Bible Study Ministry Is Valuable Opportunity to “Encounter Scripture Together”

Bob Martinet was a Presbyterian attending a large church when the pastor identified him as having the gift of teaching. He began leading Bible studies and teaching in different capacities.

“I receive so much from preparing to teach,” Bob says. “When preparing, I really have to dig in and be thorough. Teaching keeps me praying and keeps me in the Word.”

Bob later converted to Catholicism, and he and his wife, Patricia Carroll, retired and moved to the area. About eight years ago, they went to Mass at St. Patrick, and afterward met a parishioner who shared that the community was just restarting a Bible study.

“The Lord knew what He was doing with that timing,” Bob says. “They had begun a study of Genesis, and I jumped in.”

St. Patrick’s Barbara Burns had started this Bible study about two years before because she knew the need for Catholics to study the Bible.

“It is not just important for Catholics to study the Bible — it is vital,” Bob says. Studying the Catechism is great, but we need to study Scripture.”

The group began using a workbook from Ignatius Press with commentary from Scott Hahn. Each year, they would pick a study to use, and the group would meet from September to June for about two hours of prayer, study, and fellowship.

“It’s a very rich gathering,” Bob says. “We’d begin each Wednesday with prayer, announcements, and then dig into the study. We have six different teachers, and I became one of them. We’d have time for small groups and large groups and a break for food, which everyone contributed to bringing.”

When Barbara started the Bible study, about 35 to 40 people attended, but over the last year, as many as 84 people were attending. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the group has been suspended since the spring of 2020, but that’s changing soon.

“We’re planning on restarting in September and returning to the book of Romans,” Bob says. “I’m very excited to teach Romans. We’ll use the Ignatius Press study guide, probably review the first 11 chapters, and then continue to the end.”

Studying the Bible alone can be challenging. Where do you start? How do you understand the context and culture surrounding each reading? A Bible study offers the opportunity for faith community members to guide each other through Scripture.

“It is such a rich experience when people encounter Scripture together,” Bob says. “This Bible study reflects this parish. It’s full of wonderful and dedicated Christians who believe in serving the Lord and following Christ. It is full of vibrant people.”

If you would like more information about St. Patrick’s Bible Study Ministry, please reach out to Bob Martinet at bob.martinet@gmail.com.

St. Patrick's Bob Martinet and his wife, Patricia Carroll