Saint Brigid Parish offerings:
Little Rock Scripture Study:
Weekly scripture study is held every Tuesday evening from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. in the parish school. Those who attend deepen their understanding of the Bible and also find their faith strengthened and affirmed. We rely on the Holy Spirit to help us arrive at ways to apply God’s word to our daily lives.
Sunday Lectionary Based Studies:
Between formal studies, this group uses the Little Rock format of conversational prayer and discussion questions prepared by a facilitator for the three readings (pericopes) in the Lectionary for the next Sunday’s Mass. Minimum preparation involves being familiar with the designated readings. The weekly Sunday bulletin lists the Lectionary readings to be proclaimed the following Sunday. Attendance can be on a drop-in basis, although there is a core group of weekly attendees. Bring your Bible. Beneficial for everyone, especially useful for lectors.
Formal Studies:
During each year at least two structured studies are scheduled. The format includes reading, discussion, a video presentation and prayer. Formal studies are planned according to the Liturgical Season, so that they complement parish community programs. Notices for sign-up of formal studies appear in the Sunday bulletin. We have used primarily the Little Rock Scripture Studies that were begun in the Diocese of Little Rock (Arkansas) more than 30 years ago. There have been two studies a year: one in the fall and one in the winter on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. Small groups discuss the questions provided, which often leads to testimony about living life following the Risen Christ.
Saginaw Diocese Parish Scripture Studies:
All scripture studies held at the three Midland parishes are posted on the Diocesan Web Site under adult faith formation.
If a scripture study is planned for somewhere else in the Saginaw Diocese and fits into the Liturgical Season, we will attend it. Announcements on upcoming studies are placed in the Sunday bulletin and in the Catholic Weekly. We use car pools to maximize attendance at outlying parishes. We follow the outline and plans of the hosting parish or organization.
Father Bill Taylor will offer scripture courses at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Saginaw and the Center for Ministry in Saginaw (as part of the Lay Ministry Program). These studies meet about 5 or 6 nights with a lecture format, Q&A and handouts.
Romans, Acts of the Apostles, Revelation, 1-Corinthians, Art of Biblical Narrative, Gospel of John and others. Father Taylor is currently scheduled to present “Catholics and the Bible” on Thursdays on September 6 and 13 from 7 to 9 p.m. at St. Stephen’s in Saginaw and “Introduction to the Old Testament” at the same time and place on September 20, 27, and Oct 4, 11, 18 and 25. He is also scheduled to present a three-day seminar on “The Church” at the Center for Ministry (small fee involved) on Wednesdays on September 26 and October 3 and 10 from 6:30 to 9 p.m.
For contact information call the parish Faith Formation Office: 835-8831 ext 50.
Internet Web Sites:
There are many Web Sites on the Internet providing weekly Lectionary Bible studies. The list below is only partial, but are Catholic-based and are used by some scripture students at St. Brigid. Permission for use is usually copyrighted but viewers may copy most material found for their personal use or for use in any non-profit ministry. Materials may not be sold or used for personal financial gain. Many of these sites have links to other sites.
http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/sanchez/ Sanchez Archives, Kansas City MO http://www.emmausjourney.org/ Emmaus Journey, Colorado Springs CO http://www.stdismas.org/ St. Dismas Guild, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Deacon Ken and Marie Finn, Escondido CA
http://www.st-raymond-dublin.org/scripture.php St. Raymond’s Catholic Church, Dublin CA
http://www.scborromeo.org/biblestudies.htm St. Chas Borromeo Church, Picayune MS http://liturgy.slu.edu/ The Center for Liturgy, St. Louis (Jesuit) University, St. Louis MO http://www.word-Sunday.com/ Word Sunday, Larry Broding, Religious Education, St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Carlsbad CA
http://www.boomertrek.com/index.htm Bill Dunn’s Faith and Funnies Web Site (Catholic free lance writer), Torrington CT – articles reflect on the gospels http://www.agreeley.com/homilies.html Fr. Andrew Greeley’s Web Site (priest, author and sociologist), Chicago IL – short stories reflect on the gospels
http://www.rc.net/ Ann Arbor MI – Meditations on scripture by Don Schwager; daily scripture readings, Catholic Encyclopedia, lots more
http://www.catholiclinks.com/classic/links.php Lots of different Catholic Web Sites (including Bible studies); links to other sites