Monday, December 2, 2002

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"He will wield authority over the nations
and adjudicate between many peoples;
these will hammer their swords into ploughshares,
their spears into sickles.
Nation will not lift sword against nation,
there will be no more training for war."
(The vision of the prophet Isaiah 2:4)
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Dear friends,

A special word of thanks to Pauline Macintosh for the Scripture
commentary from Marist Messenger posted to the 'kiwicath' forum during
the week. Pauline: would it be possible for you to post the commentary
for each Sunday?

Every best wish and all God's blessings,
Mike Leon
'kiwicath' forum manager


"HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER'S STONE":
Three Catholic viewpoints

Decent Films:
http://decentfilms.com/reviews/harrypotter1.html
Summary: Some frightening scenes and menace; a few gross images; some
crude and derogatory language; fantasy presentation of magic. Engaging
fun, not for everyone perhaps, but nothing to worry most parents either.

US Conference of Catholic Bishops
http://www.usccb.org/movies/h/harrypotterfullreview.htm
Summary: Due to some menacing situations and scary images with an
instance of crass language, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. Despite its
shortcomings, "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" is a magical
adventure few would want to miss.

Catholic Film Review Dot.com
http://www.catholicfilmreview.com/2001/harrypotter.html
Summary: I (a mother of three school-age children) went with my kids to
see the movie. It was OK, nothing great, I can't really recommend it.

PENPAL REQUEST
(From 'NZ Catholic' 2 December 2001 p.21)

"I would like to correspond with a fellow-Catholic from a parish in New
Zealand. I am female, mid-50's, married with grown-up children, a
retired primary school teacher. I have recently moved house to the north
of England on the Scottish borders. If there are any "letter-writers"
out there who would be interested in corresponding with me then please
contact me at the address below" :
"Penfriend"
c/- 'NZ Catholic'
PO Box 147-000
Ponsonby, Auckland

AFGHANISTAN: RECONCILIATION AND REFUGEE AID

Current links on the bishops' What's New page at
http://www.catholic.org.nz/whatsNew.html include ...

John Paul II has called on Catholics the world over to fast for peace on
December 14, and invited representatives of world religions to meet in
Assisi on January 24, 2002, in order "implore from God the gift of
mutual understanding, harmony and peace" ...... Caritas Pakistan is
assisting an estimated 80,000 refugees in Jalozai, south of Peshawar,
who are ignored by the Pakistan government and therefore ineligible for
aid from the UNHCR ...... "Afghan refugees are terrorism victims too": a
dossier of reports by Fides Missionary News Service

CATHOLIC WEB TV
http://www.catholictv.net/

Interviews with Cheryl and John O'Connell, New Zealand founder-members
of the Teams of Our Lady, an international movement for married couples;
and with Joanne Oliver, a member of the Magnficat Community which
operates a farm and a 20-bed retreat centre in Southern Wairarapa.

FROM THE CATHOLIC PRESS

'NZ Catholic' No 127, December 2, 2001
http://catholic.org.nz/cathcom/press/nzc/front.html

'Mercy Hospital to sell its surgical services '
The Sisters of Mercy have decided to sell the surgical services of
Auckland's Mercy Hospital - an icon of Catholic health care for 101
years - to the city's most modern private hospital...... [Related Link:
Mercy Hospital and Hospice ]

'National gathering of priests '
A national gathering of Catholic priests, the first event of its kind in
New Zealand, is planned for 2003. "Its purpose is to affirm and support
clergy," says the secretary of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops'
Conference, Bishop John Dew.... [Related Link: 'Renew' in Hamilton
diocese ]

'Pope calls for new effort to evangelise Oceania '
The Holy Spirit is calling the Church in Oceania to embark on "the great
task of a new evangelisation", Pope John Paul II said when he signed his
exhortation concluding the work of the 1998 Synod of Oceania.....
[Related Links: "Ecclesia in Oceania"(full text) ... The Synod of
Oceania ]

>From the Think Page for young Catholic adults:
'Success in relationships '
This boy-girl thing of relationships, who really understands it? What is
a successful relationship?.....

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Catholic Church to renovate priory exterior; tenants told to go (photos)
Otago Daily Times 26 Nov 2001 photos
http://www.odt.co.nz/cgi-bin/search-display-story-online-new?date=26Nov2001&obje\
ct=MKF50E3186NC&type=html&WORDS=catholic&DB=Editorial

Dunedin sculptor Wayne Evison has been asked to leave the city's former
Dominican Priory, in Tennyson St, after 12 years living on the top
floor. Mr Evison and his partner Zan, the sole tenants of the priory,
are searching for new space after the owner, the Catholic Church, said
they could not stay on while the building was renovated....

