Christmas Message

To all of the Members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study:

May Each One of You Experience the true and lasting joy which is Christmas!

See amid the winter snow
Born for us on earth below
See the tender lamb appears
Promised from eternal years
Hail thou ever blessed morn
Hail redemptions happy dawn
Shout for all the world to hear
Christ is born in Bethlehem!

I want to personally thank all of you for the cherished and blessed gift which is your friendship, wisdom, knowledge and sense of humor!

December 1, 2008

In this week's Bible Study here at the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima we continued our discussion of St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians under the guidance of Father Peter Calabrese, CRSP.

In this particular meeting we discussed Chapter 3 of St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians. Father Peter reminded us that this is considered a very feisty chapter of Paul's Letter to the Philippians. Some biblical scholars are very much tempted to hack at the text of this chapter.

St. Paul is full of the Spirit in this Chapter. St. Paul gives us a sense of security and Paul speaks of returning to the ceremonial practic of the Judaic law. Paul reminds us that we are truly bonded to God when we worship in the spirit.

Father Peter reminded us that we do not place confidence in the externals of our faith.

St. Paul considered the Pharisee to be the "religious" elite of his day. Father Peter reminded us that humility was not a strong point in the time of Saint Paul.

St. Paul railed against the hypocrisy of his time. St. Paul speaks of the liberty which we receive in Christ.

Father Peter reminded us that Phariseeism was basically a lay movement.

St. Paul exhorts us to follow Jesus the Alpha & the Omega.

Father Peter reminded us that there will be no Bible Study meeting next Monday on the Feast of the Immaculate Conception due to the Pro-Life Mass and Rosary which take place at 8:00 p.m. in the Basilica of Our Lady of Fatima.

November 24, 2008

On November 24, 2008 the members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study under the direction of Father Peter Calabrese, CRSP continued our discussion of St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians. In this meeting we continued our discussion of Chapter II.

Father Peter brought to our attention that St. Paul in this chapter cites the example of Christ in the Christological hymn.

Father Peter noted that the word obey used in Chapter II comes from the Greek word which means to listen and from our listening the end of our obedience is going to be that we will be obedient as Christ is obedient.

Father Peter reminded us that the tone of St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians is much differeent from that of the Letter to the Galatians. St. Paul is very emotional in his Letter to the Philippians.

In this particular letter St. Paul reminds us that we approach the majesty and awesomeness of God. Father Peter brought up the point that as we approach a more intimate relationship with God that our personal awareness of His love and of our own call grows within our spiritual lives.

St. Paul also reminds us of the grumbling characteristic of the Israelites. Father Peter in his astuteness noted that grumbling was the primary sin of the Israelites and that the honest questioning of our faith and our values is OK.

November 10, 2008

On November 10, 2008 the members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study under the direction of Father Peter M. Calabrese, CSRP began to study Chapter II of Saint Paul's Letter to the Philippians. Father Peter noted that St. Paul is being very rhetorical in his writing in the opening of Chapter II. St. Paul stressed the use of rhetorical language. St. Paul asks if there is an incentive in the virtue of love. St. Paul notes that encouragement in Christ opens us up to fellowship in the Spirit.

St. Paul wants us to complete his joy being in accord with Christ. St. Paul wants the Philippians to be unified and stresses unity in Chapter II. Father Peter noted that the centrality of Christ is a strong element of Saint Paul's Letter to the Philippians.

St. Paul wants the Church to be unified. Unity rooted in Christ is also rooted in the virtue of charity.

Father Peter noted that unity is very much a Zaccarian theme within the Barnabite Order.

Father Peter also reminded us that humility was considered to be the virtue of a slave in the time of Saint Paul.

Novermber 3, 2008

On November 3, 2008 the members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study under the direction of Father Peter M. Calabrese, CRSP continued our discussion of Saint Paul's letter to the Philippians.

While reviewing Chapter 1, Father Peter noted that it is important for us to understand Paul's relationship to his faith. Saint Paul's purpose in writing this letter is for the advancement of the Gospel. Father Peter reminded us that Paul is suffering for the sake of the Gospel and that he (Paul) inspires us to speak with word of God without fear.

