Faith AND Science: Origins of the Universe

The ITE Project and The Diocese of Cleveland's Young Adult Ministry Office proudly co-sponsor the second annual Faith AND Science workshop to delve into the origins of the universe. Registration includes: speaker presentations, a catered buffet-style lunch, discussion tables, and admission to the entire MAPS Air Museum.

This is not a young-adult-only event. This event is open to all who are interested in delving deeper into the origins of the universe and wish to participate in healthy discussions about it. ***RSVPs required for planning purposes by October 24th at midnight*** 

Experts in their respective fields will present on and guide us through this topic and subsequent discussions. Their speaker profiles can be found below:

Scientific Speaker: Br. Guy Consolmagno

Br. Guy Consolmagno SJ is the Director of the Vatican Observatory. A native of Detroit, Michigan, he earned undergraduate and masters' degrees from MIT, and a Ph. D. in Planetary Science from the University of Arizona. He was a research fellow at Harvard and MIT, served in the US Peace Corps (Kenya), and taught university physics at Lafayette College before entering the Jesuits in 1989. At the Vatican Observatory since 1993, in 2015 Pope Francis appointed Dr. Consolmagno director of the Vatican Observatory.

Br. Guy Consolmagno's research explores connections between meteorites, asteroids, and the evolution of small solar system bodies. Along with more than 250 scientific publications, he is the author of a number of popular astronomy books. In 2000, the IAU named asteroid 4597 Consolmagno in recognition of his work. In 2014 he received the Carl Sagan Medal from the American Astronomical Society Division for Planetary Sciences for excellence in public communication in planetary sciences.

Catholic Speaker: Fr. Mark Ott

Fr. Mark Ott has been a priest of The Diocese of Cleveland since 2001.  He originally studied mechanical engineering; midway through, he began seriously discerning the call to priesthood. He went on to earn his B.A. in Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, and his Master of Divinity and M.A. Theology degrees from St. Mary Seminary in 2001.  

Fr. Ott has served in a variety of capacities within The Diocese of Cleveland; first as Parochial Vicar at St. Mary of the Falls (Olmsted Falls) for 5 years,  and then as a student at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. There, he earned his Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (SSL) and has been teaching Scripture and priestly formation at St. Mary Seminary for 12 years. In 2024 he was named inaugural director of the Propedeutic Stage, a yearlong experience of intensive Human and Spiritual Formation. 

Discussion Table Content Expert: Beth Rath (Adult philosophy and education)

Beth A. Rath, Ph.D. is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Department Chair at Borromeo Seminary in Wickliffe, OH. She earned her B.A. in philosophy and theology from the Franciscan University of Steubenville in 2008 and her doctorate in philosophy from Saint Louis University in 2015. Her academic interests include philosophical anthropology, philosophy of religion, and topics at the intersection of faith and science. Her most recent scholarly article brought transhumanism into dialogue with St. Thomas Aquinas's virtue ethics. Dr. Rath is also an Associated Scholar with The Hildebrand Project. She is a member of St. Charles Borromeo parish in Parma. 

Discussion Table Content Expert: Robert Brownfield (Youth education and ministry)

Robert Brownfield is a career-long Catholic educator, having taught at both the high school and elementary school level as well as a former principal of St. Vincent- St. Mary High School. From his experience in the classroom and administration, Robert demonstrates his leadership skills and experience with a variety of youth & young adult-centric ministries (campus ministry/retreats/ workshops and book studies for Theology of the Body CLE.)  He currently teaches junior high math and religion at St. Albert the Great at Assumption Academy in Broadview Heights. 

Event and table facilitators

Joya Hart (St. Hilary Parish), Deacon Michael Hayes (Diocese of Cleveland), Carolyn Brommer (Braver Angels NEO Alliance), Coral Pais (Braver Angels NEO Alliance), Valerie Polunas (Braver Angels NEO Alliance), Ted Wetzel (Braver Angels NEO Alliance).

Activities beyond the workshop

• Tour MAPs Air Museum: MAPS Air Museum is an internationally known museum of aviation and serves as a center of aviation history for Northeast Ohio. The museum features exciting educational displays of its collection of acquired artifacts, interactive exhibits, and historical archives in its own library. The museum will be open until 4:30 PM the day of the workshop.
• Gold Mass and Reception: At St. Hilary Parish (2750 West Market Street, Fairlawn, Ohio 44333). This 4 PM Mass is in honor of St Albert the Great (Feast Day Nov 15th), a scientist and doctor of the church. It is a regional call to scientists and Catholics to celebrate mass together. A reception with hors d'oeuvres and refreshments in St Hilary's Gathering Area will follow. Br. Guy Consolmagno will be available with his most recent publication available for purchase.
• Post-workshop virtual discussion space: A live survey will be emailed to each person registered to further the discussions of the day, and offer the opportunity to those who could not make the live event to participate. Invite your friends or family to join this online discourse!

Register today and join us!