The Society of Catholic Scientists

Lecture on April 9, 2024, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
2024-04-09 18:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis)
There will be a Lecture on Tuesday, April 9, at 6:30pm in Room 3-410, Lilly Hall of Life Sciences on the campus of Purdue University (915 Mitch Daniels Blvd, West Lafayette, IN 47907).
The lecture, entitled “Philosophy as an Antidote to Scientism,” will be given by Prof. James McClure of the Purdue Department of Mathematics.
The lecture is part of the Spring 2024 Christianity and Science Series and is co-sponsored by the Purdue Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists and the Purdue chapters of the American Scientific Affiliation and Intervarsity Fellowship.
Abstract of talk:
Scientism is the belief that science is the only truth. It involves a number of related beliefs that are antithetical to Christianity: that human beings are just collections of atoms organized by the evolutionary process; that morality is just a product of evolution and has no other foundation; and that our conscious experience is an illusion, and the only true knowledge of the world is given by science. Especially in settings where scientism is rampant it can be helpful to Christian believers to realize that, in fact, these are not scientific statements, and that they cannot be proved, or even tested, by scientific methods. Philosophy gives us tools for thinking about statements like these in a systematic way, taking all the evidence into account. In particular, it can help us think carefully about situations where Christian teaching conflicts, or seems to conflict, with scientific statements. It is a powerful antidote against scientism that illuminates its logical inadequacies and exposes its overreach. Prof. McClure specializes in algebraic topology and is a fellow of the American Mathematical Society. He has a lifelong interest in Philosophy and is in the Purdue Book of Great Teachers.

Special SCS Zoom Lecture/Discussion/Q&A with Robert C. Berwick on April 17, at 8pm EDT.
2024-04-17 20:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York)
There will be a special SCS Zoom Lecture on Wednesday, April 17, at 8:00pm EDT. The title of the talk is “Why Only Us?” and the speaker is Prof. Robert C. Berwick of MIT, the co-author (with Noam Chomsky) of a ground-breaking book on the origin of human language, whose full title was “Why Only Us?: Language and Evolution” (MIT Press, 2016) The book argued that only human beings have the capacity to process language with hierarchical syntax, a pre-requisite for formulating and expressing complex thoughts, and that this capacity arose very suddenly in evolutionary history.
The 40 minute talk will be followed by a moderated discussion and Q&A with the Zoom audience.
Those interested in gaining some familiarity with the ideas of Berwick and Chomsky in advance of the Zoom event are encouraged to watch the talk that Prof. Berwick gave at the inaugural conference of SCS in 2017 HERE, or to read the 2017 review of “Why Only Us?” written by Stephen M. Barr, which appeared in the journal First Things. The review gave a concise summary of the ideas in the book and their relevance to certain important theological issues concerning human nature and human origins. The review can be found HERE.
The Zoom link for the event: https://franciscan-edu.zoom.us/j/89119626531?pwd=[REDACTED]
The event is free and no registration is required. Questions can be addressed to Stephen M. Barr at smpbarr@gmail.com

Lecture on April 18, 2024, at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.
2024-04-18 15:30 UTC
There will be a Lecture at 3:30pm on Thursday, April 18, 2024, in the Beck Rooms of Walsh Hall at Seton Hall University (400 S Orange Ave, South Orange, NJ 07079). The title of the talk is “Galileo, Science, and Scripture” and the speaker is Dr. Kenneth J. Howell. Refreshments will be served. RSVP: https://events.shu.edu/event/31585-galileo-science-scripture
This event is sponsored by the Seton Hall University Chapter of SCS and co-sponsored by SHU’s Department of Physics, the Department and Program in Catholic Studies, the Center for Catholic Studies, the Department of the Core Curriculum, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, and Campus Ministry.
Abstract: The encounter of Galileo Galilei (1564–1642) with the Roman Catholic hierarchy has long been viewed through the lens of warfare. However, a dispassionate review of the evidence, both of events and of texts, suggests a very different conclusion. Galileo was one of the greatest luminaries of the Scientific Revolution and a foundational figure of modern physics, but he also professed his adherence to the Catholic faith in no uncertain terms. How then shall we understand the conflict between the Church and Galileo’s science? In three parts, Dr. Howell will paint an historical picture of astronomy of this period and how the appearance of Copernican cosmology provoked a controversy about the ultimate picture of the universe. After a review of the state of astronomy at the time of Galileo, Dr. Howell will sketch Galileo’s life and work on astronomy. He will then offer an interpretation of his famous Letter to the Grand Duchess Christina which reveals enduring issues in the interaction of the empirical sciences and Christian revelation.
Speaker: After receiving a Ph.D. in the History of Science from Lancaster University (UK), Kenneth J. Howell has studied the Scientific Revolution for over twenty years. He is the author of numerous articles and a volume entitled God’s Two Books: Copernican Cosmology and Biblical Interpretation in Early Modern Science. Dr. Howell also holds an M.Div. from Westminster Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Linguistics from Indiana University.

