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          As intimated, whilst I was living in Oxford I began my writing career beginning with a series of daily meditation books, titled The Coming of ChristLiving Lent, and The Paschal Life. These books have many quotations from the writings of the Fathers such as Augustine, Basil, Gregory of Nazianus, and Bernard; the great saints such as Francis, Ignatius of Antioch, Polycarp; the mystics, including Johh of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, Richard Rolle, Walter Hilton and Hildegard, and the Caroline Divines in England: Lancelot Andrewes, John Donne, Mark Frank, Jeremy Taylor, Henry Hammond, Anthony Farindon and John Evelyn. I have updated these books a couple of years ago. "The Coming of Christ" has been edited and published as "Angels Rejoice"; "The Paschal Life" as "Angels Welcome"  and "Living Lent" still bears the same name.
I also edited Lancelot Andrewes' Liturgical Sermons in a two volume set. These sermons were given mainly at the Jacobean Court  at Christmas, Lent, Easter and Pentecost from 1605 -1625. Another small book published was an arrangement of George Herbert's poems for the Christian Year, titled A Life of Glory. These are still available by e-mailing me. Refer to My Books on this website.
           My book on Lancelot Andrewes: the Mentor of Reformed Catholicism in the Post-Reformation Church in England, based on my doctorate has been published as well as a smaller work called Andrewes, The Perennial Preacher of the Post-Reformation English Church. and a larger work, Lancelot Andrewes: Teacher and Preacher. The last is a transcript of Lambeth Palace Ms. 3707 with notes and cross references to other works of this divine. 
   In 2008 my book on Mark Frank - his times, theology and sermons was published, Afterwards followed three volumes, titled "Angels Celebrate" that cover Ordinary Time for Years I and II. Lastly, "The Life of Glory" was enlarged with an appendix on the Ferrar Community, now published as Seven Whole Days to Praise Him
A book I have worked on for the last five years is now available. Its title is My Christian Journey: In Places lived.  It should have an appeal for those living the Christian life, a love of literature and music, and an interest in mystics such as Julian of Norwich and the Caroline Divines such as Lancelot Andrewes.
 Refer to my Books for more details of other books.

This page was last updated on: 4 December, 2021
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All articles on my website are the copyright of Marianne Dorman. Permission must be obtained to use them, and then acknowledged.
   SHALOM
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God is our help and strength:
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will we not fear,
though the earth be moved:
and the hills be carried into the midst of the sea. Ps. 46,1-2
.One thing I desire of the Lord, which I will require: even that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the fair beauty of the Lord and to visit his temple. Ps. 27.4
My research work for my Ph.D. took me to London often where I spent many hours in libraries such as Lambeth Palace and the British Museum. Of course I visited London often for other reasons such as going to art galleries, musuems, concerts, lectures and worship. For the last my very favourite place was Westminster Cathedral. It was always a joy to enter this cathedral that was used for which it was built - prayer. Next door was St. Paul's bookshop where I also spent many hours perusing over books and music.
Whilst in England I was fortunate to visit Tewksbury Abbey frequently for its Musica Sacra in August, Edginton Church for its annual music festival, SS. Alban and Serguis' Annual Conferences, The Ecumenical Society of the Blessed Virgin Mary's Annual Conferences, Holy Week retreats at Boxgrove, Lancelot Andrewes' days at Bishopsbourne, Fareham, Thomas Traherne's festivals at Credenhill, History Association conferences, Reformation Society's conferences in Cambridge and other study days. Stratford-upon-Avon saw me often to enjoy so many productions. I think my very favourite was the Sophocles' trilogy. I was so blessed to have had these opportunities.
Living in Oxford meant I was close to the continent. Again I was blessed to make many trips. Each year I always hiked in the Tryol, usually in June. In Kitzbuhel I stayed with a beautiful Austrian family who have remained friends. I also visited Switzerland often, and not so often Germany, Italy, France, and Poland. I have many happy memories of snow peaked mountains, lakes, cathedrals, art, sculptures, hospitality, fast traffic, and kindnesses of local people.
​    After becoming a committed Christian in my teens, I have with God's grace, tried to live the Christian way of life. It is indeed a wonderful life. It began when I lived in Cowra and after finishing school the family moved to Sydney. Here I began to grow even more and have always been so grateful to Fr. John Hope at Christ Church St. Laurence who taught me that Christian way of living..
    I have spent my life in education. My first two diplomas were in Theology and Christian Education, which meant I taught Religious Education in schools and parishes for a few years. From 1970, I taught English and History (was the co-ordinator from 1973-1985) at St. John's College, Dubbo, Australia. During that time I began my university studies at New England University, Armidale, resulting in three degrees. Afterwards I lived in Oxford for many years where I researched for my Ph.D. That research and writing gave me an understanding of the eccelsial history and doctrine of the English Church from 1558- 1662. I came to admire mostly those whom we know as the Caroline divine and wrote my thesis on one of them, Lancelot Andrewes. 
Whilst I was in Oxford  I was encouraged to write by the then Lady Margaret Professor. Below is a list of the book written since then. I continue to enjoy writing.
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills:
from whence cometh my help.
My help cometh even from the Lord:
who hath made heaven and earth. Ps.121. 1-2.
O give thanks unto the Lord and call upon his name:
tell the people what things he has done.
O let your songs be of him, and praise him: and let your talking be of all his wondrous works.
Rejoice in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Ps.105. 1-3.

