Note From Fr. Mathew

Fr. Mathew

Father Mathew joined our class on February 8th and emailed the following...

"I was actually excited to see how wonderfully people engage in the discussions. I wish people could come and see what you are doing. This should be the way the church functions- people seriously engaging in studying Bible."

Fr. Mathew

Lessons 16 & 17 Suggested Responses

Bride Gets Herself Ready

I won't be at class for the next two weeks, so here are the suggested responses for Lesson 16 & 17.

Lesson 16 & 17 Suggested Responses

Ann Arbor Dominican Sisters Celebrate 10 Years

Just the Novices!
From their website...

Today, February 9th, we celebrate our ten year anniversary. We wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your support. Join us today in giving thanks to God for His goodness and fidelity.


In 10 years they have grown from 4 to 70 and their average age is 20 something. Pretty cool.

Lesson 16 - Fallen is Babylon the Great!

Click below for Lesson 16

Lesson 16

Lesson 15 Suggested Responses

Click below for Lesson 15's Suggested Responses.

Lesson 15 Suggested Responses

Remember, The first person who explains to the class on Thursday the Jewish Tradition on how Lucifer became the devil will win a handmade all-twine knotted rosary complete with instructions on how to say the rosary. The answer can be found on this blog (check the Archives section).

Lesson 14 Worksheet

I kinda ran out of time, so I don't have all the references included, but it should help some.

Lesson 14 Workshet

Lesson 13 Worksheet

So Say We All


Click below for Lesson 13 Worksheet

Lesson 13 Worksheet

Lesson 13 - Zion and Babylon

Click below for Lesson 13

Lesson 13

Lesson 12 Suggested Responses

Click below for Lesson 12 Suggested Responses

Lesson 12 Suggested Responses

5th Annual Catholic Conference for Men

Eucharistic Adoration

March 24, AOD (Archdiocese of Detroit) is sponsoring the 5th annual men's conference. This year, Ralph Martin, Bishop Carlson (Saginaw), Fr. Riccardo, etc. will speak. Click below for more information.

Men's Conference

Revelation Chapter 13 Summary

Beast of Chapter 13?


The end of Chapter 12 tells us that the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war with the rest of her offspring. Chapter 13 tells us how he does this war making. Satan launches his attack on us using beasts which he gives power. The beasts stand for those who have embodied powers of evil.

The first beast symbolizes political power taken to such an extreme that it pushes God out. The second beast symbolize those forces that justify these evil powers and spin it so that it seems acceptable.

These beasts are firstly a reference to the Roman Empire. But as it is with other themes in the book of Revelation, these beasts manifest throughout all of history and will become acute at the end of time.

Lesson 12 Suggested Responses

All-Twine Knitted Rosary


The first person who explains to the class on Thursday the Jewish Tradition on how Lucifer became the devil will win a handmade all-twine knotted rosary complete with instructions on how to say the rosary. The answer can be found on this blog (check the Archives section).

For the suggested answers for Lesson 12, click here

Lesson 12 Worksheet - Beasts from Land and Sea

Land Beast?

Click below for Lesson 12 Worksheet.

Lesson 12 Worksheet

Lesson 12 - Beasts from Sea and Land

Sea Beast?

Click below for Lesson 12.

Lesson 12

Lesson 11 Suggested Responses

Mary Queen of Heaven

Providing the Suggested Responses before class time was suggested last week. I thought we'd give it a try this week and see if y'all like it.

Lesson 11 Suggested Responses

Revelation Chapter 12 Summary

St. Michael
In an effort to respond to your requests for more teaching, I'll post a summary for each chapter we are studying.

Chapter 12

Section...The Woman and the Dragon
People Involved...The Woman Clothed with the Sun
The Male Child
Michael
Symbols...The Red Dragon
Mass Part...Liturgy of the Eucharist
Liturgical Significance...Intercession of saints and angels
Catholic Themes...Mary Mother of the Church
The Assumption of Mary

Mary, the Arc of the Covenant

This reflection is after Steve Ray's writings. In Revelation 11:19 John makes a surprise announcement: “And the temple of God which is in heaven was opened; and the Ark of His covenant appeared in His temple. . . .”

