• NEW! Book Discussion Group
begins Tuesday • 25 February 2020

• SCRIPTURE STUDY
• ADULT CATECHESIS
• ONLINE LEARNING
• DISCUSSION GROUPS
• CREATIVE WORKSHOPS​​​​​​​

 * AFF SUPPLEMENT
BOOK DISCUSSION GROUP
Hosted & Facilitated by KURT HERTRICH 
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DON'T GIVE UP CHOCOLATE THIS LENT!

Have the BEST LENT EVER®️

Join us for a stimulating discussion of
REDISCOVER THE SAINTS
25 QUESTIONS THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE
by Matthew Kelly

This is not just another book about the Saints.

Discussion Group meets
every other week
beginning

Tuesday • 2:00pm
25 FEBRUARY 2020
in
The Pearce Center

✧･˚ *｡･ ♛ ･｡* ˚ ･✧

Expand your Discussion Group experience
or Follow along online

with
Daily Short Videos
that will take you through
Matthew Kelly's book.

___________________
Watch a short introductory message
from Matthew Kelly now--

______________
 

Rediscover the Saints

Daily Short Video
series

▹ Just click below ◃
to Register

(its all free!)

AFF: UPCOMING STUDY
 * SCRIPTURE STUDY
ADULT CATECHESIS (CCC)

“Ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ"

  (Catechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], 133)

Our next
AFF Scripture
Group Study Program:

SALVATION HISTORY

Salvation History
may be defined as the study of the pattern of specific events in human history in which God reveals His presence and saving action through our
Lord Jesus Christ.

• Do you want to better understand GOD's bigger plan for you as written in the Scriptures, and your place in His plan?

• Are you aware of "the Bible within the Bible"? Which books are they? What is their significance? 

• Have you ever wondered how the stories in the Bible apply to your life?

Then this Bible-Catechism Study
is for you!

As St.Paul exhorts us, the stories of the
Old Testament are
"written down for our instruction".
(1 Cor. 10:11)

✧･˚ *｡･ ♛ ･｡* ˚ ･✧

Please check back for details

and registration information. 
 

Questions about our programs?
Please contact:
Catherine Cetera
AFF Program Director
 - or -
Colleen Konopatzke
Office Manager
(406) 892.5142.

 * CREATIVE WORKSHOPS 

TBA

 Catholic Online Encyclopedia

 USCCB Bible Commentary

SUGGESTIONS FOR
PERSONAL INTERIM SCRIPTURE STUDY

______________
”The study of the Sacred Scriptures must be a door opened to every believer.”  
—Pope Francis
Apostolic Exhortation Evangeli Gaudium 175
November 24, 2013
 

 OLD TESTAMENT/SALVATION HISTORY
 Bible Study Preparation

 

* Based on the 
DIDACHE SERIES
textbook by
James Socias & Scott Hahn

[Publisher: Midwest Theological Forum. $55]

The Jewish People and their Sacred Scriptures in the Bible 

 

GOOD READS & RESOURCES 

TO ASSIST ADULTS
AS WE CONTINUE TO GROW IN OUR FAITH. 

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To purchase books online: rather than to provide innumerable links for books featured on this page, please conduct your own search using Title, Author, and/or Publisher for your preferred online retailer's website.
If you require assistance please contact us. 
 

GREAT LENTEN READS              

⍟»— JUST PUBLISHED! —«⍟

☆*:..｡.  ☠  .｡.:*☆
MEMENTO MORI:

Memento Mori--
Latin for
"remember you will die"

-- refers to the practice of prayer and meditation on one's inevitable death and the afterlife.

_____________________

⍟ A prayer book to help you to meditate on your death and all the Last Things in order to live for heaven.
 

""A good death depends on a good life."
-- St. Robert Bellarmine

ENCOURAGED BY SCRIPTURE and the SAINTS, this ancient tradition can help you to manage the chaos of this world, grow closer to GOD, and focus on HEAVEN. 