My twelve years living full time in Oxford and many part-time were happy ones and full of interesting activities besides researching for my Ph.D and meeting wonderful people. I was indebted to many, some of whom were Dr. Rowan Williams, who became bishop of Monmouth not long after my arrival, then Archbishop of Wales, and of more recent times Archbishop of Cantaur. Now he is back in academia as Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge. May the Holy Spirit continue to aspire him. I am also grateful to Fr. Don Allchin, Fr. John Fenton; Fr. Jeffrey and Fr. Michael at Magdalen College, Fr. Michael at St. Barnabas and Fr. Mark at Merton. I am also very grateful to a very dear friend, Michael Rowett, who edited so much of my writing as well as for his friendship. Some of these friends have now gone to greater glory.

   I spent a lot of my time in the Bodleian Library and I owe many thanks to the help and friendship of the staff. Indeed it was like a second home in Oxford as I worked on my Ph.D.. 

   However my most uplifting moments were in the chapels of some of the Colleges such as Merton and Magdalen, and in churches such as St. Barnabas and St. Mary Mags. I also enjoyed worshipping at Christ Church Cathedral and Pusey House.  Another church I visited often, sometimes just to pray was SS. Gregory and Augustine, not far from where I lived in Water Eaton Road, North Oxford. I loved this little church.
     One of the things I treasure mostly from my time in Oxford was to be involved in Ecumenism. Marantha began while I was there, and I am  still committed to its cause for Christian Unity and making Christianity a voice in to-day's world. As a member of the SS. Alban and Sergius Fellowship it too gave me a deeper appreciation of the Orthodox tradition. Indeed I spent many hours worshipping in the beautiful Orthodox Church in Canterbury Road. I also spent many a day at the St. Theosevia Centre next to the church at workshops and study days.      

While living in Oxford I welcomed visitors from Australia and took them on my tour of Oxford that always included the Addison Walk, Mesopotamia, Christ Church Meadows, the University Park and the Port Meadows. I always took them to some of the colleges and the cathedral to listen to heavenly music and worship.
After Oxford I spent a few years on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound. With its natural beauty of water and mountains it was just the place for contemplation and writing. I also gave much of my time to pastoral ministry to the homebound and the sick. I led bible studies and contemplative and study days as well as being a lector and an eucharistic minister.  
Visiting frequently Careage, I was privileged to learn so much about the process of growing old and what that means to so many in different ways. Through my ministry with them it challenged so many of my concepts about the Faith, prayer and service and awakened a deeper understanding of what was meant being a Christian. When one has been with the dying and at death one knows it is only God who has guided one in prayer, words and silence.  One is simply His instrument.   
But Australia is my home and where my family live too and so do I now.  My greatest joy these last few years has been the birth of my granddaughter, Lucy Irene. It is a joy to see her, my son and other members of the family. I particularly enjoy my visits to Bathurst where not only do I see some of my family but also some of the Sisters with whom I taught in Dubbo, many now in St. Catherine’s Home, but alas many have gone to rest. 
In this beautiful city of Sydney I also write, belong to discussion groups, attend conferences read my learned books, and enjoy my daily walk up the hill to the parish church for Mass. On Sundays I mainly worship in my old parish church in the city and meet old friends after Mass, sometimes in lively discussion about an article, book or homily. 
As I live on the lower north shore, it does not take very long to travel into the city for shopping, browsing book shops or simply meeting old friends. That trip takes me across the harbour bridge, a trip I enjoy immensely, especially on a sunny day when the harbour sparkles and the opera house beams. It also invokes many memories. 

In 2018 I spent five months in the United Kingdom based in Oxford. It was a joy to catch up with friends and make new ones, to work in the Bodleian, enjoy Church and academic life, including attending conferences. One of the highlights of that time was leading the Lenten Quiet Day at Douai Abbey, for the vergers of the Oxford diocese, organized by a very old friend, a former verger at Christ Church Cathedral  Another was giving an address at the Traherne Festival held in early June, on The Plight, Testing and  Determination of the Faithful to Ecclesia Anglicana 1640 - 1662.
In my last month, attended the Friends of Tewksbury Abbey  Annual Day and a visit to glorious Wells Cathedral with a new friend, Simone with whom have stayed in contact since returning home.
The last three years my main focus has been to write a book on thw topic of that address given at the Traherne Festival.



O lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.
 Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off.
 Thou compassed my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Ps. 139. 1-3