When asked to compose another paper regarding the beliefs of John Henry Cardinal Newman I thought that this time it would be simpler because I had already done it once before. While it was easier I still found myself amazed at the profound insight that Newman has into a variety of topics. With the induction of a new demographic into the Newman community next year any advice the underclassmen can get should surely by welcome and John Henry Newman can certainly provide it. I believe that if Newman had three pieces of advice to give the underclassmen remaining at Newman next year I think he would tell them to cherish the company of the girls because of the new aspect they bring to the school, be conscious of the difference between wisdom and prejudice when dealing with the co-educational situation, and to carry on with life as it was before, but accept the girls into that life rather than suddenly changing yourself to fit only the girls needs.

The first piece of advice that I think John Henry Cardinal Newman would give to the underclassmen is to cherish the company of the girls next year because of the new aspect they bring to the school. As it is, Cardinal Newman High School is one that is rich in personality and abundant in different viewpoints and ways of accomplishing tasks, but bringing girls into the community will further enrich this environment. Newman says, “Let me make use of an illustration. In the combination of colours, very different effects are produced by a difference in their selection and juxtaposition; red, green, and white, change their shades, according to the contrast to which they are submitted” (). While he is talking about colors here the truth is shown to be universal regarding people as well. If we bring girls into the picture suddenly we have more viewpoints and personalities to add to the mix. I believe Newman would trust the underclassmen to hold these differences in high esteem and treasure the enriching factor that they bring to the school rather than disregarding the new element and looking down upon it. The second piece of advice that I believe Newman would give us is to be very conscious of the difference between wisdom and prejudice regarding the underclassmen’s treatment of the girls next year. On the difference between the two Newman states: Sooner than dispense with principles, the mind will take them at the hand of others, will put up with such as are faulty or uncertain;—and thus much Wisdom, Bigotry, and Faith, have in common. Principle is the life of them all; but Wisdom is the application of adequate principles to the state of things as we find them, Bigotry is the application of inadequate or narrow principles. () Next year the underclassmen will have to distinguish between the two as Newman had done here in order to have a healthy relationship with the new population at Newman. The underclassmen will have to base their decisions on principles that will lead to wisdom, such as the understanding that Ursuline may still be in the hearts of some new students and treating the girls any differently because their school closed while Newman did not can be considered prejudice. I think Newman would consider tenderness to be wise in this situation in order to avoid hurting the girls in any way. While we should be accommodating of the new population I believe that Newman would not want us to give up all of our past as an all boys school.

The final piece of advice that I believe Newman would give to the underclassmen is to hold true to the traditions that we have cultivated at Newman over the past decades. Newman is not a believer in quick conversions, be it religious or simply changing your ideas on a certain personal creed.

Newman says, “…their light-mindedness {222} is detected by their frequent changing—their changing again and again, so that one can never be certain of them. This is the test of their unsoundness;—having no root in themselves, their convictions and earnestness quickly wither away” In no way would Newman want us to throw out the brotherhood that we have created as students at Cardinal Newman High School, rather I think he would want the underclassmen to retain this tradition while accepting the girls in their own way at the same time. Immediately leaving the close-knit friends that the underclassmen have made to go care only for the girls would be an example of fleeting changes. This is not to say that the underclassmen can’t be concerned with girls or interested in them, but that they must hold true to their relationships with friends as well. This juggling act will be a burden for those remaining next year, but if it is pulled off successfully then I believe their lives will be significantly enriched.

Next year at Cardinal Newman High School will most assuredly be entirely different from any year that has come before it and the underclassmen will have to bear the weight of this change. While this may be tough for them, Blessed John Henry Cardinal Newman has many writings that can be used to get advice as to how to deal with this change. I believe that if Newman had any advice to give he would tell the underclassmen to cherish the addition of girls to the Newman community and respect their viewpoints, distinguish between wisdom and prejudice regarding the girls’ situation, and to hold fast to our past while still accepting the girls into our community. It would be interesting to see if any of this advice would be taken next year and if so how smooth the transition will be.