Memento mori--Latin for "remember you will die"--refers to the practice of meditation on one's inevitable death and the afterlife. Encouraged by Scripture and the saints, this ancient tradition can help you to manage the chaos of this world, grow closer to God, and focus on heaven. 

Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP is a religious sister at the forefront of the movement to revive this practice in the Church. She has written several resources to help people to incorporate memento mori into their daily lives.
 

Her Memento Mori: A Lenten Devotional and the Memnto Mori Journal have
touched thousands of lives.    

Now she has compiled and written a beautiful year-round, general prayer book to help people to meditate on death and the afterlife, traditionally called "the Last Things," in order to prepare for heaven. 

Meditation on the Last Things is not a dark, depressing practice..."

Meditation on the Last Things--death, judgment, hell, and heaven--is not a dark and depressing practice. Rather, the practice is hopeful and lifechanging. It helps people to take stock of their lives, grow closer to God, and to live with renewed purpose and fervor.
May this practice open your heart to the work God wants to do in you and through you before your last day on earth, whenever that day might be. 

May God find us prepared!
 

☆*:..｡.  ☠  .｡.:*☆

Features & Benefits::

*  Prayer book written and compiled by a trusted religious sister 

* Includes the section Death: Prayers to Live and Die Well with prayers to Jesus, the Way of the Cross, prayers to live each day well, prayers for a good death, prayers for the dying, Marian prayers for assistance in life and death
*  Includes the section Judgment: Prayers to Prepare to Meet Jesus with penitential prayers, guide to the sacrament of penance and reconciliation, the Memento Mori Daily Examen, prayers for the dead
*  Includes the section Hell: Prayers to Combat the Powers of Darkness with formula for renewal of baptismal promises, Eucharistic prayers, the Rosary, spiritual warfare prayers
*  Includes the section Heaven: Prayers for Union with God with prayers of longing for heaven, prayers of praise to God, Marian prayers
*  Includes a selection of prayers in both Latin and English
*  Contains an explanation of indulgences

⍟ Prayer book has a nihil obstat and imprimatur

The practice of memento mori
is "hopeful and lifechanging.
It helps people to take stock of their lives, grow closer to God, and to live with renewed purpose and fervor."

☆*:..｡.  ☠  .｡.:*☆

About the Author

Sr. Theresa Aletheia Noble, FSP
has a skull on her desk as a memento mori, a reminder of her inevitable death. The ancient tradition of remembering death--encouraged by Scripture, early Church Fathers, and many saints--has changed her life and led to greater union with God.

You can learn more about her
and get free
memento mori wallpapers
for your phone and computers at
https://pursuedbytruth.com/

☆*:..｡.  ☠  .｡.:*☆
 

• Publisher: Pauline Books and Media (November 2, 2019)
• Imitation Leather: 384 pages
• Silver gilt page-edges
• Binding: Sewn 
• Product Dimensions: 4.7 x 0.7 x 6.4"

Learn more
about
Memento Mori: Prayers
On The Last Things

“So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.”
—Psalm 90:12

 

⍟»— NEW! NEW! NEW! —«⍟

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​​​​THE BIBLE
IS A
CATHOLIC BOOK

Jimmy Akin | Ignatius Press

We are the original "Bible Christians" 

In The Bible Is a Catholic Book, Jimmy shows how the Bible cannot exist apart from the Church. In its origins and its formulation, in the truths it contains, in its careful preservation over the centuries and in the prayerful study and elucidation of its mysteries.

"Scripture is inseparable from Catholicism".

Scripture is inseparable from Catholicism. This is fitting, since both come from God for our salvation.

If you’re a Catholic who sometimes gets intimidated by the Bible (especially scriptural challenges from Protestants), The Bible Is a Catholic Book will help you better understand and take pride in this gift that God gave the world through the Church.

We are the original “Bible Christians”!

