<p> Stories of Success</p><p> Beatrice</p><p>Beatrice, a single parent in her early fifties, has four children and works as a dental hygienist. She was married for eighteen years before she and her former husband divorced. During the traumatic period of the ending the marriage, her sister sent </p><p>Beatrice a bible marked with a series of verses that she thought would be helpful. </p><p>These did much to comfort and bolster Beatrice’s spirit through those dark times. </p><p>Sometime later Beatrice wanted to go back to reading the bible, but felt frustrated and overwhelmed, not knowing where to start or how to proceed. When her small rural parish offered the Bible Reading for Beginners opportunity, she leapt at the chance. </p><p>Now arising at 5:00 each morning, Beatrice found her kitchen island the perfect place for reading and reflection. The daily experience lasted for ten to thirty minutes, depending on her mood and time pressures.</p><p>Having completed all one hundred days offered in Bible Reading for Beginners, making comments on favorite passages, and placing sticky notes on certain pages of the bible with favorite stories, Beatrice is now ready for the next step.  Anna & John</p><p>Ann and John, in their mid-seventies, will soon celebrate their golden wedding anniversary. John, now retired after nearly fifty years as a factory worker, never had read a page of the Bible. His wife recalls studying the scriptures two decades ago. </p><p>When their parish offered Bible Reading for Beginners, they obtained the kit and started the process as a Lenten project.</p><p>Each morning they first prayed the Rosary together, then John read aloud a meditation from the Take Five book. Ann would locate and read the designated biblical text and the two would reflect aloud together or in silence. The experience was so positive for them that they continued on through the Easter season until completing all one-hundred scripture passages. </p><p>They plan to repeat the process next Lent.</p>