Public Lecture and Reception on April 18 in Newark, DE
2024-04-18 19:00 (America/New_York)
There will be a lecture on Thursday, April 18, at 7:00pmt St. Thomas More Oratory in Newark, DE. (45 Lovett Ave, Newark, DE 19711) The lecture on Artificial Intelligence will be given by Joseph M. Vukov, Assoc. Prof. of Philosophy at Loyola University in Chicago and Assoc. Director of The Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage.
For more information go to https://www.udcatholic.org/events or contact Fr. Tim McIntire tmcintire@udcatholic.org This event is co-sponsored by the Delaware Chapter of the SCS.

Lecture on April 23, 2024, at St. Vincent College in Latrobe, PA.
2024-04-23 16:00 UTC
There will be a Public Lecture at 4-5 pm on Tuesday, April 23, at the Dupré Science Pavilion, E-103, on the campus of St. Vincent College. Dr. Steve Gravelle and Dr. Lucas Briola will speak with the title “The Climate Crisis: A Scientist and a Theologian Respond to Laudate Deum.”
This is a part of the F.A.S.T Seminar Series (faith and science talks) of the St. Vincent Chapter of SCS, which takes place on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

Science-Faith Lecture Series on Oct 11, Oct 25, and Nov 15, 2024, in St. Paul, MN.
2024-10-11 19:00 (America/Chicago)
Lecture Series in St. Paul, MN, on October 11, October 25, November 15.
Reserve a spot today! https://nativitystpaul.org/faith-and-science
The first lecture is on Friday, October 11, at 7:00pm in the school library at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church (1938 Stanford Ave, St Paul, MN 55105). Prof. Peter Distelzweig of the University of Saint Thomas will speak about “Reflecting on Science and Catholicism in Light of the Galileo Affair.” in the school library at 7:00 PM at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church. Prof. Distelzweig is a Scholar Associate of SCS.
The second lecture is on Friday, October 25, at 7:00pm in the school library at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church (1938 Stanford Ave, St Paul, MN 55105). Prof. Kenneth Kemp, Professor Emeritus at the University of Saint Thomas, will speak on “Letting the Earth Bring Forth Living Things: Evolution & Catholic Theology.” His research interests include the history and philosophy of science, with a particular focus on the relationship between science and religion. He is the author of The War That Never Was: Evolution and Christian Theology (2020) and of The Origins of Catholic Evolutionism, 1831–1950 (forthcoming). Prof. Kemp is a Scholar Associate of SCS.
The third lecture is on Friday, November 15th and will be preceded by a Gold Mass for science professionals at the Cathedral of Saint Paul (239 Selby Ave, St Paul, MN 55102). Mass will begin at 5:15pm in the main sanctuary followed by a presentation in Hays Hall and refreshments. The Speaker for the Gold Mass Lecture is TBD.
These events are co-sponsored by the Society of Catholic Scientists. Note to Minnesota SCS members: SCS is forming a Twin Cities Chapter of SCS. Contact smpbarr@gmail.com if interested in joining.

Lecture on Oct 29, 2025, at University of Pennsylvania Newman Center, Philadelphia, PA.
2024-10-29 19:45 (America/New_York)
The Collegium Institute at the University of Pennsylvania is sponsoring a “Magi Project Lecture” on Tuesday, October 29, at 7:45pm at the Penn Newman Center (111 S 38th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104). The lecture will be given by Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P. and will be entitled “Defining Death in a Technological Age: The Scientific, Moral, and Philosophical Debate about the Legal End of Life.”
Rev. Fr. Nicanor Austriaco, O.P. is a Professor of Biological Sciences & Professor of Sacred Theology at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. One of the leading Catholic public intellectuals from our own university community, Fr. Austriaco received his BSE in Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1989. He holds multiple doctorates, including a PhD in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a SThD from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. Fr. Austriaco taught at Providence College from 2005 to 2022 before moving to the Philippines where his UST lab is developing a yeast delivery platform for vaccines. His first book, Biomedicine and Beatitude: An Introduction to Catholic Bioethics, was recognized as a 2012 Choice outstanding academic title by the Association of College and Research Libraries. He has served as a founding board member of the Society for Catholic Scientists and as the Director of ThomisticEvolution.org.

