God & Modern Biology
Educational Enrichment in Science and Religion for Catholic Parish Leaders and Educators
About the Program
The God and Modern Biology program at Fairfield University serves as a catalyst for developing educational materials making science and religion an essential component of Catholic religious and science education nationwide. We aim to build a community of Catholic parish leaders, educators, and University faculty around the integration of scientific knowledge and religious faith.
Program Director Dr. Glenn Sauer will develop a booklet series aimed at mainstream Catholic audiences at the parish and parochial school level. Our goal is to implement this series into Catholic science and religion programs nationwide during the 2015-2016 academic year.
This program has been fully funded by the John Templeton Foundation. There is no cost to program participants.
Who Should Attend?
We offer a wide array of programming. Participants may include, but are not limited to, parish priests, deacons, religious education directors, youth education directors, adult education directors, school principals, science department chairpersons, and religious department chairpersons.
Participants should possess a common desire to learn, share, and implement their ideas in their home parishes or schools. There are no prior academic requirements to participate in this program. Ideally, there will be two to three participants from a respective parish or school. Our goal is for each participant to attend at least four of the Summer Conference dates, as well as the monthly follow-up meetings.
| Radio Interviews Dr. Glenn Sauer interviews with Spirituality for Today |
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Thoughts for the Week |
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Thoughts for the Week |
Monthly Discussion Meetings
Wednesday, September 26, 2012, 6-9 p.m., Alumni House
Thursday, October 25, 2012, 6.-9 p.m., Alumni House
Saturday, December 1, 2012, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., DiMenna-Nyselius Library Multimedia Room
Wednesday, February 6, 2013, 6-9 p.m., Alumni House
Saturday, March 2, 2013, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Alumni House
"Darwin, God, and the Drama of Life"
by John Haught, Senior Fellow at the Woodstock Theological Center, Georgetown University
Thursday, April 4, 2013, 7:30pm-9pm
Dolan School of Business Dining Room
Fairfield University
Presentations from Our Monthly Meetings
September 2012 (.ppt)
Pain and Suffering (.ppt)
Suffering and the Question of God (.doc)
Intelligent Design (.ppt)
Sponsors
The John Templeton Foundation, Philadelphia, PA
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport, Bridgeport, CT
The Center for Faith and Public Life, Fairfield University
The Center for Academic Excellence, Fairfield University
Humanities Institute, Fairfield University
Program Staff
Glenn R. Sauer, Ph.D. - Program Director, Donald J. Ross Chair in Biology and Biochemistry
George Collins, S.J. - Program Facilitator, Coordinator for Mission and Identity Programs
Laurence Miners, Ph.D. - Director, Center for Academic Excellence; Professor of Economics
Trina Wong, Graduate Assistant - Program Coordinator
Questions? Contact: GMB@fairfield.edu or (203) 254-4000, ext. 2037
Summer 2012 Conference
Educational Enrichment in Science and Religion for Catholic Parish Leaders and Educator
Topics from our 2012 Summer Conference
June 26
Science and Religion
Question: Can we integrate Catholic and scientific worldviews?
July 10
The Big Bang and Cosmology
Question: Why is there anything at all?
Guest Speaker: Dr. Nancy Dallavalle, Religious Studies
July 17
Biotechnology
Question: How does the sanctity of life direct our choices for the future?
Guest Speaker: Fr. Frank Hannafey S.J., Religious Studies
July 24
Evolution
Question: What role does God play in a changing world? Guest Speaker: Dr. Dennis Keenan, Philosophy
July 31
Strategies and Reflection
Question: How do we bring this back to our parishes and schools?
Banquet Dinner
Presentations
Program Overview (PowerPoint)
The Nature of Science (PowerPoint)
When Science Meets Religion (PowerPoint)
The Intersection of Spirituality and Science (PowerPoint)
Our View of the Universe (PowerPoint)
Stem Cells: Scientific Potential and Alternatives (PowerPoint)
Evolution 2012 (PowerPoint)
Cosmology and Catholic Thought
Review of GMB Program Goals and Next Steps (PowerPoint)