New Enrollments/Re-enrollments
The Catholic Biblical School will be taking new and re-enrollments for the 2008-2009 term.
CBS Brochure – For more information about the Catholic Biblical School please see our brochure.
Order of Study – A yearly breakdown of studies for the Catholic Biblical School.
Application Form – Please use this form to register for Catholic Biblical School classes. **Note location changes**
Scholarship Request Application – Through the generosity of our graduates and current studenst we are able to offer a limited number of partial scholarships. Please complete this form to apply.
Textbook List – A list of required and optional books for all six Biblical School years. (Prices are currently being negotiated).
Calendar for 2008-2009 – Please note dates when classes will not be held.
Instructor Biographies
Peter Kennedy
Peter Kennedy is the Dean of the Academy of Adult Faith Formation for the St. Cecilia Institute which coordinates the Catholic Biblical School. Born to Catholic parents in Gainesville, GA “the heart of the Bible Belt”, his father’s position as a collegiate swim coach allowed him to experience the Catholic Church in a variety of forms across the country. After attending high school in Iowa, he received a B.A. in theology and philosophy from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN while playing both football and lacrosse. After a short stint as a seminarian for the Diocese of Lincoln, he received a Masters degree in theology from Christendom College’s Notre Dame Graduate School and an Advanced Apostolic Catechetical Diploma from the Holy See. Prior to working for the Archdiocese of Omaha, he taught theology at the junior high, high school, and collegiate levels and philosophy at the collegiate level. Peter met his wife while on a TEC retreat in high school. They have been friends for sixteen years and have two children with one on the way.
Bernadette Esposito
Bernadette is a cradle Catholic who has been on a wonderful faith pilgrimage, striving to become more and more an adult Catholic of "full-stature in Christ"! She has been a participant in many Scripture study programs through the years. Her deep passion for the Word of God is fed daily through prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours and Holy Mass. Her experience with Adult Faith Formation has ranged from catechetics instructor in her parish RCIA program to author of a weekly article for its school's newsletter called, Our Catholic Heritage. More recently, she has facilitated numerous small-group sessions of the Full of Grace program for women and is currently participating in the Lord, Teach Me to Pray program. She has given several retreats to diverse groups on a variety of subjects. Bernadette has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Nursing from her "younger" days. In 2005, she received a Master's in Theological Studies issued from Madonna University in conjuction with completion of a three-year program with the Institute for Pastoral Theology of Ave Maria University. Bernadette and her husband Paul have been blessed with three children, now adults and embarking on their own life pilgrimages.
Kay Parlor
Kay Parlor, born Kerry Anne Gallagher, Kay grew up as an Air Force brat in a large Catholic family. Though always in love with the Church, the combination of moving to different states every few years combined with the confusion of post-Vatican II implementation led to sketchy catechesis at best. The challenges of parenting children with serious medical needs led Kay to intensely deepen her prayer life. She also responded to the desire to learn more about the faith and the Spirit’s prompting to share it with others in a variety of ways. In 2005, Kay completed a three year graduate program with Ave Maria’s Institute of Pastoral Theology and holds a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Madonna University. She is an associate member of the Institute of Apostolic Oblates and serves as the director of the local board of the Pro Sanctity Movement, dedicated to the apostolate of promoting the Universal Call to Holiness. She relishes spending time with family and friends, reading, and travel. Kay and her husband, Rob, have been happily married for 28 years and live in Elkhorn. They are the parents of five children, ages 24-6, each of whom is a blessing!
Lauren Bopp
Lauren has a deep love for the teachings of the Catholic Church and a strong desire to share the Catholic faith with others. Lauren is a 2005 graduate of OCBS, and earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Newman University in Wichita, KS. In May 2007, she completed an M.A. degree in Ministry from Creighton University.
Beginning in high school, Lauren has had opportunities to share Christ’s message as a CCD Teacher and Children’s Liturgy instructor. At her parish, St. Cecilia Cathedral, she coordinates the Vacation Bible School program, Young Adult Ministry and serves on the Catholics Returning Home team. She and her husband, Dan, are on the Family Life and Respect for Life Committees.
Since completing her graduate degree, Lauren has enrolled in online coursesthrough The Catholic Distance University and the Pontifical Paul VI Institute for Catechetical and Pastoral Studies, Archdiocese of St. Louis.
Lauren and Dan have been married 26 years and will start a new phase in life as “empty nesters” when their youngest of three children heads off to college in August 2008.
Deacon Paul Rooney
Deacon Paul Rooney holds an MA in Theology from Creighton University. He is currently assigned to Mary Our Queen Parish in Omaha. Together with his wife Patricia, they have two daughters and five grandchildren, all living in Omaha. Paul has traveled extensively to biblical sites in Israel, Greece and Turkey on many occasions, and in 2007 was Tour Host to the Holy Land for the graduating OCBS class. Before retiring he was Regional Director for FDIC in Omaha, Columbus (OH), and Chicago and Deputy Director in San Francisco and Kansas City. For many years Paul has authored a weekly “Didja Know?” scripture series (available at his website: http://www.angelfire.com/ne/DeaconPaul/), and has taught or facilitated many Adult Ed offerings at his parish. He has been an Instructor for OCBS for several years.
Sharon Nelson
Sharon Nelsen – profile snelsen@cox.net
Sharon graduated from Creighton University with a Masters degree in Applied Theology. She has taught in the OCBS program since the fall of 2005. Sharon says her approach to her students is to build on their faith and dedication by challenging them to integrate critical thinking and a prayerful approach to scripture with the lived experience they bring to the community of faith. The gifts she has to offer the OCBS students have their foundation in her ever-deepening love of Jesus and His Church, as well as her integrated faith lived as wife, mother, grandmother, and enhanced by a sound Catholic education.
Deacon Duane Thome
