Quick — who was the Belgian theoretical physicist and mathematician who proposed the so-called Big Bang Theory and ultimately proved Albert Einstein wrong?
It was Msgr. Georges Lemaitre, a Roman Catholic priest, who theorized that the universe began about 13.8 billion years ago through expansion and cooling. Initially, Einstein and other noted scientists rejected the Big Bang Theory, but it later became the accepted explanation for the universe’s origin.
Msgr. Georges Lemaitre is one example of Catholic priests and religious who have greatly contributed to the world in areas such as science, technology, social justice, and education. Many of their stories, like Msgr. Lemaitre’s, appear on posters created by the Vocations Ministry of Assumption Parish in Morristown, N.J. Called “Did You Know…?” the project promotes vocations by highlighting these achievements.
Every few months, the Vocation Ministry produces two eye-catching posters featuring a priest or religious. One placard, which features a shorter story suitable for children, is displayed at Assumption School. The other, which presents a more detailed story for adults, is placed at the back of Assumption Church.
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“Priests, nuns, and religious have truly impacted science, social justice, human rights, and the founding of hospitals and universities. Catholic Thought, blending faith and reason with Jesus’ teachings, has inspired these advances,” said Kenneth Rose. He and his wife, Rosa, both ministry members, research and write each text together.
On each poster’s debut weekend, a bulletin blurb explains the “Did You Know…?” project and the story of the featured priest or religious. Parish priests also summarize the story from the ambo at Mass.
Msgr. John Hart, Assumption’s pastor and director of clergy personnel of the Paterson Diocese, N.J., enthusiastically supports the Vocations Ministry and the poster project.
“The poster project is meant to encourage people to understand that there is no dichotomy between faith and science, and that in fact, many priests and religious have been scientists and have advanced scientific knowledge,” Msgr. Hart said. “I’m very proud of everybody on our Vocations Ministry. It has been bearing good fruit.”
Another poster set highlighted Sister Mary Kenneth Keller of the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. She was the first woman in the U.S. to earn a doctorate in computer science. She also taught math, physics, and computer languages and helped develop the BASIC computer language.
The most recent poster features Father Robert Grosseteste — a 13th-century English statesman, philosopher, scientist, and the Bishop of Lincoln, England — and Roger Bacon, a Franciscan friar and philosopher. “Together, they helped lay foundations for the modern scientific method,” according to the poster. Next month, the ministry will focus on Father Gregor Mendel, an Austrian priest, biologist, and meteorologist, who is considered the father of modern genetics.
Sister of Charity Merris Larkin, principal of Assumption School, said, “People find the stories on the posters interesting.”
The principal said teaching and nursing were the Sisters of Charity of St. Elizabeth’s original callings; their ministries have since expanded. In the diocese, the community founded St. Elizabeth University in the Convent Station neighborhood of Morris Township, N.J., and St. Joseph University Medical Center in Paterson, N.J.
“The stories on the posters could enlighten people about the many different interests they can pursue that they might not have thought about,” Sister Larkin said.
Assumption was among the many parishes in the Paterson Diocese that started a Vocations Ministry under the direction of the diocesan Vocations Office to promote vocations. Along with the poster project, it has launched events such as World Marriage Day and programs such as the Traveling Chalice for Vocations, said Christine Myers, the ministry’s chairperson, whose son, Tom, is studying for the priesthood in Denver, Colo.
“Through the Vocations Ministry, we want to raise awareness about vocations and the significant contributions priests and religious have made to Western Civilization,” Myers said. “We hope to encourage a curiosity and appreciation for vocations.”
