CBS CLASS REMINDER--NO CLASSES SEPT 9-13!

Remember, all weekly CBS classes begin during the week of September 16-20, 2013--not September 9, as originally scheduled.

Enjoy a little "Indian summer" (and complete those summer assignments)!

Opening Scripture Day for Years 2, 3 and 4: September 14, 2013, 9:00 (sharp) at St. Thomas Seminary.

September 7 Day of Prayer and Fasting for Peace

Pope Francis calls. Will you follow?

Here, translated, is a portion of the Holy Father's address of Sept 1st:

"Dear Brothers and Sisters, Hello!

"Today, dear brothers and sisters, I wish to add my voice to the cry which rises up with increasing anguish from every part of the world, from every people, from the heart of each person, from the one great family which is humanity: It is the cry for peace! ... Never again war!

"... In these days my heart is deeply wounded in particular by what is happening in Syria and anguished by the dramatic developments which are looming.... I appeal strongly for peace, an appeal which arises from deep within me.

"... To this end, brothers and sisters, I have decided to proclaim for the whole Church on 7 September next, the vigil of the birth of Mary, Queen of Peace, a day of fasting and prayer for peace in Syria, the Middle East, and throughout the world, and I also invite ... all people of good will, to participate, in whatever way they can, in this initiative.

"On 7 September, in Saint Peter’s Square, here, from 7:00 pm until midnight [Vatican Time], we will gather in prayer and in a spirit of penance, invoking God’s great gift of peace upon the beloved nation of Syria and upon each situation of conflict and violence around the world. Humanity needs to see these gestures of peace and to hear words of hope and peace! I ask all the local churches, in addition to fasting, that they gather to pray for this intention.

"Let us ask Mary to help us to respond to violence, to conflict and to war, with the power of dialogue, reconciliation and love. She is our mother: May she help us to find peace; all of us are her children! Help us, Mary, to overcome this most difficult moment and to dedicate ourselves each day to building in every situation an authentic culture of encounter and peace. Mary, Queen of Peace, pray for us!"

Note from BJ: At the liturgy for our Year One Opening Scripture Day (OSD) we will pray for peace in the words of the pope. I also invite our students to join me in the modified fast Catholics use for Holy Days: One large meal and one small snack, throughout the day. A full mid-day meal will be offered at the OSD: This will be my only significant meal for the day.

Pope John said, it pertains to each individual to establish new relationships in human society under the mastery and guidance of justice and love (cf. John XXIII, Pacem in Terris, [11 April 1963]: AAS 55, [1963], 301-302).

The entire address can be read at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/francesco/angelus/2013/documents/papa-francesco_angelus_20130901_en.html

Weekly Bible Study - Looking back and moving forward

1 September 2013
22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

As summer winds down and new beginnings take shape, we pause to offer some reminders and helpful hints for Bible study and reflection. Let us give ourselves permission right now to be “takers.”

Take yourself into the passage.  Place yourself at the feet of Jesus as one who finds comfort, healing, enlightenment. Respond to the Lord from this experience. Immerse yourself in the faith struggles and triumphs of the men and women of the Hebrew Scriptures. Join in the sentiments of the psalmists as they cry out in joy, anguish and gratitude.

Take time to understand the passage you are reading. Consult footnotes and commentary to help put the passage in its proper context, enhancing its meaning.

Take the opportunity to “sleep on the Gospels” as the monastics tell us. Prepare your heart for receiving the proclaimed word by reading the passage before bedtime. This practice allows the sacred word to gracefully "seep into" the subconscious mind, allowing you to hear the word more deeply when you hear it proclaimed at Mass.

Take a specific phrase with you as the reading is concluded. Listen for the prompting of the Holy Spirit who may speak a word of comfort, encouragement or chastisement directly to your heart. Continue to ponder this message throughout your day. Let it lead you more deeply into the Scripture reading, into deeper self-knowledge, conversion of heart, prayer and action.

Renewed and refreshed we return next week to our continuing study of the weekly readings.

Year One Opening Scripture Day Is Nearly at Hand!

Stephen J. Binz, author

Reminder: The required Opening Scripture Day (Orientation) for first-year students is Saturday, Sept. 7, 9:00-3:00 pm. Please arrive by 8:50 am--or, if you wish to have time to meet your new classmates, come for coffee and refreshments beginning at 8:30 am.

You should have received a letter recently with information you'll need to prepare for Scripture Day. If you did not receive that letter, contact Jill Costa in the Office of Religious Education and Evangelization (jcosta@adh-ore.org; 860-243-9465) right away.

Remember to bring your Bible and your written, completed summer assignment with you on Sept. 7 (your written answers to the questions on the "blue sheet" you received at your interview).

And don't forget to bring your Bible!

The author of the summer reading assignment, Stephen J. Binz, will be our presenter for the Opening Scripture Day. He will sign books and have some of his other writings for sale.

See you on September 7 at St. Thomas Seminary! For directions, click here.