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Rebecca Leedy
Mary Queen of Peace
Mandeville, Louisiana
Our Little Rock community began in 2002 with the study of the Acts of the Apostles. Twenty-two facilitators went through the original training and we were blessed to have over 150 participants in attendance at our introductory session. We have offered three to four sessions a year in what Little Rock calls the Foundation, Thematic, Gospel, and Old Testament writings. After the first session with Acts of the Apostles, our number of participants became a core group of 40-50 on Tuesday evenings and 12-15 on Wednesday mornings with new participants being added each session.
Some of our biggest challenges have been finding a good balance in the formation of our small groups, and Hurricane Katrina. Group selection in the Little Rock Scripture Study at Mary, Queen of Peace has two sides to balance. On one side we have the participants who have become comfortable in their smaller faith sharing groups and would like to remain with those they have come to know. On the other side we have the participants who like to meet new people and hear new ideas as well as the members who are new to Little Rock.
We have learned by experimentation that having a group(s) designed for new participants and those members who like variety and then having a group(s) for those who wish to remain together has worked best for our community. Sharing of prayer, growth through the Scriptures and Christian fellowship remain the common goals for all our groups.
Hurricane Katrina needs no introduction; she took care of that herself! We were scheduled to begin the study of Exodus on September 13, 2005. Katrina appeared on our doorstep on August 29, 2005 leaving most of our community scattered around Louisiana and the other 49 states. Mary, Queen of Peace was one of the few churches that did not suffer severe damage to the building structures and was able to hold Mass on September 4th, no electricity available, hot and humid, but God was in His house. Thanks to sketchy cell phone messages and some email, we began the study of Exodus on October 5, 2005. All who were in attendance sensed the emotions of the people as we studied this Old Testament book for we too had experienced our own exodus. There was real need for community and getting back into a familiar routine; Little Rock is part of that ‘familiar’ routine for many.
Lent has proved to be a powerful time for study in our Little Rock groups. We began 2006 with the Infancy Narratives of Jesus study and then went right into the study of the Passion and Resurrection Narratives. We ended this study three weeks before Easter and celebrated a Seder Meal the week before Holy Week. The impact this study had on our LRSS community as we approached Easter was life changing to say the least. Touching the Mysteries: Scripture and the Rosary was the study that led us into Lent 2007, with a Passover Seder during Holy Week.
As we move through our fifth year, Little Rock Scripture Study continues to rebuild after our Katrina visit. Childcare for all sessions is one of our main goals as well as keeping a good pool of facilitators to allow our leaders to remain refreshed. We are looking forward to revisiting Acts of the Apostles, using the new edition, with a training session for both old and new facilitators this coming fall.
The Word of God speaks to each of us in the LRSS community of Mary, Queen of Peace, continually converting us into the Catholic Christians we were called to be at our baptisms. Through prayer, study and fellowship we grow and reach out to others.
If you ever find yourself in Mandeville, Louisiana on a Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning looking for some Little Rock Scripture Study time, look us up. You will find information on our church’s website-www.maryqueenofpeace.org under the headings of ‘ministries’-‘adult faith formation’-‘Little Rock Scripture Study’.
Macrina Wiederkehr, O.S.B.
All wisdom comes from the Lord
and with him it remains forever. Sirach 1:1
Although the teacher, Sirach, proclaims that wisdom comes from God and remains with God, we are also taught that wisdom has been poured out upon all created things (vs. 8). This is a strong statement about our connection with the Divine. If wisdom remains with God, yet has been poured out upon us from the dawn of creation then we are sharers in the wisdom of God. A desire for wisdom has always been a great prayer in my life. Knowledge can be acquired through study; wisdom comes from the womb of God. Before all else, the Scripture tells us, wisdom was created (Sirach 11:4). Perhaps when we come forth from the womb, God is waiting to plant in us seeds of wisdom.
Have you ever considered the roots of wisdom? Those who are dwelling in what we call the wisdom years come gently to my mind. I am acquainted with many people who have aged in wisdom and grace. There does seem to be a lovely spreading out of wisdom’s roots as we grow older. For many of us, as we age, it is natural for us to see God as the source of all wisdom—the one who has lavished wisdom on us.
It is important to ready our hearts for the gift of wisdom at every moment. Each one of us can become wisdom’s home. Those ancient roots have not dried up. They are always searching for open and receptive spaces.
Wisdom is subtle. There are times when, only after a specific incident has taken place we are able to pause and understand how this special grace was at work in our lives. I have often experienced this in spiritual direction relationships. A directee is sharing something that is so precious and vulnerable I feel immensely poor, unable to respond adequately. Suddenly I find words in my mouth that are not my own—words that have undoubtedly come from wisdom’s root.
