Fall 2003           The Institute News         Vol. I, No. II

The Institute for Advanced Physics
P.O. Box 15030
Baton Rouge, LA  70895
info@IAPweb.org

IAP NAMES NEW ASSOCIATE FACULTY....


  Prof. Rizzi officially installed Fr. Benedict Ashley, O.P. as The Institute for Advanced Physics first Associate Faculty at the IAP picnic on June 22 in Baton Rouge, LA.  Fr. Ashley is a Dominican priest with an angelic smile, a delightful laugh and the energy of a man half his eighty plus years.  He is a graduate of the University of Chicago and The University of Notre Dame and has doctorates in philosophy and political science, and the post-doctoral decree of Master of Sacred Theology conferred by an international committee of the Order of Preachers.  Interestingly, he is a former student of the late Mortimer Adler.
    Fr. Ashley's distinguished posts are too numerous to list and include President of Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis and Professor of Theology at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies in Marriage and Family in Washington, D.C.  At present he is Emeritus Professor of Moral Theology at Aquinas Institute of Theology, St. Louis and Associate Professor at the Center for Health Care Ethics, Medical School of St. Louis University.
    He has been honored with the medal Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice conferred by Pope John Paul II and has been a consultant to various National Catholic Bishops Conferences from 1981-1998.  Fr. Ashley is the author of over 20 books and his curriculum vitae has thirteen pages of published articles.  His Health Care Ethics textbook is used internationally and his The Arts of Learning and Communication book will soon be available on the Institute web site at IAPweb.org.  The Institute is truly honored to have on board such a holy priest, distinguished professor and honorable man.

"THE ATOMIC  THOMAS"....


  ...or is it really Fr. Ashley?
  Alejandro Ezcurra, an artist from Peru, sketched in stunning detail Prof. Rizzi's idea for an IAP logo.  Prof. Rizzi wanted St. Thomas Aquinas in the logo gazing in awe at God's creation symbolized by a representation of an atom.  St. Thomas Aquinas, a dominican friar from thirteenth century Italy, is the common doctor of the Church, Pope Leo XIII declaring his philosophy as the sure guide to right use of reason.  Pope Leo XIII's encyclical, Aeterni Patris, says, "Among the Scholastic Doctors, the chief and master of all towers Thomas Aquinas, who, as [St.] Cajetan observes, because 'he most venerated the ancient Doctors of the Church, in a certain way seems to have inherited the intellect of all.'..."        Alejandro fondly referred to the logo in his emails during the editing phase as "the atomic Thomas."  He related that he was so pleased to have an assignment using his talent for drawing for promoting the work of the Institute.  IAP friend Richard Urban of Exclusive Treasures (exclusivetreasures.com) introduced Prof. Rizzi and Alejandro through email in March and the logo was completed in May.
    Shortly after the graduate internship, Prof. Rizzi pointed to the IAP logo and asked Kateri, his two year old daughter, "who is that?"  Kateri confidently replied, "at's Fa-ah ah-wee!"

TAX EXEMPT  ORGANIZATION....


  The Institute for Advanced Physics was founded in March 2003.  In July, the Internal Revenue Service granted tax exempt status officially recognizing IAP as a 501c(3) organization.  IAP's Director, Prof. Anthony Rizzi, successfully worked by telephone and fax with IRS representatives to expedite IAP's application.  The tax exempt status is retroactive for 2003.  In the spring, IAP Foundational Members provided the seed money for IAP's budget for 2003.  Dr. Rizzi is pleased that our Foundational Members will be eligible for tax exempt contributions this year, the year that marks their initial partnership with IAP.
    "Our Foundational Members are very special," says Prof. Rizzi.  "They joined IAP at a critical and historic juncture.  The 501c(3) status also launches IAP into its next level of fund raising.  With our many accomplishments, we are planning to build and expand on these successes with an equally active second year of our foundational phase.  Of course, we continue our dialogue with universities; in particular the three universities which the Institute has identified as potential home locations for the Institute."
    Prof. Rizzi says that all IAP financial partners are a blessing, both those making small monthly donations to those able to make large once a year gifts.  The Institute treats each donation as a sacrificial gift and always has this in mind when making decisions in how best to carry out its mission in the service Our Lord.

BIG EVENT OF THE YEAR....


