Religious Sister Visits Four Parishes, Offering Monthly Scripture Reflections
Story by Shelley Wolf
On the first Thursday in September, nearly 20 parishioners gathered in the parish hall of St. Peter Claver Parish in West Hartford, where Sister Maryann Cantlon, a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambéry, stood at the podium, posing a few intriguing questions about sacred Scripture.
“Where is the truth?” Sister Maryann asked. “In the facts? In the interpretation?” Remarking on the Gospel writers in particular, she said, “They knew, without interpretation there is no understanding. We need the interpretation, but we also need faith.”
And with that – as well with excerpts from Scripture, quotations from doctors of the Church, personal anecdotes to bring home key points, and a touch of humor – Sister Maryann began to explain the Catholic Church’s overarching understanding of sacred Scripture and tradition, as handed down from the Apostles, from those who knew them, and from the Early Church Fathers.
This helpful context was the start of Sister Maryann’s “Monthly Scripture Reflections,” which just returned to St. Peter Claver Parish, St. Justin-St. Michael Parish in Hartford, St. Gianna Beretta Molla Parish in West Hartford, and Christ the King Parish in Wethersfield.
She began these parish-based reflections seven years ago, after returning from service in California, starting with St. Peter Claver Parish and then adding others.
“Even when I was younger, I always loved sacred Scripture,” Sister Maryann explains, “perhaps because it was open to interpretation and not limited to Catholics. But I prefer to stay with the Catholics and hope the Protestants get converted,” she says with a laugh.
Confident in the Catholic Church’s view on Scripture, Sister Maryann points out that Jesus promised its leaders would be guided by the Holy Spirit. For her part, Sister Maryann looks to the teachings of the Church and has a master’s degree in theological studies from the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, Calif., with a concentration in sacred Scripture.
Of course, people can simply read the Bible at home alone, she says. But attending Monthly Scripture Reflections in the parish is an easy way to start reading the word of God with a little help.
“You can sit at home and read the Bible but not get the deepest meaning. You have to go to school for that. You have to have some type of advanced instruction,” she says, “and that’s what I try to give.”
Sister Maryann strives to provide greater insight by discussing that fuller meaning in an informal and approachable way. Running once a month for 30 to 45 minutes, her sessions include time for questions and comments.
Offered all year long at St. Justin-St. Michael Parish, the reflections are offered only during the school year at the three other parishes.
“We start again in September,” Sister Maryann says, “and since we’re close to year B in the liturgical calendar, and it will be the year of Mark, I’m going to focus this year on the Gospel of Mark.”
Fall start dates for the Monthly Scripture Reflections are at the following locations:
- St. Peter Claver Church, West Hartford, the first Thursday of the month (Sept. 3) at 1:00 p.m.
- St. Mark Church, West Hartford, the second Tuesday (Sept. 8) at 7 p.m.
- St. Justin-St. Michael Church, Hartford, the third Thursday (Sept. 17) at 5 p.m.
- Incarnation Church, Wethersfield, the fourth Thursday (Sept. 24) at 6 p.m.
Anyone who missed their parish’s start date is welcome to begin the following month.