Why do we believe in the Church?
In the course "Why do we believe in the Church?" we seek to understand the nature and development of the ecclesiology (theological study of the Church) of the saintly Cardinal Newman. In the three meetings we will explore how Newman understood the identity of the Church, the obstacles Newman had in accepting the Catholic Church as the one Church founded by Christ, and the relevance that a solid concept of the Church has for each of us. We will read selections from sermons Newman gave as an Anglican and portions of his autobiographical writings, which detail his personal journey of faith. We will see how essentially Newman always had the same understanding of the Church and was able to overcome his distrust of the human aspect of the Catholic Church to become a great defender of it.
- Topics
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What is the Church for Newman?
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Newman's obstacles to the Catholic Church
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Why is the Church relevant to me-according to Newman?
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Your instructor
Sister Bernadette Wilson
CONSECRATED
Sister Bernadette Wilson is a definitively consecrated sister in the Society of Mary, an institute of religious sisters dedicated to the New Evangelization that complements the mission of the Saint John Society in Argentina, Uruguay and the United States. Sister Bernadette is from Portland, Oregon, USA. She graduated from Valley Catholic High School in Beaverton, Oregon. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Oregon State University (Corvallis, Oregon) in Behavioral Science and Education. She completed the Master of Arts in Theology at the Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio). In her formative years she served in Córdoba (Argentina) and in Corvallis (USA) ministering to high school and university youth, and with people from marginalized areas. She later served in Pilar, Buenos Aires, and back in Corvallis in evangelization programs for adults and youth.
The Truth has been accepted in the world not because of its character as a system, nor because of books, nor because of argumentation, nor because of the temporal power that supported it, but because of the personal influence of those who testified, being at the same time teachers and models.
John Henry Newman
Oxford University Sermons, V
Watch the Full Course on YouTube
Why do we believe in the Church?
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How does it work?
1. Decide on how to use the course
You can take the course individually or as group as part of small faith sharing group.
Having a group of friends is not mandatory, but it is much more enriching. If possible, we recommend you consider finding two or three friends who will accompany you on this adventure to grow together in their faith.
2. Choose a course by clicking the icons below
After selecting a course by clicking the icons below, you will be taken to the YouTube channel where video and text references are provided.
3. Taking the courses
Each course will have an introduction and either three or four parts that include a video, reference text, and questions to ponder.
4. Course closure
At the end of the course, participants are welcome to provide comments and questions in the YouTube channel.
For those who have taken the course as group, we offer a final one-on-one meeting with the fellow to clarify any questions, explore topics in more depth, and build a personal connection with the other Newman Academy participants.