Study of the Wisdom Literature for Advent

What is the meaning of life? How should we live? Why is there suffering and evil in the world? People have grappled with these big questions as long as there have been people. These kinds of questions are a special concern of a group of books of the Old Testament - Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, Proverbs, Wisdom, and Psalms - known collectively as the Wisdom Literature.  During this Advent season, parishioner Alice Hession will lead a four-week study on Mondays, Nov. 25, to Dec. 16, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Room 21. 

These books' answers aren’t easy as they concentrate on daily human experience: how is life to be lived?  They reassure us that Israelites grappled with similar faith issues as we do today: sin, suffering, and experiencing God’s love. The task of wisdom is character formation, which discusses the wise path to follow through the problems and serious questions of everyday life. They invite persons of faith to trust and worship God despite life’s challenges and ambiguities.  

For questions, email Alice at [email protected].

About Alice Hession:
Alice is the former director of adult religious education for the Archdiocese of Louisville, KY. She graduated from Purdue University and earned a master's degree in theological studies from St. Meinrad School of Theology and an educational specialist degree in educational administration from Spalding University. She is the founding principal of St. John Paul II Catholic High School in Huntsville, Ala., and was the executive director of the Xaverian Brothers Sponsored Schools. In 2006, she was honored with Central Catholic's Distinguished Alumni Award.