Father Peter astutely noted that Saint Paul's Letter to the Philippians can help us to deal with some of the challenges of our faith in today's world. Saint Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians to solve specific faith problems at a specific moment. Saint Paul wants to be delivered from shame so that he can continue his ministry with courage.

Father Peter also noted that St. Paul reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. The reading of St. Paul's Letter to the Philippians can help us in our faith to both discern and realize what is good attachment and bad attachment in our relationships with others and to ourselves.

Prayer That I would like to share

To the Members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study:

Here is a nice prayer that I would like to share with all of you.

Lord, Jesus Christ,
with all the strength of our souls
we turn to you to find the joy that
only You can give.
Live in our hearts that we may know
the sweetness of Your love. Amen

October 6, 2008

Our study of Saint Paul's letter to the Galatians continued under the direction of Father Peter M. Calabrese, CRSP. Father Peter noted that there are two sections toward the end of Chapter 5 that are of an introductory significance. Verses 19-21 are a list of Vices. Verses 22-23 are a list of Virtues.

St. Paul takes his meaning from the philosophy of his time. St. Paul is doing this in light of the kingdom of God and not simply from a neutral perspective. Paul is doing it to prepare Christians for the kingdom of God.

Father Peter informed us of the Synod of Bishops which is currently taking place in Rome. The focus of this particular synod is Sacred Scripture Father Peter also told us that this entire Bible is being continuously read in one of the churches of Rome by 200 lectors.

St. Paul encourages us to do all we do in the spirit. St. Paul is opposed to the desires of the flesh. Fr. Peter reminded us that the late Pope John Paul II said that to be fully Christian is to be fully human.

St. Paul chooses not to appeal to the law. Christianity is not merely an ideology. The Church respects the theology of St. Paul.

Jesus' preaching was to prepare us for salvation for for our walk with the Holy Spirit.

St. Paul preached to the gentile community that accepted the immorality of society. St. Paul was concerned with the role of the law.

Father Peter reminded us that faith works through Christ in love.

22 September 2008 Meeting

Under the direction of Father Peter Calabrese, CRSP. the members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study continued our discussion/study of St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians.

During our meeting we were pleased to begin our study of Chapter 5, which as Fr. Peter reminded us is an Exhortation to Christian Living. In this Chapter, St. Paul stresses the importance of faith. Fr. Peter reminded us of the debate often undertaken by scholars who debate over the divisions in the Letter to the Galatians.

In this Chapter, St. Paul tells us that Christ has set us free from the scandal and chains of sin. Yet, when we set ourselves free from sin our humanity opens us up to other sins through we can be freed through prayer and the great sacramental of Confession. Our penances help to free us from the slavery of sin.

Fr. Peter reminded us that spiritual freedom only comes from God. St. Paul refers to sin as the yoke of slavery.

In Paul's Letter to the Roman's 2-25 - St. Paul is speaking to both the Jews and to Gentile Christians.

St. Paul reminds us that we are justified by faith and not by the law and Paul speaks of the relationship which we need to have with God. Paul is definitely concerned with the role of the Law, yet we must remember that faith works through Christ in love.

Fr. Peter reminded us that next week's meeting will be held by Father Giovanni Rizzi, CRSP, a noted Barnabite Biblicist and Scholar.

September 8, 2008 Bible Study

On September 8, 2008 the Fatima Shrine Bible Study was led by Maura Nolan due to the absence of Reverend Peter M. Calabrese, CRSP. Maura opened our discussion with fitting opening prayer asking for both guidance and wisdom also invoking the intercession of Our Lady on this the feast of Her birth as we continued our study of St. Paul's letter to the Galatians.

Maura discussed the various proofs of St. Paul given to us in his letter to the Galatians as discussed in Chapter 4.

Proof 4 Christians as the children of God.

