THE ALBERTUS MAGNUS SOCIETY
FOR THE INTERSECTION OF RELIGION AND SCIENCE

Through a generous grant from the Local Societies Initiative of the Metanexus Institute, and matching funds from Dominican University, the Siena Center has instituted The Albertus Magnus Society for the Intersection of Religion and Science.

The Society will offer formal lectures by noted thinkers, regular informal gatherings, the sharing of papers, and more. All those who share an academic, professional or general interest in issues of science and religion are invited to explore the relationship of religious belief and scientific insight. We hope our members will represent a wide cross-section of the community.

During the academic year 2009-2010, our monthly seminars will focus on the theme of HEALTH, HEALING AND THE HUMAN SPIRIT: RELIGION AND SCIENCE IN CONVERSATION. Our presenters will engage us in a creative inquiry into several issues of religion and healing. They will help us reflect on the role of faith, spirituality or religious practice in addressing the ills of the full human person: body, mind and spirit. We will ask about differences in Eastern and Western approaches to medical care, forms of alternative treatment that have been found efficacious, and the challenge to religious faith posed by contemporary neuroscience. What has religion to say to medical materialists, that is, are physical and mental health issues the concern of physiology and psychology alone, or is there room for the Spirit? The meetings will take place at the Priory Campus of Dominican University on Thursdays from 7-9pm in room 263 on the following dates: September 24, October 22, January 21, February 11, March 18 and April 22.

Our major annual event will continue to be the Albertus Magnus Lecture (November 19) and luncheon (November 20). Our 2009 speaker will be Elizabeth Johnson, CSJ, Distinguished Professor of Theology, Fordham University. She will speak on "Deep Incarnation: Prepare for Astonishment."

We warmly invite you to become a participant in our exciting new initiative. If you would like to join, or would like more information on the Albertus Magnus Society please contact the Siena Center at siena@dom.edu or 708-714-9105.

SIENA CENTER

Dominican University established the Siena Center to engage the critical issues of church and society in the light of faith and scholarship. The center was named for St. Catherine of Siena, a 14th-century laywoman who worked untiringly for the reform of the church and justice in the world. Her passionate devotion to the central issues of church and society inspires the work of the center in its schedule of lectures, symposia, workshops, retreats, research and seminars.