'1000 hampers planned'
Otago Daily Times 21 November
http://www.odt.co.nz/cgi-bin/search-display-story-online-new?date=21Nov2001&obje\
ct=MKD16B6519IR&type=html&WORDS=catholic&DB=Editorial

Dunedin's four foodbanks will, between them, distribute more than 1000
food and gift hampers to needy individuals and families this Christmas.
Managers from Anglican Methodist Family Care, Catholic Social Services,
Presbyterian Support and the Salvation Army met Dunedin Mayor Sukhi
Turner and events unit staff to discuss the mayor's Community Can Help
appeal for this year........

'Lessons to learn in Pacific education'
Otago Daily Times 23 11 01
http://www.odt.co.nz/cgi-bin/search-display-story-online-new?date=23Nov2001&obje\
ct=L1H02B7648GH&type=html&WORDS=catholic&DB=Editorial

The country faces significant long term problems if it does not put a
robust plan in place to systematically raise the education outcomes of
Pacific Island school students. Some hard-headed analysis and strategic
planning is required, writes Pat Lynch, chief executive of the Catholic
Education office.....

EMPLOYMENT

(Vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the
Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies )

Hostel Manager, St Kevin's College Hostel, Oamaru..
St Kevin's hostels provide accommodation and pastoral care for up to 230
male and female high school students. Further information in 'NZ
Catholic' 18 November 2001 p.20 and from the College office, PO Box 444
Oamaru.
Web page: http://www.nzeil.co.nz/profiles/sec86.htm Applications close
Monday 3 December 2001

Communications Officer, Catholic Communications' national office,
Auckland
Full time position assisting the National Director and the Catholic
Diocese of Auckland in preparation and distribution of media releases
and other materials, as well as some administration and clerical duties.
Further information here:
http://www.catholic.org.nz/whatsNew.html#cathcomm
and in 'NZ Catholic' 2 December 2001 p.20 , and from:
cathcomm@xtra.co.nz Applications close Tuesday 11 December 2001.

Prison Chaplain, Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North
Details in 'NZ Catholic' 2 December 2001 p.20 and from the bishop's
office, tel (06) 357 1980, fax: (06) 359 0091 Applications close 14
December 2001

Tertiary Education Chaplain, Diocese of Palmerston North
Details in 'NZ Catholic' 2 December 2001 p.20 and from Bishop's Office,
Private Bag 11-012 Palmerston North. Tel: (06) 357 1980 Applications
close 14 December 2001

Diocesan Manager, Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North
The appointee will be responsible for all the administration functions
of the diocese. Further information in 'NZ Catholic' 18 November 2001
p.20 and from the Bishops' Office, Private Bag,11-012, Palmerston north.
Tel (06) 356 1980. Applications close 22 January 2002




Sunday, December 1, 2002

Dear readers,

I invite you all to let me know the Web addresses of any good Advent resource sites for children and adults. Please drop me a line at leon@xtra.co.nz . Many thanks.

Sky TV is now offering e-mail via its digital service. Subscribers can send and receive messages via their TV screens, so they don't need to a master a computer to have e-mail. And *that* means they can join the 'kiwicath' forum, which is an e-mail service. So if you know anyone who you think might like to join out forum and who has Sky Digital or is thinking about getting it, please mention the new e-mail service, and tell them they can join 'kiwicath' by simply sending a message to kiwicath-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Mike Leon 'kiwicath' forum manager

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ADVENT RESOURCES

US Bishops' Advent Homily Resource site To help preachers combine doctrinal and theological content in their homilies in the coming weeks, the U.S. bishops' conference has posted a Web page that correlates the themes in the lectionary with the teachings found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The page is at www.nccbuscc.org/dpp/advent.htm.

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CATHOLIC WEB TV

Catholictv.net (Wellington Archdiocesan Media Office) http://www.catholictv.net

Sr Stephanie Kitching talks to Msgr John Carde, Vicar General of Wellington Archdiocese, about surviving Christmas (first of a series)

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MARIST BROTHERS NEWSLETTERS

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"Champagnat": A Newsletter for Boards of Trustees and Staff of Marist Schools and Schools with Marist traditions in New Zealand Volume 6 Number 4 November 2002 (four pages, illustrated) http://www.maristbrothers.org.nz Summary: With Mary as our Model ... St John’s College Hamilton 40th Reunion ... Reunions and Jubilees 2003 ... Catholic Cathedral College, Christchurch restoring Opening of Leper Cottage, Quail Island ... People News ... National Catholic Schools' Day 2003

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"Marist Family News". November 2002 (four pages, illustrated) http://www.maristbrothers.org.nz Summary: Rest in Peace ... Jubilees ... Building Plans ... REMAR Youth Groups ... Alternative Education Units ... Recent Publications ... Overseas Training ... Champagnat Family Movement ... Web Sites -Keeping in Touch ... Marty Holah, new All Black ... Leadership in the Province ... Our Christmas Wishes

