St. Louis Catholic school program links science, religion

Published: 2008-02-01

ST. LOUIS (CNS) -- After her first- and second-grade students at St. Joan of Arc School in St. Louis did an experiment on magnetism in science class, teacher Karen Mason used their religion class to talk about the spiritual concept of magnetic pull. Mason told her students they can influence others by their actions, thus pulling them closer to God. "It's not just that we're stuck to the God magnet. We're stuck to each other. When you use manners and kind words, you're bringing each other closer to God." She also spoke of what can pull students away from God, and urged them to resist those pulls, telling them that instead of watching a mindless or inappropriate television show, they should read a book, pray or enjoy nature. "Be drawn by good friends who make good choices," Mason added. The classroom links between science lessons and faith are part of a pilot program, "Exploring the World, Discovering God," sponsored by the Institute for Theological Encounter With Science and Technology. Currently, the program is being used in about a dozen schools, mostly in the St. Louis Archdiocese but also in schools in Texas, Kansas and Michigan.

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