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LENT 2011

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
http://www.caritas.org.nz/?sid=1126

Resources for Lent 2011: Online donation link ... Lenten resources for schools, parishes and groups ... Caritas Lenten Reflection Programme in English, Samoan, Tongan and (coming soon) Tokelauan ... List of contacts

Caritas's Lenten theme for 2011 is 'United by Our Common Humanity'. It derives from the New Zealand Bishops' statement 'A Consistent Ethic of Life – Te Kahu-O-te-Ora' which says, “A Consistent Ethic of life proclaims the dignity of every person. We are united by our common humanity, created in the image of God, and called to live in active love and tolerance of all who are different from ourselves.”

Lent is a time of prayer, fasting and sharing resources. Caritas' Lent Appeal is a practical way to give to those in need. The Lent Appeal is Caritas' most important of the year, raising funds to support relief and development programmes overseas, as well as education and advocacy for social justice in Aotearoa New Zealand. In view of the severe impact of the Christchurch earthquake, this year, 25 percent of the Lent Appeal will go towards helping people most affected by the Christchurch earthquake.

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'NZ CATHOLIC'

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

In No. 362, March 27 - April 9 2011: No NZ Anglican special structure ... Medical Council to appeal abortion conscience ruling ... Ash Wednesday unites communities across a broken city ... Southern cathedral celebrates 125 years .. New seminarians start studies ... Card. George Pell: Cultivate virtue in Lent to remove vice ... Marist sisters' story told ... Pilgrims walk, pray on NZ heights .. Churchgoing good for health, research shows .. Popes' latest book on Jesus released .. Caritas upset with Vatican's decision .... Pentecost culture called for ... Advertising feature: Pilgrimages (5 pages)

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

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Christchurch Earthquake - 22 February 2011

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Act Of God? (photos)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/4812656/Act-of-God
That looks like tagging on the stone walls of St Peter's Anglican Church in Upper Riccarton. Really, who would dare? But when you get closer, you realise that the spray- painted words actually read "danger" and "stay clear". There is hurricane fencing around much of this 110-year-old church, even enclosing some of its historic graves. There are fallen stones on the ground. There is a notice on the door that no-one is allowed inside. This is a depressingly familiar sight in this city of ruined or partly ruined churches...

Emotional farewell for Irish victim of earthquake (photo)
The Press
http://tinyurl.com/4n5j7oa
One of the two Irishman killed in the Christchurch earthquake has been laid to rest in an emotional ceremony. Accountant John Joseph (J J) O'Connor, 40, originally from Abbeydorney, in Ireland, worked on the first floor of the Pyne Gould Corporation building which collapsed in the earthquake.

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In other news ...
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`Stirrer' and bus-shelter agitator
New Zealand Herald
http://tinyurl.com/4bblzz9
As a self-confessed ``bit of a stirrer'', George Shierny came to support a variety of causes _ from encouraging hospital facilities in Waitakere and North Shore, to wanting trees preserved on the cliffs of St Marys Bay, near the Harbour Bridge. And at the age of 71 he made a three-week bicycle ride to Parliament in Wellington (his best suit in a battered old suitcase) when he feared the Government might commercialise Auckland's regional parks. He also opposed the proposed 384m Sky Tower as a ``sophisticated hoarding to advertise gambling'', complaining that ``the focal point of a city used to be the church steeples _ now it's the damn casino...."

Puhoi prepares to turn 150 (photo)
Rodney Times
http://tinyurl.com/47v78u5
Puhoi is already gearing up to celebrate its 150th anniversary in June 2013.

No closure in death of priest
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/153391/no-closure-death-priest
Dunedin-born Fr Raymond John Garchow (64), who had lived in Australia for many years, died in Sydney this month. He was one of five Catholic brothers or priests accused of sexually abusing boys at the St John of God Order's Marylands school at Halswell, on the outskirts of Christchurch.

Church insurance costs push higher
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/153395/church-insurance-costs-push-higher
Cash-strapped New Zealand churches face a hike in insurance premiums after last month's earthquake caused an estimated $200 million worth of damage to Christchurch churches.

A hard-going but ultimately rewarding watch (photo)
The Marlborough Express
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/arts-entertainment/4805313/A-hard-going-but-ultimately-rewarding-watch
The Ian Cross play The God Boy, a sharp social commentary on the 1950s, is a challenge to watch, but the production that opened in Blenheim last night is worth seeing.

Thieves target church (full text)
Wairarapa News
http://tinyurl.com/48zw86g
After attempting to get into buildings around St Patrick’s Catholic Church in Masterton, burglars broke in via a side window and stole a collection which had been earmarked for Christchurch earthquake victims. Police said there was evidence someone had attempted to jemmy open doors on a side building and the northern entrance to the church. Around $150 was taken from the relief fund. The burglary was reported to police just after midday on Sunday and it is believed the break-in happened between 8.30am and 4pm on Saturday.