Public Lecture on Nov 13, 2024, near Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
2024-11-13 17:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis)
There will be a Public Lecture on Wednesday, Nov 13, at 5:30pm at St Thomas Aquinas Church near Purdue University (535 W State Street, West Lafayette). The title of the lecture will be “What is the Brain?” The speaker will be Dr. Sofia Carozza of Harvard Medical School.
There will be a reception downstairs in Newman Hall before the lecture, at 4:30pm.
The event is hosted by the Purdue Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists, and co-sponsored by the Thomas Aquinas Foundation, Purdue’s Religious Studies Program, and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.
For more information, see https://boilercatholics.org/events/whatisthebrain or contact mcclurej@purdue.edu

Lecture on Nov 14, 2024 at University of Toronto, in Toronto, ON, Canada.
2024-11-14 19:00 UTC
There will be a Public Lecture at 7:00pm on Thursday, Nov 14, in Room 400, Alumni Hall of the University of Toronto (12 St. Joseph Street, Toronto). The lecture is by Dr. William Hurlbut of the Univ. of Stanford Medical Center and is entitled, “The Challenges of Genome Editing: Scientific and Ethical Considerations.”
This event is sponsored by the Thomistic Institute of the University of Toronto and co-sponsored by the Toronto College Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists.

Public Lecture on Dec 13, 2024, in Toronto, ON, Canada
2024-12-13 19:00 UTC
There will be a Public Lecture at 7:00pm on Friday, Dec 13, in Toronto, Canada, at a Downtown location to be announced.
The speaker will Dr. Sonsoles de la Calle, and the title of her talk will be “Made for Connection: Neurobiology and Human Interconnectedness.” This event is sponsored by the Toronto Chapter of SCS,
Abstract:
What is human nature, and how do we come to understand it through reason, science, philosophy, and faith? Personalistic philosophies, such as those proposed by K. Wojtyla (Pope St. John Paul II) and D. Von Hildebrand, describe the human as a person with bodily, psychic and spiritual dimensions tightly intertwined, so much so that it is impossible not to see the impact of each dimension in the manifestations of the others. This integrative view of the person is particularly well suited as a base for its relationality, its interaction with the world and with other persons. Where the philosophical discourse may arrive to the theoretical explanation of relationality, neuroscience illuminates with empirical data in what way bodily reality contributes to human relationality, highlighting from a biological perspective how this basic need for connectedness is essential to health and human flourishing. In fact, I propose that hardwired neural mechanisms, that is, biologically primed and discernible in the basic structure and systems of the brain— support attachment behavior, relationality and connectedness, and will present evidence of how this is expressed particularly well (and intensely) in marriage.
Biography of the Speaker:
Sonsoles de Lacalle obtained her M.D./Ph.D. from the University of Navarra (Spain). In 1990 she moved to the US with a Fulbright Fellowship to train with Prof. Clif B. Saper in the Department of Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences at the University of Chicago. Her academic experience includes teaching and research in a medical setting (at the Pritzker School of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, and at Ohio University’s College of Medicine) and in predominantly undergraduate institutions (CSU Los Angeles, C. R. Drew University and currently at CSU Channel Islands).

Lecture on January 22, 2025, at Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ.
2025-01-22 19:00 (America/New_York)
There will be a free Public Lecture at 7:00pm on Wednesday, January 22, in the Eynon Ballroom (Chamberlain Student Center) of Rowan University (201 Mullica Hill Rd, Glassboro, NJ 08028). The speaker will be Prof. Stephen M. Barr, professor emeritus of physics at the University of Delaware and President of the Society of Catholic Scientists. The title of the talk will be “Science and Religion: the myth of conflict.” The talk is hosted by the Catholic Campus Ministry of Rowan University.
Abstract of the talk:
Abstract: Prof. Barr will argue that the supposed conflict between science and religion has really been a conflict between “scientific materialism” and religion. He will show that the science-versus-religion myth is based on misunderstandings of Christian belief, an outdated view of scientific history, and a skewed interpretation of what science has actually discovered about the universe. After clarifying some key theological concepts, he will tell the story of the relation
between Christianity and science, including some dramatic facts that are relatively little known. He will then discuss several discoveries of the twentieth century, primarily in physics, and argue that they are more in line with the traditional Jewish and Christian view of the cosmos and of human beings than with materialist philosophy.

