QUEEN ELIZABETH, THE QUEEN MOTHER (1900-2002)
In 1940, with the original 'Axis of Evil' dominating Western Europe and bombing Britain to dust, Queen Elizabeth declared that neither she nor her daughters Elizabeth - the heir to the throne - and the late Princess Margaret would ever leave King George VI, "and the King will never leave his people". The Royal Family's devotion to duty at the risk of their lives did wonders for Britain's morale and no doubt contributed to its determination to continue a seemingly hopeless struggle, until Hitler lost patience and turned on his ally the Soviet Union, leading to the defeat of the Axis and its cornerstone the Third Reich within four years.
In the spirit of Easter, we can pray with confidence: Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May she rest in peace. Amen.
EASTER RESOURCES
Please visit the NZ Catholic bishops' News page for reports of the Easter Sunday ceremonies in Rome (tomorrow, our time) and the full texts and summaries of Pope John Paul's Easter homilies from a wide range of news sources. At http://www.catholic.org.nz click on 'News'.
FROM THE CATHOLIC PRESS
'NZ Catholic' No 133, March 24, 2002 http://catholic.org.nz/cathcom/press/nzc/front.html
"Call for TVNZ to reflect spiritual beliefs " A plea for programmes that recognise New Zealanders' religious and spiritual beliefs has been made to the parliamentary select committee considering the TVNZ Bill. Trish Moseley, chairperson of the Churches Broadcasting Commission, told the committee that more than 60 per cent of New Zealanders aligned themselves to a mainstream Christian denomination in the census.... [Related Links: Broadcasting Act (full text) ... Broadcasting Amendment Act 2000 ]
"Welcome mat is out for Bishop Pompallier " While a multi-national, multi-cultural and multi-denominational welcome is being prepared in Russell for the homecoming of Bishop Pompallier's remains on April 13, parishes, volunteers and the local council in the Hokianga are gearing up for thousands of visitors who will attend the interment at Motuti on April 20.... [Related Links: Catholic Church in NZ: The Return of Bishop Pompallier... Historic Places Trust: The Return of Bishop Pompallier ... North Hokianga: Motuti and environs (this link is out of place on the next story's page)]
"Hate crime" proposal called "dangerous" A Government move to create an offence of "hate crime" has sparked protests. After just one submission to the justice and electoral select committee, by gay rights activist Calum Bennachie, the Government decided to add the offence of "hate crime".... [Related Link: Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill (full text) ]
FROM THE SECULAR PRESS
TVNZ: The Holmes show (Video) http://tvone.nzoom.com/programmes/holmes/It's a big weekend for the clergy. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and then Easter Sunday. Meet a new recruit on the job (interview with recently-ordained Fr Craig Dunford at St Patrick's Cathedral, Auckland)
"Converts Still Head To Catholic Church " The Guardian Thursday March 28, 2002 http://www.guardian.co.uk/uslatest/story/0,1282,-1620284,00.html Boston (AP) - Megan Denell's search for a spiritual home brought her to the doors of the Roman Catholic Church, where she found a strength of community like nothing she had experienced. The sex abuse scandal in the Boston Archdiocese erupted just as Denell took steps to become Catholic. Yet despite a stomach-churning reaction to the crisis, Denell and hundreds of others in Boston still feel the strong pull of faith - and plan to convert to Catholicism during an Easter vigil service Saturday night...
'Faithful grow fewer " NZ Herald 30.03.2002 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?storyID=1292279&thesection=news&thesu\ bsection=general Churches will be busy this weekend, but the trend is to more diverse faiths, REBECCA WALSH finds. As Christians celebrate Easter, latest Census figures show there are fewer of them, but the diversity of faiths among New Zealanders is growing....
CATHOLICTV.NET http://www.catholictv.net (Produced by the Wellington Archdiocesan Media Office)
"Poetry and spirituality": an interview with Cenacle Sister and published poet Anne Powell . [Related link: 'Firesong' and 'Enough Clear Water' by Anne Powell http://www.publish.net.nz/artpoetry.htm Click the titles for short descriptions of the two collections]
EVENTS
April 4-7, 2002 Mariapolis 2002, Feilding Agricultural High School, North Street, Feilding. The annual national gathering of members and friends of the Focolare Movement in New Zealand. Further info. from Atle Lee, 40 Thompson St., PO Box 11826 Wellington 6034 Tel: 04-384 4559 Fax: 04-384 4348 E-mail: focolare@paradise.net.nz ; and from http://www.focolare.org.au
April 5-7, 2002 Eucharistic Convention, Auckland Showgrounds, 217 Greenlane West. Epsom, Auckland Full details at: http://eucharistic-convention.com or from: Eucharistic Convention, PO Box 4523, Auckland.
April 19-21 2002 Catholic Network of Marriage Educators Conference, Napier Details from Oncall Conference Management, 20 Cambridge Terrace, Taradale, Napier. Tel: 06 844 9956 e-mail: c-moore@clear.net.nz
EMPLOYMENT
(Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies )
Catholic Social Services, Dunedin. Diocesan Outreach Facilitator To develop a Catholic social support network across the Otago-southland diocese. Further details in 'NZ Catholic' newspaper 24 March 2002 and from CSS Board of Directors, PO Box 263, dunedin. Applications close Friday 12 April.