    A great success! More than ten schools were represented by participants attending the Institute's National Conference, "A Cultural Renewal of Science" organized by the Institute and cosponsored with The Jacques Maritain Center of the University of Notre Dame.  Participants included multiple faculty or a president of the following schools: American University, Ave Maria University, Benedictine University of Chicago, Central Michigan University, Christendom College,  Institute voor Wijsbegeerte en Theologie (of the Netherlands), Northwestern University, St. Gregory the Great Seminary of  Nebraska, Oregon State University (emeritus), Pennsylvania State University and University of Sacramento.  Other participants were from the Discovery Institute of Seattle, a pastor of a Chicago Church, and the following states: Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and several areas of Pennsylvania.
    The conference was held at Notre Dame on Thursday, July 31 and Friday, August 1 as the following internationally known speakers reveal the profound negative impact scientism has caused in these disciplines: Fr. Benedict Ashley, O.P. of St. Louis University on theology, Emeritus Dean Jude Dougherty of Catholic University on philosophy, Prof. Robert P. George of Princeton on medical ethics, Provost John Hittinger of St. Mary's College on university curriculum, Prof. Ralph McInerny of Notre Dame on the humanities, Prof. Anthony Rizzi of IAP on physics, Prof. James Stoner of Louisiana State University on politics and Dr. Benjamin Wiker lecturer at Franciscan University of Steubenville on biology.
    Prof. Rizzi, in his closing remarks, drove home how scientism, the misuse of the scientific method and of its conclusions, even threatens to undermine the sciences themselves by the spread of the subjectivism that is its natural outgrowth.  The conference revealed the urgent need for a premiere physics undergraduate, graduate and research institution that fully incorporates the moral, spiritual and philosophical patrimony given us by the home of science, the Catholic Church.
    Fr. Neal Nichols, FSSP, IAP's spiritual director, was the spiritual director for the conference.  He was available each morning before and after Mass for the sacrament of confession.  He lead the opening and closing prayers, as well as a rosary on Friday.  Fr. Nichols is a blessing to the Institute and we thank him for his prayers and spiritual direction.
    Alice Osberger of The Jacques Maritain Center was especially helpful in coordinating the facilities and registration packets at Notre Dame.  Our thanks to Alice, Prof. McInerny and to the Maritain Center for co-sponsoring the conference.  A special thank you to IAP's audio/visual specialist James Louviere of Champions of the Truth (www.champions-of-the-truth.com) for recording the conference.  Thanks to James, the audio tapes were available for purchase upon completion of each talk.  James has put in long hours to make the edited conference DVDs available for purchase from the web site:  IAPweb.org.  And a thank you to Judy Nicholson, Malcolm Travel, for assisting all our speakers with their air travel arrangements.  As a member of IAP's team, she coordinates the details of Prof. Rizzi's on-going travel.

Purchase DVD or Audio Tapes

    The big event of the year is now available in part or in whole!  In addition, an hour-and-a-half "Best of" DVD of the conference highlights is available for only $10.  Looking for super educational information to listen to during your drive to work or school, you can also purchase the entire conference on audio tapes, or DVD.  An order form is available on our web site click here (or go to IAPweb.org)

POPE SEEKS PRAYERS FOR SCIENTISTS...


    On July 31, coinciding with the first day of the Institute's Cultural Renewal of Science national summer conference, Pope John Paul II announced in a press release from Vatican City that the prayer intention for the month of August was that scientists be responsible in the use of their achievements.  The Pope invited everyone to pray daily during the month of August "for researchers in the scientific and technological fields, that they accept the incessant appeals of the Church to make prudent and responsible use of the successes achieved."

GRADUATE INTERNS...


    "The internship was an intensive week of research, writing and prayer."  is how Prof. Rizzi described it to a St. Agnes Catholic Church parishioner before the IAP picnic in Baton Rouge.  "And when he says intensive he means intensive!"  added Fr. Ashley as the fellowship and conversation continued....

