In this seven-week course we will introduce the first have of the Pauline epistles.  We will proceed in roughly chronological order and cover those letters generally accepted to be written by St. Paul himself.  We will study the letters to understand Paul’s understanding of Christ, of the Holy Spirit, of salvation and of the nature of the Church.   In the process we will also discuss live in these early communities, Christian living and the relationship between Christianity and it’s parent religion: Judaism.

We will be studying:  First Thessalonians, Galatians, First and Second Corinthians, Philippians, and Philemon.  The rest of the Pauline letters will be covered in Part 2 next semester.

Instructor:  Joseph Nuzzi, M.A.

Wednesdays 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM (in person only)
and 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM (in person and on zoom)

October 13 to December 1, 2021 (no class on Nov. 24)

Fee: $70.00

This course is offered in person and on zoom.

This is a 6-session series on Pope Francis’s recent book “Let Us Dream.” In “Let Us Dream” the pope addresses the current state of our world: Covid, the economy, the environment – and discusses these current issues in light of the eternal good news of the gospel. The pope writes, “To come out of this crisis better, we have to see clearly, choose well, and act right. Let’s talk about how. Let us dare to dream.”

Fr. Steve and Fr. Michael will facilitate group discussions of Pope Francis’ vision and dreams

Participants should come with their own copy of the book available online or at local bookstores.

Instructors: Fr. Steve Patti, OFM and Fr. Michael Carnevale, OFM
Wednesdays 6:30 – 7:30 PM
October 6, 2021 – November 13, 2021 (no class October 13^th)
Clare Room

Covid regulations: we ask that participants wear masks during class

fee: $60

Continuation of the spring course where we will examine the parables and the messages they contain, particularly considering various types and themes, especially the advent of the kingdom of God, reversal elements in the parables, and the action and response they evoke. The parables contain many layers for review and reflection, including core words of Jesus, other narrative characters, and early church views. In addition, we will look at scholarship and commentaries on the parables and examine similarities and contrasts in the parallels between the various versions. Finally, we will consider the relevance of these scriptures for our current lives and how we can respond to the parables.

Required Text: Bible.

Instructor: Mary J. Gennuso, Ph.D.
Saturday Oct 16^th
Time: 9AM-12 noon

This is a ZOOM Meeting only

Fee: $30.00

We will begin by reading Silas Marner, the third novel by Mary Ann Evens, published under the pen name of George Eliot. This classic story of a somewhat solitary weaver is also a tale of sin and redemptive love.   Considered one of the masterpieces of Victorian literature, Middlemarch was initially published in installments between 1871 and 1872. Detailing frustrated aspirations and the difficult marriages of Dorothea Brooke to Edward Casaubon and Tertius Lydgate to Rosamond Vincy , the novel also provides, as its subtitle suggests, a multifaceted examination of provincial life.

Course Texts: Silas Marner and Middlemarch. (Middlemarch was revised in 1874; most available texts will include those revisions.)

Instructor: Sr. Fran McManus, RSM

Thursdays, Oct. 7 – Nov. 18, 2021
Time: 12:30-1:30PM

This is a ZOOM course only

Fee: $60.00

In this poetry workshop, we will experiment with fundamental elements of poetry, including line variations, sounds, images, diction and techniques of narrative and lyric poetry.  Read more below…

Join Fr. Steve Patti, OFM on Thursday, June 24th from 7:00 to 8:30pm for this ZOOM presentation on the Canticle of the Creatures:

A Song of Praise for the Created World: Francis of Assisi’s “Canticle of the Creatures” for Our Time.

Toward the end of his life, St. Francis of Assisi composed what is considered the first song/poem in the newly emerging Italian language, known to us as his “Canticle of the Creatures.” It is a hymn of praise for the created world, to the goodness of God’s creation, and nearly 800 years after its composition still speaks to us today of God’s creative goodness, and offers us insights into the deep, creation-centered spirituality of St. Francis.

In this 90-minute session, we will explore Francis’s Canticle: we will look at the background to its composition; we will look at the Canticle itself and Francis’s use of images in the Canticle; and we will have opportunities for questions and discussion.

Upon registration, you will be provided a Zoom link along with a link to the Canticle itself.

Presenter: Fr. Steven Patti, OFM

This is a free Adult Education summer lecture.