During times when parish, arch/diocese, and public health leaders issue guidance that it is not safe for groups to meet on-site at a parish, our parish-based CBSM classes will meet live (accessible via internet or phone for video/audio conference) for discussion and lecture at the same day/time and annual schedule as planned for on-site. Materials will be shared online (or provided via postmail for those without internet access). 

Participant Testimonials from the Spring 2020 Shift to Virtual Parish-Based Classes

"Everything that we had in the in-person class was available to us...I am grateful. It was almost as if we never skipped a beat." 

"We didn't miss out on a thing other than to be in the same room together. Well done!"

"I think you as teachers and [we as participants] did a triple A+ job."

"CBSM did a fabulous job coordinating many learning opportunities."

"The virtual class meetings were very helpful and easy to access."

"CBSM responded well and tried to accommodate those with and without computers...I appreciated the ability to share our thoughts with one another [in small group discussion]. Way to make a good thing out of a bad situation."

"[By] connecting on the internet I felt connected to the class and the people."

"The continual access to our instructor and maintaining our class schedule [was beneficial]. Just getting together to talk how everyone is doing and praying for those in need."

"The video conferencing lecture was almost as good as students actually being there."

"Tele-learning [and postmailed handouts] for those without internet access was appreciated." 

"Continuing lectures and small group opportunities were very helpful! I think CBSM pivoted quite successfully and appreciate your commitment to keep things going."

"CBSM responded in an AMAZING manner!...'Seeing' my classmates each week was vital for me to feel some aspect of 'normalcy'. Anchored my week! Barely knew what day it was otherwise."

"Loved having the recorded lectures available...I feel like the CBSM staff went above and beyond in making the material accessible throughout the pandemic."

"Lecture online was great I like the way the notes were on the screen to follow along."

"Communication from the teacher was excellent! I felt like I knew what to do and follow the lessons."

"As a technological dolt, I was fraught with worry over [virtual] participation and wondering whether or not I could participate online...I thank the Holy Spirit daily for directing me to you. As a Biblical student novice, your systematic course offerings have enhanced and will continue to enhance my prayer life and evangelization efforts."

"It was part of saving my sanity to have something stay consistent during this time."

CBSM's fully-online virtual classes began in 2019 and will continue in 2020-21, offering the opportunity to participate in a class from any location, at any time, with optional live participation times. 
 

Participant Testimonials from the Inagural 2019-20 Fully-Online Virtual Class

"Our professor is outstanding on so many levels. The Bible has come alive for me. I love the content, her methods, her inspirational tools, the pacing, the ability to turn in discussion questions late with no Catholic guilt, and the opportunity she provides weekly for us to ponder and reflect on our own. I am simply thrilled that I have joined this class."

"I like the concise, thorough notes with lectures, it allows me to focus on the content without distraction. I listen on my free time. I have the benefit of replay or pause if necessary, and can continue at my own pace."

"I absolutely love working through the Bible piece by piece with guidance. Particularly in the Old Testament, there are passages and stories that are just plain hard. Sometimes it is hard to understand, or we are missing context, or something very strange is being described. In many cases, it is hard to understand what God or the human authors are trying to tell us and how this could possibly relate to us in the 21st century. Having someone who is an expert in this and who can guide us based on the teachings of the Catholic church is quite a blessing. This has made me truly appreciate the way the Church teaches us to read and understand Scripture!"

"I was asked to cover a Bible study session on Genesis this year. My CBSM study program led me to be comfortable and I rocked it!"

"I knew I had limited time, so the online flexibility called to me."

"I was personally challenged with getting the electronics started. However, the teachers were so very helpful and patient, I never considered quitting."

"The format is great, better than I expected."

"I find the virtual lectures and learning material so rich (as well as the 'nudge' to read Scripture more frequently and more deeply) that this is a truly amazing experience."

"Having the lecture before the reading has helped me to understand and follow along with more enthusiasm."

"I really am thankful that this course is now online! Due to my work schedule and transportation issues, I was unable to take this course in the different parishes where it was offered. I really prayed to God asking that one day it would be online! He has heard my prayer and exceeded my expectations!"

 

 

Answer: An online option will be available to anyone who prefers it, even if their parish-based class returns to on-site gatherings.

We encourage every individual to assess their risk factors and take appropriate precautions. As Archbishop Allen Vigneron encouraged the faithful in March 2020, "Holiness works with science. We must resist any idea that there’s some sort of divorce between our cooperating with public health officials to mitigate the spread of the virus and our complete trust in God’s power to protect us." 

If you're joining Year A Created for Covenant or Year B Encountering Jesus and Joining His Mission in 2020-21, during registration you can:

• Sign up for your parish-based class and participate in the live virtual 2-hr class sessions until the class shifts back to meeting on-site (a decision driven by parish pastors and arch/diocese guidelines). This enables you to build or continue relationships with other participants you already know or who live nearby, for part of the year. Once your parish-based class moves back on-site, we will then shift you to a class that's remaining virtual/online (including our fully-online virtual classes). 
• Sign up for a fully-online online class that is conducted entirely online, with no designated 2-hr weekly live class session. This enables you to have a continuity of teacher and peers for the entire year, regardless of if a particular parish-based class is meeting virtually or on-site. 

If you're joining Year C Called to Return to Love or Year D  Walking Daily with God in 2020-21 and desire to participate from home for the entire year, please select "Online Class" during registration.
 

Question: I'm not sure if I'd want to participate from home all year or possibly go back to on-site with my parish-based class. What do I register for? 

Answer: The coronavirus pandemic has brought many new changes and uncertainties to our lives. If you're not quite sure what's best for your health in 2020-21,  register for your parish-based class, and let us know during the year if your preference changes, and we're happy to shift you to a different class, as desired. 
 

Question: I cannot easily access the internet. Can I still do CBSM in 2020-21?

Answer: Yes. One of the unique features of our parish-based classes, is that when a class is  not conducted on-site, but is meeting live in a virtual format, it is accessible via teleconference (no internet required). Using your phone, you can dial-in to hear and speak during class. For those who desire this "correspondence course" format, we will provide a postmailed packet of lecture notes and resources (that others receive via the internet) and your instructor will postmail feedback on any written reflections you submit via mail. 
 

Question: What if my parish-based class has to stop meeting on-site due to new Covid-19 concerns? 

Answer: Parish-based classes will go back and forth as seamlessly as possible between on-site and live virtual meetings if we were to experience additional closures in any parts of Michigan. Each parish-based class will continue to meet on the same day and 2-hr time period wheter in a live, virtual format (i.e. video/tele-conference) or on-site.