Here we see fear of the Lord equated with wisdom. The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord (vs. 12). The kind of fear alluded to here is a holy awe, a wonder that makes us tremble. It has nothing to do with being afraid of God. We live in amazement of God’s presence. This reverential awe makes it impossible for us to spend our lives on trivia.
Sometimes we experience a stirring in the heart when we hear the word ancestors. There is a respect and a gentle turning toward the ones who have gone before us. We want to share in their treasure house of wisdom. That’s why we tell stories. Stories come from the wisdom of the people.
Deep within each of us is a well of wisdom. We need to go there in silence and drink deeply. It is our wisdom, yet God-given. When we are young we look everywhere for that wisdom except within. Sometimes we are reluctant to trust our own ancient knowing…that knowing that is, in reality, wisdom. It is not learned from books; it comes to us from unknown springs. We suspect the source of this knowing is the One whom we call God. As we practice trusting this mysterious presence, we learn to abide. Out of that abiding we discover our inside eyes.
Not only those who have aged in wisdom and grace possess this wisdom. There are times when even the young surprise us with words that are, indeed, wise. A delightful memory from my classroom days remains with me. I was teaching literature to a group of eighth graders. One of the students asked a question, Why do people do evil things?
It seemed a significant question to me so I asked the students to lay their heads on their desks and think about it. After this exercise I asked if anyone had anything to say in answer to the question. One of the girls in the class said, “I think it is because they haven’t found their “inside eyes.” That was long ago. I don’t remember any more of my conversations with those students but I have never forgotten those inside eyes. I suspect her answer came from a wisdom that had taken root in her young heart.
She heightens the glory of those who possess her. vs. 17
As you open yourself to wisdom you, too, will find your inside eyes. You do not acquire those wisdom eyes in an abundance of words. You keep vigil with life. You wait. You watch. You listen. You honor the commandments. You practice silence and abiding. This is your glory!
Your next word to romance is Luke 10:25-37.
Since ancient times, four characteristics of Christian life have been the touchstones of our communal life together. They work together in concert, interweaving and mutually supporting each facet of holiness. Koinonia names our communion in Christ, our fellowship in the Holy Spirit. We come together as the people of God, one body as Paul would describe us, rooted in God’s redeeming love. This fellowship forms the bedrock of our worshipping together, leitougia, a second characteristic of Christian communities. Together, we also break open the Scriptures, listen for God’s word spoken to us and proclaim its good news. This characteristic, centered on proclamation of the Word of God, is often referred to as kerygma. Finally, we act together to help bring about God’s reign in our relationships and in compassionately addressing the needs of our broken world. We serve together in diakonia, a fourth characteristic.
As theologian Bernard Lonergan has pointed out, by hearing God’s Word we grow in wisdom, but without acting on God’s Word we lack virtue. Knowing what God calls us to do in community impels us to act. Wisdom also comes from our diakonal work together as we reflect on how we have encountered God in the midst of the poor and in our own communal responses.
With so many large and looming issues threatening neighborhoods, nations, and the very planet we live on, many of us might ask, “What can a small group such as ours really do?” Perhaps the disciples of Jesus, huddled together before the great empowering day of Pentecost, joyful to have experienced the reality of the Resurrection yet confused as to what they might do, might have asked the same question. What a small group they were in the midst of mighty political and religious clashes in a time of Roman occupation! Yet, two millennia later we are reaping the benefits of their communal work.
Let us look at one stunning example of how a small group of friends have made a large difference in our own times. In 2004, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Kenyan-born Wangari Maathai. Wangari majored in biology at Mount St. Scholastica College in Atchinson, Kansas and eventually completed a Ph.D. at the University of Nairobi. Among her many social and environmental concerns was the deforestation and resultant soil erosion that was happening in many areas of Africa. In1976 she began planting trees with a small group of women from her village who shared her concern. By 1977, their efforts spawned the Green Belt Movement, which spread the work of planting trees, through the action of small village groups, from Kenya outward to all of East Africa. To date, the Kenyan based Green Belt Movement has assisted women throughout East Africa in planting trees on their school and church compounds, their farms, and their village centers. Over 20 million trees had been planted by the time the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded. Their achievement shows us that one small group, working in concert with one another, can accomplish “infinitely more than we can ask or imagine” (Eph. 3:20).
Scripture study groups are centered in koinonia and kerygma. They also pray together and so incorporate leitougia. How is your group living out diakonia? What dreams might you accomplish together in the power of Christ’s Spirit among us?
As of July 1, 2007, the price of a Study Set for Little Rock Scripture Study will average $10.95 -- $11.95. For a typical ten-session study, this means participants spend roughly $1.20 per week for Bible study -- much less than one fountain drink or one latte at your favorite coffee bar, and significantly less than a gallon of gasoline.