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News of the Schools
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Francis Douglas Memorial College, New Plymouth: Art sale (full text)
North Taranaki Midweek
http://tinyurl.com/482cvs7
Francis Douglas memorial College is inviting artists to take part in an art auction on Saturday to raise funds for the school. The artist can set the reserve and the percentage or amount of money donated to the school. Organisers say the gala, an annual event, usually attracts about 2000 people. All artwork needs to have a name, contact details, medium, name of work and any other vital information. Artwork can be dropped off at House of Travel, New Plymouth, by Friday, March 25.

John Paul college, Rotorua: Facebook warning over student rants
http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/local/news/facebook-warning-over-student-rants/3945627/

John Paul College, Rotorua: Sign this: Parents' brawls are out
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10714817

Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt: Danica hopes for a ring of confidence (photo)
The Dominion Post
http://tinyurl.com/4bcjxew

St Joseph's, Levin, celebrates St Patrick's Day (photo caption)
The Horowhenua Mail
http://tinyurl.com/4hngnav

St Joseph's, Kaikoura: Evacuee twins’ warm goodbye to Kaikoura (photo)
Kaikoura Star
http://tinyurl.com/49tm2qw

St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch: Powers of invention on the boil (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/4798187/Powers-of-invention-on-the-boil

St Patrick's College, Silverstream: St Patrick’s namesake celebrates (photo)
Upper Hutt Leader
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/upper-hutt-leader/4796584/St-Patricks-namesake-celebrates

St Patrick's College, Silverstream: ’Stream in to win (photo)
Hutt News
http://tinyurl.com/4w6lxfe

St Patrick's School. Paraparaumu: St Patrick’s fundraiser
Kapiti Observer
http://tinyurl.com/4cj7htk

St Paul's School, Christchurch: Two quakes, two moves
Christchurch Mail
http://tinyurl.com/4s3y2g6

St Peter’s College, Gore: Talented kayaker working hard (photo)
The Southland Times
http://tinyurl.com/4de6typ

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FROM THE CATHOLIC PRESS

menALIVE apostolate aims to help grow good Catholic men
http://www.catholicleader.com.au/news.php/features/menalive-apostolate-aims-to-help-grow-good-catholic-men_71944
Robert Falzon, one of the founders of menALIVE, talks about the growth in this national Catholic ministry to men founded in Brisbane in 2003

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INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Lent'
A reflection by Jenny O'Brien, DRS at St Catherine's College, Wellington

'At the Well'
John 4: 5-15 - a reading and reflection with Very Rev. Frank Nelson and Rev. Canon Jenny Wilkens

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** But it’s so hard! (40 martyrs to help you during Lent)

** “He is our leader. He seized power in a bloodless coup — All smothering.” (revolutions in the Middle East)

** The necessity of becoming acquainted with Faulconbridge (inspiration from T.S. Eliot's essays)

** Breaking with Blighty? (reasons to retain ties with the UK)

** The Mumblings of the Moon Man (the fearmongering of Ken Ring)


** So much beauty in the vows (Part 2 - the vow of poverty)



See also Gavin Abraham's blog 'The Catholic Soapbox:
http://catholicsoapbox.com

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NEW ZEALAND COMMENTARIES ON THE SUNDAY READINGS

Living the Word - Fr Frank Bird sm http://livingtheword.org.nz

Reflect - Veronica Lawson rsm http://www.welcom.org.nz/?sid=394

Daily Reflections (right-hand column) http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC - John L. Allen Jr

http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic

Crucifix case a victory for 'open door' Catholicism
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/crucifix-case-victory-open-door-catholicism

Sometimes historical turning points are lost on the people who actually experience them -- it takes time for their real meaning to emerge. In Catholic terms, something analogous may have happened last week. In case you missed it, here’s the story in a nutshell: In a stunning and unexpected development, the European Court of Human Rights reversed its own 2009 ruling and upheld Italy’s right to display crucifixes in its public school classrooms...

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FACEBOOK

Pompallier's People: The Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Catholic-Church-in-Aotearoa-New-Zealand/149916141686808

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz

'The Fifteenth Station'
http://www.facebook.com/station15

SMNZ Marists - the Society of Mary in New Zealand
http://www.facebook.com/Marists

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WORLD NEWS OF THE CHURCH

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.romereports.com (video)

http://www.youtube.com/vatican (news of Pope Benedict - video)

CatholicHerald.co.uk - Morning Catholic must-reads:
http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/author/luke/page/14/

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EMPLOYMENT

[Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the
Vacancies section of the Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz ]

Te Kaihautu Mission Leader, Sisters of Mercy Ministries New Zealand Trust
Details in 'NZ Catholic' March 27 - April 9 2011, p.26, on http://www.sistersofmercy.org.nz/news/view_article.cfm?loadref=6&id=131 and from The Secretary, Nga Whaea Atawhai Tiaki Manatu Sisters of Mercy Ministries New Zealand Trust, P O Box 6015, Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141, Ref: Te Kaihautu Mission Leader. Applications close 1 April 2011.