The incredibly popular and successful “Denver Catholic Biblical School” program is now in Virginia! The Biblical School was founded 40 years ago in Denver in response to the Second Vatican Council’s call for a renewal of Scripture study among the people of God. It has made the inspired Word of God come alive for thousands of adult students across the State of Colorado and in sister schools in various dioceses in the country. For the first time, classes were launched in Virginia, at Sacred Heart of Jesus parish in Winchester, in the fall of 2020. A morning and an evening session were offered for adult students to attend based on their schedules. An astonishing 200 students enrolled, breaking all records! Catholic Biblical school is now hosted at other parishes within the Arlington diocese including St. John the Baptist in Front Royal, Holy Trinity in Gainesville, and St. Francis DeSales in Purcellville. We now have two graduating classes at Sacred Heart, with a current class running on Tuesdays. We’re excited to offer the Catechetical School as well on Thursdays!
The Catholic Biblical School is a four-year journey through every book of the Bible (see topics below) and the Catholic Catechetical School is a two-year journey through the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Both are taught live and in-person by an engaging, qualified instructor who holds at least a MA in Theology or Scripture. Students meet for two hours, once a week for 30 weeks from September to May, to hear a lecture on the material and meet in small groups to discuss the lesson. Students pay $600 a year in tuition, plus a $30 registration fee. Various scholarships are available to students if needed, especially for those working in any capacity for the Catholic Church.
The Four Year Course of Study of Catholic Biblical School
& The Two Year Course of Study for the Catholic Catechetical School:
- CBS Year 1, “From Eden to Exile,” covers the Old Testament Salvation history from Genesis to Maccabees.
- CBS Year 2, “Proclaiming the Kingdom,” covers the Synoptics, Acts, and Epistles of Paul.
- CBS Year 3, “A Future and a Hope,” covers the Prophets.
- CBS Year 4, “Wisdom and the Word,” cover the Wisdom Literature, Catholic Epistles, and John’s writings.
- CCS Year 1, “Creed and Sacraments”
- CCS Year 2, “The Moral Life and Prayer”
LEADERSHIP AND INSTRUCTORS:
Dr. Nicholas Lebish, previously the Director of the Lay Division within St. John Vianney Theology Seminary in Denver (which housed the Catholic Biblical and Catechetical Schools), and the creator of www.ScriptureAndTradition.com, was hired to launch the Catholic Biblical School at Sacred Heart of Jesus in 2020. In his position leading the program in Denver, he grew the Biblical School 125% in five years to serve 2,500 students in 75 locations throughout Colorado. With God’s blessing, the Catholic Biblical School in VA will grow to serve many parishes in the diocese of Arlington.
For the 2025-2026 academic year, Dr. Nick will teach the new Year 2 classes (Tuesdays at 9:00am and 6:30pm) at Sacred Heart of Jesus in Winchester, the Year 3 classes (Wednesday at 9:30am and 6:30pm) at St. Francis de Sales in Purcellville, and the Year 4 class (Thursdays 7:00pm) at Holy Trinity in Gainesville. His email is: nlebish@catholicbiblicalschoolva.org
Mr. Pat Piccolo — Year 4, Tuesday 6:30 PM Instructor at St. John the Baptist (Front Royal):
Pat Piccolo completed undergraduate studies in history, religion and literature at the University of Virginia before obtaining his juris doctorate from its School of Law. He is currently pursuing his Masters in Theology from the Augustine Institute. Passionate about the Gospel, he has spoken regularly across the diocese at youth events, RCIA, parish scripture studies, Theology on Tap and to men’s groups and is a returning instructor for the Biblical School. He currently practices law in Fairfax County, where he lives with his wife and two little boys, and enjoys hiking, kayaking and fishing. His email is ppiccolo@catholicbiblicalschoolva.org
Deacon Gerard Anthony — Year 1, Catechetical School, at 9:00am at Sacred Heart of Jesus (Winchester)
Deacon Gerard-Marie Anthony is a deacon at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Gainesville, VA. He has his undergraduate degree in Theology from Christendom College, His Graduate Degree in Theology from the Catholic Distance University. He has taught Theology at all ages from Kindergarten to Young adults, teaching at various schools throughout the diocese (St. Rita, Queen of Apostles, Holy Spirit, Pope Saint John Paul the Great High School, and St. Timothy) and writing for various publications such as Homeletics and Pastoral Review, Deacon Digest, Ethics and Medics, and Catechist magazine. His new book is entitled, “Peaceful Hearts, Zealous Hearts.” He currently gives theological lectures for the Sophia Press Institute for teachers and is a returning instructor for the Biblical School. His email is: ganthony@catholicbiblicalschoolva.org
Mrs. Caroline Haydu — Year 2, Biblical School, at 1:00pm at Sacred Heart of Jesus (Winchester)
Caroline Haydu holds an M.S. in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management from Stanford University and an M.A. in Biblical Theology from John Paul the Great Catholic University. Converting from evangelical Protestantism to the Catholic Church in 1998, Caroline has taught RCIA, Baptism classes, Marriage Encounter classes, and Bible studies covering both the Old and New Testaments as well as serving as Director of Religious Education for a short time and is a returning instructor for the Biblical School. She and her husband of 42 years have 8 children and 8 totally amazing (!) grandchildren. They worship at St. John Bosco in Woodstock. Her email is: chaydu@catholicbiblicalschoolva.org
Mr. Zachary Beckman — Year 1, Catechetical School, at 1:00pm and 6:30pm at Sacred Heart of Jesus (Winchester)
Zachary obtained his BA in Liberal Arts from Thomas Aquinas College in Santa Paula California, and it was here that his passion for philosophy and theology became truly inflamed. Zachary went on to receive a Master’s in Theology from the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in Washington D.C, with a concentration in systematic theology. He has taught high school theology and is currently the director of religious education at St. Michael Church in the Diocese of Arlington. In his spare time, you can find Zach playing board games, sports and talking endlessly about the genius of JRR Tolkien.