Lecture on January 26, 2025, at USC in Los Angeles, CA.
2025-01-26 19:00 UTC
The Nova Forum for Catholic Thought is sponsoring a Talk at 7:00 pm on Sunday, January 26, at the University of Southern California’s Caruso Catholic Center (844 West 32nd Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90007). The Speaker is Prof. Suzanne Bohlson of UC Irvine, whose talk is entitled “The Catholic Scientist who Survived the Bomb: The Faith of Takashi Nagai.” Prof. Bohlson is on the Board of the newly formed Southern California Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists.
The talk will be given over dessert in Newman Hall following Mass and “SCupper.” Sprinkles cupcakes & free copies of Nagai’s book (A Song for Nagasaki) for all who attend!
Come hear the amazing story of the scientist and Catholic convert who survived the atomic bomb on Nagasaki and brought healing to his people. Even as he suffered from leukemia from the radiation, Dr. Takashi Nagai lived a heroic life of service and forgiveness. Join us as Dr. Suzanne Bohlson, professor of molecular biology at UC Irvine—another scientist and Catholic convert—tells the story of Nagai’s remarkable life. Dr. Bohlson will share her own story along the way and suggest what we can learn from Nagai.

Public Lecture and Reception on January 27, 2025, at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA.
2025-01-27 19:00 UTC
There will be a Public Lecture at 7:00pm on Monday, January 27, at the Penn Newman Center of the University of Pennsylvania (111 South 38th Street, University City, Philadelphia). The speaker is Prof. Maureen Condic of Catholic University of America (who is a Board member of SCS). The title of the talk is “The Mystery of Human Life? On Biological Development and the Continuity Problem.” The talk will be followed by a Q&A and a light reception
The event is sponsored by the Collegium Institute at the University of Pennsylvania as part of its Magi Project in partnership with the Philadelphia-area Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists and the Thomistic Institute.
This is the inaugural event of the Philadelphia -area Chapter of SCS.
REGISTER FOR THE EVENT HERE.
More about the Lecture: In her lecture on the eve of the feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, Dr. Condic will explore the leading proposals for identifying the beginning and end of human life as well as the scientific and philosophical challenges to each before making her own argument, drawing from her work as a neurobiologist and molecular developmental biologist. Her remarks will be followed by an audience Q&A and light reception.
More about the Speaker: Dr. Condic is the inaugural Ombudsman and Distinguished Ordinary Professor at CUA, and previously served as an Associate Professor of Neurobiology and Anatomy at the University of Utah School of Medicine. She is the author of two books on human development: Human Embryos, Human Beings: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach and Untangling Twinning: What Science Tells Us about the Nature of Human Embryos.

Gold Mass and Lecture on Jan 28, 2025, on USC campus, Los Angeles, CA.
2025-01-28 16:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
There will be a Gold Mass on Tuesday, Jan 28, 2024, at 5:00pm at the Church of Our Savior on the USC campus (844 W 32nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90007). Note: this is the 800th anniversary of the Birth of St. Thomas Aquinas. The celebrant for the mass will be Archbishop José Gomez. There will be a Dinner after mass at 6:00pm in Newman Hall and the patio of the church.
At 6:30pm there will be an address on science and the Catholic faith by Dr. Jonathan Lunine, Chief Scientist, NASA JPL & Caltech
These events are co-sponsored by the Nova Forum for Catholic Thought & the Society of Catholic Scientists

