Newman on Tap Presents

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...

Megan Scott, graduate student pursuing the Masters of Arts in the field of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, MN reacts to Newman's 1839 sermon, Unreal Words. As editorial assistant of Logos - A Journal of Catholic Thought and Culture Megan is well read in how "real" language moves us to action. "Unreal words", on the other hand, are separated fr...

Dr. Ono Ekeh , associate professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut utilizes his theological interest of St. John Henry Newman to assist him in his reflection on Newman's 1829 sermon "Abraham and Lot". Dr. Ekeh points out that Newman helps us see Abraham's refusal to be entangled by things of this world as a sign that we bel...

Tyler McCollum, Associate for Mission, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, Minnesota reflects on Newman's early Catholic era sermon, "Our Lady in the Gospel". Tyler's thoughts on Newman's understanding of sanctity are supplied by his time with NET ministries (https://netusa.org) and his present full-time work with a uniquely large group of young adults (21-35 ye...

Rebecca Case, active parishioner at St. Rose Philippine Duchesne parish in Anthem, Arizona reacts to St. John Henry Newman's June 24, 1831 sermon "Rebuking Sin" preached on the Solemnity of the Nativity of John the Baptist. Rebecca's personal experiences unveil Newman's scripturally based guide to rebuking others through proper spiritual channels.  To approach Newman'...

John Capobianco , founder of Lumen Catechetical Consultants ( https://lifeaftersunday.com/about-us ) reflects on Newman’s sermon “Christian Sympathy” by merging the thought of his mentor, Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete with St. John Henry Newman. John’s time with Msgr. Albacete adds a depth to his thought that opens for us Newman’s understanding of the proper path of the Christian life. John produced “Ret...

Rob Kirkendall is an instructor in Humanities at St. Thomas More Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina. Heearned B.A. degrees from Biola University in Humanities: English and English: Writing. He completed an M.A. in Theology at the Augustine Institute in Denver. He teaches literature and supports seniors during the college discernment and application process.  In this episode Rob reflects on Newman’...

Dale Ahlquist is President of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton, creator and host of the EWTN series “G.K. Chesterton: The Apostle of Common Sense,” and Publisher of Gilbert Magazine . He is the author of six books, and has edited fourteen. His most recent work, with the Society of G.K. Chesterton , is Orthodoxy: An American Translation . An interview about the work can be found at https://w...

Sheryl Moran from Our Lady of Grace parish in Edina, Minnesota shares with us her faith journey as she reacts to Newman’s sermon “The Shephard of Our Souls”. Sheryl’s life of prayer has led her and her husband to build a “House of Prayer” retreat house in eastern Minnesota (https://bethanyretreats.org). Newman shows us that The Good Shepard is understood by first finding Christ in the Old Testamen...

Fr. Kevin Finnegan, pastor of Our Lady of Grace parish in Edina, Minnesota reacts to Newman’s classic sermon “The Ventures of Faith” by sharing that a properly lived faith includes ventures and it is by grace that each chapter of our venture unfolds. Abraham starts the venture which ultimately leads to Jerusalem. Like Abraham we need to give of ourselves in an uncalculating way. What do we venture...

Kate Aitchison, mother of 4 active children, elicits how Newman's 1838 Easter Sunday sermon sheds light on progressing in the spiritual life during life's  transitions. Kate finds Newman's direction helpful: Christ first meet us in that hard place (Lent) before we can enjoy Him in festival (Easter).  By walking with Christ during the vicissitudes of life we discover that God has som...

Episode 9 Season 2 – “The Indwelling Spirit” Ian Rangel currently serves as the Vice President of The Papal Foundation, the only charitable organization in the United States exclusively dedicated to fulfilling the requests of the Holy Father’s support for the needs of the poor and marginalized. To learn more about The Papal Foundation and the Stewards of Saint Peter, please visit www.thepapalfound...

“The Indwelling Spirit” (part 1) Ian Rangel, the vice president of The Papal Foundation, discusses Newman's 1834 Parochial and Plain sermon "The Indwelling Spirit by looking at how Newman articulates humanity's "exalted existence" through the reality of a personal visitation of The Spirit of Christ. The "earnest" of Baptism not only is our new birth but it is the...

Dr Geertjan Zuijdwegt, author of the recent release, An Evangelical Adrift p The Making of John Henry Newman's Theology ,  discusses Newman's key sermon that sets Newman apart from his Evangelical beginning. Dr. Zuijdwegt points out that this sermon points to Newman no longer separating faith and works. Newman’s solution is to regard faith and works as equals – both faith and obedience a...

Join us for part 2 of a fascinating interview with Monsignor Jefferey Steenson the first Ordinariate (Anglican priest not Catholic priest) in the United States as we look into Newman's Catholic era Lenten sermon "The World and Sin"  To approach Newman's majestic thought it is highly recommended to download the formatted sermon at www.newmanontap.com. Comments and suggestions ar...

My discussion with Monsignor Jeffrey Steenson, former bishop in the Anglican Church and now a Catholic priest, is so informative and enchanting that  I'm splitting it into two episodes. Part 2 will be posted next Monday.  Monsignor's journey to the Church includes a long journey with St. John Henry Newman that started when he studied at Oxford University in England. His interpretation of...

Monsignor Richard Liddy, retired emeritus professor from Seaton Hall University and Newman/Lonergan scholar extraordinaire, offers beautiful insights into Newman's sweeping 1836 sermon "Elisha a Type of Christ and His Followers".  Monsignor points out that the sermon specifically reaches into the heart of each of us as both Fathers Lonergan and Newman upheld. In this episode Monsign...

Lauren Scharmer, a 32-year-old longtime friend with a deeply convicted Catholic faith reflects on Newman's insights in his 1856 sermon "The Secret Power of Divine Grace". With the aid of Scripture Newman makes it clear that grace is so close to us that we are never alone.  Since in the Incarnation, Christ came subtly to "conquest the heart", He in turn comes to us daily by...

“The Glory of the Christian Church” Dr. Barbara Wyman , assistant professor of English at McNeese State University in McNeese, Louisiana highlights Newman’s 1834 Epiphany sermon, “The Glory of the Christian Church”. The Epiphany is ongoing as God guides each of us with a guiding light that we need to be ever watchful for. Quoting Boethius, Dr Wyman explains that “time is an ever-present moment”. C...

Fr. John Utecht, associate pastor at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, Minnesota reflects on Newman's Catholic era (1849) sermon "Illuminating Grace".  He highlights Newman in that it is only through the ongoing action of the Holy Spirit that we find the fullness of the truth. We need illuminating Grace to fully understand things. Reason has immense power to calculate but...