And even non-Catholics will appreciate the clear and charitable way that Jimmy explains how the early Church gave us the Bible—and how the Church to this day reveres and obeys it.

* Publisher: Ignatius Press :   
 * Publication Date: September 2019
 * Binding: Trade Paperback
 * Length: 181 pp.  

__________________________
"The seed is the
Word of the Lord."
    -Luke 8:11
_________________________

BIBLES: New & Noteworthy 

Great Adventure Catholic Bible

  Ascension Press RSV-2CE

From Jeff Cavins, author of the
Great Adventure Bible series.
Very recently published and currently the #1-Best-selling Catholic Bible.

--------------------------

Don't just read the words of the Bible ... understand them.

The Great Adventure Catholic Bible makes the complexity of reading the Bible simple.

The narrative approach in this Bible gives the big picture of salvation history and shows how everything ties together. This is the only Bible that incorporates The Great Adventure's color-coded Bible Timeline learning system, a system that has made The Great Adventure Bible study resources the most popular and influential in the English speaking world. The color-coded tools make it easy to read and easy to remember.

• Color-coding for easy reference. Uses the popular Bible Timeline system that's used by hundreds of thousands of Catholics to learn the Bible
• Articles to help you understand the overarching story and important covenants that tie the entire Bible together
• Key event callouts to help you quickly identify important points in the Bible that ordinarily take readers a long time to find and categorize in their head
• Detailed charts giving a visual overview of important characters, key events, maps, major covenants, and historical context
• Newly Designed Full-Color Maps to help visualize Bible story locations
• Two satin ribbon markers
• Words of Christ in red letter.

Product Description:
​​​​​• Dark Blue Vegan Leather 
• Dimen.: 6.9 x 2 x 9.9"
• Weight: 2.75 lbs.
________________________
Review by CC:
Due to its focus on Salvation History & Covenants, I consider this a “specialty” Bible.
Unfortunately, very few footnotes, no book introductions, and lacking in commentary.
Additionally I was disappointed by the glued binding. At the $60 price-point I expect sewn binding. 
Not a good general “Study” Bible. 

(Nonetheless, because it deals extensively with Salvation Hx, I will be using this particular Bible for the soon-to-be-offered Winter 2020
AFF Scripture Study. -CC)

More Information at
Ascension Press

____________________________________
____________________________________

LITTLE ROCK CATHOLIC
STUDY BIBLE

L Liturgical Press. *NABRE
 

Open the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible and feel at home with the Word of God. Through accessibly written information and engaging visuals that highlight and clarify significant areas of Scripture, readers will easily gain an understanding of these ancient texts that can be carried into today's world. Using the authorized translation in the New American Bible Revised Edition, this lasting volume is ideal for both personal use and group Bible study.

The valuable information in the Little Rock Catholic Study Bible is offered in small notes and inserts that accompany the Bible texts as well as in expanded essays, articles, and graphics. Key symbols help readers quickly identify the type of information they need, such as explanations, definitions, dates, character and author profiles, archaeological insights, personal prayer starters, and insights connecting Scripture and its use in today's church. Colorful maps, timelines, photographs, and charts further enhance the study experience. Longer articles are dedicated to explaining study Bible fundamentals, the Catholic Church's use of the Bible, and the people and places of the biblical world.

General Editor: Catherine Upchurch (retired 2018) serves as the director of Little Rock Scripture Study. Her work in adult faith formation involves writing, editing, lecturing, leading retreats and days of reflection. She is the editor of A Year of Sundays and an associate editor of The Bible Today, a journal of biblical spirituality.

*NABRE, the official translation of The Church, the version read during Mass.

Product Description:
•Binding: Paper, Hardcover/Clothbound, or Deluxe Vegan Leather w/gold gilt edges.
•Pages: 2668
•Dimen.: 6.6x2.5x9.2"
•Weight: 3.2 lbs.

