Resources

The Letter to the Romans

Saint Paul’s Letter to the Romans is the longest of his writings and can seem overwhelming but we don’t need to be put off. Paul’s themes are just as relevant to us as they were to his first hearers and, in this short course, are explored in a straightforward way.

Encountering the Risen Jesus

This series of five reflections, suitable for use by individuals or groups, explores the responses of those who first encountered the risen Jesus:

Mary Magdalene and the Women
Peter
the Disciples in the upper room and Thomas
Cleopas and his companion on the road to Emmaus
the Beloved Disciple, thought to be John the Evangelist

How to Read the Gospels

This practical guide to the gospel texts, for individual or group use, explores their meaning both as Scripture and as texts rooted in the experience of the risen Jesus.

Chasing the Wind: Philosophy, the Bible, and the Problem of Evil

This series of talks explores what is sometimes called the Problem of Evil – the argument that, given our experience of evil, it is unreasonable to believe in God – by combining insights from the Bible and modern Christian philosophy.

Dies Domini: The Importance of Sunday

At the request of the Bishops of England and Wales, the Mission Directorate has produced a series of podcasts on why the Day of the Lord is so important. Inspiration for this series has been drawn from Pope John Paul II’s Apostolic Letter Dies Domini from 1988.

Catholics and the Bible

In 2020 the Catholic Church in England and Wales inaugurated The God Who Speaks: The Year of the Word marking two significant anniversaries in the history of the Church’s engagement with Scripture: 1600 years since the death of the Biblical scholar St Jerome; and 10 years since Pope Benedict’s Apostolic Exhortation on the Bible Verbum Domini.

Some of the resources produced with the involvement of so many people across the Diocese are available here.

The Church that Follows Jesus Christ

This six-session course explores the Faith of the early Church, the struggles and questions which led to the first ecumenical Council of Nicea 325CE. It is suitable for individual study, or for groups meeting online, and can be freely adapted to your needs.

Exploring Vatican II

This short six-session course offers an introduction to the themes and teachings of the Council documents as well as points for reflection. It is suitable either for personal use, or with a group.

The God Who Speaks: Encountering the Living God

This series of twelve encounters with the word of God in scripture explores some of the great themes of Christian life.

With suggestions for reflection and extracts from the teaching of Pope Francis, this resource is available as downloadable pages, as well as audio recordings featuring voices from across the diocese.

It is suitable for personal or group use.