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 now at St. Francis DeSales in Purcellville starting in the fall of 2023.
The Catholic Biblical School is a four-year journey through every book of the Bible (see topics below) 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 offered to students, especially for those working in any capacity for the Catholic Church.
For more information, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
The Four Year Course of Study:
- Year 1, “From Eden to Exile,” covers the Old Testament Salvation history from Genesis to Maccabees.
- Year 2, “Proclaiming the Kingdom,” covers the Synoptics, Acts, and Epistles of Paul.
- Year 3, “A Future and a Hope,” covers the Prophets.
- Year 4, “Wisdom and the Word,” cover the Wisdom Literature, Catholic Epistles, and John’s writings.
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 2023-2024 academic year, Dr. Nick will teach the new Year 1 (9:30am and 6:30pm) classes at St. Francis DeSales (Purcellville), the Year 2 (1:00pm) class at Holy Trinity (Gainesville), and the Year 4 (9:30am and 7:00pm) classes at Sacred Heart of Jesus (Winchester). His email is: nlebish@catholicbiblicalschoolva.org
Year 2, 7:00 PM Instructor for St. John the Baptist (Front Royal): Mr. Piccolo
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
Year 3, 9:30 AM Instructor for Sacred Heart (Winchester): Deacon Anthony
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. 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
Year 3, 7:00PM Instructor for Sacred Heart (Winchester): Mrs. Haydu
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