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MEDJUGORJE NEWS

Issue 28 Dec 2002 http://www.medjugorjenews-nz.org/

Summary: Introduction ... The Medjugorje Story ... Our Lady's Messages... From the Editor ... Excerpts from Medjugorje Bulletins ... New Mysteries for Rosary ... News from Medjugorje ... Prayer Groups ... Vicka's Visit ... Our Father in Heaven ... Mirjana says ... Concerning Our Lady of All Nations ... A Poor Scottish Farmer's Son ... Apparitions at Kibeho, Rwanda ... The Incredible Story of Maria Esperanza ... Damascus Miracle ... Our Lady at Burkina and Marpingen... Henri Nouven on Prayer ... The Latest on the Visionaries ... Funny How We Can Overlook ... Our Own Miracle ... Pope Was Born After Mother Refused Abortion ... Spiritual Experience

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EVENTS

5-8 December 2002 The Future of Christianity in the West. An international, interdisciplinary conference hosted by the School of Liberal Arts and the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Otago http://telperion.otago.ac.nz/theoweb/conference/index.html

Conference themes include: The future of Christianity in the West ... Secularization, R.I.P.? ... Australian and New Zealand Christianities: past, present, and future .... Religious patterns in Europe, North America, and Australasia compared ... Christianity and the public sphere: problems and prospects ... The impact of globalization and religious pluralism on Western Christianity ... Christianity and human rights ... Postmodern Christianities

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January 3-12, 2003 Hearts Aflame Catholic Summer School. "Where Faith and Knowledge Meet" St Joseph's Maori School for Girls, 25 Osier Rd, Taradale, Napier http://www.catholic.org/newzealand/heartsaflame

The Hearts Aflame Catholic Summer School for young Catholic adults (18-35) offers ... An opportunity to deepen your spiritual life through personal, communal and liturgical prayer and through celebration of the sacraments A discovery of the richness of Catholic spirituality and tradition. An experience of living a common life of prayer, service and recreation An introduction to theology and scripture An examination of some of the many issues facing the Church

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31 Jan. - 3 February Parachute Music Festival, Totara Springs Christian Camp, Matamata

Catholics@Parachute: http://www.parachute.ecatholic.net.nz Parachute Music Festival Website: http://websites.parachutemusic.com Parachute Music New Zealand: http://www.parachutemusic.com Parachute 2002 Photo Gallery ... http://www.parachute.co.nz/festival/gallery/index.shtml... including "Catholic service in the Cage" (photo by Hamish Ferguson) ... http://www.parachute.co.nz/festival/gallery/pages/catholic%20service_hamish%20fe\ rguson.htm

The annual Parachute Music Festival Extreme is the biggest Christian music festival in the Southern Hemisphere, with audiences of over twenty thousand mainly young Kiwis.

Parachute Music, the Festival's sponsor, works to develop NZ Christian music, to market it internationally and to make Christian musicians and performers a major influence in mainstream Kiwi culture. Catholics@Parachute is organising a group booking for Kiwi Catholics so as to a get a reserved campsite (tent city) for their group. The idea is to make attending Parachute Festival easier and more appealing, to encourage fellowship among young Kiwi Catholics and introduce them to Parachute Music's mission. Catholics@Parachute also hope to organise a public Mass on one of the stages, which will be the first Catholic Mass most of those at the Festival will have ever witnessed.

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EMPLOYMENT

Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies )

Vacancies in Catholic Youth Ministry are advertised on the Job Bank page of the National Council for Young Catholics: http://ncyc.org.nz

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Parish Pastoral worker, St Heliers, Auckland 15 hours per week. Further details in 'NZ Catholic' Nov 17 2002, p.21 and from Pat McNamara tel. (09) 528 3459. Fax (09) 528 3419, 22 Lammermoor Drive, St Heliers, Auckland. Applications close 2 December, 2002

Part-time Parish Pastoral Co-ordinator, Maria Assumpta Parish, Beachhaven, Auckland Further details in 'NZ Catholic' Dec 1 2002, p.21 and from John Rooney, Chairperson, Maria Assumpta Parish Council, PO Box 66-020, Beachhaven, North Shore City 1310. Applications close 6 December 2002.

Live-in support Person, Mt Tabor Trust Inc., Helensville, Auckland Full-time position working with people with intellectual disabilities in the Grey Lynn area. Drivers licence essential. Please reply in writing to Mike Popple, PO Box 121, Helensville. Tel: (09) 420-9701

Sisters of St Joseph of Nazareth, Wanganui. Manager/Hostess The Sisters are seeking a live-in Manager/Hostess to co-ordinate and oversee the running of their busy Centre overlooking Wanganui City. The Centre is the Sisters' hearth-place as well as a place of retreat and reflection, and a conference centre. Further details in 'NZ Catholic' Dec 1 2002 p.21 and from Sisters of St Joseph of Nazareth, 14 Hillside Terrace, PO Box 777, Wanganui. Applications close 20 Dec 2002

The Catholic Network of Marriage Educators. National Co-ordinator Part-time position, involves some travelling. Further details in 'NZ Catholic' Dec 1 2002 p.21 and from CNME Trust Board Chairperson, PO Box 1937, Wellington. Applications close 31 January 2003.