________________________
Review by CC:
This is the most comprehensive complete  Catholic Study Bible I’ve seen currently in-print.
Vast footnotes, articles, individual book introductions, historical and biographical studies, Vatican documents, numerous charts, tables, maps, and so much more. Purchase the sturdy hardcover or deluxe bound versions, and you’ll have a true study Bible for life.  -CC

_______________________________

Little Rock Scripture Study Bible
sample page

For more information
and to view more sample pages
visit
LITURGICAL PRESS

____________________________________
____________________________________

OUR SUNDAY VISITOR

CATHOLIC NOTETAKING BIBLE

NABRE (New American Bible Revised Edition)

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"Perfect for Scripture Study
Note-taking"
     -CC

About this Bible

The Church “forcefully and specifically exhorts all the Christian faithful … to learn ‘the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ,’ by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures.” —Catechism of the Catholic Church, 133

Dive into the Word of God with this stunning Bible. The wide margins give you room to take notes, journal, record prayers, or even doodle, allowing you to dig deeply into the meaning of passages and their impact on your faith. This Bible will become a cherished keepsake as you revisit your notes and highlights from previous years, seeing how Scripture continues to shape you as you invite the Word to take root more firmly in your heart.

Perfect as a gift for confirmation, RCIA, graduation, and weddings — or for yourself.

Product Details:
Cover: Dark Grey Vegan Leather
Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor

I 

______________________
Also by OUR SUNDAY VISITOR
& Blessed Is She 

CATHOLIC JOURNALING BIBLE

The BIBLE WE ALL HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR!

The first of its kind
for Catholic women interested in BIBLE JOURNALING-ILLUMINATION


Discover a beautiful, personal way to engage with Scripture through journaling, taking notes, recording prayers, doodling, drawing, creative expression. 

The first ever, full Catholic Journaling Bible (NABRE) includes wide margins with lines.
It's elegant design includes hand-lettered quotes and space for personal reflection.

･ﾟ*:･ﾟ✧･ﾟ･: *✧˚･:*  ♛  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ                   

 ADULT FAITH FORMATION (AFF)          

THE catechetical mission of the Church is for the faithful of all ages to grow in both human and Christian maturity, enriching the whole of life with the leaven of the Gospel. Every disciple of the Lord Jesus shares in this mission.  To do their part, adult Catholics must be mature in faith and well equipped to share the Gospel.

The Adult Faith Formation (AFF) ministry serves to engage the particular needs and interests of adults in our community.
It will, over the course of time, offer a comprehensive, systematic presentation and exploration of the core elements of Catholic faith and practice.
To achieve this, the AFF ministry incorporates all the faith dimensions of an adult’s life including the experience of family life, relationships, public service, and concern for the common good. It does so in a way that is accessible to adults and relates to their life experiences— integrating actual life experience, and the diverse learning styles of adults; through the study of Scripture, and the teaching of the Church's traditions.

Adult Faith Formation is an ongoing process.

AFF employs prayer, liturgy, group Scripture study, catechetical-based programs, creative workshops, and fellowship to deepen one’s relationship with God, and to nurture ourselves and one another. 

“My child, do not forget my teachings,
and let your heart keep my commandments.
For they shall add to thee length of days, and years of life, and peace.”
  -Proverbs 3:1-2



 

 

"The Emperor of Heaven,
the Lord of men and angels,
has sent you His epistles for
your life's advantage---
and yet you neglect to read
them eagerly. 
Study them, I beg you, 
and meditate daily
on the words of your Creator.
 
Learn the heart of God
in the words of God,
that you may sigh more eagerly
for things eternal, that your soul
may be kindled with greater longings
for heavenly joys."
 
                                             - Pope St. Gregory I
                                                             [Letters. 5.46. (EnchBibl 31)]

 

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New material & updates added weekly


As we step forward in faith into this Lenten season, I pray that each of us upholds our penances & sacrfices
with a fervent desire to grow closer to Our Lord Jesus and Holy Mother Church.
Ask for the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary to give us the strength to offer up the next 40 days to
Our Lord. Pray with the Saints, many of whom knew the day-to-day meaning of penance and sacrifice.    -CC 

.  ✧･ﾟ･: *✧･ﾟﾟ･:*  +  *:･ﾟﾟ･✧*:･ﾟ･✧  .

