Dear readers,

This is the final 'News and Notes' for 2011. I will re-start in two or
three weeks' time, depending on how much there is to report.

Every best wish and all God's blessings for a happy Christmas and new year.

Mike Leon

************************************

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

http://www.catholic.org.nz/news/fx-list-articles.cfm?ctype=MRART&loadref=50

Focus on New Evangelization at ad limina (18 Dec 2011)

At the end of their ad limina visits, Pope Benedict XVI told the
bishops of New Zealand and the Pacific that the Christian faith
provides the best foundation for society, and that promoting the New
Evangelization is the best way to build a Christian culture ...

***********************************

'NZ CATHOLIC'

http://www.nzcatholic.org

In issue no. 382, December 25 2011 - January 28 2012: Ethnic diversity
strong in Catholic schools ... The cave of Jesus' birth leaves lasting
aura ... Entries in 'The True Meaning of Christmas' art competition (4
pages) ... '2011 in Review' (2 pages) ... Bumper Christmas crossword

***********************************

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

***************
Christmas 2011
***************

Choir warms up for Christmas Eve (photo caption)
http://tinyurl.com/75dmqq5
The 50-strong Tongan choir rehearses at St Mary's Catholic Church, Blenheim

Taking a peek (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/7ldkyse
The Nativity scene at St Thomas Catholic Church, Timaru.

Praise out of doors, but still under cover
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6181888/Praise-out-of-doors-but-still-under-cover
Christmas church services will be held in the "cathedral of the great
outdoors", under canvas and in community halls across Christchurch.

Alternative church venues for Christmas in Christchurch
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/canterbury-earthquake/94397/alternative-church-venues-for-christmas-in-christchurch
Church-goers in Christchurch have to seek alternative locations to
celebrate Christmas this year.

Work emails still checked at Christmas
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10774244
Christmas is as much a time for checking work emails as it is for
going to church, a survey has revealed.

**************************

Cathedral's missing doors found
http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8394127/cathedrals-missing-doors-found
Two expensive bronze doors to a tabernacle missing from Christchurch's
Catholic cathedral have been found.

Farewell Father Roberts (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/community-papers/6182973/Farewell-Father-Roberts
Tomorrow's Christmas Day mass may be his final service in Marlborough,
but St Mary's Catholic parish priest Father Alan Roberts still hopes
to return one day to the top of the south after falling in love with
the area.

Priest has rite stuff for parish with divine view
http://www.smh.com.au/national/priest-has-rite-stuff-for-parish-with-divine-view-20111223-1p8hi.html
Monsignor Stephen Rossetti will conduct midnight Mass tonight with his
sunglasses on. The glasses come with the territory. Monsignor Rossetti
is the lone Catholic priest in Antarctica - surely one of the world's
largest parishes.

Big calls answered (photos)
http://tinyurl.com/74j9ozn
Catholic priest Chris Friel heads to Christchurch next month to help
rebuild the earthquake-damaged Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
parish. He chats with reporter Al Williams about life, priesthood and
the future.

Unrest in Parnell over office block's shadow (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/religion-and-beliefs/news/article.cfm?c_id=301&objectid=10774006
A Parnell community representative and a Catholic priest are opposing
a development that could overshadow one of the oldest churches in the
country.

Millions visit Facebook to see 'Satanic' church billboard (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/7ru4dz5
If St Matthew-in-the-city wanted to draw attention to an issue by
displaying a billboard of the Virgin Mary gasping as she clutches a
positive pregnancy test, it has certainly succeeded.

No repairs for slashed church billboard
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6163329/No-repairs-for-slashed-church-billboard

Protest against Auckland church billboard (photo; video)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6158300/Protest-against-Auckland-church-billboard

*******************
News of the Schools
*******************

Carmel College, Auckland: Carmel College to get arts centre
http://tinyurl.com/7al2l83

Sacred Heart College, Auckland: Rain decides carnival winner (photos)
http://tinyurl.com/7pky7xc

St Joseph's, Hamilton: Nepotism and bullying alleged at school
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6170999/Nepotism-and-bullying-alleged-at-school

St Joseph's, Hamilton: Parent appalled by slurs on principal
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6186594/Parent-appalled-by-slurs-on-principal

Stella Maris, Silverdale: Big rise in enrolments
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/6160212/Big-rise-in-enrolments

******************************************

INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Traveler's Birth: Luke 2:1-14, a reading and commentary by Sister
Stephanie Kitching.

**************************************************

LIGHT OF THE WORLD - Otago Access Radio

http://www.accessradio.org/public/programme.php?uid=1218074856-834

Programmes in December:

25 – A Christmas play written and produced by Jill Bevilacqua, plus
stories and carols for Christmas Day.

Programmes in January

1 – The world's most famous star, the Star of Bethlehem, a myth or an
astronomical reality? Al Kresta talks with Rick Larson. Also, the
story of St Basil, and the Magi in art.

8 – Ray Guarendi – "Raising good kids: back to basics".

15 – Dan Burke, a convert from Judaism, tells of his Journey Home into
the Catholic faith.

