Tarsus Scripture School

Welcome to Tarsus Scripture School, founded in 2020 by Jessie Rogers, Seán Goan, and Kieran J. O’Mahony, OSA, and working in partnership with the Centre for Mission and Ministries at St Patrick’s Pontifical University.

Mission Statement

At Tarsus Scripture School we understand the role of the Bible in our life of faith from within the tradition of Catholic Biblical scholarship promoted at the Second Vatican Council. We study the Bible as the Word of God in human words and so seek to pay attention to the contexts in which the books were written and to discern how those contexts might speak to ours, bringing us to an authentic encounter with the living God “who has entrusted us with a treasure which makes us more human and helps us to lead a new life. There is nothing more precious we can give to others.” (Pope Francis – The Joy of the Gospel no.264)

Kieran J. O'Mahony

An Augustinian friar currently assisting in Dublin's Donnybrook parish, Kieran has several book publications and is frequently uploading videos and content about the Bible on his own website Hearers of the Word. His particular interest is in the Pauline letters.

Jessie Rogers

A native of South Africa, Jessie came to Ireland in 2007 to teach at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, and is currently Dean of Theology at St Patrick's Pontifical University Maynooth, Her interests include wisdom literature, spirituality, and the theology of childhood.

Seán Goan

Seán is the coordinator of Spiritan Mission Animation Ireland and a lecturer in biblical theology. He is a retired teacher who has worked in the area of Catholic Education and Adult Faith development for over thirty years. His interest is in the Gospels, in particular the Gospel of John.

What Each Course Involves

Each course features a number of presentations, all of which are made available on the date the course goes live and are to be enjoyed at your own pace. Notes for each presentation are provided, sometimes with additional resources.

In addition to the presentations, each course also features live Zoom webinars which are recorded* and made available should you be unable to attend. These webinars are either a panel discussion wherein participants may type questions to the presenters, or meditation webinars where the presenters offer a guided reading of biblical texts through prayer and music.

* Note that neither video nor audio from the participants are recorded, only the presenters.

Webinar Example: Holy Week & Easter Mediation 2023

Our History

Orlagh Bible Week (1997–2015)

Our beginnings trace back to 1997 where Sr. Carmel McCarthy, Kieran O'Mahony, and Seán Goan led courses in the Orlagh Retreat Centre under the title "Orlagh Bible Week." In those days, we were limited to about 36 people or so as that was all that would fit in the room! When Carmel retired, Jessie Rogers joined the team.

Summer Scripture School (2015–2020)

We moved to Clonliffe College in 2015 following the closure of the Orlagh Retreat Centre, and we became the “Scripture Summer School.” We flourished for many years in Clonliffe with the support of the Office for Evangelisation and Ecumenism, and under the umbrella of the Archdiocese of Dublin.