Have you ever wondered why Jesus even had to be baptized? After all, wasn’t he “like us in all things but sin” as we hear in some of the liturgical prayers? The fact of Jesus’ baptism caused some confusion among early Christians, as baptism is associated with cleansing from sin.

In the gospels the baptism of Jesus is regarded not as the act of repentance encouraged by John the Baptist. Rather, this event is the inauguration of Jesus' mission of preaching, healing and forgiving.

What the people witnessed that day was earth-shattering. The Greek text describes the heavens being literally “torn apart" as the voice of God was heard acknowledging his beloved son. Jesus was plunged into the primordial chaos of the water and emerged to signify a new cleansing of heart and spirit. In this act he revealed his solidarity with sinful humanity (though he was without sin personally) and prefigured the final cleansing that would take place at his death. Christ’s emerging from the water is a figure of his rising from the dead.

Today’s second reading reflects on the same mysteries. “This is the one who came through water and blood, Jesus Christ, not by water alone, but by water and blood. The Spirit is the one that testifies, and the Spirit is truth. So there are three that testify, the Spirit, the water, and the blood, and the three are of one accord.”  As Jesus emerges from the depths of the Jordan River, he is joined by the Father and Spirit revealing their common being (consubstantial nature, from the Latin)--the communion that is the Holy Trinity.  

Like that of Jesus, our baptism was a public event witnessed by fellow believers. The life of the Trinity entered our being as we received our divine childhood.  We are the handiwork of God’s creation, and in us the Father sees the Body of Christ and is well pleased.

The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, Class of 2001, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.

Weekly Bible Study - Isaiah, Ephesians, Matthew

The Epiphany of the Lord

4 January 2015

Writing centuries apart, Isaiah, Paul and Matthew illuminate a common theme in today’s readings: Christ will be a light to all nations.

Isaiah assures the people of ancient Judah that the darkness of their sufferings will end in a glorious new day of hope, light and victory. The imagery in this passage is stunning. Splendor, brilliance, light, glory, radiance suggest a brightness beyond human imagination. It is Christ who will illuminate Judah’s “new day."

Nations shall walk by your light and kings by your shining radiance.

The New Testament letter to the Ephesians builds on this theme. In those early days in the church, it was a blinding, astonishing challenge for Jewish Christians to believe (as the apostles taught) that Christ extends God's promise of salvation to the Gentiles. Foreigners become co-heirs of the kingdom along with the Jews! Inconceivable (for many, at that time).

In a similar vein, Matthew's gospel paints a picture showing that “all of Jerusalem” was greatly troubled by news of a divine birth. The ones who first seek out the long-awaited Messiah are outsiders, non-Jews (Gentiles). Matthew's troubled, mainly Jewish-Christian community was surely astonished at the irony. How can it be that foreigners could be among the first to seek and find Jesus, to offer gifts, pay homage and announce this revelation to distant lands.

The universal availability of salvation was surely part of God’s plan from all eternity.

Food for thought: Do we put limits on God's salvation? Is anyone excluded from God's kingdom on the basis of their birth or culture alone?





The author, Ms. Barbara Gawle, Class of 2001, leads Bible studies at her parish, Incarnation Church of Wethersfield, CT. She is the 2012 recipient of the Biblical School's highest award, the Lawrence Boadt Memorial Medal.