Brentwood: Seeing God through the eyes of an astronomer

Brother Guy Consolmagno SJ is to lead a study day entitled 'God and the Cosmos' at the parish of Christ the Eternal High Priest in Gidea Park, Essex, in June. Brother Guy, who is Director of the Vatican Observatory, and well known to readers of The Tablet, says: "By seeing, with the eyes of an astronomer, how God has made creation in all its immensity, we can become more familiar with who God is and how God loves us."

Brother Guy earned his PhD in Planetary Science at the University of Arizona's Lunar and Planetary Laboratory in 1978. In 1989 he entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and took vows as a brother in 1991. He was assigned as an astronomer to the Vatican Observatory, where he served as curator of the Vatican meteorite collection. In 2014 he was awarded the Carl Sagan Medal for public outreach. In 2015 Pope Francis made him Director of the Vatican Observatory.

Bringing such an interesting speaker to Gidea Park is extremely satisfying for parish priest Fr Adrian Graffy, who says: "I am delighted that Br Guy is able to come and speak. I find the whole development of the understanding of the cosmos, about which I know very little, really fascinating. The question of how this relates to faith is surely one of the big issues for believers to investigate. I think the day will demonstrate once again that good science and faith in God are not mutually exclusive, but that they assist each other, as our understanding of reality deepens and we learn more of the truth of God and God's creation."

The study day will take place on Saturday, 10 June from 11am to 3pm at the church in Gidea Park (RM2 6DH). Admission is free, tea and coffee will be provided, but please bring a packed lunch. Ample free parking is available at the church, which is three minutes' walk from Gidea Park Station. It is essential to book your place (early booking is advised) by email to GPstudydays@gmail.com.