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FROM THE CATHOLIC PRESS & NEWS AGENCIES

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'WEL-COM' : The newspaper of the Archdiocese of Wellington and Diocese of Palmerston North

http://www.welcom.org.nz

From the December 2003 issue: A prison unit like no other — He Korowai Whakapono A sixty bed unit opened at Rimutaka Prison, commited to Christian principles is the first in Australasia and only the eighth in the world. It is seen as a unit of hope by Catholic prison chaplain, Sr Marie Roche

Bishops Leamy’s commitment to justice for Ahmed Zaoui Bisop Leamy shows his commitment by sitting in a cage in Auckland's QE2 Square.

A mother's plea for us to safeguard the rights of parents A mother describes her concern that on an ordinary Tuesday morning she could send her 14 years old daughter off to school, completely unaware that come 9.30am she would be whipped off to the local abortion clinic.

The healing power of prayer Marist priest, Fr John Rea is a man who leaves a trail of miraculous healings where ever he goes. In an interview with Wel-com he talks about this speacial ministry

A Christmas Fable A heart warming Christmas story tells how a skeptic comes to understand God's love for humanity

Plans unveiled for new monastic complex at Southern Star Abbey, Kopua As Southern Star Abbey, Central Hawke’s Bay prepares to celebrate its Golden Jubilee it unveils its plans for the future

Cardinal's column 12 Dec 2003: We are life-giving when we serve one another

Bishop John's refelction 12 Dec 2003: Bishops to visit Pastoral Areas early in the new year

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'NZ CATHOLIC'

(The paper's Website has not been updated for some weeks, but will certainly come back to life in the new year. ML)

Headlines from the Dec. 14-20 issue of NZ CATHOLIC: Government is silent on abortion law review; Why youth are at risk ­ and what can be done about it; Mixed reaction to enrolment change; Motorway scheme threatens parish; Families struggle with debt; Going underground in the Eternal City; Christchurch college leads way on bullying; How the Church views Iraq; Holiday Mass times.

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"Johnny of the Cross", by Peter M. Candler, Jr First Things 138 (December 2003) http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0312/opinion/candler.html In the world of popular music, one generally becomes a “legend” only in death—as if death accomplishes for a musician all that he was unable to do for himself in life. But Johnny Cash’s death at seventy-one on September 12 was decidedly un-legend-like: silent, slow, and unspectacular. Yet “legend” seems, if anything, not big enough a word to describe Johnny Cash....

“I hope the United States and their allies don’t leave Iraq”, by Lorenzo Fazzini Interview with Msgr. Jean Benjamin Sleiman Latin rite archbishop of Baghdad http://www.asianews.it/view.php?l=en&art=146 Verona (AsiaNews) – The Coalition Forces are the last defence against the chaos that fundamentalist terrorism wants to provoke in Iraq and the Middle East. Passing through Verona was Msgr. Jean Benjamin Sleiman, archbishop of Baghdad for members of the Latin rite, who agreed to the following interview with AsiaNews to explain why....

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CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS NZ

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

International News:

** Centacare dismayed at Carr capitulation on easy alcohol Centacare Catholic Community Services in Sydney has expressed its 'alarm and dismay' at 'the simple announcement by Premier Carr that NSW has been 'forced' to deregulate access to liquor'.

** Australian Primate to co-chair Anglican Roman Catholic dialogue The Archbishop of Canterbury has appointed Perth Anglican Archbishop Peter Carnley to lead the Anglican participation in the ongoing dialogue aimed at unity between the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches.

** Pope pushes French bishops on vocations slump Pope John Paul II has told France's bishops that they must not 'give in to discouragement' at the failure of their 'many initiatives' to promote vocations to the priesthood, but instead confront the problem with unwavering faith.

** Week of appointments in Australian church Several Cathoilc organisations have this week announced appointments of new members of their boards or commissions, following endoresement by the Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference during their recent Plenary Meeting in Sydney.

** Vatican officials attend private screening of Gibson's 'The Passion' Just days after Mel Gibson refused to allow his film The Passion of the Christ to be shown at a Vatican-sponsored film festival, several Vatican officials were invited to private screenings in Rome and a copy was sent to Pope John Paul II.

** NZ church reaction to 'Wise Men' condom ad Wellington's Cardinal Thomas Williams has attacked a Christmas safe sex advertising campaign that depicts a trio of jeans-wearing men with packets of condoms in their back pockets and subbed the Three Wise Men.


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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

On a roll Sunday Star Times 07 December 2003 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/0,2106,2750680a6619,00.html As hundreds of state schools look set to close or merge, the Catholic gates have swung open even wider to take in non-baptised "cafeteria Catholics". Sarah Stuart reports....

Catholics accused of backroom deals Sunday Star Times 07 December 2003 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/0,2106,2750717a6442,00.html Teacher unions are accusing the goverment of "shabby backroom deals" with the Catholic church which would see religious schools increase their student numbers at the expense of state schools...

France's Churches Urge Chirac To Support Hijab http://www.islamonline.net/English/News/2003-12/09/article05.shtml Paris, December 9 (IslamOnline.net) – Archbishops of France's Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Churches on Monday urged French President Jacques Chirac not to enact a law banning hijab in public institutions....

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LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING

"'The Lord of the Rings' Films: Splinters of the True Light", by Sister Rose Pacatte, F.S.P. http://americancatholic.org/Messenger/Dec2003/Feature2.asp " ... Now, through Peter Jackson’s films, interest in [J.R. Tolkien's] books and their author has surged again. Audiences want films that deal with such universal themes as the struggle between good and evil, courage, loyalty, friendship and self-sacrifice. In addition to these, The Lord of the Rings is filled with religious symbolism and the back-story permeated with Catholic teaching on virtue, providence, redemption and social justice....