Proof 5 The Galatians in their relationship to Saint Paul

Proof 6 Allegory of Sarah & Hagar

Maura reminded us that we are all children of Christ through our Baptism and that we are all heirs of the kingdom of God as mentioned in the beginning of Chapter 4 of the Book of Galatians.
Because of the Law the Jewish people did not have a voice. The Jews seemed to be caught up in the pettiness of following the Judaic rules rather than being spiritual people.

Maura reminded us that the Jews were never really subjects to the Laws of Moses.

In Verse 12 of Chapter 4 of Galatians, St. Paul speaks to us of his freedom from spiritual enslavement. In Verse 13, Paul makes reference to a physical illness had had.

We were not able to discuss Proof 6 in the meeting.

Meeting of Monday - August 18, 2008

Under the direction of Father Peter Calabrese, CRSP we continued our study of Saint Paul's Letter to the Galatians. This week we concentrated our study on Chapter 3 of St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians. Father Peter reminded us that St. Paul refers to the Galatians as foolish Galatians - foolish corresponding to the idea of them being unwise. St. Paul tends to be a rhetorical writer.

In Chapter 3, Saint Paul is opposing the works of the law, more specifically circumcision and dietary rules which in a sense defied the Jewish people. St. Paul stresses that we walk by faith.

The Galatians were lured away from the faith by following the Jewish laws too strictly. Father Peter noted that Abraham is the primary patriarch for the Jewish people. Abraham was righteous because he believed in God.

St. Paul sees the need to take care of the Galations who were somewhat slightly thick headed. St. Paul found that their ways were stubborn. The Galatians were caught up in the religiousity (rules) of the faith, rather than in being saved.

St. Paul challenges them not to revert and not to be caught up in their religiousity. St. Paul felt that by invoking the Mosaic law that they were rejecting Crhist and His teaching. The Jewish law is somewhat auto-cursed and St. Paul is busy trying to make this point.

Meeting of Monday - August 11, 2008

I apologize to the members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study for not posting anything last week. I do hope that all are able to forgive me.

Again, Father Peter, suggested to the read the entire letter of St. Paul to the Galations in order to obtain an easier familiarity with the text at hand.

Father Peter recommended the commentary "Sacra Pagina" produced by the Liturgical Press and edited by Reverend Daniel Harrington, S.J.

In this week's meeting, we began a discussion of Galations Chapter 2. Father Peter reminded us that Paul can be a little bit ambiguous. In this particular chapter, Paul establishing his authority in this Chapter. St. Paul is somewhat opposed to the Law of Judism. Some of the verses of this chapter may be constrewed as being somewhat convoluted. St. Paul is trying to establish the fact that Jerusalem in aware of who he is. Paul focuses on the unity of the Church. Paul has a bit of pride, while at the same time he recognizes the validity of the Church in Jerusalem. St. Paul refers to the poor - the poor of Jerusalem. Paul's faith in God leads to faith in Jesus Christ.

Paul makes somewhat of a crescendo of his point at the end of Chapter 2.

Try a new way to read the Bible!

There are many ways to study scripture. In our bible study, we follow an outlined format as a group to learn something specific guided by a master, in our case, Father Peter. I find it informative and intellectually stimulating. I also enjoy seeking Wisdom from it when I’m alone. I simply put my hand over the bible, ask God to guide me to any page He wishes me to read, and I receive a meaningful message straight from Him to me for that day. I don’t know if anyone else here does that... I think the Bible can be a comfort at times. I use it as a window from my soul to God’s. I really think it works...try it!

Monday - July 21, 2008

On Monday, July 21, 2008, the members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study Group continued our discussion of the writings of St. Paul under the direction of our moderator, Father Peter M. Calabrese, CRSP. Father Peter kindly shared with us that he likes to approach the reading of the writings of St. Paul in a spiritual fashion. Father noted that our study of the writings of St. Paul will based on solid doctorine. Father Peter noted that we will become familiar with the complete text of the Book of Galatians over the next two/three months. Father had some excellent suggestions to aid us in our study of the book of Galatians. Father suggested that we refer to the notes that he gave us from the Fitzmeyer Outline of the writings of St. Paul. Father Peter also suggested we read the entire book of Galatians and for those who may be more adventurous to type out the entire book of Galatians to aid us in our really getting into the heart of the Book of Galatians. Father Peter also suggested that we may even want to recite the book of Galations into a tape recorder and listen to it be read in a meditative manner. The Fitzmeyer outline given us by Father Peter is an excellent resource in guiding us through the historical aspects of the Book of Galatians.