Gold Mass and Public Lecture on March 24, 2025, in Hillsdale, MI.
2025-03-24 20:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis)
On Monday, March 24, there will be both a Gold Mass and a Public Lecture in Hillsdale, MI.
The Gold Mass will be at 5:00pm at St. Anthony’s (11 N Broad St, Hillsdale, MI 49242).
The Public Lecture will be at 8:00pm on the campus of Hillsdale College in Room 124 of Lane Hall (35 E College St, Hillsdale, MI 49242). The speaker is Dr. Christopher Lee from Los Alamos National Laboratory nuclear theory division, and its title is “Symmetry, Order and Providence in Creation.”
These events are sponsored by the Hillsdale Chapter of SCS.
Abstract of Lecture: It is often thought that modern cosmology and physics are incompatible with the account of creation in Genesis. I will present a personal reflection on what both channels of knowledge (reason/science and divine revelation) teach us about the created universe, and how they can be read/interpreted in a beautifully compatible way, and in fact shed light on one another and can deepen our appreciation and understanding of both. Together, the structured account of Creation in Genesis and the discoveries of modern physics and cosmology reveal to us the action of a Creator who endowed symmetry, mathematical elegance, and order upon the universe, which are signs of His action and His providence and love for His creation.
Bio of Speaker: Christopher Lee is a scientist and deputy group leader of the Nuclear & Particle Physics, Astrophysics & Cosmology Group in the Theoretical Division of Los Alamos National Laboratory, which he joined in 2012. He grew up in Portland, Oregon and graduated from Reed College in 2000, and received his PhD from Caltech in 2005. He did his postdoctoral research at the Institute for Nuclear Theory at University of Washington in Seattle, at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory in California, and at the MIT Center for Theoretical Physics, before going to LANL. His research has been on the theory of Quantum Chromodynamics describing the strong force binding together protons and won a Department of Energy Early Career Research Award in 2015 for this research. He also has researched the origin of matter in the early universe and the role played by possible new particles beyond the currently known Standard Model of particle physics. He was also the founding President of the New Mexico Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists from 2019-2024, of which he remains an active board member.

Lecture on April 11, 2025, at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS.
2025-04-11 15:00 (America/Chicago)
There will be a Lecture at 3:00pm on Friday, April 11, 2025, on the campus of Benedictine College in the McAlister Board Room on the 4th floor of the Ferrell Academic Center (1020 N 2nd St, Atchison, KS 66002). The speaker will be Prof. Christopher T. Baglow, who is the Director of the Science and Religion Initiative of the McGrath Institute of Church Life at the University of Notre Dame where he is also a professor in the Theology Department. Prof. Baglow is also on the Ececutive Board of the Society of Catholic Scientists. The title of the talk will be “The Human Purpose as the Purpose of the Cosmos.”
This event is sponsored by the Kansas City-area Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists and by the Benedictine College Center for Integral Ecology.

Public Lecture and Reception on April 25, 2025, in Gainesville, FL.
2025-04-25 18:30 UTC
There will be a Public Lecture on Friday, September 25, at 6:30pm in the parish hall of Queen of Peace Catholic Church (10900 SW 24th Ave, Gainesville, Florida, 32607). The speaker is Prof. Stephen M. Barr, President of SCS, and the title of the talks is “Science and Religion: the Myth of Conflict.” There will be a reception in the same hall following the talk.
This event is sponsored by the University of Florida Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists

Public Lecture and Reception on May 6, 2025, in Newark, DE.
2025-05-06 19:00 (America/New_York)
The Delaware Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists (SCS) is sponsoring a free Public Lecture at 7:00pm on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, at the St. Thomas More Oratory (45 Lovett Ave., Newark, DE) near the UD campus. The talk will be followed by a reception with refreshments downstairs. The title is “Jesuit Science after Galileo.” The speaker, Prof. Lawrence Principe of Johns Hopkins University, is an eminent historian of science. Prof. Principe has won many awards in his field, as well as receiving the 2021 St. Albert Award from the SCS, and an Alumni Achievement Award from UD in 2014.
If you have questions contact smpbarr@gmail.com
More about the talk:
Many people know that Jesuit priests have engaged in scientific research, but the full extent of the Jesuits’ devotion to science and their contributions to it, especially in the 16th through 18th centuries, is not always fully appreciated, though it is a history full of fascinating stories. And despite the persistent notion that the sentencing of Galileo put an end to science in Italy and other Catholic countries for a period of time, this talk will show how science continued to flourish in those countries, with Jesuits playing a leading role.
More about the speaker:
Lawrence M. Principe received his Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Indiana University and his Ph.D. in the History of Science from Johns Hopkins University. He is the Drew Professor of the Humanities at Johns Hopkins University and Professor in both the Department of History of Science and Technology and the Department of Chemistry there. He is also Director of the Charles Singleton Center for the Study of Premodern Europe. He has written or edited eleven books and published numerous scholarly papers. His main studies concern the early history of chemistry, and he is recognized as one of the foremost experts on the history of alchemy. He was the first recipient of the Francis Bacon Medal by the California Institute of Technology for significant contributions to the history of science. His book Alchemy Tried in the Fire: Starkey, Boyle, and the Fate of Helmontian Chymistry was awarded the Pfizer Award by the History of Science Society in 2005. In 2016, he received the Franklin-Lavoisier Prize in Paris from the Fondation de la Maison de la Chimie and the Chemical Heritage Foundation.
Prof. Principe has written and lectured widely on the historical relationship between science and religion. No one has done more to dispel the widely held myth of perennial science-religion warfare. Of particular note is his 12-lecture audio course entitled “Science and Religion”, which he recorded for The Great Courses series of the Teaching Company in 2006. These lectures treat their subject with the comprehensiveness, depth, balance and accuracy, while being broadly accessible, lucid, and entertaining.