  < 2020 LENT USCCB Calendar [free download]

                                                 10 Ideas For A More Meaningful LENT                 

  10 Things To Do When Your LENT Plan Fails
  

 Liturgical Colors: LENT

.  ✧･ﾟ･: *✧･ﾟﾟ･:*  +  *:･ﾟﾟ･✧*:･ﾟ･✧  .

Inspiration for LENT

    “To the prospect of the Kingdom of God is linked hope in that glory which has its beginning in
the Cross of Christ.
The Resurrection revealed this glory — eschatological glory.

Those who share in the sufferings of Christ
are also called,
through their own sufferings,
to share in glory” 

-St. John Paul II, Salvifici Doloris

“As Lent is the time for greater love, listen to Jesus’ thirst…’Repent and believe’ Jesus tells us. What are we to repent? Our indifference, our hardness of heart. What are we to believe? Jesus thirsts even now, in your heart and in the poor — He knows your weakness. He wants only your love, wants only the chance to love you.”  -St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

“Lent stimulates us to let the Word of God penetrate our life and in this way to know the fundamental truth: who we are, where we come from, where we must go, what path we must take in life…”   -Pope Benedict XVI

“Renounce yourself in order to follow Christ; discipline your body; do not pamper yourself, but love fasting.”   -St. Benedict of Nursia

“Whoever wishes to be my follower must deny his very self, take up his cross each day, and follow in my steps.”  Luke 9:23 

“Lent is like a long ‘retreat’ during which we can turn back into ourselves and listen to the voice of God, in order to defeat the temptations of the Evil One. It is a period of spiritual ‘combat’ which we must experience alongside Jesus, not with pride and presumption, but using the arms of faith: prayer, listening to the word of God and penance. In this way we will be able to celebrate Easter in truth, ready to renew the promises of our Baptism.”  
- Pope Benedict XVI

.  ✧･ﾟ･: *✧･ﾟﾟ･:*  +  *:･ﾟﾟ･✧*:･ﾟ･✧  .

LENTEN PRAYER

During times when we wish to express repentance and especially during Lent, it is customary to pray the seven penitential psalms.  The penitential designation of these psalms dates from the seventh century.  Prayerfully reciting these psalms will help us to recognize our sinfulness, express our sorrow and ask for God’s forgiveness.

The Songs of the Suffering Servant (USCCB) 

Within the Book of the Prophet Isaiah we encounter four poetic sections known as the Songs of the Suffering Servant. The specific identity of this Servant of the Lord remains the topic of scholarly debate. Perhaps it refers to the prophet Isaiah himself, perhaps the entire nation of Israel, or possibly the promised Messiah. Christian faith sees these prophetic utterances fulfilled in the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Lord.
In brief:

• The first song introduces God’s Servant who will establish justice upon the earth

• The second song, spoken in the Servant’s own voice, tells of being selected from the womb to become God’s mouthpiece and help renew the nation

• In the third song, we learn of the abuse and derision the Servant endured at the hands of his enemies

• The fourth song proclaims the salvific value of the Servant’s innocent suffering that will justify many and blot out their offenses. 

Because of the Christian identification of the Suffering Servant with Jesus, the four Servant Songs become a way of encountering the Lord during this Lenten Season. Not only do they give us a sense of the commitment and endurance that characterized his messianic ministry, but they become a way of touching the bruised face of the Messiah, of hearing the resolute determination that sustained him in the midst of trial, and of rejoicing with him in God’s ultimate vindication of his calling and service.

ONLINE LENT-TRIDUUM LEARNING RESOURCES 

Gleaned from a variety of Catholic sources on the web, all study courses below are free of charge.