On Monday, July 14, we were pleased to have our Bible Study moderated under the auspices of Father Gabriel M. Patil, CRSP; the Provincial Superior of the North American Province of the Barnabite Fathers. Father Gabriel is expertly versed in Holy Writ and is a scripture scholar. The members of the Bible Study Group missed the presence of Father Peter, but are very appreciative to Father Gabriel for his scholarly wisdom regarding the Apostle Paul. Father Gabriel generously gave an outline about Saint Paul and was kind enough to share a lecture about the Apostle Paul on video by Luke Timothy Johnson, another renowned Biblical Scholar.
We thanked Father Gabriel for his kindness in coming to address us and were pleased with the video by Luke Timothy Johnson.

Bible Study - July 6, 2008

On July 6, 2008, the members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study under the direction of Father Peter Calabrese, CRSP were able to continue their study of the works of Saint Paul. Father Peter continued with his excellent introduction into the writings and charism of St. Paul. Fr. Peter noted that St. Paul can be difficult for us to understand at times.

There are two basic fonts of information on Saint Paul. These are contained in his letters and accounts in the Acts of the Apostles. The letters of St. Paul are excellent material both for study and for contemplation. We can proceed from the Acts of the Apostles and go into the Letters of St. Paul. The Acts are written as the history of salvation and more authenticity is given to the Letters of St. Paul. A great deal of continuity is contained within the letters of St. Paul.

Father Peter suggested using the map in our Bibles to help us in viewing the various journeys of St. Paul in his work as a missionary. The first missionary journey of St. Paul was to Antioch and Syria. St. Paul traveled to various synagogues after Jesus had been dead for approximately 13 years. Acts 14 and 16 both gives us excellent summaries of his missionary journeys out of Israel.

In Acts 14, questions are raised concerning whether or not the advent of Christianity will replace the current Jewish law and how much the new Christian faith will have continuity with the Jewish faith.

In Acts 16, St. Paul begins his very extensive writing career during his stay at Ephesus. St. Paul later travels to Rome.

This is Fun!

Hi Everyone!
I'm here now, and likeing what I'm seeing!
God Bless you all, and may we together gain a richer enlightenment!
Love,
NancyClaire

Schedule Confirmation

Just to confirm for you all. On Monday Night Fr. Gabriel Patil will be leading the study speaking on Paul's theology and themes.

Check out the new Poll to the left!
GB
Fr Pete

Brief Writing About Saint Paul the Apostle

Below is a brief writing about of Saint Paul the Apostle taken from "Butler's Lives of the Saints.

Of all the saints with whom we are made acquainted with through the pages of Holy Writ, St. Paul is the most intimately known to us. We possess not merely an exact external record of his doings, furnished by his disciple St. Luke, in the Acts of the Apostles, but we have his incomparable revelation of self in his letters, which while always prompted by no other purpose than to benefit those to whom he writes, lay bare his very soul. It would be difficult, without transcribing a great part of the New Testament, to draw a faithful portrait of the character of the Apostle of the Gentiles; and the New Testament it may assumed, is available to all. St. Luke records a brief summary of St. Paul's activities in the last 15 Chapters of the Acts of the Apostles.

Hopefully the above will be a bit helpful to us as we study the writings of St. Paul under the tutelage of Father Peter.

June 30, 2008 Bible Study

On June 30, 2008 under the guidance of Father Peter Calabrese the members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study were pleased to begin a study of the writings of St. Paul the Apostle. Father Peter noted that for the Barnabites; June 30 is a special day because of the observance of the Feast of the Conversion of Saint Paul.

