St. John's Bible Presentation in Ankeny!

Sunday, March 5, 6:00pm in the Banquet Room at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Church in Ankeny we will be exploring the Illuminated Bible, the first handwritten Bible in 500 years. Brian Woods from Liturgical Press will be here to give a presentation and we will have on hand a full size reproduction of Gospels and Acts and some of the Illuminations from the Pentateuch. The Bible is written in beautiful calligraphy and wonderfully illustrated. Contact Amy Hoover at 964-3038, amy@olih.org for more information.

ILLUMINATING THE WORD

An exhibition of the illuminated Bible
now through Easter Sunday, April 16
at the Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha


Since March 2000, scribes and artists in Wales have been meticulously handcrafting The Saint John’s Bible, the first illuminated Bible commissioned since the advent of the printing press more than 500 years ago. Commissioned by Saint John’s University and Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota, and under the artistic direction of Donald Jackson, one of the world’s foremost calligraphers, the Saint John’s Bible and this exhibition offer a glimpse at the process of incorporating ancient art forms with modern techniques in a celebration of the traditional arts
of bookmaking and modern science and sensibility.

While the manuscript is still in progress, this exhibition gives a revealing glimpse of the tremendous undertaking and celebrates book, art, and scripture. Illuminating the Word features nearly 100 pages from the first three finished volumes (Gospels and Acts, Pentateuch, and Psalms) of The Saint John’s Bible. The pages selected for the exhibition display the exquisite contemporary renderings and medieval craftsmanship of this project, scheduled for completion in 2007. Additional items in the exhibition are Jackson’s process sketches, tools from his scriptorium in Wales, as well as other manuscripts, Bibles, and art from special collections at Saint John’s University.

Admission to Illuminating the Word: The Saint John’s Bible is included in general Joslyn Museum admission. Groups of 10 or more with reservations receive a discount of more than 20%. All school groups with reservations are free. Call (402) 342-3300 ext. 206 or e-mail groupsales@joslyn.org.

General Museum admission: $7 Adults, $5 Senior citizens (62+) and college students (with ID),
$4 Youth (5-17), Free children four and younger and Joslyn members.
Free admission on Saturdays from 10 am to noon

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday, 10 am-4 pm; Sunday, noon- 4 pm;

closed Mondays.

Guided tours: Docent-led public tours of the exhibition, free with admission, are offered on the following dates:
Wednesdays (Jan. 25; Feb. 1, 15; Mar. 1, 15, 29; Apr. 12) and Saturdays (Jan. 28; Feb. 11, 25; Mar. 11, 25; Apr. 8).
Tours meet in the atrium just prior to 1:00 PM.

Extensive resource materials are available for congregations, catechists, schools, groups:

Teacher packets: Contact the Joslyn Museum: 402/342-3300, extension 250
DVDs and videotapes: available through IRMS, 515/277-2920 or www.irms.org
Materials online: www.saintjohnsbible.org or www.joslyn.org/index.html

Stations of the Cross Resource from Joann Kimmel

At the last CLADD East gathering, Joann Kimmel mentioned a resource that she wanted to share. The link for the Stations of the Cross and Gifts of the Spirit she was speaking about is www.cornerstonemedia.org. (This is the same group that Anna Scally works with...see the previous posting about Anna)

IRMS Celebrations in April and August

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Iowa Religious Media Services, the ecumenical media resource that serves many of the main line Protestant denominations in the state of Iowa as well as the Catholic Diocese of Des Moines. April 30, 2006 there will be a re-covenanting service, whereby the congregations and denominations who partner to create IRMS will commit again to this ecumenical project.

On August 26th there will be another opportunity to celebrate as IRMS presents a formational opportunity with appeal to everyone who serves the ministry of faith formation. More information will be available on the IRMS website soon. Please visit www.irms.org for additional information.

Lenten Resources

Here are two resources for individuals, parishes and groups in the season of Lent. Both provide a good process for faith sharing and prayer by groups large or small; both are simple to use and inexpensive. An added advantage: both are built around the Sunday lectionary's readings for Lent, cycle B.

1. Annual Lenten issue of Today's Parish magazine. This year's Lenten issue is called “Renewing Our Covenant with God.” The sections include one focused on Ash Wednesday, one for each of the six Sundays of Lent, and an introduction to Triduum. (In addition, reflections based upon the lectionary cycle A readings for Sundays 3, 4, and 5-used when the scrutiny rites for the Elect are celebrated-are also provided.)
This annual Lenten issue by Today's Parish is widely used and 'user friendly.' It can be utilized by an individual or a small group. It can even be the framework for one or more large group session/ soup supper during Lent.
Cost: less than 100 copies, $2.49 each; 100-250 copies, $2.29 each.
For a free sample or to order, contact Twenty-third Publications-
email ttpuvs@aol.com
web www.twentythirdpublications.com
FAX 800/572-0788
phone 800/321-0411

2. Weekly group resource written by Fr. John Ludwig (St. John Parish, Norwalk). This process is intended for small-group use during the season of Lent. The materials include a weekly direction for the group convener or leader; a sign up form for distribution; the weekly Sunday lectionary's readings for cycle B; reflection questions and prayer materials for the group session. It can be utilized by a small group and can even be the framework for one or more large group session/soup supper during Lent.

Cost: available free of charge to parishes and staffs.
Sent electronically (31-page WORD document) as E-mail attachment.
To receive the file, send an E-mail request to: cfournier@dmdiocese.org or
Father Ludwig