Archaeology & Scripture Studies: Digging Into The Word

Micah: An Angry Prophet in Harsh Times!

Micah and Amos are two of the most volatile and “angry” prophets of the Old Testament. Their common theme: hard times! But the specific issues they address are not precisely the same. How does a reading of these two prophets shed light on our hard times?

Dr. Daniel Smith-Christopher AS-01 Wed., Mar. 3 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Jude the Apostle Hall

Amos: A Harsh Prophet in Angry Times!

Even if you missed Micah, you’ll find valuable insights into how these two “angry” prophets can help us understand and find peace in our hard times.

Dr. Daniel Smith-Christopher AS-02 Wed., March 10 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Paschal Baylon Hall

The Samaritan Woman

The Samaritan Woman is found in the fourth chapter of John; she is not just another person, but  is actually both theologian and apostle. Her experience becomes our experience of an encounter with Christ. Come and see how her life changed for the better and how ours can as well.

Dr. William Shaules AS-03 Mon., March 8 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Mary Magdalen Church Hall

The Crucifixion And The Shroud

This powerful dramatic presentation focuses on the forensics of the Crucifixion and the much-disputed Shroud of Turin. Knabenshue uses pictures, props, and replicas of crucifixion instruments to portray the process of Christ’s death. He also probes the tests and discoveries made with the Shroud. The session includes a hands-on exhibit of archaeological artifacts and an actual relic of the Shroud.

Chris Knabenshue AS-04 Mon., March 1 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Peter Claver West Hall

Bible Archaeology: Excavating Jesus, Part I

Is there any actual archeological evidence for Bible stories? Take a look at the top 10 archaeological finds relating to Jesus in the Bible. This first in a three-part series includes the latest news about the Dead Sea Scrolls, and other up-to-the-minute archaeological discoveries about our faith.

Fr. Dave Heney AS-05 Tues., Feb. 23 7:30-9:00 p.m. Padre Serra Parish Center

Bible Archaeology: Excavating Jesus, Part II

With a lot of new material from Fr. Dave’s annual trip to Israel, this second in a three-part series looks at daily life at the time of Jesus, what His world was like, and, in a land of wild claims, discusses the archaeological evidence for the Christmas and Easter events of Jesus.

Fr. Dave Heney AS-06 Tues., March 2 7:30-9:00 p.m. Padre Serra Parish Center

Excavating Jesus, Part III, Just Dug Up: Special Discoveries and Controversies

Have archaeologists found the bones of Jesus, Peter, and Paul? What is the latest on Noah’s Ark? Could an “Indiana Jones” ever find the Ark of the Covenant, the lost tablets of the 10 Commandments? Is the Shroud of Turin real or fake?

Fr. Dave Heney AS-07 Tues., March 9 7:30-9:00 p.m. Padre Serra Parish Center

Reading the Ten Commandments Again...For the First Time

Re-visit this timeless treasure and consider how the wisdom it contains is as vital and true for us in our time as it was for the ancients. This popular consideration of “an oldie but goodie” might be just what we need if we are tempted to think that the answers to life’s troubles are to be found here, or if we think the 10 Commandments are so ancient they have no relevance for us today. Great for 20 and 30 somethings!

Fr. David Loftus AS-08 Tues., March 16 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Peter Claver West Hall

Scripture: Pathway into the Heart of God

How do we as Catholics understand scripture as the Word of God? Or in relationship to Sacred Tradition? What do we mean when we say that scripture is true? Come learn about the Church’s teachings on the Word of God.

Sr. Mary Kathleen Burns, SND AS-10 Mon., March 15 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Julie Billiart Hall

The Trial of Jesus: Part I - Jewish Trial

Former trial attorney with the U.S. Dept. of Justice Dave Shaneyfelt shows how scholars have pieced together scripture and history to understand the greatest trial ever. This first in a two-part series examines the Jewish trial of Jesus. What was the Sanhedrin and who were its members? How did they conduct legal proceedings and did they follow procedure at Jesus’ trial?

Dave Shaneyfelt AS-11 Wed., March 3 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Rose of Lima Hall

The Trial of Jesus: Part II - Roman Trial

This second in a two-part series focuses on the Roman trial of Jesus. How did Romans conduct trials? Who was Pontius Pilate and why was he hearing Jesus’ case? What did Pilate really fear?

Dave Shaneyfelt AS-12 Thurs., March 10 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Rose of Lima Hall

The Catacombs of Rome

The catacombs were the underground hiding place for Christians under persecution by the Roman Empire and the origin of devotion to saints. What did they look like? And why are they important to us today? This highly illustrated presentation opens up a little known part of our early Church history.

Heney/Pisapia AS-13Tues., March 16 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Paschal Baylon Hall

The Gospel According to Luke: Leaping in Love as We Journey with Jesus

We read from Luke’s Gospel at Sunday Masses during 2010 – but do we realize how different it is from the other three Gospels? Fr. Just explores the main stories, principal themes, and distinctive theology of Luke. You may discover this is the “Gospel of the Holy Spirit.” If possible, please read Luke’s Gospel before coming, and don’t forget to bring your Bible!

Fr. Felix Just, S.J. AS-14 Tues., February 23 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Peter Claver West Hall

Apocryphal Gospels: Truth or Lies?

What are the so-called “Apocryphal Gospels?” Is there any truth in the “Gospel of Judas,” the “Gospel of Mary Magdalene,” or other recently discovered writings that The Da Vinci Code and Angels and Demons used? Can these gospels teach us anything new about Jesus? This talk explores what we, as Catholic Christians,
should know about all the non-canonical Gospels. Please bring a Bible and an open mind.

Fr. Felix Just, S.J. AS-15 Wed., February 24 7:30-9:00 p.m. Padre Serra Parish Center

Gods & Deities: Sacred Art in Pre-Christian Native American Cultures

Ancient Native American sacred art began 4,000 years ago and evolved into present-day art. The Pueblo, Hopi, and Zuni worlds have gods, deities, folk heroes, kachinas, and animal messengers to the gods, similar to beliefs in ancient Greece. This illustrated session examines archaeology, anthropology, ethnography, and art history, and uses several examples to show how Pueblo religion parallels Christian faith.

Bob Pisapia AS-16 Thurs., March 11 7:30-9:00 p.m. St. Julie Billiart Hall