Father Peter noted that St. Paul is an exciting scriptual character. Father Peter suggested to us that we read the article written by Fitzmeyer in the Jerome Biblical Commentary if we are interested in a good summary of the writings of St. Paul.

Father Peter kindly gave us a chronology of the life of St. Paul which we will be able to use in our study of the writings of St. Paul. Father noted that the time chart which he gave to us is a very good to synchronize events in the life of Saint Paul.

Father noted Galations Chapter 1 Verses 13-23 and also noted Philippians Chapters 3, 5, and 6 as well as Corinthians Chapter 7 in which St. Paul talks about marriage. Some scholars believe that Saint Paul may be numbering himself among the widowers here.

Father noted that Second Corinthians and Romans 15 as a series of autobiographical sketches of St. Paul to give us an idea of whom he was. Our study will include much that is contained in Galations. Galations 1-17 gives us a lot of detail about St. Paul as does the Book of Thessalonians Timothy and Titus.

Don't Forget

Next week we will start what I plan to be a three week introduction to St. Paul!
Only a few days left to vote on the favorite Gospel Poll!
... I didn't fight my way to the top of the food chain to be a vegetarian.*

6/23/2008 Bible Study Review

On June 23, 2008 the members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study group under the direction of Father Peter Calabrese, CRSP were pleased to discuss the Solemnity of Saint Peter & Saint Paul to be celebrated on Sunday, June 29. The readings discussed were those of the Liturgy celebrated during the day.

The Gospel of St. Matthew was discussed as Father Peter reminded us that this is a good passage which can be handled at mutiple levels. This particular gospel may be approached in an apologetic sense. The parallel passage of this particular gosple is located in the Book of Mark. There are three accounts of this particular passage one being in Mark, one in Luke and the remaining one in Matthew. St. Matthew refers to Our Lord Jesus as the Son of Man which is a typically Judiac title. St. Matthew makes mention of Jeremiah. Father Peter denoted that the expression/phrase Son of Man comes from the book of Daniel referring to the divinity of God. St. Matthew emphasizes Jesus as Son of the Living God in Chapter Two.

Jesus is establishing the relationship to the kingdom of heaven and the Church. The Church being both a divine and human institution. Father Peter explained to us the expression justified sinners as those who are being sanctified. Father noted that binding and loosening are rabbinical phrases emphasizing the power for exorcisms, excommunications and the power to make decisions. The Roman Catholic belief in the primacy of St. Peter in application to Our Holy Father was also explained to us by Father Peter.

Hopefully all of us will benefit from these notations which I have made.

May we all be blessed!

John Doucette

Just Asking...

I understand about Paul doing theology, primarily, in this passage (Rms 5:12-17), as opposed to, say, Biological Sciences. However, doesn't his understanding of the original sin of Adam--by which we were all made sinners and thereby "dead"--seem to rely on a picture of Adam and Eve and the Garden and the Serpent, etc. just as we find it told in Genesis? I mean, a sentient, fully formed (not merely physically, but also spiritually, intellectually) human being making that existential choice (b/c he has, and knows he has, free will to choose for God or against Him) for all of us. I may not like Adam's choice, but I can recognize that, under the circumstances, I may not have done any better. (In fact, I often don't do any better, given much less momentous choices in my everyday life.) In any case, I can recognize in Adam a human being not too different from myself and can accept the justice of the condemnation and the wonder of the redeeming sacrifice of Jesus. (Thank you, Paul!)

