New program offers a deeper understanding of Scripture.
How well do you know the Bible? Do you really understand the scripture that forms the underpinning of our faith? Parishes offer small faith groups and colleges offer scripture courses, but such opportunities are often too limited in scope or too large in commitment of time or money. The Catholic Institute for Biblical Literacy (CIBL) was created to address the hunger of many Catholics for a deeper understanding of Sacred Scripture. CIBL offers the people of the Columbus Diocese a new option to fill this hunger, a comprehensive two-and-one-half year program consisting of eight courses, each containing eight two-hour instruction classes. With reasonable tuition costs per course and timing of classes, this study offers itself to the active parishioner.
Recently, the very first class graduated from the Catholic Institute for Biblical Literacy at St. Paul Church in Westerville. Fr. Charles Klinger, pastor, recognized and blessed the graduating class at the 4pm Mass. Eighteen students representing six parishes completed the course work.
Three years ago a few parishioners at St. Paul the Apostle, Westerville, agreed that the study of scripture was a strong need in their community. A committee was formed, potential instructors were recruited, and CIBL was born. Using the USCCB document Our Hearts Were Burning Within Us, the Vatican II document Dei verbum, and successful national Bible school models to begin the conversation, the committee worked more than sixteen months to create the CIBL model. This program first was piloted at St. Paul Parish and then expanded its offerings to St. Peter Parish, Columbus. Now the program is ready to recognize its first participants to complete this course of study with an April 2008 recognition service at St. Paul.
What does CIBL offer? It is an opportunity for more in depth and comprehensive study of Sacred Scripture with local instructors holding degrees in theology and scripture. Each college style course involves significant text readings and practical application assessment tools. A distinctive cornerstone of the program is its required first course “Foundations for Biblical Interpretation in the Catholic Tradition,” providing a grounding in knowledge of Catholic interpretation of scripture through an examination of Church scripture-related documents. This is followed by six courses on each section of the Bible: Pentateuch, Prophets and History, Wisdom, Synoptic Gospels, Johannine literature, and Pauline writings. To complete the study an eighth course examines further programs and challenges of scripture study in both personal and parish settings, with the vision of offering participants confidence and continued growth in their understanding of scripture and in their sharing of faith with others.
The Catholic Institute of Biblical Literacy has attracted mature adults with a broad range of educational backgrounds from many parishes, seeking deeper faith formation through a better understanding of scripture. The institute has been very well received by these participants. Consistent feedback indicates that the instructors were highly qualified and able to give valuable insights in a setting that respected adult learning principles. Enthusiastically they expressed gratitude that they found an opportunity to study the Bible in a Catholic setting. One participant expressed a common perception that the program was more than expected, creating a “fun atmosphere for learning and digging into the riches of sacred scripture.” Many found in CIBL an opportunity to share faith, enhance their own prayer life, and more deeply enter into the Liturgy of the Word at Mass. Finally, the thoughts of this participant represent the best of CIBL’s vision to break open the Sacred Scripture in the finest of Catholic biblical scholarship: “I was very skeptical at the beginning and complained about so much required reading because I wanted to hear what God would say, not scholars. But in the process of the program experience, Jesus became so real and present to me. I understood that the context and the study of scripture was like a contemplation that came alive.”
According to CIBL’s Mission Statement this program aims to meet the needs of the people of God of the Diocese of Columbus for biblical scholarship by:
1. Recognizing the continual need for adult development in the study and
application of Sacred Scripture.
2. Creating an opportunity for understanding the Word of God in its historical,
literary, and theological context.
3. Examining an interpretation of Sacred Scripture consistent with the teaching of the
Magisterium of the Catholic Church.
4. Offering a method of interpretation of Sacred Scripture rooted in contemporary
biblical scholarship.
5. Involving adults in a prayerful relationship with the revealed Word of God found in
Sacred Scripture.
6. Fostering the development of skills for leadership in ministry.
CIBL readily fosters the Church’s mission to evangelize in that it assists adults in faith communities to be awakened and transformed by the Word of God. Through advanced study of the Bible adults are encouraged to explore its meaning, experience its power and live as disciples today.
CIBL is committed to continued growth in the diocese and is exploring other scripture enrichment opportunities and reflection days for the future. Stay posted for new developments. This institute is an effort to provide the Diocese of Columbus with a gift of scholarship in Sacred Scripture that is of interest for parishes and parishioners in advancing the study of the Bible. If this article has raised the reader’s interest to be involved as participant or instructor, contact the CIBL administrator at St. Paul listed below. Likewise, a parish, a cluster of parishes, or a deanery interested in exploring this program should contact the current administration of CIBL, Susan Bellotti, St. Paul Pastoral Associate, at (614) 882-2109 or sbellotti@rrohio.com. More program details are posted at www.stpaulcatholicchurch.com.
Graduates of the Catholic Institute for Biblican Literacy: Front row starting on the left side: Ruth Manesh, Dee Jones, Cheryl Sperry, Sr. Carolyn Thomas, SCN, (instructor), Fr. Charles Klinger, pastor at St. Paul, 2nd row, Mary Ann Rericha, Patricia Swisher, Janice Conard, Yvonne Blegen, Alex Deak, Susan Bellotti (CIBL administrator), Steve Cianca (instructor), 3rd row, Rich Danko, Richanrd Debrosse, Michael McKenna, Deb Sabo (instructor), Rita Feige (instructor). Graduates not in picture include Patsy Carroll, Dianne Hoover, Karen O’Donnell, Wendy Roush, Beth Witt, Margaret and Mark Wolf and instructors, Jim Grove, Fr. Mark Ghiloni, Mary Koors.
They are from these six parishes – St. Paul, St. Edward, St. John Neumann, St. Leonard, St. James the Less and St. Peter .
photo by Steve Erwin