At this point chapter 11 ends and chapter 12 begins, but the Bible was not written with chapter and verse divisions; they were added in the twelfth century. When John penned these words, there was no division between chapters 11 and 12.

So, immediately in the context of saying he saw the Ark of the Covenant in heaven, what is the next thing John says?

“A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars; and she was with child . . .” (Rev 12:1-2a). Who was the woman? Mary, the Ark of the Covenant was revealed by God and John saw it in heaven. She was seen bearing the child who would rule the world with a rod of iron (Rev 12:5). Mary was seen as the Ark and as a queen.

But does this passage really refer to Mary? Some say the woman represents Israel or the Church, and certainly she does. John’s use of rich symbolism is well known, but it is obvious from the Bible itself that the woman is Mary. The Bible begins with a real man (Adam), a real woman (Eve) and a real serpent (the devil) — and it also ends with a real man (Jesus, the Last Adam, 1 Cor 15:45), a real woman (Mary the New Eve , Rev 11:19—12:2) and a real serpent (the devil of old). All this was foretold in Genesis 3:15.

Later in the same chapter it says that the devil went out to persecute the woman’s other offspring — Christians — which certainly seems to indicate Mary is somehow the mother of the Church (Rev 12:17).

So, here again we see very good scriptural evidence of Mary being revealed by God in Scripture as the Ark of the New Covenant. Even if someone disagrees with Catholic teaching, they cannot argue that there is good and reasonable scriptural foundations for this teaching. And it is a teaching that has been taught by Christians from ancient times.

Lesson 11 Worskheet

The Woman and the Dragon


Lesson 11 Worksheet now available.

Just a reminder, the Lesson Worksheet provides all (most?) of the cross-references mentioned in each of the homework questions.

Lesson 11

Lesson 11 now available

St. Thomas a'Becket - A Saint for Today

Henry II
On December 29, CSS had a St. Thomas a'Becket Feast Day celebration at Toni's house. We watched the movie "Becket" which presented Thomas' adult life story. What was remarkable for me is how relevant our patron saint is for today. Although the movie reflects the 1960s, the problems that faced Thomas are relevant for today. Issues such as:

1. Separation of Church and State and how this separation protects the Church.
2. Sexual Abuse by Clergy and whether civil law or cannon law should be used.
3. Excommunication. Thomas excommunicates a public official for disobedience to Church teachings.

Revelation Chapter 12 and Satan

Fallen Angel

As discussed previously, Revelation depicts the struggle between good and evil from the beginning of time. Rev 12:7-9 talks about a war between the dragon (Satan/the devil/Lucifer) and Michael (the archangel). This passage reminds us of the origin of the devil which happened at the beginning of creation according to Jewish tradition (it's not in the Bible). Lucifer (a created angel) became a devil because when God created man in his own image and likeness, Lucifer refused to acknowledge the dignity granted to man. Michael obeyed, but Lucifer and some other angels rebelled against God because they regarded man as beneath them. As a result the devil and his angelic followers were cast down to earth to be imprisoned in hell, which is why they ceaselessly tempt man, trying to make him sin so as to deprive him of the glory of God.

Interpreting the Book of Revelation

These thoughts are taken from the Navarre Bible. Due to the wealth of symbolism in the book, it has been interpreted in many different ways over the centuries. The four main interpretations are as follows:

a. The book is a history of the Church, proclaiming the main events and epochs of the Church, past and future.
b. The Apocalypse has to do solely with events in St. John's own time...It sees the book as merely a symbolic description of first-century events.
c. The content of the Apocalypse is exclusively a proclamation of the last days. This interpretation is reflected in the "Left Behind" books popular among evangelical protestants today.
d. The Apocalypse is a theological vision of the entire panorama of history. This interpretation is reflected in our Catholic Scripture Study and is most favored by most Fathers of the Church.

John is describing the situation of the Church in his own time and also surveying the last times. But for John, the "last times" have already begun, they began at the Nativity - Jesus' birth to Mary in Bethlehem 2000 years ago. The book of Revelation depicts the cosmic struggle between good and evil from the beginning of time all the way through the end of time. But all the while, it takes for granted Christ's ultimate triumph.

Lesson 10 Suggested Responses

Click below for the Suggested Responses to Lesson 10.