Whether it’s a large urban parish or a smaller rural one, we want all participants to have access to a discount. A Study Set includes two books: a commentary and a study guide. Individually the study guides are priced at $6.95, while the commentaries range from $6.95 to $12.95. That means each Study Set has a built-in discount of at least $2.00 and sometimes as much as $8.00.
What goes into our pricing decisions? We believe that we can offer materials at affordable prices and assure that all production costs are reasonably covered and our employees are paid a just wage. That means that we take into account the cost of paying scholars for their work, offering a living wage to employees, and access to health care coverage. There are also costs related to paper, printing, shipping, warehousing, a modest amount of advertising, and providing a toll-free phone number and website for placing orders.
We do our best to provide materials that give access to the best scholarship in a faithful, readable, user-friendly style. Thank you for your commitment to Bible study and for choosing to use Little Rock Scripture Study materials.
Cackie Upchurch
I’d like to take this opportunity to applaud the work done by the staff of Little Rock Scripture Study and our partners at Liturgical Press. You’ll notice that we’ve been hard at work on new materials, and new editions of existing materials. This requires very long hours of work, and a true commitment to our mission to provide solid materials for use in Catholic parishes and small faith communities. Writers and speakers, marketing and sales staff, all do a very fine job of staying focused on what LRSS users say they want and need. In particular, in this season of so much new product, I want to thank Lilly Hess who works tirelessly behind the scenes to produce and edit our video productions, Cliff Yeary who not only writes and presents lectures but works with each speaker, and Sr. Rosa María Icaza, CCVI, of the Mexican American Cultural Center who manages to translate materials into Spanish with accuracy and sensitivity to cultural needs.
I hope you enjoy and benefit from the fruit of their labor.
Israel’s Story, Part Two is a brand new study that covers the period from the demise of Israel’s united monarchy, through the exile and return to Jerusalem. In seven sessions, participants will use a commentary written by Dianne Bergant, C.S.A. and the accompanying study guide. Wrap-up lectures, available on CD, DVD and VHS, are given by Dan Borlik, C.M., Judy Hoelzeman, Susan McCarthy, R.D.C., Cackie Upchurch, and Cliff Yeary. Available in August 2007.
Introduction to the Bible has been completely recreated. Stephen Binz has converted his former video-based course to a written commentary. Along with the study guide and wrap-up lectures, the course now follows the familiar format of our regular studies. Wrap-up lecturers include Msgr. David LeSieur, Cackie Upchurch, Linda Webster, Karen Wenzel, and Cliff Yeary. This course includes 7 sessions and is available in August 2007.
The Book of Revelation study will soon be available with a new commentary by Catherine Cory and a new study guide and wrap-up lectures. Lecturers include Dan Borlik, C.M., Judy Hoelzeman, Deacon Dan Hennessey, Linda Webster, Greg Wolfe, Cackie Upchurch, and Cliff Yeary. 8 sessions. Available in August 2007.
Our study of Touching the Mysteries, Scripture and the Rosary, will be available in Spanish in August 2007. See Spanish section of Stepping Stones for details.
For those who purchase recorded wrap-up lectures for your group’s use, please note that we will no longer carry audio cassettes. The audio recording is available in CD format only.
Please watch our website for information about a new effort to educate people about hot-topic biblical issues. Coming this fall.
Informational and Enrichment Workshops offer clear information, hands-on experience, and practical tips for establishing and growing Bible study using LRSS materials and methods. For very little expense a diocese can arrange to host a workshop that will benefit parishes throughout the diocese. For more information, contact: Susan McCarthy, R.D.C., P.O. Box 7565, Little Rock, AR 72217; (501) 664-6102 or (501) 366-5691; or by e-mail at smccarthy@dolr.org.
November 10, 2007
Informational Workshop
Fresno, CA
November 17, 2007
Enrichment Workshop
Washington, DC
August 9-12, 2007
National Joint Convocation on Small Christian Communities
St. Paul, MN
We all need opportunities for enrichment in our lives. Consider providing some opportunities for the facilitators in your groups. For ideas, see Facilitating for Growth, by Barbara Fleischer. (Available for purchase on our website or by calling 800.858.5434). Also, talk with other LRSS Parish Coordinators and your Diocesan Office of Adult Faith Formation about sponsoring a LRSS Enrichment Workshop.
Do you see your role as a facilitator as a ministry of the Word? Are you well-organized and prepared for the weekly meetings? Look ahead to identify the questions each week that prompt everyone to share and to participate.
Copyright © 2007 Little Rock Scripture Study. All rights reserved.