Newman on Tap Presents

Dave Berg , longtime active Catholic friend, reacts to Newman’s 1834 sermon “Christian Zeal.”  Dave brings to light Newman’s understanding of zeal as a particular Christian grace that is perfected by faith and love. Without these virtues an incomplete zeal leads to a lukewarm state of mind with a temper of religious indifference. True zeal is guided by Christ’s example, an earnest desire for God’s...

Dr. Scott Goins , classics professor from McNeese St. University, finds Newman’s theory of education as a model for today’s educators. Newman’s pedagogical elevation of communal learning finds a home in today’s technological teaching. The sermon “Invisible Presence of Christ” insists that by allowing God’s presence we permit ourselves to be what we are meant to be. The unlikely survival and spread...

Fr Sean Magnuson , former military chaplain, analyzes Newman's sermon "Purity and Love” by explaining that fervent love must come from the substance of purity, like a candle's flame coming from the substance of its wax. The life of St. John the Evangelist shows us that his burning love for Christ and His mother fed on his purity. Newman explains that when we are drawn to God's...

Olivia Spanton , a Catholic Studies graduate of the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota and now young financial planner, parish volunteer, and youth volleyball coach discusses Newman’s 1870 sermon, “Stewards and also Sons of God.” Olivia finds Newman relatable in that his style calls us out as he contrasts religion with the world. She presents the sermon theme as our need to realize th...

Caitlan Rangel looks at Newman’s sermon “The Duty of Self-Denial”. Newman helps us realize that we discover ourselves when we find true peace in the self-denying love of Christ. When this selfless love takes the form of co-suffering there is a profound closeness to the Lord. Like Christ, by giving up ourselves, we find joy.  To approach Newman's majestic thought it is highly recommended to do...

William Yanek , FOCUS missionary at Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota looks closely Newman’s sermon “Christian Manhood”. Here William finds Newman explaining that true manhood is found when we break from our desire for worldly things and grow to desire only unity with God. This desire, provided by the Holy Spirit, is not a zero-sum game. We don’t earn His infinite mercy. Entering into...

Sister Cinthya Carmona of the Pro Ecclesia Sancta order shares with us her thoughts on Newman’s mediations on the Sacred Heart of Jesus which can be found at newmanontap.com. All of Newman’s devotionals can be found at newmanreader.org.    Sister Cinthya discovered that Newman wanted to give the best of himself to Christ. He realized that he had received so much that he responded with all that he...

Dr Jennifer Bryson , (English translator of Ida Friederike Görres’ (1901–1971) long lost mid-20th century work, John Henry Newman – A Life Sacrificed (Ignatius Press)) looks at sermon 2 of Newman’s Sermon Preached on Various Occasions , “Religion of the Pharisee, the Religion of Mankind,” preached on July 20, 1856. Dr. Bryson finds that Newman, by defining the characteristic marks of a Christian,...

In this episode seminarian, Jake Robbins looks at Newman’s 1839 Easter sermon, “Difficulty of Realizing Sacred Privileges” where we find insights into how we move from questioning to heartfelt acceptance of our faith. We come to realize the unknown by realizing truths in our heart. Our deepest desire is to know God at the heart level which God blesses. If we have a deep desire for God more will be...

In this episode Fr. Nick Vance , associate pastor at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, Minnesota looks at Newman’s 1838 sermon “Spiritual Presence of Christ in the Church.” Fr. Nick unpacks Newman’s words: “The Holy Spirit causes, faith welcomes the indwelling of Christ in the heart.” In other words, The Holy Spirit makes the presence of Christ within you a reality. Newman tells us that...

Dr. Donald Graham , Associate Professor of Systematic and Pastoral Theology at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Toronto, Ontario looks closely at Newman’s 1837 sermon, “The Church a Home for the Lonely.”  In the opening lines of the sermon Newman explains home as the attainment of that which satisfies the human heart. The only thing, in Newman’s mind, that ultimately satisfies the heart is love and bei...

Our guest today is Katie Burke , a fellow parishioner at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, MN. Katie has an extraordinary gift of parish participation, prayer and music ministry. Here Katie reflects on St. John Henry Newman’s 1831 sermon, “Love of Relations and Friends.” Newman helps us understand that St. John, as the intimate friend of Jesus, protector of His mother, and the visionary...

Fr. Peter Gruber, C.O ., a priest of the Pittsburgh Oratory and Director of Campus Ministry at the Newman Center for the University of Pittsburgh, Carnegie Mellon University, and Chatham University, reflects on Newman’s sermon, “Secrecy and Suddenness of Divine Visitations” a sermon for the feast of the Presentation of Our Lord in the temple. Fr. Gruber draws from Newman in that God works apart fr...