   ASH WEDNESDAY: one of the most popular days
  in the Liturgical calendar.

• What is the purpose of this holy day? Where does it come from?
• What do the ashes symbolize? 
• Is it okay to receive ashes on the street, or to dine out in public afterward? 

Take this course, offered by Catholic Online School, to learn the answers to these and other important questions about Ash Wednesday.      

    LENT:  There is a special season on the Catholic Calendar that's 40 days long, but doesn't include Sundays. Why not? 

• Why do Catholics "give up" things they enjoy during this season or do extra service?  
• Is it true Catholics can partake of what they give up on Sundays, or is this a myth?

Learn the answers to these questions and more in this educational course from Catholic Online School!

_________________________________
 

     What is Mardi Gras? How does it relate to Lent?

• In this course, students will explore the history of the Mardi Gras holiday and learn that it is also called Fat Tuesday.
• Students will learn what Mardi Gras is really all about.
• Where did Mardi Gras originate?

Learn this and more with this fun Catholic Online School course on Mardi Gras!

 SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
 (CONFESSION)
 

God’s Gift of Forgiveness

.  ✧･ﾟ･: *✧･ﾟﾟ･:*  +  *:･ﾟﾟ･✧*:･ﾟ･✧  .

 

 
Presentation of Our Lord: February 2nd
St. Blaise/Blessing of Throats:  February 3rd

ASH WEDNESDAY - Lent Begins: February 26th

✧･ﾟ･: *✧˚･:*  ♛  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧    

The month of February is traditionally dedicated to the Holy Family.

Between the events which marked Christmas and the beginning of Christ's public life the Church has seen fit to recall the example of
the Holy Family for the emulation of the Christian family. 

The Feast of the Presentation (February 2) or Candlemas
forms a fitting transition from Christmas to Easter.


 The small Christ-Child is still in His Mother's arms,

but already she is offering Him in sacrifice.     

✧･ﾟ･: *✧˚･:*  ♛  *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

 Jesus, the Most Holy Name


 

___________________________________________      

​​


As the light slowly returns and we anticipate
the arrival of Spring and new life--
let us remember those who have gone before us. 
Let us give thanks for their lives,
and offer prayers for our departed loved ones,
for those who were our benefactors--
and especially for those poor souls in Purgatory
who have no one else to pray for them.

_______________________________________________

 Prayers for The Faithful Departed

♥  I pray especially for those to whom I owe a debt of gratitude and love:
parents, spouse, children, brothers and sisters.
I recommend to You especially ( N.) and also those souls
who have been forgotten by their friends and family members.
Admit them soon into eternal happiness. + Amen.

♥  O most merciful Jesus, Lover of souls,

     NOW on the new

                   FORMED BookClub

_________________________________________________

     Current Selection: 

                         Edward Sri | Ignatius Press

              ​​​​​​

Scholars often have questioned how much the New Testament

can tell us about the Mother of Jesus.

After all, Mary appears only in a few accounts and speaks on limited occasions.
Can Scripture really support the many Marian beliefs developed in the Church over time?

In Rethinking Mary in the New Testament, Dr. Edward Sri shows that the Bible reveals more about Mary than is commonly appreciated. For when the Mother of Jesus does appear in Scripture, it’s often in passages of great importance, steeped in the Jewish Scriptures, and packed with theological significance.

             Join Fr. Fessio, Joseph Pearce, and Vivian Dudro 

                                                               for a weekly discussion of                

RETHINKING MARY In The New Testament
by Dr. Edward Sri
☆☆☆

 Weekly recorded event available TUESDAYS at 11am [Mountain Time]                                                                         

   Rethinking Mary In The New Testament:  Episode 1 

    ☆☆☆     

           FORMED BookClub 

  Weekly Video Discussion

ENROLL Here - FORMED BookClub - FREE Membership

  TAKE A QUIZ: Test your Catholic knowledge

[Click on the pictured icons to take the Quiz]
___________________________

1. QUIZ: Which Catholic Devotion Best Fits Your Personality? 
 

2. QUIZ: Can You Identify These Liturgical Objects?

 

3. QUIZ: Which Book of the Bible Are You?

 

4. QUIZ: What Era of the Church Should You Be Living In?
Do you long more for the High Medieval Period of St. Francis of Assisi or the great battles against Arianism with the Church Fathers?