Lesson 10 Suggested Responses

Lesson 10 Worksheet Now Available

Click below for the Lesson 10 Worksheet.

Lesson 10 Worksheet

Lesson 10 Now Available

CSS' server is up and running again. Click below for Lesson 10 and I'm working on the worksheet now.

Lesson 10

Lesson 10

Happy New Year everybody. It's a new year and time to get back into the Word of God. Unfortunately, Catholic Scripture Study's web server is down. This means that I cannot post the worksheets or Lessons right now. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Monthly STAB CSS Outings

J-Glenn Murray







We are planning to have monthly social outings for Catholic Scriptute Study.

December 29...................St. Thomas a'Becket's Feast Day Pot Luck
January 13......................Dinner at ??? after J-Glenn's Talk at SJN

iPadre

I don't know about you, but I hardly ever listen to the radio in my car any more. I listen to Catholic podcasts almost exclusively.

So this is interesting news. Boston's Cardinal Sean O'Malley is going high-tech. He already has his own blog, now he plans to start podcasting to the masses, beginning with downloadable Christmas messages. I already subscribe to Cardinal Arinze's podcast, now I'll have another Cardinal in my ear.

Feast Day Plans

On Friday, December 29th at 7:00 pm, the Feast of St. Thomas a’Becket, Catholic Scripture Study will be celebrating our patron saint. Come and join us for vespers, pot luck dinner, and a movie. The film is Becket, the life story of St. Thomas a’Becket. Deacon Jim will lead us in vespers.

Toni has graciously offered her home. Thank you Toni. If you can attend, please contact Toni by 12/26 to let her know how many will attend and what you can bring.

I don't want to post last names nor phone numbers on the internet. If you need Toni's phone number, email me at mstapletonpe@yahoo.com.

What Did Y'all Think?

This is Rose


This is Pink












This is B-16


I thought the rose vestments were pretty cool. What did you all think? I've noticed that all the younger priests I know have 'em.

No Class this Thursday 12/21

Just a reminder, there is no class this Thursday, December 21st. Our next class is Thursday, January 4th. Merry Christmas!

Vatican Soccer Team?

Vatican City, 18 Dec. (AKI) - The Vatican could soon have a top football team, the Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, has said. "I am not ruling out that the Vatican could in the future have a soccer team of great value able to compete.

Big deal, there have been other professional teams before. Here are a few...

Solanus Casey Documentary

Thanks to Maria for letting us know that the Solanus Casey Documentary will be aired on PBS on December 20th in the evening.

Healing Prophet: Solanus Casey

Wednesday, December 20, 10:00pm

CHANNEL 56 (WTVS)

Dr. Ray in Michigan

Dr. Ray Guarendi " Standing Strong as a Parent"
# Time: 7pm
# Location: St Lucy Croatian Catholic Church, 200 East Wattles, Troy 48098
# Directions: On south side of Wattles between Rochester and Livernois Roads. I-75 to Crooks Road; turn south on Crooks, continue to Wattles; turn east at Wattles. The church is approximately 1/4 mile on the south side.
# Cost: free will offering
# Date :18 January 2007
# Category :general
# Event description
Dr. Ray will speak for one hour on the need for parents to accept, and use, their authority to strengthen their families. A 15 minute Q&A session will follow. Books, and AV material will be available for purchase. Light refreshments will be wserved.
# Contact Name: Faye
# Contact Info: (248)-299-7850
# Email :fzych@comcast.net

Solanus Casey Documentary Film Debut

What, you don't know Solanus Casey!!? He was a Capuchin priest who served most of his life in Detroit and is a slam dunk to be canonized a saint soon.

A new documentary film on the life of Father Solanus Casey, Detroit's leading candidate to be declared a Catholic saint by the Vatican, will debut in a special big-screen showing at the Capuchin center he once called home.

See the film at a big-screen showing at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 16 at the Solanus Casey Center at 1780 Mt. Elliott on Detroit's east side. That's the visitors center established to celebrate the ministries of Father Solanus, who was born Nov. 25, 1870, in Wisconsin and died in Detroit on July 31, 1957.

