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

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

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

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

Survey Results

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

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

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

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

Contact Information Glenn Sauer x 2741 – Cell Trina Wong x 2037 – Cell

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

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?

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!