06/20/2026
Dear St. Joseph and Christ the King,
Did you know?
The English word “Bible” comes from the Greek ta biblia meaning “the books.” Each of the different books of the Bible actually began as a separate writing, and only later were they slowly collected together in one binding. That means that almost every different book of the Bible has a different author (and possibly more than one!).
In fact, the Bible was one of the writings that most popularized the use of books rather than scrolls for writing. The Bible was written in book form rather than on a scroll more than any other ancient document. It is likely because this was the format for note-taking at that time. The writings of the New Testament were originally passed down by oral stories and recollections from the apostles and then written down in (note)books. People got used to the Scriptures being in books, so they continued to use them for that purpose.
The earliest of Christian writings were the letters of St. Paul. Paul started writing to the various communities that he had previously visited around the year 50 AD, about 20 years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Because of the lack of printing presses and modern means of communication, for the first few hundred years different local communities would have different collections of the Christian Scriptures (the ancient Jewish Scriptures which we know as the Old Testament had been largely settled by the second century B.C.). The first complete copy of the Bible that has been found is currently kept in the Vatican, and it goes back to around the year 350 AD. By 381 AD, official lists of the canonical books of the New Testament had begun being issued by local councils of bishops. This process occurred under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and it is an important early example of how inspired Tradition is necessary to guide the understanding of Jesus and his message.
Upcoming events:
St. Joseph Bible study has its second meeting on June 23 at 6:30pm in the church hall.
The Christ the King Social Justice Committee will hold an information session about different kinds of prison ministries on June 24. This will include prayer and reflection from Fr. Chris on the nature of this important Christian work of mercy, and it will be held at 7pm in the church of Christ the King.
Dawn Riske’s CtK retirement party will be held on June 28, after the 10am Mass in the Msgr. Ryan Center.
Keep enjoying your summer!
Fr. Chris
