NINS UPDATE

NINS Facility Construction Begins

The National Institute for Newman Studies is happy to report that construction of its new facility has begun. On the day after Easter, the P.J. Dick Corporation, general contractor for the project, broke ground and began digging the foundation for the building. Since then, supportive caissons have been drilled and the concrete foundation has been poured. Work is projected to take nine months.

The staff of NINS expects to move the contents of the Newman Research Library into the new building in February 2007. At the same time, new offices for the Newman Studies Journal, the headquarters of the Venerable John Henry Newman Association, and the NINS staff will be ready for occupancy. NINS will also be pleased to welcome up to three scholars-in-residence simultaneously into the Newman Scholarship Program due to the increased number of living quarters.

The building will be called the Gailliot Center for Newman Studies in honor of Henry and Mary Louise Gailliot who have been the lead donors. We are grateful to the Mr. and Mrs. Gailliot and to all the many generous NINS benefactors who have made all the work of the Institute possible.

NINS to host 2007 Conference of the Venerable John Henry Newman Association

The annual conference of the VJHNA will take place in Pittsburgh in August 2007. The conference is held every year at various sites around the United States. Pittsburgh has been selected in 2007 to coincide with the opening of the new NINS facility.

The conference is open to all persons interested in the life, thought, and spirituality of John Henry Newman. Papers are presented by many Newman scholars from Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning. There are also daily liturgies as well as relaxed social gatherings. Information about accommodations and meals will be available in the upcoming months via the VJHNA office, which is headquartered at the NINS offices.

The conference is always interesting and enjoyable, and we encourage as many of our readers as possible to avail themselves of the wealth of knowledge and inspiration of the VJHNA presenters, to utilize the new NINS facility, and to partake of the wonderful activities and sightseeing opportunities which Pittsburgh has to offer to visitors from out of town.

All questions may be directed to newmanstudies@comcast.net or by calling 412-681-4375. We look forward to welcoming you!

Recent NINS Newman Scholars

The spring and summer of 2006 brought more scholars to the Newman Institute. In May, Dr. John White, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio, spent time researching how Newman’s ideas of doctrinal development relate to the philosophy of history. Dr. White received his doctorate in philosophy in 1993 from the International Academy of Philosophy, Schaan, Liechtenstein. As a Western Pennsylvania resident, he has been a good friend of the Institute and the Pittsburgh Oratory for many years.

The Institute welcomed a resident scholar for the month of June. Mr. Damon McGraw came highly recommended to us from the University of Notre Dame. Currently a Ph.D. candidate and instructor at Notre Dame’s Department of Theology, Mr. McGraw spent his time at the Institute researching and writing in view of his doctoral thesis, “John Henry Newman: Apocalyptic Theologian.” Dr. M. Katherine Tillman described his proposal as “one of the most whole-minded and high-minded projects on Newman” she ever read. It was a delight to have such a highly disciplined and personally engaging Newman scholar visiting us here in Pittsburgh. We look forward to the completion of his doctoral research, which will be a wonderful contribution to Newman studies.

Returning this summer to NINS is Mr. John R. Friday. Mr. Friday assisted the Institute during the summer of 2005 in the comprehensive digitizing and cataloguing projects for the Newman Research Library. After a year of graduate study at the Toronto School of Theology at the University of Toronto, he is presently focusing on a research project on Newman’s The Idea of A University and the inclusion of theology in the liberal arts curriculum. Mr. Friday will be leaving Pittsburgh once again in the autumn, this time to study theology under the competent Newman faculty at the Catholic University of Louvain.

The summer at the Institute concluded with the residency of our second European Newman scholar. Fr. David Grea is a priest from the Diocese of Lyon in France. He came to us from the Faculty of Theology of the Catholic University of Lyon and Paris where he is developing his doctoral thesis, “The Authority of the Church and the Salvation of the Individual Soul: John Henry Cardinal Newman’s Catholic Ecclesiology, 1846–1851.” Fr. Grea has spent time in Rome enjoying the library of our colleagues at the International Centre of Newman Friends. We have been blessed to continue to host so many diverse and qualified scholars. Their contribution to the advancement of Newman scholarship confirms the good purpose and mission of the National Institute for Newman Studies.

Our Mission

In an effort to enhance and extend the reach of John Henry Newman's life, thought, and spirituality, a study and research institute has been developed to bring his teachings to the community of Newman scholars as well as today's pluralistic and diverse society. Located in the heart of Pittsburgh's cultural and university center, The National Institute for Newman Studies serves as North America's definitive resource of information on John Henry Newman.

Newman's motto, Heart Speaks to Heart, represents the vision for NINS insofar as we seek to foster the personalism that was the hallmark of Newman's philosophy and spirituality. Through the reading and research that takes place at the Institute, we are creating the nexus where faith and culture, conflict and reconciliation, diversity and unity can meet and discover new intellectual and religious insights based upon the life, work, and influence of Newman.

As you browse our Web site, we hope that Newman's theological and spiritual contributions to modern life will become an inspiration for you as well. Your personal and financial support of NINS will assist us in exploring and realizing Newman's vision for humanity where indeed, Heart Speaks to Heart.

Fr. Drew Morgan, C.O., Ph.D.
Director, National Institute for Newman Studies