Bible study classes are what parishioners wanted

In an area that suffered much devastation from Hurricane Katrina, St. Gabriel the Archangel continually demonstrates the strength of faith.

For the first time since the storm, the Catholic parish in Gentilly has reinstituted Bible study courses on Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings.

Results from a parish survey on adult faith formation taken in the summer of 2011 indicated that interest was high for Old and New Testament Scripture study, with learning about prayer and fellowship opportunities ranking closely behind.

“We found that Scripture was the biggest need,” said Holy Faith Sister Maura O’Donovan, St. Gabriel’s coordinator of adult faith formation and leader of the faith committee that organized the survey. “I always knew that Scripture was an interest to people, but I was surprised by the number of people.”

In October, more than 80 people registered and attended the first four-week introductory session that taught how to understand and pray with the Old and New Testaments and a second series in November on the Gospels.

“It’s a great place to start,” Sister Maura said. “We do it in little modules twice a week to give people flexibility.”

Almost four dozen returned for the current session on St. Paul’s letters and the Book of Revelation.

 On a recent evening, participants were enlightened about St. Paul’s missionary journeys. They learned how St. Paul’s words still speak powerfully to Christians today.

“Anything that struck you in the presentation so far?” Msgr. Doug Doussan, pastor, asked.

“What struck me was the reference to slavery and how people should have been treated in the New World,” one person said. “People (the Puritans in the 1700s) weren’t living up to Paul’s teachings.”

“Something written 2,000 years ago is still relevant today,” another added.

Msgr. Doussan encouraged participants to look at St. Paul’s letters of joy. “Rejoice in the Lord today” was a verse. “Can’t we do that?” 

Sharon LeBlanc signed up for the Scripture course so she could be as knowledgeable of the Bible as her Baptist husband. “I love how they can just open the Bible and cite Scripture. … It’s a fascinating book.”

LeBlanc reiterated what Msgr. Doussan said about finding joy in everything.

“Sometimes, being human, it’s hard to understand this,” she said.

“In his weakness, we see that Paul is stronger,” said participant Arleen Muse. “If you live through all the hardships, you know Christ is with you.”

Easing into the Bible

The series has proven to be a non-complicated way to learn the Bible. Participants spend as little as 15 to 20 minutes of home study in preparation for the weekly session and table discussions.

“We purposely left it short,” Msgr. Doussan said about only doing four-week, one-hour sessions at a time.

 Each one-hour session flies by with a prayer service, DVD presentation, small group discussion and closing prayer. The Little Rock Scripture study series is used and includes a binder with necessary materials.

“Our main aim is to get people reading scriptures and to read them through more enlightened lenses and hopefully deepen their prayer life,” Sister Maura said.

Sister Maura said a number of people were interested in on-line options for faith formation. Soon the C21 course, “The Creed: What We Believe,” will be offered. The archdiocese’s Office of Religious Education has approved the course toward basic certification of catechists.

“We’re trying to respond to the expressed need for people who can’t come to meetings but want to work on their faith on their own time,” she said.

Sister Maura is gearing up for the next five-week Scripture series on the apostle Mark, which will begin in Lent. A half-day prayer session also is planned the first Saturday in Lent.

Many, especially those on the long journey back from Hurricane Katrina, have found solace in the sessions. When you’re stripped of all earthly possessions, what remains is your faith.

Edith Battiste lost everything in the storm and said she is on a faith journey, learning more about Catholicism each time.

“Losing everything, you kind of forget about material stuff and focus more on the spiritual part,” Battiste said. “It makes me think more about dressing my soul better instead of my closet.”

For details, contact St. Gabriel parish at 282-0296.

Christine Bordelon can be reached at cbordelon@clarionherald.org.