   #1 The BIBLE

   #2 The Imitation of Christ
          by Thomas à Kempis, CRSA

The Imitation of Christ, which first appeared in the late fifteenth century, has without exaggeration been called the most widely read work of devotion ever written. It encourages us to live a life devoid of worldly vanities and, in the words of St. Paul, to put on Christ, that is, to imitate Christ, in order to find peace and fulfillment.

Written by a German monk for his fellow clergy CRSA  (Canonici Regulares Ordinis or Canon Regulars), The Imitation of Christ has appeared in nearly two thousand editions and translations since it was first set in then-newly-invented movable type. Making its message out of hundreds of passages from Scripture, it succeeds in creating a powerful and attractive picture of the spiritual life for readers of any age or era.         

 

The Imitation Of Christ 
PENGUIN RANDOM HOUSE BOOKS

with
Questions and Topics for Discussion

"

" Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 
 let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. " 

- St. Paul
ROMANS 13:12-14 (RSV)
 

---

Learn more about Thomas à Kempis

Explore the St. Paul Center's Journey Through Scripture
Bible Study Program

 NOW on       

  
The Bible and the Virgin Mary 12-part series
 

Journey Through Scripture is the St. Paul Center's Bible study program designed to help ordinary Catholics grow in their knowledge of the Scriptures while deepening their understanding of the riches of our faith.  Disgtinctively Catholic, Journey Through Scripture reads the Bible from the heart of the Church, engaging both the OLD and NEW Testaments and how they work together.
Its grounded in history, yet actively engages topics faced by today's Catholic. More than just an ordinary Bible study, it's Biblical catechesis.

The Bible and the Virgin Mary is a dynamic twelve-part video series that beautifully explains the Catholic truths about Our Lady, showing how she has been a part of God's plan ito bring salvation to the world since the beginning of time.  In addition to explanation of dogma, answers to common objections, and demonstration of Mary's presence is the OLD and NEW Testaments, the study discusses Church-approved Marian apparitions that play an important role in Catholic Tradiition
Its sure to help Catholics and noon-Catholics alike grow in an understanding and appreciation of the Mother of God.



 

 USCCB APPROVED Translations of the SACRED SCRIPTURES
 for  Private Use and Study by Catholics 

1983 - Present

The 1983 Code of Canon Law entrusts to the Apostolic See and the episcopal conferences the authority to approve translations of the Sacred Scriptures in the Latin Catholic Church (c. 825, §1).  Prior to 1983, Scriptural translations could be approved by the Apostolic See or by a local ordinary within a diocese.   

What follows is a complete list of the translations of the Sacred Scriptures that have received the approval of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops since 1983.      


•    Books of the New Testament, Alba House
•    Contemporary English Version - New Testament, First Edition, American Bible Society
•    Contemporary English Version - Book of Psalms, American Bible Society
•    Contemporary English Version - Book of Proverbs, American Bible Society
•    The Grail Psalter (Inclusive Language Version), G.I.A. Publications
•    New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)
•    New Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition, National Council of Churches 
•    The Psalms, Alba House
•    The Psalms (New International Version) - St. Joseph Catholic Edition, Catholic Book Publishing Company
•    The Psalms - St. Joseph New Catholic Version, Catholic Book Publishing Company
•    Revised Psalms of the New American Bible (1991)
•    So You May Believe, A Translation of the Four Gospels, Alba House
•    Translation for Early Youth, A Translation of the New Testament for Children, Contemporary English Version, American Bible Society



Don't see your particular Bible listed?


