Saints Patrick and Raphael 

Pope Francis described the Word of God as "a love letter from the one who knows us best". While reading literature alone can be engaging, reading with others in a book group can be even more fun. Bishop Byrne has an expression: "God doesn't speak to priests. God speaks to all of us." 
Let us explore together the upcoming weekend scripture!

Lectio divina is not an academic study, nor Bible study, but it is 'divine reading'...listening to the Word of God speak to us as individuals and as a group. And, sharing what moves us in the texts.

Four questions could be explored in the "Lectio Divina":

1. What does the text say?
2. What does the text say to me?
3. What do I want to say to God about the text?
4. What difference does this text make in my life?

LECTIO DIVINA - PRAYING WITH THE BIBLE

 Pope Francis named Father William D. Bryne, a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington DC as the 10th Bishop of the Diocese of Springfield. Bishop Elect Byrne is the youngest of eight children born Sept 26, 1964 in McLean, Virginia. His father, Dr. William Byrne, a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon passed away in 2011. Bishop Elect Byrne graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester and completed his licentiate in theology at the Dominican Fathers' Pontifical University of St. Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. He was ordained a priest in 1994. His assignments included being Chaplain at University of Maryland, teaching homiletics at the North American College in Rome for 11 years, and serving as Pastor of St. Peter's Parish on Capitol Hill in Washington. Check out a number of short youtube.com clips he has produced under "Five Things with Fr. Bill". He currently serves as Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy in suburban Potomac, Maryland. 

Bishop Elect Byrne will be ordained and installed as our Bishop at St. Michael's Cathedral, Springfield on December 14. In his first press conference, he spoke about his desire to visit parishes and meet the people throughout Western Massachusetts. At his first Mass at the Cathedral, he asked us pray that he will continue to grow in goodness. He chose as his episcopal motto: "In living hope, through the resurrection" . Let us continue to pray that Bishop Elect Byrne may continue to grow in goodness and lead us together in holiness. May he serve as an awesome Bishop.