Lecture on September 4, 2025, at Seton Hall University in South Orange, NJ.
2025-09-04 16:00 (America/New_York)
There is a Lecture on Thursday, September 4, at 4:00 pm at Seton Hall University in Bethany Hall (400 S Orange Ave, South Orange Village, NJ 07079).
The speaker is Dr. William E. Carroll, and the title of the talk is “The Error of Beginnings and the Beginning of Errors: Creation and the Origin of the Universe.”
odern cosmological theories are often invoked to suggest that belief in God is an artifact from a less enlightened age. Yet most of the discussion about what cosmology tells us about creation suffers from a fundamental error about a necessary connection between a created universe and a temporal beginning. This is an error of beginnings, which is the beginning of many other errors. It was the genius of the medieval theologian Thomas Aquinas (1224-1274) to highlight this error and to offer a sophisticated discussion that can help to resolve confusion in contemporary discussions about cosmology, the origin of the universe and creation.
William E. Carroll, Ph.D., a European intellectual historian and historian of science, has recently retired from the Aquinas Institute, Blackfriars Hall, University of Oxford. He currently serves as Distinguished Visiting Professor, School of Philosophy, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in China.
Carroll writes and speaks extensively on the ways in which medieval discussions of the natural sciences, philosophy and theology can be useful in questions arising from contemporary biology and cosmology.
Sponsored by the SHU Society of Catholic Scientists in collaboration with the Stanly Jaki Academy for Theology and Science, the Department of Physics, Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology, the Center for Catholic Studies, the Core Curriculum Program, and the Program in Catholic Studies.

Lecture on October 2, 2025, at St. Vincent College, Latrobe, PA.
2025-10-02 19:00 (America/New_York)
Faith and Science Talk on Thursday, October 2, at 7:00 pm in the Dupré Science Pavilion Luparello Lecture Hall, “When Parallel Lines Meet: Geometry, Truth, and the God of Order,” by Dr. Brian Mulholland from the University of Notre Dame.
Dr. Mulholland is an assistant professor in the Mathematics Department, a Mission Faculty member with the deNicola Center for Ethics and Culture, and the director of the ASCEND program at the University of Notre Dame. The Faith and Science Talks series at Saint Vincent College is hosted by the SVC Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists.
Attendance free and open to the public. Light refreshments provided after the talk.

Gold Mass, Lecture, and Dinner on November 4, 2025, in Madison, WI.
2025-11-04 18:00 (America/Chicago)
There will be a Gold Mass on Tuesday, November 4, at 6:00 PM in Madison, WI, at Holy Redeemer Church (126 W. Johnson Street, Madison, WI.). The celebrant will be the Most Reverend Donald J. Hying, Bishop of Madison.
A Lecture and Dinner in the church dining hall will follow the Mass. Dr. Robert Dempsey, MD, FAANS, FACS, Professor and Chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, will speak on the topic of his humanitarian work in global health and stroke prevention. This event is sponsored by the Wisconsin Chapter of SCS.
Please note that, because of construction, if driving, attendees must enter the church parking lot from Gorham Street. As church parking is limited because of construction, plan on parking in the Dayton Street Ramp (entrance on Carroll Street), or on the streets in the neighborhood north and east of the church, once the church lot fills up.
Registration for dinner is requested through this LINK.