Film Forum: Christian Critics Hail Third Rings, Harass Last Samurai Christianity Today, Week of December 8 http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2003/149/43.0.html Christian press critics sneak a peek at The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, charge against The Last Samurai, and dance to the beat of Honey....

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ADVENT

Papal Household Preacher's First Meditation for Advent 2003 (Part 1) Father Cantalamessa's Talk in Presence of Pope and Roman Curia http://zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=45861 Vatican City, Dec. 8, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The theme of the meditations that the Papal Household preacher, Capuchin Father Raniero Cantalamessa, is giving this Advent to John Paul II and his aides in the Roman Curia, in preparation for the celebration of Christmas, is: "For this is the will of God, your sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3): Reflections on Christian holiness in the light of the experience of Mother Teresa of Calcutta." Following is Part 1 of the text preached last Friday in the Redemptoris Mater Chapel of the Apostolic Palace, in the presence of the Holy Father....

New research shows religious people are happier http://www.indcatholicnews.com/nrsh.html Religious people are happier than those without spirituality in their life, says psychologist Dr Stephen Joseph from the University of Warwick, and those who celebrate the original, Christian, meaning of Christmas are, on the whole, happier than those who primarily celebrate the festive season with consumer gifts....

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MARIST BROTHERS' NEWSLETTERS

http://www.maristbrothers.org.nz

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"Champagnat" Volume 7, Number 4, November 2003 A newsletter for Boards of Trustees and staff of Marist schools and schools with Marist traditions in New Zealand.

** Living Evangelisation - A wonderful account of students from both St Bernards College and Marcellin College being welcomed into the Church.

** The Most Important List: The most destructive habit ... Worry; The greatest joy ... Giving; The greatest loss ... Loss of self-respect; [and twenty more items]

** News of Chanel & Hato Petera Colleges

** History and dogma of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception

** The mission of Marist schools, in brief

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Marist Champagnat Family Newsletter Summer Edition 2003

** Committee to explore Lay Partnership.

** News of Marist people: Brother Carl Tapp (Manila); Mika Smith (Apia)

** Marian Primary school opens its new Marist block

** Sacred Heart College (Auckland) senior students annual trek to Tonga

** Marist Alternative Education Unit, Glenfield, Auckland

** Gathering in Auckland to honour Brother Fabian, 93; more birthdays

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Marist Young Adult Ministry (Myam)

National Justice Festival for young adults, Ballarat Grammar School (near Melbourne) from January 7 - 11, 2004. Theme : “Want Peace? - Work for Justice!” (The article describes the history and development of the National Justice Festival.

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EVENTS

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"Hearts Aflame" Catholic Summer School 2-11 January 2004 Website: http://heartsaflame.org.nz The Hearts Aflame Catholic Summer School offers young adults (18-35 years old) an opportunity to learn more about the teachings of the Church, through: 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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"Pompallier: Te Hokinga Mai": The Journey home of Bishop Pompallier Auckland Museum 18 October 2003 to 18 January 2004. Website: http://www.aucklandmuseum.com/web/content.cfm?Id=565 An exhibition of over 100 photographs supplemented by a number of Pompallier's personal effects including his travelling altar and cope.

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Catholic Festival: A Celebration of the Catholic Faith Auckland Town Hall, Friday 27 - Sunday 29 February 2004 Website: http://www.catholicfestival.org "The Catholic Festival is a celebration of our faith that will be joyful, prayerful, reflective, informative and educational. We hope that it will be inspiring and life-changing for all who participate... We seek to provide the opportunity for anyone to display the gifts that God has given them... We also wish to celebrate our cultural diversity and to grow together in unity. From the centre of Auckland, we also have the opportunity to witness to our faith and help others to see its richness and beauty. Finally, there is the opportunity for the many groups and religious communities to promote their apostolates and seek members and vocations."

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Parachute Music Festival, Mystery Creek, Hamilton, 23-26 January 2004 Website: http://p04.parachutemusic.com/frameset.asp

The annual Christian music festival. Every year a Catholic "tent city" is set up at the Festival, and an all-comers Mass is celebrated, undoubtedly the first experience of a Catholic liturgy for most Festival-goers. Co-ordinator: Jamie Cox. E-mail: jamiec@cdh.org.nz

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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 ]

'NZ Catholic' - Presenters 'NZ Catholic' newspaper wishes to employ skilled communicators with a firm belief in the Catholic press to act as presenters for the paper at parish Masses in: Northland, Auckland, Hawkes Bay, Wellington, Nelson-Marlborough, West Coast, Otago and Southland. Details in 'NZ Catholic' Nov 30 - Dec 13 2003 p. 22 and from Dennis Augustine, Advertising and Promotions Manager, NZ Catholic, PO Box 147-ooo, Ponsonby, Auckland 1034

Receptionist - Office Assistant, Archdiocese of Wellington. Details from Lorraine McArthur, Director, archdiocesan Pastoral Services, PO Box 1937, Wellington. Tel (04) 496 1706; fax: (04) 496 1768; e-mail: l.mcarthur@wn.catholic.org.nz applications close 31 December 2003

Manager, Vincentian Home and Hospital, Berhampore, Wellington Details in 'Wel-com' December 2003 p.21, and from John Grogan, secretary, Vincentian Home and Hospital PO box 1937 wellington; tel: (04) 569 6809; e-mail: jagrogan@paradise.net.nz

Managers, Manna Healing Centre, Oakura, Taranaki Full-time Live-in position for a married couple. Manna is a five-bedroom residential care facility. Details from The Managers, Manna Healing Center, Upper Wairau Road, Oakura RD4, New Plymouth. Tel: (06) 752 7620