Faith and Education Issue September 3-16, 2006, page 25
by Carol Kloss, CCSS coordinator

When Deacon Phil Bertolani finished the diaconate program, he knew he needed to learn more about the Bible to prepare homilies for St. Benedict parish in Chicago. 

Carole ONeill knew that as a lector at St. James parish in Arlington Heights she needed to learn more about the big picture of the Bible, the “before and after” of the readings she proclaimed each weekend.

Kathy Dodaro, a catechist for eighth-graders at St. Louise De Marillac in La Grange Park, knew that in her spiritual journey she needed more than a parish Bible study group to understand Scripture in a deeper way.

All three of these Chicago-area Catholics got what they needed—and more—from the Chicago Catholic Scripture School of the Archdiocese of Chicago.

In the Chicago Catholic Scripture School (CCSS), experienced teachers with advanced degrees in biblical studies give students the background they need to read the Bible as modern Catholic readers. The two-year Basic Biblical Studies program covers some of the major books of the Old and New Testaments. Many students continue for two more years with the Advanced Biblical Studies program, which covers every other book of the Bible.

Carole, beginning her fourth year in CCSS, appreciates the greater knowledge she now has about the Bible. “As Catholics, we don’t get too much Bible history or learn about the countries of the Bible or  how the stories of the Bible flow,” she says. “It’s cool when I get a reading we’ve studied. When I know the whole story I can read it better.”

Deacon Phil, entering his third year in CCSS, values what he’s learned about why the letters of Paul and the gospels were written. “When you understand why Paul wrote his letters, it helps you understand what they mean,” he says.

Deacon Phil’s CCSS experience has also helped him with homilies. “I’ve gotten such an overview of Scripture in these two years. I now know where to find things. I know how different readings relate to each other and how much the New Testament is taken from the Old Testament.” Deacon Phil now also uses Scripture resources he never knew about or never would have had the confidence to read without his CCSS background.

In CCSS, students actively participate in their learning, with readings in the Bible and in textbooks and small group discussions of homework. Classes meet weekly for two hours or bi-weekly for four hours from September through May each year and follow a structured Catholic Bible study curriculum.

When Kathy joined CCSS two years ago, she wondered if she would be able to handle the requirements needed to be successful in the class and where she would fit with the people in her homework discussion group. Kathy realizes now that “you don’t have to be a college graduate or have a background in biblical studies to enroll in the program. Little did I know just how much I was going to grow. Not only have I grown in knowledge of my faith, but I have also gained a personal confidence and revelation within myself.”

Deacon Phil enjoys the group discussions. “I’ve found that the Holy Spirit speaks to different people in different ways in the readings,” he says, which gives him new insights. He also appreciates the structure of the CCSS curriculum. “With the student workbook, you can catch up if you miss a class, or work ahead.”

The small group discussions, as well as communal biblically-based prayer and teacher guidance, promote the primary goal of CCSS: the growth and deepening of faith.

Carole experienced this growth after her first year with the program. “I decided that if I was going to continue [with CCSS], I would do something with it,” she says. In addition to her lector ministry, Carole became a bereavement minister. She now works with families to select readings for the final celebration of mass for their loved ones, and to offer words of comfort as she explains the readings.

Kathy has experienced inner change. She says, “I have gained so much wisdom. CCSS is thorough, challenging and it makes me think. I can honestly say that this class has changed my life and I truly feel forever indebted and grateful to it.”