In addition to the translations listed above, any translation of the Sacred Scriptures that has received proper ecclesiastical approval ‒ namely, by the Apostolic See, a local ordinary prior to 1983, or an episcopal conference following 1983 ‒ may be used by the Catholic faithful for private prayer and study.  



A few examples of the most popular, widely-used translations:

• Douay-Rheims (1582/1609/1899)
• RSV-2CE (2005)  Revised Standard Version-Second Catholic Edition
• NABRE (2011)  New American Bible, Revised Edition
• Today's English Version (1992) (This is the Catholic edition of the popular Good News Bible ---considered more a paraphrase than a true translation.)
• The Jerusalem Bible (1966)*
• CCD (1941) Confraternity of Christian Doctrine - New Testament  

• The New Jerusalem Bible (1990) A revision of The Jerusalem Bible directly from the original languages. It contains **inclusive language, similar to that rejected in the Revised NAB (NABRE) by the Holy See for use in the liturgy.

** Inclusive Language: A simplified definition of gender-inclusive language is that of a translation which seeks to avoid masculine-specific terminology when the original authour referred to members of both sexes.



 ** Inclusive Language

Learn more about the topic of language-inclusivity, the practical principles, and the canonical responsibility involved in approving translations, in the following document from 
Pastoral Letters and Statements of the United States Catholic Bishops, volume vi: 1989-1997 (Washington, D.C.: United States Catholic Conference, 1998), pp. 207-214. [Approved by the NCCB]

Criteria for the Evaluation of Inclusive Language Translations of Scriptural Texts Proposed for Liturgical Use.

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Catholic vs. Protestant Bibles: whats the difference?

Bible translations developed for use by Catholics are "complete" Bibles.

In other words, these Bibles contain the entire canonical text as identified by Pope Damasus I, the Synod of Rome (382), the local Councils of Hippo (393), and Carthage (397). It is the complete canon contained in St. Jerome's Latin Vulgate translation (420), and as decreed infallibly by the Ecumenical Council of Trent (1570).


This canonical text contains the same 27 New Testament books which Protestant versions contain, but Catholic Bibles have 46 Old Testament books, instead of only the 39 found in Protestant versions. (See OT Books Comparison Chart below)

These 7 books, and parts of 2 others, are called Deuterocanonical (2nd canon) by Catholics,
and The Apocrypha (false writings) by Protestants. These books were eliminated from Protestant versions at the time of the Reformation (16th century).

The Deuterocanonical Scriptures are Tobias (Tobit), Judith, Baruch,
Ecclesiasticus (Sirach), Wisdom, 1st and 2nd Maccabees, portions of Esther and of Daniel.


 

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    OLD TESTAMENT Books Comparison Chart _____________________
 

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It is preferable that any Bible you choose have an imprimatur notice on the back of the title page. The imprimatur/nihil obstat indicates that the book is free from errors in Catholic doctrine.

Source:  USCCB.

 

WHY are PROTESTANT BIBLES smaller?

Watch this concise video
as respected apologist Trent Horn explains
what the deuteurocanonical books are
and offers solid reasons for why they are part of the Bible.  

from Catholic Answers on   
   
 

Bible Reading: Keypoints to remember

• The Bible is not written chronologically.
• It’s a library, not a single book.
• The books are ordered by type of book (historical, prophets, poetry, wisdom…)
• Everyone needs to be taught how to read the Bible

• The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) is the key to understanding how the Bible fits in and the Bible is the key to understanding the Church
• The CCC has 4 Pillars:

• The Creed condenses the Bible, it comes first because the others all spring from it

• Begin with a short prayer asking the Holy Spirit to aid your understanding 
• Focus on the overarching storyline 
• Underline the key pivotal points
• Read to get to know God – not to “conquer” the Bible
• Read it over and over to really understand it, the same way the Church does each liturgical year.

"Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen."

                 --St. Augustine