Word of God Sunday

“The relationship between the Risen Lord, the community of believers and sacred Scripture is essential to our identity as Christians. Without the Lord who opens our minds to them, it is impossible to understand the Scriptures in depth. Yet the contrary is equally true: without the Scriptures, the events of the mission of Jesus and of his Church in this world would remain incomprehensible.”

(Pope Francis, Aperuit Illis  1.)

Resources for Word of God Sunday – January 26, 2020

and the Vatican Catholic Biblical Federation Year of the Word of God (2019-20)
 
The Sunday of the Word of God has been added to the Church’s liturgical year. Pope Francis suggests that parishes and other Catholic leaders undertake “initiatives to make the sacred Scripture more accessible to believers, to increase their gratitude for so great a gift, and to help them to strive daily to embody and bear witness to its teaching” Apperuit Illis No. 1).
 

The Catholic Biblical School has many resources available to assist parishes meet this goal, many at low- or no-cost to parishes and individuals: https://catholicedaohct.org/prospective-students. Or contact BJ Daly Horell for more information: 860-242-5573, ext. 2679.
 
The OEEC also recommends the following resources for bringing attention to this new designation of the Third Sunday in Ordinary Time:
 
  • Daily Lectionary Readings in English and Spanish
  • Daily Audio Readings
  • Video Reflections
  • Lectio Divina materials for Sundays (sent to your email inbox)
 
Family, Parish and School Resources (within mass, at home, in the classroom)
 
Year of the Bible resources from the website of Stephen J. Binz (https://www.bridge-b.com/), including
  • Blessing of Bibles
  • Bible Enthronement Ceremony in English and Spanish
  • Word of God Sunday Announcement for pulpit, bulletin, newsletters, and social media
  • Email Announcement with links to resources
Lectionary-Based Scripture Studies. Cultivate the habit of reflecting on the Sunday Scriptures with your family, parish group or catechism class each week. Excellent resources to help you do this include:
  • Loyola Press Sunday Connection
  • At Home With the Word 2020
  • Pflaum Gospel Weeklies
 

Group Study – Basic Resources for those Just Starting Out

The Bible Blueprint by Joe Paprocki. Loyola Press offers a free Leader’s Guide (https://www.loyolapress.com/~/media/Images/Loyola%20Press/ocf-articles/discussion-guides/3118_BibleBlueprint_LeaderGuide.ashx) to assist you to plan and guide a nine session group study of this incredible and accessible resource. Each formation session includes:
  • An engaging opening activity.
  • Scripting to assist the facilitator.
  • Adult methodology that invites participants to interact in small groups.
  • Discussion questions for use in small groups or as a large group.
  • References to further online Scripture resources pertaining to the session.
  • A closing prayer and Scripture reading using the ancient practice of lectio divina, “sacred reading.”
 
Notre Dame’s STEP / McGrath Institute for Church Life. Form a cohort or study individually, online. Here is a snapshot of the courses in Sacred Scripture offered this year. Classes range from 15 hours to 55 hours in length.
  • Can We Write a History of Jesus?                              Begins April 20, 2020
  • The Letters of St. Paul                                                 Begins April 20, 2020
  • The Synoptic Gospels  (Matthew, Mark and Luke)     Begins April 20, 2020 
  • Biblical Literary Forms                                                           Begins June 15, 2020
  • Introduction to the Old Testament                             Begins August 31, 2020
  • Reading the Book of Revelation                                 Begins October 12, 2020
  • Gospel of John: The Book of Signs                              Begins October 14, 2020
The Archdiocese of Hartford enjoys a 50% discount through STEP so the cost per person is $49.50. To explore course descriptions, go to: https://mcgrath.nd.edu/online-courses/step/courses/. To discuss the process for organizing this experience, call Lisa Orchen at 860-242-5573, ext. 2652.
 

Little Rock Scripture Study offers powerful resources for individual or group Bible study. Their three-week Alive in the Word studies are brief but pack a punch to invigorate your spiritual life! Longer programs are also available. Check them all out at https://littlerockscripture.org/.
 
Threshold Bible Study introduces biblical themes and books for individual or group Bible study. Dozens of titles are available with topics such as: Mary, Angels of God, The Names of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and much more. Here’s a link to the publisher’s website: http://www.twentythirdpublications.com/thbist1.html