Parishes are making the Bible come alive

Eleven churches within the Archdiocese of Newark received a Parish Scripture Initiative Scholarship through the Archdiocese’s Catechetical Office to increase engagement with the Bible within their parishes.

The funds will be used for programs such as a performance with singer, cantor, and recording artist ValLimar Jansen; a study of various books of the Bible culminating in related activities such as the Book of Genesis ending in a nature hike; Liturgy of the Word with children; Bible study with Spanish-speaking parents in faith formation; a mini retreat with Ray Boswell, artist and teacher followed by an at-home family Scripture study guide; and the publication of a Lent reflection booklet written by parishioners based on the readings during the season of Lent.

Eighteen parishes applied for the Parish Scripture Initiative Scholarship. Funds for the scholarship are provided by a grant from the American Bible Society awarded to the Archdiocese of Newark as part of a project to help Catholics grow in their study and love of sacred Scripture. The scholarship checks were presented at a special gathering held on Tuesday, Aug. 15 at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Center.

Father Stephen Fichter, Episcopal Vicar of Education, admitted to the assembly that Bible Study has not always been equated with Catholics. For Catholics, Scripture is not so much a book to be studied as a book to be used for worship. But more Catholics are seeking out Bible Studies, according to the recent Synod report.

From left to right front row is: Father Gerald Greaves of Sacred Heart Church, Deacon Rod Soriano of Saint Peter Church, Julian Costa of Sacred Heart Church, Rosemary Nwabueze of Christ the King Church, Father Stephen Fichter, Susan Rector of Church of the Assumption and Father Paul Cannariato of Church of the Assumption. Middle row: Patty Rodriguez, Nancy Plate of Sacred Heart Church, Stephanie Sonnick of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Ann Warren of Christ the King Church, Sister Sandy DeMasi of St. Rose of Lima Church, Marco Guerrero of St. Joseph of the Palisades, Sister Magdalena Oleszkowicz of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus, and Urszula Kotulska of St. Theresa of the Child Jesus. Back row: Oswaldo Sanchez, Yalila Murillo, Gina Butler, Joanne DePasquale-Parent, Jen Noll of Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Father Larry Evans of St. Rose of Lima Church, Regina Furlan of St. Rose of Lima Church, Sandra O’Boyle of St. Rose *of Lima Church*, Annette Davila of St. Rose of Lima Church, Mike Roberts of St. Rose of Lima Church, and Nube Parra St Joseph of the Palisades.

Catechetical Office director Patricia Rodriguez said that the scholarship program addresses the need for more robust faith formation that was recently expressed in the Synod report. The Archdiocese of Newark Synod report revealed that Catholics here believe there is a need for more faith formation and catechesis for adults and that faith formation for all ages needs to be “reimagined.”

Father Fichter reminded everyone that as St. Jerome said, “ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ.” He added, “it is so important as Christians, we get to know the Word of the Lord.”

Regina Furlan, of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Short Hills, said that the idea for of a Lent reflection booklet came out of a workshop on Lectio Divina — divine reading in Latin— an ancient practice that teaches us how to read, meditate on, and live the Word of God. Parishioners helped author the book using their own reflections for the 40 days of lent. The church received $1,000 to publish a pocket-sized book, “Lent Together, Reflections on the Gospel,” that will be distributed to all parishioners.

On Feb. 3, Christ the King Parish in Jersey City will host a program with artist ValLimar Jansen thanks to the $2,000 scholarship it received. Ann Warren said she was “blown away” by how Jansen made the Bible come to life when she saw her perform six years ago. Warren said the church had tried to book Jansen last year but needed the funds to do so. The program will be open to all, she said.

Catechetical Office staff called St. Theresa of the Child Jesus’ Bible program for children very well planned and structured. They received $1,500. Urszula Kotulska and Sister Magdalena Oleszkowicz from the Linden church planned the program that entails a competition and Bible skits for young parishioners. Younger parishioners will be encouraged to take home a Bible to share the readings with family members. Older children will compete for prizes in a Bible and Gospel jeopardy. At the end of the year, the younger students will perform Biblical scenes. The older students will create a Biblical audio drama.

Father John Chadwick S.T.D, Vicar General, told the assembly that “if you received a scholarship, you have a significant role in passing on the Gospel for others to experience the love of Christ through this work.”

In accepting the scholarship parishes agree to provide feedback and to share the resources created to implement the initiatives. The Catechetical Office will in turn share the creative ideas developed with other parishes in this way extending the reach of the Parish Scripture Initiatives.

In 2017, the Archdiocese of Newark received a grant from the American Bible Society to promote engagement with Scripture throughout the Archdiocese. With the funds, the Catechetical Office hosted Bible Conferences in 2018 and 2019 at Seton Hall University and two online Bible Conferences in 2020 and 2021. The office has used the funds to provide Scripture courses in Spanish and English for catechists and interested adults. The courses, “Spotlight on the Old Testament” and “Spotlight on the New Testament”, are offered in person and online.

“Since Covid put a stop to our ability to carry out an in-person conference, we have been considering how to be the best possible stewards of these funds over the next few years,” Rodriguez said.

The office hopes to restore the conference next year, but in the meantime decided to also provide support for parishes on the local level by way of a scholarship.

“This is also a way for us to directly respond to a need for more robust faith formation that was expressed by parishes in the recent Synod report,” Rodriguez said, “So one of the ways in which we are doing this is by offering a Parish Scripture Initiative Scholarship.”