Bishop Donal Trautman, will be the guest speaker for two study programs this weekend at St. Mary Basilica Family Life Center. Bishop Trautman is a national speaker on the Second Council of the Vatican, which took place in Rome in the 1960s.

His presentations on Saturday, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., will focus on the Council’s Constitution on the Divine Worship. The program on Sunday, scheduled from 1 to 4 p.m., will focus on the Document on Divine Revelation (Bible). Bishop Trautman describes the Vatican Council “as a great moment in the life of the Church and in my own life.”

Trautman served as bishop of the Catholic Diocese in Erie, Penn., for 22 years before retiring about a year ago. Since then, he lectures throughout the country and directs retreats and renewal programs for priests and lay congregations.

Bishop Trautman led the three-day biannual convocation of Mississippi priests in October; and from that experience, I invited him to be a guest speaker in Natchez.

Since his seminary days in Rome when he had the privilege of serving as an aide during the four years of the council, he has focused his study and research on understanding the 16 documents of the council, the application of these in the pastoral life of the church, and the ongoing impact of the council’s teaching in the church today.

Donna Martello, coordinator of this weekend’s program in Natchez, said Bishop Trautman will explore and make presentations on two documents of the council — Divine Worship and the Word of God (Bible).

“At the Saturday program, he will explain the purposes and the vision of the council members, worship in the life of the Church, prayer as communicating with God and liturgy as the ‘summit and source of spiritual life for church members,’” Martello said. “Before Vatican II, Catholic worship was in Latin, and congregation members had little, if any, part in the worship service (the Mass). Since the council, congregation members assist in many roles — read the scriptures, prepare the altar for the service and serve as eucharistic ministers (assisting the priest during communion rite).”

Ruth McWilliams, program coordinator for St. Mary, said, the local church community is happy to have a national speaker lead the weekend program.

“For the past few years, we have had well-known guest speakers,” McWilliams said. “It is my hope that Bishop Trautman will lead us to a fuller understanding of Vatican II and will provide insights and information that will help us gain a deeper awareness of worship and prayer.

“Bishop Trautman comes with outstanding academic credentials — theology studies at Innsbruck, Austria, the study of Biblical languages at Catholic University in Washington, D.C., and a doctorate in Sacred Scripture in Rome — and with the ministry experience of seminary professor, chancellor of his diocese, national chair of Catholic worship, bishop for 22 years and as a well-known author.”

Ruth Powers, theology resource person for St. Mary, said Trautman’s program on Sunday will focus on the Council’s document on divine revelation (Bible).

“In terms of the way Catholics read and interpret the Bible, the most important thing to remember is that we are not literalists,” Powers said. “We believe in order to really understand a scripture passage and apply it correctly, it is necessary to do more than take it at face value. Study is needed. First of all, we must realize that the Bible is not one ‘book’, but rather a collection of many different kinds of writing ranging from poetry to history to personal letters and more.

“Just as we interpret a news story and an editorial differently when we read a newspaper, so we interpret the different kinds of writings in the Bible through different literary ‘lenses.’ We also believe that the social and cultural background against which the writing was set is also critical to understanding the meaning of the passage. Also, Catholics are to be wary of ‘proof-texting,’ that is cherry-picking one or two verses out of context in order to prove a particular point.”

Bishop Trautman’s presentations on sacred scripture this Sunday may be of interest to  individuals and groups outside the Catholic community who are involved in Bible study in the Miss-Lou area. An invitation is extended to all interested persons.

Bishop Trautman said, “One of the highlights of Vatican II was the rediscovery of the Sacred Scriptures in the life of the church. A new emphasis was placed on the word of God, and every church member is encouraged to seek spiritual counsel through personal reading and study of the Bible.”

Babysitting will be provided both days to make it possible for parents with young children to attend. Lunch will be served on Saturday as well as snacks and refreshments on both days. The program will end on Sunday with a reception for all the participants.

Pre-registration is encouraged by calling St. Mary parish office at 601-445-5616. Registration costs are: Saturday (including lunch) $15; Sunday $10; both Saturday and Sunday $20.”

 

The Rev. David O’Connor is pastor at St. Mary Basilica.