But, what is bothering me is the whole garden story. I don't mind taking the story (account) just the way it is told, Sunday School Bible illustrations and all. I don't understand how it could have happened like that, but if God wanted it that way, I'm sure He could have done it. Creation of everything out of nothing, after all, is not really the most fantastic thing we are willing to believe, as Christians. In fact, as I said above, Paul seems to assume that the account in the Hebrew scriptures was pretty much how it all happened. Otherwise, how could "Adam" (if he was only a theoretical/mythical "marker" for the beginning of the human race) have been established as making such a momentous choice for all of us? But I know that some scholars are fond of seeing the Creation Story as just that: an attempt by an emerging society and an early religion to make sense of the world as they found it and of the God that they were coming to know. An actual garden and an actual serpent seem to be a little too simplistic for the sophisticated theological (not to mention cultural, societal, and even scientific) understanding we have now. But Paul is nothing if not sophisticated, theologically, and I don't see how we can get around Paul. In fact, the alternative: that there was no "garden" or "serpent" or actual moment of choosing by an actual human, seems much more unsettling to me. In that case the account we have is just trying to make sense of things that were playing out just as God knew (planned?) that they would. And that, to me, seems a more problematic view of God than the suggestion that He created a garden just like the Sunday School pictures and put Adam into it, etc.

So, as you can no doubt tell, I am no theologian and certainly no scholar or OT expert, and I am not trying to take on an argument with the modern scholarly community! I'm just asking...

Romans 5:12-17

I really like Romans--even with Paul's often-difficult-to-follow arguments. But I especially like this passage because it reminds me of one of my favorite bits of Handel's Messiah: the anthem "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." (I think Handel took his text from I Cor. 15:22.) It is beautiful to sing, and, while singing, it is beautiful to meditate upon.

June 16 2008 Bible Study Notes

On Monday, June 16, 2008 we had the privilege of cover St. Paul's letter to the Romans Chapter 5:12-15 under the direction of our humble and expert moderator, Father Peter Calabrese, CRSP.

This reading from St. Paul serves as a foundation passage for our faith. At times, St. Paul does not always explain himself well. In this particular passage, St. Paul jumps around and points to the magnitude of Christ's saving death for us . St. Paul reminds us of our condition as men and women of sin and reminds us that we all are sinners. This passages also calls to mind our Church's doctorine of original sin. Christ came to save us from sin and through our faith and good works we redemption is obtainable to all of us.

This passage prepares for the great celebration of feast of Sts. Peter & Paul in which we will discuss the readings of the Mass celebrated during the day at Bible Study on Monday - June 23.

Please be advised that the above is a very brief and not an expert synopsis of what was discussed at Bible Study. It is my hope and prayer that my notes from next week's Bible Study will be a vast improvement. Thank you

Guidelines for Reading Scripture

To the good members of the Fatima Shrine Bible Study Group:

I thought these suggestions might serve as guidelines to assist us in our reading of the Sacred Scriptures.

Read Each Day - It is better to be consistent and read a little each day than to rush ahead and stop altogether.

Read At A Set Time of Day and Place - Find yourself a quiet place, where you will not be distracted. Chose a specific time and read at this time faithfully each day. This is of primary importance.

Read Carefully - Meditate on the meaning of what you are reading. Use your imagination to help the Scripture come alive to you. If you wish, highlight a particular line or verse. Concentrate on what you understand, not on what you do not understand. Your knowledge and understanding will increase with time and the grace of the Lord.

Read Prayerfully - When reading, stop to talk to the Lord about what you have read. It is important to respond to God's word. If your heart prompts you to praise God, then stop and do so. If you feel like thanking God, then stop and do so.

Seek to Grow - Seek to apply the reading to daily life. Ask the Lord to help you. If important questions arise seek guidance from a priest or informed person.

Remember, these are simple guidelines. I am far from an expert or an authority.

st. paul etc

hi everyone. i've been scarce the last couple weeks, and i heard through the grapevine that we're going to study something re: st paul? is there something i should be reading? i'm sure i'll find out this evening, but what the heck? i just thought i'd throw a line out to see if anyone's online now.

Reminder

I think you all can post directly not just make comments to others!

Welcome

If you made it here welcome. This blog will be an opportunity for us to keep track of the material we cover and give us a way to make further comments. Postings from the meetings WILL NOT mention anyone by name other than myself. Such respect will be necessary for the even flow of information from the group.
If you have been coming regularly to group and I have your email address you will be invited as a n author and can post to the site. Have fun! If you have questions you can email me or call me or even see me in person!