    On Sunday, June 15, 2003, the Institute welcomed to Baton Rouge its first summer graduate student interns. John Halpine arrived from Northwestern University in Chicago.  John is a physics doctoral student studying superfluidity and ultra low temperature physics.  One of John's motivations in applying for the internship was that he was not finding a place in his vocation for an expression of his Catholic faith.  He wanted to work directly with a mentor who is both a world class physicist and a scholar of the faith.
  Steven Titus, our second intern, contacted Dr. Rizzi directly last fall as part of his research for a paper in his philosophy of science course at St. John Vianney Theological Seminary in Denver, Colorado.  As an under grad, Steven pursued his interest in science achieving a B.S. in chemistry.  Steven is interested in the philosophical underpinnings of chemical reactions and interactions.  Last fall, his seminary research topic was to try to understand better the nature of the atom by consciously moving beyond the empiriometric method.  Steven chose to continue this work as an intern at IAP.
    Before arriving in Baton Rouge, the interns were required to study Prof. Rizzi's "The Science Before Science" course material available from International Catholic University.  Once in town, the interns worked under the direction of IAP's Director, physicist Prof. Anthony Rizzi, and IAP Associate Faculty, philosopher and long time student of science Fr. Benedict Ashley.  The students worked on their research topics from Monday through Saturday.  The day began with Mass and the study prayer composed by St. Thomas Aquinas.  Chapel bells marked the breaks between research, discussion, lecture, breaks and meals.  The Angelus was said at noon with the St. Michael the Archangel prayer at the end of the day closing with the singing of the Salve Regina.
    Each intern completed a paper and identified a layman's journal to submit their work to for publication.  The Relation Between Matrimony and Many Body Physics is the title of John's paper (click to read an abstract)  (click to read a letter from John) who by the way became engaged shortly before the internship began.  Steve's paper is title Water, Wax and what’s in between (click to read an abstract) (click to read a letter from Steve).
   At the IAP picnic on Sunday, June 22, the internship culminated with the presentation of certificates, officially making the students certified members of the Institute.  Thanks to Mac Cazedessus who supplied the microphone and speakers for the presentation and to Ronald Paille who taped the program for us.  About 40 friends of the Institute enjoyed sandwiches, fruit and an Ambrosia Bakery cake with the IAP logo on it.  And we savored the sweet treats of Mrs. Karlyn Larue who baked delicious cookies and her mother, Mrs. Shirley Mitchel, who baked triple chocolate brownies.  The children played at Independence Park and John demonstrated the art of displacing a soccer ball which was not conforming with the laws of gravity.  The Institute is grateful to all our friends and supporters who shared the day with us, many enduring a two hour drive from New Orleans, Lafayette and Clinton to join us.  We also want to thank Fr. Vincent Dufresne for allowing Fr. Ashley to offer daily Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church during the internship.  Giuseppe, Prof. Rizzi's 5 year old son, has asked when the interns will be back in town.  He enjoyed kicking soccer balls and going to Mass with them.

    This is a one-of-a-kind internship for graduate students in any of the hard sciences.  Each student not only deepens his understanding of the foundations of the faith and of their understanding of science, but also become part of a growing network of students and scientists who share the intention to glorify God through one's career as a scientist.  If you are interested in applying for an internship, please send your resume and letter of interest to Prof. Rizzi, Director, IAP P.O. Box 15030, Baton Rouge, LA 70895 or email to arizzi@iapweb.org.  If you would like to sponsor a future intern, please contact Prof. Rizzi at arizzi@IAPweb.org.  Together we can insure the sciences are oriented solely to and for the Good.

IN THE NEWS....


    Look to these sources for interviews of Prof. Rizzi about IAP and his research:

    July 17            Live interview on "Relevant Radio" with host Jeff Cavins
                                8:30/7:30am Eastern/Central
    July 23            Live interview on "Relevant Radio" with host Jeff Cavins
                                9/8am Eastern/Central

    August 19        Interview of Prof. Rizzi and Archbishop Hannan by
                             Mary Lou McCall on Archbishop Hannan's
                             FOCUS Worldwide Television

    September 17    Zenit News Agency interview

    October           Catholic World Report interview

IN PERSON AND ON THE ROAD....


Gravity Wave Detection colloquium presented at:
                    The University of Delaware on October 1
                    invited by physicist Professor Stephen Barr

"Aquiring Knowledge in the 21st Century: Escaping Subjectivism" presented at:
                    Kansas City, MO medical doctors on October 27

"(Let) Science Come Home" presented at:
                    Cure of Ars Catholic Church in Leawood, KS on October 28
                    sponsored by the
                   Archdioceses of Kansas City, KS Pro-Life Office

Quantum Mechanics and Subjectivism lecture at:
                    the Pontifical Athenaeum (Regina Apostolorum) in Rome, Italy
                    at the invitation of Fr. Rafael Pascual, L.C. for the series
                    "The Foundation of Matter"

For more current information, see "Calendar of Events" at
IAPweb.org

DEAR DR. RIZZI....


    We appreciate all your letters and all you do to assist us in our mission.  These two letters are a sample of the many letters, emails and telephone contacts we've received.

