This is Sr Nancy's presentation at NCEA 2022. Some of history's most amazing people were scientists, mathematicians, and doctors... AND Catholic! Some are even recognized as saints of the Church. At a time when faith and science seem to be at odds, we can help young people discover that in reality faith and reason, Catholicism and science, are more than compatible. This session delves into the Catholics who influenced science and can be the perspective for teaching STEM subjects through a Catholic lens.

1. Brilliant!
CATHOLICISM AND SCIENCE MEET
SR NANCY USSELMANN, FSP | BEMEDIAMINDFUL.ORG | #NCEA2022 PRESENTATION

2. CATHOLICISM AND SCIENCE MEET
Heavenly Father,
We thank you for enlightening the human mind to discover new technologies for
communication and scientific advancement. Everything is yours as we are your
instruments to proclaim the glory of your creation.
You put into the human mind the desire for truth and knowledge that leads to
understanding. May this thirst for truth and all these developments only and
always be used for your glory and the good of every human person.
May we always see the beautiful order of your creation as pointing to you, our all-
powerful and loving Creator. Help us to be the ethical voices of human dignity
and respect of all of creation in the world of scientific and technological
development. We ask this through Christ, our Lord and Master. Amen.
Prayer for Science and Technology

3. Science VS Catholic Church?
THEOLOGY AS THE BASIS OF SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY

4. Catholicism and
Science
JUDEO-CHRISTIAN WORLDVIEW OF ORDER THAT IS KNOWABLE

5. What cultural scientific “hot topics”
do you encounter with your students
that seem in conflict with faith?

6. Nicolaus Copernicus
MATEMATICIAN AND FATHER OF MODERN ASTRONOMY

7. faith and science
SCIENCE AS WORSHIP
“Science can purify religion from error and superstition;
religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes.
Each can draw the other to a wider world, a world in which
both can flourish.”
—St John Paul II

8. St Hildegard of Bingen
PHARMACIST, BOTANIST, PHILOSOPHER, MUSICIAN

9. Father, we praise you with all your creatures.They came forth from your all-powerful hand; they are yours, filled with your presence and
your tender love. Praise be to you!
Son of God, Jesus, through you all things were made. You were formed in the womb of Mary our Mother, you became part of this earth,
and you gazed upon this world with human eyes. Today you are alive in every creature in your risen glory. Praise be to you!
Holy Spirit, by your light you guide this world towards the Father’s love and accompany creation as it groans in travail. You also dwell in
our hearts and you inspire us to do what is good. Praise be to you!
Triune Lord, wondrous community of infinite love, teach us to contemplate you in the beauty of the universe, for all things speak of you.
Awaken our praise and thankfulness for every being that you have made. Give us the grace to feel profoundly joined to everything that is.
God of love, show us our place in this world as channels of your love for all the creatures of this earth, for not one of them is forgotten in
your sight.
Enlighten those who possess power and money that they may avoid the sin of indifference, that they may love the common good,
advance the weak, and care for this world in which we live.
The poor and the earth are crying out. O Lord, seize us with your power and light, help us to protect all life, to prepare for a better future,
for the coming of your Kingdom of justice, peace, love and beauty. Praise be to you! Amen.
Praying in Union with Creation
—Pope Francis
• have each child bring to class an element of creation - anything for which they want to pray
• Stand in a circle and each one prays, “Thank you, God, for creating _______.”
• Together pray this pray by Pope Francis

10. Mathematics
THE SCIENCE OF STRUCTURE, ORDER, AND RELATION OF OBJECTS

11. Fr Marin Mersenne
MATHEMATICIAN, MUSIC THEORIST, FATHER OF ACOUSTICS

12. Maria Agnesi
MATHEMATICIAN, EDUCATOR, HUMANITARIAN

13. Genetics
THE STUDY OF GENES, GENETIC VARIATION, AND HEREDITY IN ORGANISMS

14. Fr Gregor Mendel
FATHER OF MODERN GENETICS

15. Sr Miriam Michael Stimson
CHEMIST, DNA PIONEER

16. Technology
COMPUTER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

17. Sr Mary Kenneth Keller
PIONEER IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

18. How does science
connect with
spirituality?
GRAPHICNODE THEME

19. Connecting Faith Cross Curriculum
• How is learning math like praying?
• What sacrament can be a metaphor for your current scientific experiment?
• How can our reflection on the cosmos (stars, galaxies) lead us to worship
of God?
• Create a prayer service about the gifts of science and technology in our
world, including prayers in reparation for how they can be destructive of
human life and dignity.
Ask your students:

20. Brilliant!
CATHOLICS ADVANCE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY THROUGH THE AGES
bemediamindful.org

21. Resources
David Michael Warren, Brilliant! 25 Catholic Scientists, Mathematicians, and
Supersmart People, Pauline Books & Media, 2020. paulinestore.com
Christopher Kaczor, The Church Opposes Science: The Myth of Catholic Irrationality in
The Seven Myths about the Catholic Church, Ignatius Press, 2012.
Catholic Curriculum Corporation, Faith and Science in our Catholic Schools, Catholic
dioceses of Ontario, Canada, 2018.
“Faith and science in reflection” - a conversation with Fr Greg Usselmann, LC
bemediamindful.org