Faith and Science Week Nov 3-7, 2025 at University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN.
2025-11-05 17:15 UTC
Monday, Nov 3, 5:00 pm: “Ask Me Anything” on Faith and Science. (McCourtney B01)
Wednesday, Nov 5, 5:15 pm: Gold Mass (Basilica of the Sacred Heart)
Wednesday, Nov 5, 6:15 pm: Reception (Jordan Hall of Science, Galleria)
Wednesday, Nov 5, 7:15 pm: Gold Mass Lecture “Cosmic Origins and Christian Creation”, by Prof. Karin Öberg, Thomas Dudley Cabot Professor of Natural Sciences at Harvard University (Jordan Hall of Science, Room 105)
Friday, Nov 7, 7:30 to 9:30 pm: Graduate Community Nights Kickoff (Fischer Community Center)
These events are co-sponsored by the Notre Dame Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists

Lecture and Reception on November 6, 2025, at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN.
2025-11-06 04:30 - 16:30 UTC
There will be a Lecture om Thursday, November 6, at 5:30pm in West Lafayette, IN, in the lower level St. Thomas Aquinas Church (535 Mitch Daniels Blvd, West Lafayette, IN 47906). The lecture will be entitled “From the Lab to the Altar: A Scientist’s Journey of Faith.” The speaker is Suzanne Bohlson, professor (Molecular Biology and Biochemistry) at UC Irvine.
The lecture will be preceded by a Reception at 4:30pm.
The Lecture is co-sponsored by the Purdue Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists along with the American Scientific Affiliation and St. Thomas Aquinas Parish.
Join us as Dr. Suzanne Bohlson, Professor at UC Irvine and President of the Southern California chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists, shares her journey from irreligious scientist to practicing Catholic. Raised in a family of scientists who lived Gospel values without institutional faith, Dr. Bohlson discovered her scientific vocation studying HIV/AIDS and the immune system. Her path led from prestigious research labs to the University of Notre Dame, where she encountered Catholicism for the first time.
Dr. Bohlson will share how her scientific training, with its emphasis on truth-seeking, careful observation, and intellectual humility, prepared her for faith rather than hindered it. She’ll describe the “perfect storm” of divine providence that surrounded her conversion, including a priest completing his thesis on the harmony between Genesis and the theory of evolution just as she was joining the Church. With warmth and humor, she’ll explore how faith has enriched rather than conflicted with her scientific work, and how the same God she studies in the laboratory is the God she encounters in the Eucharist. This is a story of homecoming, discovering that the transcendent God she has always known was waiting to be found in the Catholic Church. Whether you’re a scientist, a person of faith, or someone asking the big questions about life’s meaning, Dr. Bohlson’s journey offers hope that faith and reason can walk hand in hand toward truth.

Lecture and Dinner on Nov 6, 2025, at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
2025-11-06 18:30 UTC
There will be a public Lecture on Thursday, November 6, at 6:30 pm at the University of British Columbia in the Graduate Student Society’s “the Loft” (on the top floor of the Nest Building, UBC, 6133 University Blvd, Vancouver BC). The topic will be “Meaningful Work: your Research Scholarship and the Biblical Narrative.” This will be followed by dinner. To RSVP for the event and dinner go to https://www.catholicscientistsvan.org/
This event is co-sponsored by the Vancouver Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists and other Christian groups on the UBC campus.

Gold Mass, Reception and Lecture on November 7, 2025, in Washington, DC.
2025-11-07 09:00 UTC
There will be a Gold Mass on Friday, November 7, at 9 :00am, in Washington, DC, at St. Matthew the Apostle Cathedral (1725 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036).
After Mass there will be a Reception and Lecture at The Beacon Hotel a few minute walk away (1615 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036).
The speaker will be Dan Kuebler, Ph.D., Professor of Biology, Franciscan University of Steubenville
Prof. Kuebler will speak on “Evolutionary History in the Light of Salvation History.”
This event is sponsored by the DC-VA-MD Chapter of SCS. If you have questions, contact raubc@cua.edu

