The Beginnings of Little Rock Scripture Study

Tammy Woell with an early LRSS discussion group (1978, Arkansas Catholic Newsletter)

We’re kicking off our 50^th Anniversary year with the story of our origins!

Fifty years ago, Fred and Tammy Woell listened to the stirring of the Holy Spirit

in their hearts and allowed God to work through them and others.

What began as a small diocesan movement in Little Rock, Arkansas,

has grown into an internationally recognized program of Catholic Bible Study.

Fred and Tammy, thank you for being with us to share the “origin story” of LRSS. What inspired you to start the movement that is now known as Little Rock Scripture Study?

In 1973 I (Tammy) was invited by a few Catholic friends to attend an interdenominational Bible study. I was a little hesitant because I was a recent convert to the Catholic Church. But I was very impressed with the program, which consisted of daily personal Bible study, weekly small group meetings, and a wrap-up lecture for discussion groups. I encouraged Fred to look into their evening Bible study program. Fr. Kodell was also very impressed with the program, especially with the holiness of the participants and how they were living out Scripture in their daily lives. He began reflecting on the daily Mass readings and asking himself: What does this Scripture mean to me, and how can I apply it to my life?

How did you begin the process of developing materials for Catholics who wanted to study the Bible?

As we grew in our love for Scripture, we started asking priests and everyone we knew why the Catholic Church didn’t seem to have a Bible study for lay people. Our why soon became why not when we were introduced to Fr. Jerome Kodell, a Benedictine priest from Subiaco, Arkansas, who had recently received his licentiate in Sacred Scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome.

Fred and Tammy with Fr. Jerome Kodell, OSB (1994)

Fr. Kodell was inspired by the Second Vatican Council’s proclamation that “easy access to Sacred Scripture should be provided for all the Christian faithful” (Dei Verbum, 22). We met with him, a few other priests, and some lay people who shared our desire and enthusiasm. After much discussion, prayer, and sharing, we decided to start with a Bible study on the Acts of the Apostles, the story of the early church.

Fr. Kodell would write the questions and give the lectures, and we would recruit and train the discussion leaders.

Can you share some of your favorite early memories of Little Rock Scripture Study?

We trained the discussion group leaders over the summer, and Fr. Jerome wrote the discussion questions, which we ran off on the diocesan mimeograph machine. We ordered commentaries on the Acts of the Apostles from Liturgical Press and advertised the program. Fifty people pre-registered for the study. On opening night, 150 people showed up!

Soon participants began asking, “Why can’t we have this Scripture Study in our parish?” Fortunately, we had taped the lectures, so we started sending out the Scripture Study material from our home with daily UPS pick-ups. As interest and excitement grew, Bishop Andrew McDonald made Scripture Study the official Religious Education Program of the diocese and traveled to each deanery promoting it. At that time, he moved the Scripture Study materials and shipping into the diocesan offices.

In 1978, Fr. Jim Mancini attended a national diocesan meeting where participants were asked if their diocese used any Scripture Study programs. Fr. Mancini was the only person that responded. After that, we were flooded with requests from all over the country. As word spread and excitement grew, our Scripture Study materials from Little Rock became a national program. That’s when Bishop McDonald officially named it the “Little Rock Scripture Study.”

In 1985, Little Rock Scripture Study entered into a partnership with Liturgical Press at St. John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota. It was agreed that Liturgical Press would provide production of materials, marketing, and order fulfillment, while Little Rock Scripture Study would continue to develop new studies and provide leadership training workshops.

How does it feel to see how the seeds you planted have grown, spread, and flourished over these past 50 years?

We are amazed! As the hymn goes, “To God be the glory for the great things he has done!” But we also know that God’s Word does not return empty but accomplishes what it is sent forth to do (Isa 55:11).

Thank you, Fred and Tammy, for all you have done for Little Rock Scripture Study, and for being with us as we celebrate 50 years of Catholic Bible Study!

Fred, a mechanical engineer for Jacuzzi Brothers, and Tammy, a registered nurse, were married in San Francisco in 1967 and then moved to Little Rock, Arkansas. They were involved in several diocesan programs (Cursillo, Pre-Cana, Search, and Marriage Encounter) before starting the Little Rock Scripture Study program. They began an LRSS program in their parish in 1988 and are still involved. Fred and Tammy have two children and five grandchildren.

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NEW STUDY: Women in the New Testament

Women in the New Testament is now available! This brand new study features all new commentary by Dr. Catherine Cory and new videos with Sherri Brown, Amy Ekeh, Diana Macalintal, and Catherine (Cackie) Upchurch. Learn more about the women who were essential to Jesus’ ministry and the flourishing of the early church. View an introduction to the study here:

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See you at the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress!

As always, LRSS will be at L.A. Congress, a yearly gathering of Catholics from all over the country who gather in Anaheim, California, for a weekend of speakers, exhibits, liturgies, and fellowship. Visit us at the Liturgical Press booth from February 16-18, and pick up LRSS Anniversary stickers and bookmarks for your Bible study group!