  Dear Dr. Rizzi,
            Attending the IAP conference at [Notre Dame] was ...enlightening.  We are better able to appreciate the vacuum IAP intends to fill.  Perhaps the article I am enclosing further underscores the importance of the work you hope to do.  [IAP's] relevance for the entire culture of western civilization is what is at stake.
J.
Letter dated August 18, 2003

Hello Dr. Rizzi
    This is Phillip (B.) in (location 1).  I did not want you to think I had forgotten what we spoke of in (location 2).  I am going to be meeting with Archbishop (name) in the first or second week of October to finalize...  When the meeting is over, I am going to speak privately with the Archbishop at which time I will mention "The Institute for Advanced Physics" and state briefly (only you can present your "mission statement" so to speak, the best)...
    I learned a few things while speaking with you.
1.  I didn't know something like this existed.
2.  Everything you said appeals to reason.
3.  We truly have handed over science to the secular humanists.
4.  We have to begin changing things within our schools, especially in the lower grades.
5.  I wish I could take a course to once again in my own mind the proper role of science.  I truly enjoyed physics in high school and college, but it was never spoken of in the context you present it.
6.  I can't wait to read your book when it is published.
7.  Is there something I can access in the meantime on the Internet where I can begin studying.  I have read article you gave me in (location 2).  It was informative.
    There is a story from the life of St. John Bosco when he was newly ordained, he was helping a priest in his prison ministry to serve the spiritual needs of those who would spend the rest of their lives in prison, and also those on death row.  The other priest's name was St. Joseph Cafasso.  Upon finishing their ministry one evening, St. Joseph C. asked the young John Bosco if he would like to continue in this ministry to those imprisoned.  John said, "No, I want to get to these souls BEFORE they turn out like this."  The rest is history as he started his oratory for boys throughout Italy and began the Salesian order.
    The key is "BEFORE."  That's why I agree with your sentiments of reaching the children early before they have a false view of science and are corrupted by an atheistic view of the material world.  I pray the Angelic Doctor make this a reality.  Now I am going to visit your web site.
    Take care and God bless you.  Be assured of my prayers.  ...
    In the love and truth of Christ,
Phillip B. 
Email dated September 24, 2003

COMING SOON....


    A book written by Fr. Ashley that can serve to provide introductory material for junior high and high school level students will soon be available on IAP's web site.  This introductory material will help form our young to be able to recieve the college level and research level work of the Institute. Once partnered with a University IAP will be accepting undergraduates in science, and to continue to be top-flight we will need fully prepared applicants. A home-school mother is currently writing a teacher's guide which will also be on the web site soon.  These materials may be of particular interest to home school parents and students who are interested in studying advanced mathematics and science including the proper moral, spiritual, historical and philosophical components.

WANT ADS....


   IAP is accepting applications for graduate summer interns, certified members, post-docs, and a full-time administrative assistant.  See our web site for additional information about certified membership and interns.  Mail resumes and letters of interest to IAP, PO Box 15030, Baton Rouge, LA  70895.

Administrative Assistant: Highly motivated, self-directed, organized individual with cheerful disposition needed to join our Catholic non-profit scientific educational organization; advanced computer skills required; the successful applicant will have a heart for our mission, strong communication skills, excellent writing skills and a creative flair; marketing experience a plus;  position will remain open till filled.  IAP is currently located in the Baton Rouge, LA area and will relocate out-of-state in the future. Send resume, names of three references and salary requirement to Prof. Anthony Rizzi, Director, IAP, PO Box 15030, Baton Rouge, LA  70895

EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS....


    Let's talk books.....oh, do we value good books (including textbooks at all levels).....especially those old hard-to-find books published before 1960 in philosophy, theology and history of science!  Don't throw them out.  Send them to us and we'll stamp the inside jacket with your name as a lasting remembrance of your generosity in IAP's library.  Please contact us by email info@IAPweb.org (or mail) before sending with the titles, authors, and date published.

    Don't let your talents go to waste......be an IAP volunteer!  Just for starters we are looking for:
  Writers and Graphic Designers for promotional materials
  A Web Master
  Newsletter writers
  Collaborators on the writing of educational science materials at all levels
  Prayer partners....we ask for a daily St. Michael prayer for IAP's Director,
            staff and advisors.  Our most sincere thanks to all of you who
            support us with prayers.

Contact us at info@IAPweb.org to help.