Science-Faith Event and Gold Mass on November 8, 2025, in Parma, OH.
2025-11-08 11:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York)
There will be a Science-Faith event on Saturday, November 8, from 11am to 3:30pm in Parma, OH, at the Sari Feldman Auditorium, Parma-Snow Branch Library (2121 Snow Rd, Parma, OH, 44134).
This is the third annual science and faith event sponsored by The ITE Project and The Diocese of Cleveland and its topic is HUMAN EVOLUTION.
Here is the LINK to find out more about the event and register. Registration includes: professional speaker presentations, lunch, and discussion tables.
https://www.theiteproject.com/events/fas2025
The event will be followed by a Gold Mass at St. Anthony of Padua Church (6750 State Rd, Parma, OH 44134)
This is NOT a young-adult-only event. It is open to all (adults 18+) who are interested in delving deeper into Human Evolution and wish to participate in healthy discussions about it.
***RSVPs required for planning purposes by October 25th at midnight***
Experts in their respective fields will present on and guide us through this topic and subsequent discussions on scientific evidence for human evolution and the church’s teachings on human evolution.
Dr. Dan Kuebler
Dr. Daniel Kuebler is a Professor of Biology at Franciscan University in Steubenville, Ohio, where he teaches courses on evolution, cell physiology, and science and faith. He is the host of the PurposefulLab podcast, a podcast that examines the order and purpose inherent in the world around us. His scientific work focuses on studying the characteristics and variability of adult stem cells in human bone marrow and adipose tissue. Dan is the author of Darwin and Doctrine: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism (Word on Fire Press, 2025) and the co-author The Evolution Controversy: A Survey of Competing Theories (Baker Academic, 2007). He has written both academic and popular articles on issues related to science, religion, and ethics. He is the Vice-President of the Society of Catholic Scientists and is on the board of the Spitzer-Magis Center. He has been married to his wife Nellie for 27 years, has six kids, and resides in Steubenville, Ohio.
Dr. Andy Staron
Andrew Staron, Ph.D., is an associate professor of systematic theology at St. Mary Seminary and Graduate School of Theology, where he teaches courses in Fundamental Theology, Theological Anthropology, Christology, and St. Augustine. A Cleveland native, he attended Georgetown University, the University of Chicago, and received his doctorate from the Catholic University of America. Prior to teaching at the seminary, he taught at Georgetown University, Wheeling Jesuit University, Regis University, Regis Jesuit High School, and Cleveland’s St. Martin de Porres High School. He has written on St. Augustine, trinitarian theology, Pope Francis, and religion and literature. He lives in Willoughby Hills with his wife and three children and is a parishioner at St Justin Martyr Parish in Eastlake.

Gold Mass, Reception, and Lecture on November 13, 2025, at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI.
2025-11-13 16:00 (America/Detroit)
There will be a Gold Mass on Thursday, November 13th, at 4:00pm, at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, MI. The Mass will be in Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Chapel (1700 Fulton St E, Grand Rapids, MI 49503). The Mass will be followed by a Reception in the science building (Albertus Magnus Hall) from 5:15-6:00 pm.
Following the Reception, there will be a Lecture by Sr. Damien Marie Savino entitled “The Hope of Integral Ecology” (in Albertus Magnus Hall room 104).

Lecture on November 13, 2025, at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI.
2025-11-13 17:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis)
There will be a Lecture on Thursday, Nov 13, at 5:30pm on the Michigan State University campus in Room 116 of the Natural Science Building (288 Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI).
The speaker is Prof. Christopher Baglow, Director of the Science & Religion Initiative of the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame. The title of his talk is “Modern Science and the Catholic Faith: Understanding and Correcting Models of Conflict.”
This event is sponsored by the Michigan Chapter of the Society of Catholic Scientists, MSU branch.

Gold Mass, Reception and Lecture on November 13, 2025, at Benedictine University in Lisle, IL.
2025-11-13 18:00 (America/Chicago)
There will be a Gold Mass on Thursday, Nov. 13, at 6:00 pm in St. Benedict Chapel (Lownik Hall) on the campus of Benedictine University.

This will be followed by a reception and public lecture at 7:00 pm in Kindlon Hall, 5th Floor, by Sr. Ilia Delio (author of Christ in Evolution and founder of the Center for Christogenesis), who will be speaking on “Christianity and Evolution.”

On Friday, Nov. 14, from 9:00 am to 1:30 pm in Goodwin Hall room 411) there will be a Faith & Reason Symposium featuring presentations by Benedictine University faculty, staff, and students.

These events are co-sponsored by the Sister Judith Ann Heble Center for Benedictine Values and the Benedictine University chapter of Society of Catholic Scientists. I’ve attached a flyer in case it is not too late to promote these events more widely.

Gold Mass and Lecture on November 14, 2025, in St. Paul, MN.
2025-11-14 17:00 (America/Chicago)
There will be a Gold Mass on Friday, November 14, at 5:00 PM, in St. Paul, Minnesota, at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church (1900 Wellesley Ave, St. Paul, MN 55105). The Mass will be celebrated by Father Matt Shireman.
This will be followed by a reception in Steiner Hall and a public lecture. Information about the lecture will be announced here later.
