Thursday Evening Bible Study
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Contact Us
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Darcy Whartondarcy.whartonrocklincatholic.orgCoordinator of Adult Faith Formation
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We welcome you to join a lively group of men and women for dynamic conversation and spiritual growth as we seek a deeper understanding of our faith through a wide variety of resources. In addition to a more customary study of the bible, we also enrich our faith through an examination of a variety of materials and study series by today's leading Catholic theologians. Please join us for one, several, or all of our sessions this year ! Please join us by contacting Darcy Wharton at 624-5827 x211 or completing the registration form below.
Our group meets from September through May each year.
This study will be 10 weeks in length: September 6th - October 25th
The following topic begins September 6, 2018.
Registration deadline: August 23, 2018.Pentateuch I: Creation and Covenant
Liguori Press
"Pentateuch I: Creation and Covenant" explores Judeo-Christian beginnings and theological foundations of the books of Genesis and Exodus. From the creation of the world to the sojourn in the desert, the author, William Anderson, reminds participants of their origins and helps them relate to these ancient texts. The stories of Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Rebekah, Jacob, Rachel, Leah, Joseph, Moses, Zipporah, and others will resonate with participants who explore these ancient scriptural texts.
Cost of this study series will be $14. Books may be ordered for you when you register, or you can purchase your own on Amazon. To register for this series, please scroll to the bottom of the page and register by August 23th so books may be ordered and ready for pick up at our first meeting on September 6th.
The following topic begins November 8, 2018.
Registration deadline: November 5, 2018.
A Study on the Weekly Readings of the Mass
By Dr. Brandt Pietri, Catholic Productions
The Mass Readings Explained started with the desire to help people better prepare for Mass, as well as to help priests and deacons prepare homilies. As a group, we use this study guides to more deeply examine the readings for the upcoming Sunday Mass from November 8 th through December 13 th. This series will allow us to focus more deeply on the ending of Year B (Gospel of Mark) readings and those centered around Advent in the new Year C. Each week’s study will be emailed to you on the Monday of the week we meet. It will entail a 1-2 page study guide, the readings for the upcoming Sunday and questions for reflection/discussion. When we gather each week during this series, we will discuss these readings, share insights and review the discussion questions as well as watch a video from Dr. Brandt Pitre explaining the background to these readings. To see an example of the video series will we will be watching, you can find a sample to the left of this box.Dr. Brant Pitre is a Professor of Sacred Scripture at Notre Dame Seminary, in New Orleans, Louisiana. He received his Ph.D. in New Testament and ancient Judaism from the University of Notre Dame, Indiana and is the author of many scripture study books and theological studies.
There is no cost for this study series. To register for this series, please scroll to the bottom of the page and register by November 5th so study guides may be sent to you in time for our first meeting on November 8th.
This study will be 5 weeks in length: November 8th - December 13th
The following topic begins January 3, 2019. Registration deadline: December 20,2018
The Prophets afflict the comfortable and comfort the afflicted, calling us to return to ourcovenant relationship with God. They urge us to repentance, warn us of the dangers of sin, and announce the blessings of faithfulness. Their prophetic words speak to us even today. This 10 week series is a part of the Great Adventure study on the prophets, presented by Thomas Smith. Each week, we will come to know a prophet from Scripture and learn how his message sheds light on our faith and our lives. In getting to know these messengers of God, we will read Scripture and the Catechism, while answering thoughtprovoking questions and powerful reflections. Plus, we will learn practical ways to apply the messages of the prophets in our own lives. “ The Prophets: Messengers of God’s Mercy” places the Old Testament prophets in context of salvation history, making their personalities and contexts easy to follow, understand, and relate to our lives.
Cost of this study series will be $__TBD___. To register for this series, please scroll to the bottom of the page and register by December 17th so books may be ordered and ready for pick up at our first meeting on January 3rd. Any books requested after December 17th, will need to be purchased individually.
This study will be 10 weeks in length: January 3, 2019 - March 7, 2019
The following topic begins March 14, 2019.
Registration deadline: February 28th, 2019
A Study on the Book of Wisdom
Using the New Collegeville Bible Commentary
By Richard J. Clifford, SJ
In the book of Wisdom, we find the literary voice of Solomon, the model king and seeker of wisdom sharing his meditations. Concepts from Greek philosophy are integrated into Jewish tradition to present new insights into how wisdom can be both a quality of God and a human characteristic. Three affirmations in this lyrical book especially resonate for modern Christians: the kingdom of God means that God's justice actually rules the world; God is Lord of the universe, not just the God of heaven; and God is engaged in human history and dwells with the human race.
Richard J. Clifford, SJ, is professor of Old Testament at Boston College School of Theology. He taught biblical studies at Weston Jesuit School of Theology in Cambridge from 1970 to 2008. His doctorate is from Harvard University. He was general editor of the Catholic Biblical Quarterly and is a former president of the Catholic Biblical Association. As well as teaching and lecturing in scholarly circles, he is active in adult education in various New England dioceses.
This study series will be $7.50. Books may be ordered for you when you register, or you can purchase individually on Amazon. To register for this series, please scroll to the bottom of the page and register by February 28th so books may be ordered and ready for pick up at our first meeting on March 14th. Any books requested after February 28th will need to be purchased individually.
This study will be 4 weeks in length - March 14, 2019 - April 4, 2019.
April 11, 2019
Meditation on the Stations of the Cross
Please join us this one evening in the church for a prayerful meditation on the stations of the cross as we prepare for Holy Week. We will utilize a spiritual resource that will surely draw you closer to the mysteries of Holy Week.
There is no cost for this and no registration necessary.
The following topic begins April 25, 2019.
Registration deadline : April 11, 2019
Word of Fire: Pivotal Players Part II
Pivotal Players II has not yet been released. Filming begins July 2018 with coverage of Venerable Fulton Sheen and Flannery O'Connor. Both of these men have had a profound influence on evangelization. Additionally, they have influenced the relationship between faith and culture. What follows is video from Pivotal Players Part I series.
Part II will be of similar format, but with different holy men and women whom we will study. Our study will encompass three new pivotal players of our faith as released in fall of 2018. To follow the progress of Bishop Barron, you can watch behind the scenes filming at: PivotalPlayersfilming.com
Following is an excerpt from Word on Fire Pivotal Players I about who we studied in 2017:
This study presents six important saints, artists, mystics, and scholars who not only shaped the life of the Church but changed the course of Western Civilization. In our study of Part One of this series, we will examine the lives of St. Francis, St. Thomas Aquinas, Blessed John Henry Newman, St. Catherine of Siena, G.K. Chesterton, and Michaelangelo.
The cost for this study series will be $___TBD____.
Please scroll down to register by April 11th so materials can be available for our first gathering on April 25th. Any books requested after April 11 th will need to be purchased individually from Word on Fire.
This study will be 4 weeks in length - April 25, 2019 through May 16, 2019
This study group is facilitated by Cathy Katz and Eileen Wilkens; both longtime parishioners and leaders. For more information, or to register, contact Darcy or complete the online form below.