ST. FRANCIS — While Bible study is often associated with Protestants or Baptists, more recently, Catholic Bible study in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has been gaining momentum.

For someone like Janis Parker, parishioner at St. Jerome, Oconomowoc, this is exciting news. For years she had attended non-Catholic Bible studies because she couldn’t find Bible study groups in her Catholic churches, and she yearned for that outlet.

“Those of us that end up in non-denominational or Protestant Bible study, we run into walls with it,” she said. “I think, for myself, I got really tired of that. I got tired of what I perceived as anti-Catholic sentiments. That’s really when I started hosting Bible studies.

“We needed Scripture study in our church,” she said. “It made sense to me. I knew I’d have to jump off the boat and go into uncharted territory.”

After moving back to Wisconsin from California, Parker began a Bible study at St. Jerome. The group originally met in her home, but the number of participants quickly outgrew that space. They now meet in St. Jerome School.

Parker speaks favorably of her Bible study and urges all to join, even if they don’t feel they know enough about the Bible.

“People immediately think that I have a degree in theology,” said Parker, who does not have such a degree. “I think it’s another excuse for people not to study the Bible, because people would think I would know it because of my degree. But I’m a layperson like you.”

Parker said she’s the first to admit when she doesn’t know the answer to a question and will do research to answer the question the following week. While it’s a big time constraint for a mother of four, Parker said she feels compelled to do it.

“I believe in the resurrected Christ and I believe he’s present in the Eucharist and present in the Scripture,” she explained. “I’ve experienced it in my own life. I underwent a major conversion and I’m absolutely indebted to God for my life, for the healing and hope it gave me. My response is to work for the church. I’m on an ongoing act of thanksgiving.”

Parker sees her work with Bible study as a call from God. She also notices an increase in attendees.

“I think it’s gaining popularity, but there’s a hesitancy still,” Parker explained. “That ‘I just don’t know enough.’ Well, neither do I. You just have to jump off the boat and get going.”

Maria Gaffney, who converted to Catholicism two years ago and joined St. Jerome, was used to attending Bible study as a Lutheran. After she converted, she was surprised at the difficulty of finding a Catholic Bible study.

“When I became Catholic, I was hoping to a join a Bible study because I’m a person who’s very analytical,” said Gaffney, who also wanted answers to questions she had about kneeling and other rituals during the Mass. “The women in the group were able to answer those questions in a non-judgmental way. Bible study is a way to continue my Catholic education.”

Gaffney is confident she has gained many things from attending Parker’s weekly Bible study.

“I feel like I’m part of the community,” said Gaffney, who recently moved to the Oconomowoc area. “I’ve also gained insight into other questions of faith. Someone will say something and it’s like, ‘I never thought of that.’

“Bible study is a supplement; it will never take away from going to Mass on Sunday,” said Gaffney. “But I think it’s an important part of the community of the church. There’s more to being Christian than going to Mass on Sunday and for me, Bible study is my more.”

Another parish with a popular Bible study is St. John Vianney, Brookfield. Jane Dixon is the director of Bible study for the parish. She feels the reason for the increase in Bible study popularity may have something to do with the pope.

“I think there’s a greater interest,” said Dixon. “The pope is supporting Bible study and says how important it is to read the Scripture and study it.”

St. John Vianney has offered Bible study for 12 years, but they offered a summer version for the first time this year.

“There are three sessions this summer for people who think they’d like to be in Bible study, but are reticent because they think they’ll get thrown in with people who quote Scripture, or don’t need to use tabs in their Bibles,” Dixon explained. “Ours is geared to people who this is their first time and we gear the questions to show the depth of discussion.”

Jim Gill, director of adult ministry at St. Joseph, Wauwatosa, teaches a Bible basics class called “The Bible for Absolute Beginners.” Gill feels that many shy away from Bible study because they don’t feel they know enough.

Last year, Gill led a focus group with parishioners and found that, when asked what they wanted more of in their faith lives, many said they wanted to learn more about the Bible. However, he feels that there is still a barrier when it comes to Catholic Bible study.

“It’s still in a lot of people’s minds that (Bible study) is not a Catholic thing,” he said.

Mary Ricci, parishioner at St. John Vianney, initially joined Bible study 12 years ago because she thought it would be interesting.

“I think you learn more in-depth information about the readings in Mass and you get a great understanding of the background of Scripture,” she said. “You learn from others in the discussions. I find it interesting that, although we have the same beliefs, you have different emphasis of the Scripture.”

Ricci is adamant that newcomers usually do feel a little overwhelmed but are happy when they stick with Bible study.

“Everyone feels that way their first time there,” she said. “There’s a lot of new information even to lifelong Catholics. I think we encourage people to just stick with it and it gets easier.”

Those who embark upon Bible studies do so for different reasons. Margie Noll, parishioner at St. Jerome, did so to fill a void.

“Janis (Parker) offered Bible study for any school parents and I decided to join because I knew I was missing something in my life,” said Noll. “I had a desire to learn more about God’s word. It makes me feel good. I enjoy reading the Bible and also discussing it; there’s so much that I can learn from other people.”

Noll said that she has noticed her own faith deepen since joining Bible study about a year ago.

“I just feel better about myself, my life, why we’re kind to each other,” said Noll. “It’s a deep feeling and I don’t know how to put it into words. It’s a deeper faith within my heart.”