Newman on Tap Presents

Intellect, the Instrument of Religious Training - Patrick Reilly, Founder and President of the Cardinal Newman Society

Host Ron Snyder and Patrick Reilly discuss St. John Henry Newman's sermon "Intellect, the Instrument of Religious Training" (1857). Patrick, founder of the Cardinal Newman Society (https://cardinalnewmansociety.org/) discusses how Newman argued that Catholic education must unite faith and intellect — that forming only the "gentleman" through liberal arts is insufficient without also tending to the soul. They explore Newman's depiction of how the fall fragmented the human soul, permitting the intellect, will, and passions to war against each other, and how this mirrors the fragmentation of the modern university. Newman's solution is that the Catholic Church, like St. Monica praying for Augustine, must serve as a spiritual mother through its universities — reuniting knowledge with grace, forming not just the intellect but the whole person toward communion with God.Also, consider joining Patrick, Msgr. James Shea and others on a "Newman Experience Pilgrimage" to England September 6 - 12, 2026. Copy and paste in your browser below for more information. https://cardinalnewmansociety.org/the-newman-experience/To approach Newman's majestic thought it is highly recommended to download the formatted sermon at www.newmanontap.com. Comments and suggestions are appreciated on the same site. 

Faith and Private Judgment - Glen Cowan

In this episode of Newman on Tap, host Ron Snyder discusses St. John Henry Newman's sermon "Faith and Private Judgment" with Dr. Glen Cowan, a retired orthodontist and lifelong Methodist who recently joined the Newman study group. Glenn shares how Newman's writings have transformed his faith by revealing the richness of Catholic tradition, the Church Fathers, and the importance of submitting to divine truth rather than relying solely on private interpretation of Scripture. The conversation explores Newman's distinction between faith in written words versus faith in living oracles (the Church and its teachers), emphasizing that true faith means trusting God's messengers, not just individual judgment. Glenn describes his journey from ignorance of Catholic teaching to discovering a "river" of spiritual depth beyond his Protestant upbringing, finding Newman to be not just a man who loves God, but one "in love with God." The episode concludes with reflections on grace, humility, and the call to surrender personal ego in order to fully receive Christ's transformative love.To approach Newman's majestic thought it is highly recommended to download the formatted sermon at www.newmanontap.com. Comments and suggestions are appreciated on the same site. 

The Crucifixion - Charlotte Walter

Host Ron Snyder discusses St. John Henry Newman's sermon "The Crucifixion" with 16-year-old Charlotte Walter from St. Rose Philippine Duchesne parish in Anthem, Arizona. Together they explore how to develop authentic faith beyond superficial feelings by examining Newman's concept of "dwelling" in Christ's sufferings through contemplative prayer, using vivid analogies of cruelty to animals, children, and elderly persons to make the crucifixion emotionally real. Charlotte reflects on how teenage faith programs often focus on emotional experiences, but true love requires both feeling and action—dwelling in Christ's suffering leads to deeper relationship with God. The discussion emphasizes that belief in the unseen requires grace accessed through prayer and the sacraments - in particular the Eucharist - where the material meets the immaterial. Charlotte commits to an intentional Lent by contemplating Christ's sufferings through Newman's examples, recognizing that understanding His suffering reveals His love for us.To approach Newman's majestic thought it is highly recommended to download the formatted sermon at www.newmanontap.com. Comments and suggestions are appreciated on the same site. 

Self-Denial: The Test of Religious Earnestness - Paul Lorie

In this episode, Ron Snyder welcomes Paul Lorie from Erie, Pennsylvania to discuss St. John Henry Newman's sermon "Self-Denial: The Test of Religious Earnestness" (March 25, 1842). They explore Newman's challenge to examine whether we're truly awake in our faith or merely going through the motions, caught up in cultural Christianity rather than genuine spiritual commitment. Paul and Ron discuss how Newman calls us to daily self-denial as proof of authentic faith—not grand gestures, but small acts of love that push us beyond comfort and worldly interests. The conversation emphasizes that true Christian obedience, rooted in love like Christ's example in Gethsemane, requires constant examination of conscience and willingness to sacrifice temporal advantages for eternal truth.To approach Newman's majestic thought it is highly recommended to download the formatted sermon at www.newmanontap.com. Comments and suggestions are appreciated on the same site. 

Christian Reverence - Joe O'Sullivan

In this episode host Dr. Ron Snyder discusses St. John Henry Newman's sermon "Christian Reverence" with Joe O'Sullivan, editor of the Bayou Catholic Magazine. Joe brings a unique perspective shaped by his formative experience in Dr. Don Briel's Newman course at the University of St. Thomas, which he credits as the most faith-solidifying class of his education. Throughout the discussion, Joe demonstrates Newman's gift for holding theological tensions—particularly the balance between Christ's mercy and kingship, and between fear and love in our relationship with God. He emphasizes Newman's remarkable ability to illuminate complex theological concepts through relatable human experiences, making his 19th-century sermons surprisingly timeless and relevant to contemporary Christians. Joe also shares how Newman's pastoral wisdom and personal struggles—being rejected by both Catholics and Protestants—make him a saint for those who feel marginalized, and how he works to bring Newman's insights into his magazine's content to reach more people with this profound spiritual guidance.To approach Newman's majestic thought it is highly recommended to download the formatted sermon at www.newmanontap.com. Comments and suggestions are appreciated on the same site.