Click Here For More Information

S. Thomas' Reconciliation and Mass Schedule for Advent, Christmas Eve and Day

Communal Reconciliation w/Individual Absolution
Mon., December 18th at 7:00 PM
Individual Reconciliation
Every Saturday from 3:00-3:30 PM

Mass Schedule
Sunday, December 24th (Sunday Obligation)
Masses at 8:00 and 10:00 only

Sunday, December 24th (Christmas Eve Masses)
Children’s Mass at 4:00 PM
Evening Masses at 6 P.M., 9 PM
And Midnight Mass (What time does Midnight Mass start?)

Monday, December 25th (Christmas Day Masses)
Masses at 10:00 AM and Noon

Lesson 9 Worksheet

Click below for Lesson 9 Worksheet

Lesson 9 Worksheet

Lesson 9

Click below for a copy of Lesson 9

Lesson 9

Getting Into The Spirit

The blessed Advent season is upon us. This season is supposed to be joyous, but sometimes it can be most difficult. Get involved in our St. Thomas a'Becket community. Here are some suggestions to get into the spirit.



Pray...........Our Lady of Perpetual Help - Tue at 6:00 pm
Go to Mass.....Add a daily Mass - Tuesdays at 7:00 pm
Adoration......of the Blessed Sacrament - Wed 10 am to 5 pm
Service........Donate food SVDP Wagon each time you go to church

If you still can't shake the blues, work with the poor. That always works.

Journey to Bethlehem

The Nativity Trailer

Lesson 8 Suggested Responses

CSS Answer Man (Exodus = Malachi times Second Chronicles?)
Click below for the Suggested Responses to Lesson 8.

Lesson 8 Suggested Responses

J-Glenn Murray at SJN

On January 12, 13, and 14, J-Glen Murray, SJ will be presenting, preaching, and teaching with his unique dynamic style at St. John Neumann. Fr. J-Glen will be taking on the challenge that "the Mass is boring". Click below for more information.

J-Glenn Murray

Question and Answer

I received some excellent suggestions last night after our meeting. Several of you are struggling, like me, with some of the answers given in the materials. For me, some of the "answers" are prompting more questions.

It was suggested that we bring in an "authority" to help. I'm going to invite some people I know that may be able to help. More on that later. In the meantime, I'm going to be collecting questions from you and forwarding them to Catholic Scripture Study for their response. On their website, there is an opportunity for a Q&A so I can try that too.

You can email me your question (mstapletonpe@yahoo.com) or click on the "Comments" and post your question there. I'll try to have a response by the next meeting. Thanks again for your suggestions.

St. Thomas a'Becket Feast Day Celebration

St. Thomas a'Becket
On Friday, December 29th, the Feast of St. Thomas a’Becket, Catholic Scripture Study will be celebrating our patron saint. Come and join us for prayer, pot luck dinner, and a movie. The film is Becket, the life story of St. Thomas a’Becket. His life and death has influenced many Christians, including our little community in our church architecture and art.

Toni O'Farrell has graciously offered her home. Thank you Toni. Details will follow.

St. Thomas lived a rather worldly life well into middle age. But at some point he made resolutions to follow God and the church. As we prepare to make our own resolutions for the New Year, come and be inspired with prayer, fellowship, and St. Thomas’ life story.

One-Man Play on St. Max - Saint of Auschwitz

St. Max
Lots of stuff going on this time of year, but this dramatic play on St. Maximillian is reported to be excellent. It's going to be at St. John Neumann Tuesday night. I'm goin'.

Click Here For More Information

Lesson 8

Click below for a copy of Lesson 8. If you're looking for Lesson 8 Worksheet, you can find it below.

Lesson 8

Lesson 7 Suggested Responses

Click below for the suggested responses to Lesson 7.

Lesson 7 Suggested Responses

Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Immaculate Mary
Friday is a holy day of obligation. See you at Mass!!

See The Nativity Story Trailer

You have got to see this movie trailer. It captures the movie great. I saw The Nativity Story twice and loved it both times. It may not be "perfect", but if we Christians want Hollywood to tell our story in a respectful way, we need to support good efforts; and this is a good one.

Click Here For The Trailer

Lesson 8 Worksheet

Hope your Advent is going well. Click below for this week's worksheet.

Lesson 8 Worksheet

Movie "Nativity" for Free

On Sunday, November 26th, an extraordinary event will take place at The Vatican. For the first time ever, a Hollywood premiere of a major motion picture will take place in Vatican City. The film, a compelling story of The Holy Family, comes to theaters everywhere on December 1st and is sure to become a timeless Christmas classic.