This episode’s sermon, “In the World, but not of the World,”  is found in Sermons Preached on Various Occasions, a wonderful collection showcasing Newman’s literary power. Dr. Mark Jubulis reflects on this funeral homily preached on May 5, 1873, at the Funeral of James R. Hope Scott, a Catholic convert and leading English attorney. In this eulogy of James Hope Scott (who was married to Sir Walter...

Elizabeth (Liz) Kelly , is a Twin Cities based spiritual director, retreat leader, national speaker, a parish presenter, a prolific writer (with over a dozen award winning Catholic published books) and now a community leader for women’s formation at Bishop Barron’s “Word on Fire.” For 15 years, Liz served as managing editor of Logos: A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture at the University of S...

Fr Bryce Evans , a diocesan priest aspiring to establish an Oratory of St. Philip Neri in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis investigates Newman’s sermon, “Religious Joy.” In this 1825 Christmas day sermon, Newman turns our categories upside down. Fr. Evans calls this now familiar Newman technique, “The Divine Reversal.” When we tend to think that we are going to achieve our happiness as...

Ms. Angela Cuba teaches “Humane Letters" at Bishop Reicher Catholic school in Waco, Texas. Angela graduated from the University of Dallas with a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in English. In reacting to Newman’s masterful sermon, “The Second Spring”, she will explain how Newman artfully shows how it was possible that something was so dead as Catholicism in 19th century England could ex...

Fr. Evan Koop , instructor of dogmatic theology at St. Paul Seminary at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul Minnesota reflects on Newman’s classic sermon, “The Ventures of Faith”. Fr. Koop points out that Newman’s primary point in the sermon is “nothing ventured, nothing gained”. We must take a risk in our relationship with Christ. Faith is a venture. That venture changes the way we live. We...

Kory LaCroix , Pastoral Associate for Marriage and Young Professionals at Our Lady of Grace parish in Edina, Minnesota sees in the sermon “The Apostolical Christian” the necessity of seeking the Truth, finding Christ and conforming our lives to His. In the sermon Newman gives us important questions to contemplate. Am I running the race? And which path am I running on? Is it one that I have created...

Nicholas Hughes , a 26-year-old MBA student at St. Thomas University in St. Paul, Minnesota reacts to Newman’s sermon “The Secret Power of Divine Grace” highlighting how we all have a deep desire for happiness. However, the objects that we worship must be worthy of the immortal, the Divine life. We easily dismiss those things beyond our physical comprehension accepting only what we can see and tou...

Dr. Melinda Nielsen , Associate Professor of Classical Literature at Baylor University ( https://honors.baylor.edu/person/melinda-nielsen-phd ), found Newman through her love of great literature. The Apologia captivated her through its masterful prose, noticing Newman’s firm grasp of reality. Dr. Nielsen sees Newman as drawing from ancient literature, in particular the Church Fathers, to offer us...

Dr. John Boyle , theology professor at Catholic Studies at The University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota reacts to Newman’s 1849 sermon “Mystery of Divine Condescension”.  As co-founder of the Center for Catholic Studies, Dr. Boyle describes that the vision of Catholic Studies at a university is to articulate the vision of the Church as an organic body that sees reality with a broad perspect...

Martha Olsen , brilliant fellow graduate of The University of St. Thomas Catholic Studies master’s program and now a busy mother of 4, shares her thoughts on the 1848 sermon “The Calls of Grace”. In this episode we learn from Newman that the sharpness of The Divine Word can readily penetrate a softened heart. Only a closed heart can stop The Word from entering it. Do I have a soft heart to receive...

Fr. Kyle Etzel, parochial vicar of the Church of Saint Joseph in West Saint Paul, Minnesota and aspiring Oratorian, joins us to discuss Newman's 1839 sermon "Peace in Believing". Newman informs us that it is fitting that our all-loving God would desire to redeem His creation. Therefore, we have every reason for hope. Fr. Kyle sees that once we discover that God is love we find that...

Episode 21 Season 2 – “The Thought of God, the Stay of the Soul” Fr. Michael Daly, priest of the Archdiocese of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota gathers from several sources to unpack one of Newman’s favorite sermons, “The Thought of God, the Stay of the Soul”. Newman points out that we are made from God and for God. In our bones we know that we are made for more. Therefore, our dignity and des...