New technology for ancient subject - Bible study

By Christina Galeone
CFP Correspondent In 1978, the year after he was ordained, Father Conrad Pecevich taught his first Bible study at Our Lady of Good Counsel Parish in West Boylston. Around 50 to 60 people from all over the diocese attended because of what the now retired priest refers to as Catholics’ hunger for Bible study, at that time. When the COVID-19 virus descended upon this country, he was teaching another thriving Bible study – of about 20 people – at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Hopkinton. 
The pandemic forced the group to stop meeting. But, later in the spring, the parish’s business manager suggested holding the study group online. Even though Father Pecevich had never used Zoom before, he surveyed the group and decided to try it.
The group – which is open to all – currently focuses on discussing the upcoming Sunday Mass readings for each week. It meets every Tuesday night at 7:30 via Zoom. While its participants can no longer sit together to discuss the Word of God, Father Pecevich helps quench their spiritual hunger by uniting them in thought-provoking discussions that are immersed in the Holy Spirit. 
Father Pecevich, who received a master’s degree in Biblical Studies from Providence College, a certificate of advanced graduate studies from Assumption College and a doctorate of ministry from Andover Newton Theological School, is no stranger to examining Scripture with students outside of Mass. He has taught students at Anna Maria College, Nichols College and those who are enrolled in the diocesan permanent diaconate program. He has also led various Bible studies since that first one.
But while helping the participants to develop a deeper academic understanding of Scripture is clearly important to Father Pecevich, helping them to embrace God’s Word on a spiritual level takes precedence. For instance, the Sept. 29 meeting began with Father Pecevich saying a prayer for God to bless and guide the group’s discussion, and it ended with the group praying The Lord’s Prayer. The priest led the discussion of Isaiah 5:1-7, Philippians 4:6-9 and Matthew 21:33-43 by showing how the three passages are connected. 
He also revealed that parables, including the many that Jesus shared in his teachings, are meant to tease the mind into action, so that those who hear or read one will gain a richer personal understanding of the point of each. He further discussed how all three readings and the responsorial psalm (Psalm 80) remind us of the immense need for all God’s children to produce “good fruit” to expand the Kingdom of God.
Although Father Pecevich was initially unsure about whether he would feel comfortable teaching in a virtual environment, he now sees multiple benefits. He finds that people seem to be able to see and hear each other better. He also believes that being able to attend the group from the comfort and convenience of home is something that appeals to many – himself included.
“I’m still learning Zoom,” he admitted. “But it’s a wonderful teaching vehicle.”
Despite the occasional technical difficulties, which St. John the Evangelist staff members help remedy, Father Pecevich is happy to see the group attracting about 12 to 15 people each week.  He invites people to attend whenever they can, and he fosters a spirit of caring and respect among all who participate.
“Every week is a new adventure,” he said. He later added, “It’s really building a community.”  
The group members have certainly benefitted from the meetings. Cathy Campbell, the coordinator for the Zoom meetings and a parishioner at St. John the Evangelist, has been participating in the group since its inception in 2019. She said that the meetings have offered “great spiritual insight and understanding.” 
“Father Conrad has a wonderful way of helping us understand and appreciate the Scriptures and how they are very apropos to today,” she said. “Everyone who attends these weekly meetings feels so much closer to God and understands the Scriptures a little bit better. The Holy Spirit truly touches each of us in these meetings, and that is not only a gift from God, but also because of Father Conrad.”
John Palmer, who’s also a parishioner at St. John the Evangelist, has enjoyed participating in the group as well. He said that he was inspired to join the group because he’s been interested in studying the Bible since he attended Boston College years ago. 
He noted that when the group began, the focus was on reading and exploring the entire Acts of the Apostles.
“Instead of the little snippets of the Acts that you get at Mass, Father Conrad’s approach provided the class with a full understanding of the travels of St. Paul,” he said. He noted, “I am learning much that I didn’t know or understand and certainly a great deal more than I could have learned from an unsupervised reading of the same passages.”
Father Pecevich said that one of the reasons he teaches the Bible study group is to give back to the diocese that allowed him to further his education of Scripture, and another is to help him and the participants to better prepare for the upcoming Sunday Mass. But enriching the participants’ faith is what he enjoys the most.
“My goal is for their hearts to be ‘burning’ inside when I explain the Scripture to them,” Father Pecevich shared. He added, “It opens their minds to see the Scripture in a different light. It deepens their faith.”

For more information or to join the group, email
rusoire77@gmail.com. Father Pecevich writes a Scripture column on the weekend Mass readings for The Catholic Free Press.

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