Register Now For The
Mark Seven Bible Institute
2008 Study Week and Retreat
What?
A study week and retreat on the Gospel According to Matthew in A.S.L. for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Catholics.
Where?
At Camp Mark Seven in Old Forge, New York.
When?
Sunday, 22 June 2008 through Saturday, 28 June 2008.
Who?
Very Reverend Thomas Coughlin, O.P. Miss., M.A., chaplain and spiritual director; Brother Adam Zawadzki, O.P. Miss., A.A., and Matthew Hysell, M.A., M.Th. (Cand.), instructors.
Yea, for we are on the point of entering into a city—if God permit—of gold, and more precious than any gold. Let us then mark her foundations, her gates consisting of sapphires and pearls; for indeed we have in Matthew an excellent guide. For through his gate we shall now enter in, and much diligence is required on our part. For should He see any one not attentive, He casts him out of the city. Yes, for the city is most kingly and glorious; not as the cities with us, divided into a market-place, and the royal courts; for there all is the court of the King. Let us open therefore the gates of our mind, let us open our ears, and with great trembling, when on the point of setting foot on the threshold, let us worship the King that is therein. For indeed the first approach hath power straightway to confound the beholder... Let us not therefore with noise or tumult enter in, but with a mystical silence.
St John Chrysostom, Homily on Matthew
Join Fr. Tom Coughlin, Br. Adam Zawadzki, and Matthew Hysell for a weeklong study and retreat with St. Matthew the Evangelist, the attributed author of the 'gospel of the Church.' The Mark Seven Bible Institute, founded in 2006, is a new experience in a critical reading of the Bible from the perspective of faith for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Catholic believers.
Each morning, we will gather for prayer in the chapel overlooking beautiful Fourth Lake, attend daily workshops on the Gospel According to Matthew, celebrate daily Mass before supper, and visit the old City of Montreal in Quebec, Canada. Afternoons are free for hiking, swimming, visiting historic Old Forge and Eagle Bay. Share your faith and rediscovery of the Sacred Scriptures with fellow believers, and return home with a renewed understanding of the Catholic Church's love for the Bible.
What are some of the things we will learn at the Mark Seven Bible Institute?
w Who wrote the Gospel According to Matthew? What does the Catholic Church teach about the authorship of the gospel and the scholarly opinions about St. Matthew the Apostle?
w Why has Matthew been considered the 'gospel of the Church'? What does it say about ecclesiology, the pope, and the relationship between Jesus and Israel?
w How does Matthew compare Jesus to the Old Testament prophet Moses? In what way is the 'Sermon on the Mount' a renewal of the Mosaic Law given to Israel on Mount Sinai?
w What can be said about the text-traditions and manuscript witnesses to the Gospel According to Matthew? Is it true that our present gospel is really a 'second edition' to the original gospel written by St. Matthew the Apostle? Did he really 'borrow' his material from someone who was not an eyewitness?
w How are the official documents of the Pontifical Biblical Commission to be interpreted?
Each of these questions will be explored in depth by our three presenters.
What should I bring?
Since we will be working with the sacred text, each participant should bring his or her own copy of the Bible, preferably any one of the following: New American Bible, the New Jerusalem Bible, the Revised Standard Version, the New Revised Standard Version, or Today's English Version / The Good News Bible. If you have an interlinear Greek / English New Testament, you are encouraged to bring it too.
Since we will be studying, it is a good idea to supply your own paper and pens / pencils, a folder for handouts, and other books (such as commentaries, concordances, and dictionaries) for personal use.
It is also very important to bring your U.S. Passport, since we will cross the border into Canada to visit Montreal, Quebec. Those without a U.S. Passport will not be able to re-enter the United States due to a new look that took effect on 1 January 2007. Participants without a passport are welcome to develop an alternative pilgrimage plan, such as visiting Holy Trinity Russian Orthodox Monastery in Jordanville or New Skete Monastery in New Cambridge.
How do I sign up?
The cost of the Study Week / Retreat is $375 USD (and an additional $25 for those attending the pilgrimage to Montreal). If you are interested, please contact Ms. Carrie Fisher at cmfishio@gmail.com to register or go directly to Camp Mark Seven's application page.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the director, Matthew Hysell at bible@campmark7.org or the chaplain/spiritual director, Fr. Tom Coughlin, at tomcoughlin@juno.com.
We hope to see you there!