On Monday, November 27th, a second extraordinary event will take place in 30 dioceses across the country and that is the US Premiere of this film, exclusively to Catholic leaders [and now anyone]. You are invited to attend and to forward this invitation to other Catholic leaders [and now anyone] you know in selected cities across this country (See invite below for cities). A full house in each of these theaters across the country will demonstrate to Hollywood that the Catholic market turns out with influence when presented with a product exemplifying the true, the good and the beautiful. This is one of those films. PLEASE make certain that any priest, diocesan leader, parish leader or Catholic apostolic leader you know attends one of these screenings.

[Space is limited so it's first come, first serve]:

Click here for free tickets

No Class on Thanksgiving

Just a reminder, there will be no class on Thanksgiving. Let us rest in the Lord and give thanks to the father of us all.

Lesson 6 Worksheet

Click below for Lesson 6 Worksheet

Lesson 6 Worksheet

November 9 Class Cancelled

Our November 9th class has been cancelled. Neither Gary nor I can make this class, so we thought it best.

Lesson 5 Suggested Responses

Click below for the suggested responses to Lesson 5 questions.

Lesson 5 Suggested Responses

Lesson 6

Click below for a PDF copy of Lesson 6

Lesson 6

Blessed Mother on YouTube

Make sure your sound level is audible and check out the evangelism going on YouTube.

Mary on the Tube

Class Location

Each week, please check the directory for CSS class location. The directory is located in the middle of the Welcome Area of the Church.

Articles for the Chancellor

Deborah will be our coordinator for articles to be posted in the Chancellor, STAB's weekly bulletin. Click on the "comments" link below and give her suggestions for future articles.

Food for the Poor

Our Parish is committed to serving the poor. As was suggested last night, STAB CSS should be as well. Please bring non perishable food each week and donate to the little red wagon on display in the Welcome Area.

And the King will answer them, `Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.' (Mt 25:40)

Lesson 5 Worksheet

The worksheet has most of the cross references included with the questions.

Lesson 5 Worksheet

Lesson 5

Click below for a PDF copy of Lesson 5

Lesson 5

Lesson 4 Suggested Responses

Click below for the suggested responses for Lesson 4.

Lesson 4 Suggested Responses

Chancellor Articles

As suggested last meeting, I'll be posting an article in the Chancellor from time to time (the church bulletin for those of you not STAB members).

If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears. Just click on "comments" below, and let me know your thoughts.

STAB CSS New Location

For the rest of the year, we will meet mostly in Rooms 19,21,23, and 25. These rooms are located between the Eucharistic Chapel and the main sanctuary. Go toward the altar, left and then right.

Just in case, each week you should check the directory located in the middle of the Welcome Area of the church to make sure our location hasn't changed.

Also, let's stay in the same groups we were in last week. Have a great week.

Lesson 4 Worksheet

Click below for the worksheet for the fourth lesson. I posted each question along with the references from the Catechism and othe Bible verses.

Lesson 4 Worksheet

Lesson 4

Click below for Lesson 4.
Lesson 4

Lesson 3 Work Sheet

This post is just like the reference sheet but has the lesson questions pasted as well. Let me know if these are helpful.

Lesson 3 Work Sheet

Lesson 3 - Suggested Responses

Click below for:

Lesson 3 - Suggested Responses

Lesson 3 Reference Sheet

All the Bible verses and Catechism paragraphs needed for Lesson 3 are compiled below...

Lesson 3 Reference Sheet

Lesson 3

I'm trying to get this blog so that you can do the homework assignments in a remote location. The current lesson should be posted and the links on this blog can access the bible and the catechism. I hope this is helpful.

Lesson 3

Lesson 2 Suggested Responses

Lesson 2 Suggested Responses

Lesson 2 References

Some of the questions require you to look up bible verses and catechism references. I will try to post all the references for each lesson so that you have a handy list when you are doing your homework.

Lesson 2 References

Lesson 1 - Suggested Responses

Here are the Suggested Responses to the questions for Lesson 1

Lesson 1 - Suggested Responses

Lesson 2

Lesson 2 is now available...

Lesson 2