Newman's Dream Space

It's almost All Souls Day for 2026 in Australia (1 November). It's also the end of a very busy time working on a number of projects. Now, it is time to reflect and to take stock. This is the beginning of a special season when we take note of the fact that life …

It is said that twenty-two veterans commit suicide each day in the United States of America. Many more think about it. To return to civilian life once you have done your military service is not often easy. The research is clear. Even for those who did not serve in combat …

It was the middle of January 2015 when my doctor gave me an ultimatum. Go to the hospital or be dead by tomorrow. Seeing some hesitation, for I had intended to go to work after the visit, she commanded me to go home and call my wife posthaste. My nurse …

My second brother died within days of his birth. I was quite young, but it affected me greatly. When my third brother came along two years later, I insisted upon seeing him immediately. Of course, in those days, children were not allowed on the ward with newborns. Try explaining that …

There is a central question to be discussed as part of clarifying the context of The Dream of Gerontius. Who was Gerontius? Does the dreamer refer to a historical figure or is it a figment of the poet's imagination? In one sense, Gerontius is Everyman as we shall see. But …

Perhaps it is best to first locate The Dream textually and in time before responding to the poem. Contextualising the time may be the easiest of the two tasks. As we shall see, Newman was hesitant to locate his poems textually. [1] This is not a research paper, but much …

Newman has been a part of my life for some forty years now. I first discovered him as I was preparing for Protestant ministry during my seminary years. I found his thinking profound and his evident holiness inspiring. As I began to realise my need for deeper roots for living …