God and Modern Biology

1. God and Modern Biology Educational Enrichment in Science and Religion for Catholic Parish Leaders and Educators

2. Goals • Build a Catholic community for engagement on issues relating to science and religion • Intellectual and spiritual development for program participants • Develop educational materials and programs for use in Catholic parishes and schools • Scientifically literate and theologically articulate Catholic citizens

3. Summer 2012 Workshop • June 26 – Science and Religion • July 10 – The Big Bang and Cosmology • July 17 – Biotechnology • July 24 – Evolution • July 31 – Reflection and Strategies • Evening Celebratory Banquet All sessions at Dimenna-Nyselius Library on the Fairfield University campus: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM

4. Participants • Parish priests and lay leaders • Pastors, parochial vicars, Deacons • DREs, Catechists, Youth group leaders • Adult education, RCIA leaders, discussion groups • Catholic school teachers and administrators • Sciences, Religion/Theology • History, Social studies, Languages • Fairfield University faculty

5. Survey Results

6. 2012-2013 Program • Monthly (approx.) Meetings • Ongoing discussion/lectures/readings on topics of interest • Development of parish and school experiences • Implementation of parish and school programs • Guest lectures • Evaluation of parish and school projects • Working towards dissemination

7. Fall 2012 Meetings • Wednesday, September 26 (6-9 pm) • Reflection and Planning • Thursday, October 25 (6-9 pm) • Book Discussion (John Haught) • Saturday, December 1 (9 am – 1 pm) • Lecture/discussion • Lunch

8. Spring 2013 Meetings • February ?? • Biotechnology?? • Progress reports • March ?? • Cosmology/earth environment ?? • April • Thursday, April 4 (tentative) • Keynote Lecture by Prof. John Haught, PhD (Georgetown University) • Dinner/reception • Wednesday, April 17 • Lecture by Prof. Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ (Fordham University) • May/June ?? • Closing Dinner, reports, and plans for the future

9. Sponsors • John Templeton Foundation • Humanities Institue of Fairfield University • Fairfield University’s Center for Faith and Public Life • Fairfield University’s Center for Academic Excellence • Diocese of Bridgeport

10. Contact Information • Glenn Sauer - 203-254-4000 x 2741 • Cell 203-394-8439 • Trina Wong - 203-254-4000 x 2037 • Cell 203-671-5836 Email: gmb@fairfield.edu

11. Questions for Today • Of the lectures, discussions and activities you experienced during the Summer Conference, what one or two items seems to have “stuck” with you most? • Large group sharing • What conference content (or something we did not cover) is most relevant for your context and your parish/school role? • Small group discussions

12. Questions for Today • As a parish or school in the Diocese of Bridgeport, what do WE want to do to help achieve the goals of the GMB program? • Parish or School group work. • What is OUR next action step? • What do WE need help with? • What is your next step personally?

13. Questions for Today • What topics or areas (besides evolution) should we look at in the God and Modern Biology Program this year? • Please mention any specific books or articles that you think would be useful. • Large group discussion. Thank You!