Pastoral Scripture Programme.
In September 2008 we began a programme of scriptural formation for lay people with potential for leadership, who will be competent to work with Scripture in diverse pastoral, catechetical and liturgical settings. Thirty participants from the Dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe are taking part. It is a three year programme: Year 1 on the Old Testament, Year 2 on the New Testament, and Year 3 on practical training in presenting the Scriptures in various settings. The parishes have been generous in helping their parishioners to pay for the cost of the course. The participants have undertaken to put what they learn at the service of their parishes. Their respective parishes have undertaken to provide them with opportunities to exercise a ministry in the area of Scripture.  

In September 2009, we are planning to repeat the first year of the programme for a group of about 30.

For and updated brochure and application form click here

Participants will be expected to put what they learn in the course at the service of others in an active ministry of the word. The ministries envisioned include leading groups in prayerful reading and meditation on the scriptures, short courses on the liturgical readings for Advent and Lent, talks for parents preparing for the baptism of their children, their first Communion and Confirmation, conducting liturgies of the Word and Communion Services.

Our objective is to help meet the urgent need of bringing the word of God to a rapidly changing church and society in contemporary Ireland. We will provide biblical formation-by nurturing faith, knowledge and confidence-for a group of people who will be competent to work with scripture in diverse pastoral, catechetical and liturgical settings.

The programme will enable participants to deepen their own understanding of and love for the scriptures, and will give them the knowledge and the practical skills to work with scripture.

Programme duration: three years, to be followed by occasional updating.
Dates: One full Saturday per month, September to May: 10.00-4.15pm and one evening (2-hour session) per month.
Place: For Saturday sessions: Dominican Biblical Institute, Upper Cecil St, Limerick.
Admission Requirements

• A completed application form and a deposit fee of €50

• A meeting with course facilitators at a convenient time to discuss goals and expectations

• A one page reflection on why you want to register for the course

• Total yearly cost: €650

Team: Jessie Rogers, Wilfrid Harrington, Tom Brodie, Brendan Clifford. Others will be provided or recruited as necessary by the DBI

Method: Sessions include:

1. Presentations by qualified lecturers, regarding both content and method of study.

2. Communal reading of scriptures.

3. Access to library.

Assignments (monthly)

Reading: reading scripture itself, and studies/commentaries by biblical scholars.

Programme Content
Year I: Introduction to the Books & Theology of the Old Testament
Year II: Introduction to the Books & Theology of the New Testament
Year III: Practical Training

Nostra Programme.
The DBI offers biblical modules in the innovative programme initiated by the Theology and Religious Studies Department of Mary Immaculate College.  Nostra (New Openings in the Study of Theology and Religion for Adults) is a co-operative venture of Mary Immaculate College, the Diocese of Limerick (RC), the Dioceses of Limerick and Killaloe (CoI), Glenstal Abbey, Limerick Redemptorist Congregation, Dominican Biblical Centre, Presentation Brothers (Cork) and the Augustinian Community. Through this method of Adult Education students can gain credits for modules completed at a time and pace that best suits them. As part of that programme we have presented the following courses at the DBI: Thomas Brodie: Introduction to Scripture, Benedict Hegarty: St. John’s Gospel, Maurice Fearon: The Prophets; Regina Plunkett Dowling: St. Matthew’s Gospel; Brendan Clifford: Lectio Divina.

Public Lectures.
In the autumn and spring we offer a series of public lectures.  Among our speakers have been Morna Hooker, Carlos Mesters, Jerome Murphy O’Connor, Regina Plunkett-Dowling, Carmel McCarthy, Wilfred Harrington, Celine Mangan, Cecil McCullough, Kieran J. O’Mahony, Gemma McKenna and the late Ciaran Earley. 

Previous Conferences.
 
The Triple Intertexuality of the Epistles. 6-8th May 2005
The purpose of the conference was to inaugurate and plan a systematic study of the continuity that flows from the Old Testament into the Epistles, and then from one Epistle to another, and finally into the themes and words of the Gospels.  Sheffield Phoenix Press has published the papers delivered at the conference which the DBI organized in Limerick in May 2005. Tom Brodie, Dennis MacDonald and Stanley Porter edited the volume which is entitled The Intertexuality of the Epistles.

Lectio divina Conference.  9-12th November 2006
The goal of this conference was to promote lectio divina, especially by clarifying its practice and its theory, and its relationship to historical criticism.  Speakers included Dr. Frances Young (Birmingham), Fr. Carlos Mesters (Brazil), Ms. Pat Elie (Trinidad),  Bishop Martin Drennan,  Bishop Luciano Monari (Piacenza-Bobbio), Dr. Cecil McCullough (Belfast). Fr. Seamus O’Connell (Maynooth), Fr. Ludger Feldkamper (Holland), Fr. Chris Hayden (Ferns).

The Composing of the Gospels.  April 4-6, 2008. 
This conference focused on Luke’s use of the Elijah-Elisha Narrative in the composition of Luke-Acts. Overseas participants were Alex Damm (Toronto), Robert Derrenbacker (Vancouver), Gerald Downing (Lancashire), John Kloppenborg (Toronto), Denis MacDonald (Claremont, California), David Peabody (Nabraska), Jos Verhayden (Louvain), Paul Williamson (Washington DC).