In February, over 90 participants from the Diocese of Parramatta took part in the FaithLIFE Scripture short course, led by renowned Josephite Scripture scholar Dr Michele Connolly rsj.
The course, organised by the Mission Enhancement Team (MET), aimed to help parishioners deepen their understanding of the Bible in a way that was both engaging and practical.
Dr Michele Connolly’s approach to Scripture is unique, combining insightful biblical commentary with a relatable, conversational style. Over three weeks, she focused on the Gospel of Luke, which forms the basis of the Sunday readings for the year. Dr Michele encouraged participants to explore the meaning of Gospel passages in ways that would nourish their faith and help them apply these lessons to their lives.
A central theme of the course was addressing common questions about the Bible’s relevance to today’s world. Dr Michele reminded participants that the Scriptures were not written to answer modern-day questions in contemporary ways.
“We have to expect the Gospels for what they are, not what we expect from them,” she explained, urging participants to read with an understanding of their historical context.
One key insight Dr Michele shared was the importance of recognising Jesus’ relatability.
FaithLIFE Scripture series. Image: Diocese of Parramatta.
She explained that Jesus lived his relationship with God authentically within the ordinary context of his time. Dr Michele invited participants to reflect on their own situations and think about how they can live their relationship with God authentically in their daily lives.
Dr Michele also outlined four movements to guide Catholics in reading Scripture. First, participants were encouraged to consider what a passage is communicating. Then, they reflected on the meaning behind the passage. The third movement was to think about how the text resonates with their own lives, and the fourth was to consider how the passage calls them to participate in God’s mission. In this way, Dr Michele emphasised that the Bible serves to connect believers with God’s mission of love, unity, and wholeness, inspiring them to actively take part in that mission.
Throughout the course, Dr Michele emphasised the power of engaging with Scripture imaginatively.
“Dare you to let yourself enter the scene,” she urged, noting that filling in the ‘gaps’ in the story can make it more meaningful for each individual, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak in a personal way.
The FaithLIFE Scripture course was also aligned with the Diocese of Parramatta’s Diocesan Pastoral Plan for a Synodal Church, which encourages deepening one’s relationship with Jesus Christ and developing gifts to serve God’s mission. By framing Scripture as a tool to engage in God’s mission, Dr Michele’s teachings connected with the diocesan call for formation and service.
Participant feedback highlighted the impact of the course. One participant shared that Dr Michele’s teaching made the Gospels feel alive and accessible, while another praised her engaging, lively presentation style.
“You just had us sitting on the edge of our seat,” one participant exclaimed. Others reflected on how Dr Michele’s advice to “engage directly” with the Scriptures helped them better understand their personal connection to the Gospels.
As the course concluded, participants expressed their desire for more opportunities like this. Many agreed that the short course was too brief and hoped for future sessions. Based on the positive feedback, the FaithLIFE Scripture short course exemplifies the Diocese’s continued response to Pope Francis’ call for the Church to become a more synodal community.
Check out our upcoming MET events, or visit our Events page:
- Saturday 29 March 2025– The FaithFeed: A space facilitated by life & faith leaders, and in particular, those in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