22 – In November the Vatican hosted a conference on cutting edge
stem-cell research. We find out why one Pontifical Council is
supporting an American biotech company.

29 – Fr Thomas Williams considers the question: "Can God be trusted?"

Programmes in February

5 – Brennan Pursell talks about his book History in His Hands: A
Christian Narrative of the West.

12 – St Valentine; and an interview with Amy Bonaccorso, author of How
to Get to 'I Do': A Dating Guide for Catholic Women.

*************************************************

'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Shake up (earthquakes, and the other kind)

** Feeling Lucky? (Archbishop Diarmuid Martin: pull up your socks, or leave)

** A plea for Christchurch (i.e. the cathedral)

** Anglican Church vs. Mary, Mother of God (that billboard)

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

*******************************************

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PERIODICALS & NEWSLETTERS

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. 'The Tablet' http://www.cdd.org.nz/the-tablet

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires'
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_lighting_new_fires.html

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Good News and the News'
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_good_news.html

Society of Mary. 'Marist Messenger' http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

The Nathaniel Centre. The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre. 'The
Nathaniel Report' http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/?sid=5

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East'
http://www.columban.org.au/?MID=200510192652

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine.
http://www.tuimotu.org/articles

*******************************************

ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen Jr

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

The Laws of Christian Thermodynamics
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/laws-christian-thermodynamics

I happen to groove on population statistics, but I realize that for
most people they rival watching paint dry, or the heartbreak of
psoriasis, as a good time. Faced with a new report from the Pew Forum
on the global Christian population, therefore, let's start with a few
deliberately bold assertions to get the blood moving...

*******************************************

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

********************************************

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

Bishop Patrick Dunn
Details in http://www.facebook.com/bishoppatrick?sk=wall

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz?sk=wall

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

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

*****************************************

NEWS OF THE CHURCH IN NZ AND THE WORLD

http://cathnews.co.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/author/luke/page/14/

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/

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

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

*************************************************

EVENTS

'Hearts Aflame' 2012 - Friday 6th to Sunday 15th January, Nga Tawa
College, Marton
Details on http://www.heartsaflame.org.nz

*************************************************

EMPLOYMENT

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

Catholic Diocese of Auckland. Leader of Adult Faith Formation
http://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' December 25 2011 - January 28 2012 p.23 and
from Leader, Parish and Pastoral SErvices Group, Private Bag 47904,
Ponsonby, Auckland 1144; tel: (09) 360 3004; e-mail: patl@cda.org.nz
Applications close 15 February 2012

*************************************

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

http://www.catholic.org.nz/news/fx-list-articles.cfm?ctype=MRART&loadref=50

Bishops enjoy good conversation with Pope (13 Dec 2011).

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops have met with Pope Benedict XVI, for
the first of two meetings they will have with the Pope during their ad
limina visit. The second meeting will take place on Saturday 17
December ...

Also:

Vatican Radio interview with Archbishop Dew (audio)
http://212.77.9.15/audiomp3/00293348.MP3

New Zealand : A far and familiar Church
http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=546479
Geographically it may be a far and distant Church, but the challenges
that it faces are akin to those found in Europe; the marginalisation
of faith in an increasingly secular society, the proper integration of
migrants within larger society and an increasingly aging and dwindling
clergy. But the Catholic Church in New Zealand is also witnessing the
after-effects Sydney 2008, with young people becoming more
enthusiastic and proud of their faith, and the joy they bring with
them to the local Church...

***********************************

'WEL-COM'

http://www.welcom.org.nz

NEWS

Director of TCI appointed
TCI is the provider, on behalf of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops'
Conference of formation for those involved in education and pastoral
ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand and to engage in research and
discussion in New Zealand in all areas of church and its ministries...

Youth ministry under review. Archbishop disestablishes positions
All present positions in both the Youth and Young Adult Office and the
Tertiary Chaplaincy Team will be disestablished. Two current
ministries will be combined into one under the Office for Catholic
Ministry with Young People...

Earthquake risk assessment goes ahead
In a letter dated November 25 Archbishop John said it was 'imperative'
that, if a building had been determined to be potentially unsafe, the
parishioners be informed of the risk...

COLUMNS

Verbum Domini: the value of culture for the life of the community, by
Kieran Fenn fms
We live in a fragmented Church and in times of great change. Two
issues and responsibilities lie at the centre of our Christian
existence: to tell the Jesus story (the scriptures – not forgetting
the Old Testament that was Jesus' Sacred Scripture) and celebrate the
Jesus presence (Sacraments)...

Archbishop's column: reviewing the year. Archdiocesan priests look
back with gratitude, by Archbishop John Dew.
I found this a most helpful exercise as I listened attentively to the
priests share the joys and generosity of parishioners who live their
faith day by day...

SCHOOLS

School's out for summer: Hutt Sacred Heart students finish the year in
make-believe
Year 13 students at Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt, celebrating
their last week of school last month before studying for final
exams...

Local champ off to world competition: Susannah Lynch heads to
cross-country world championships
At the College Sport Wellington annual awards evening on November 6,
Suzannah was named Multisport Athlete of the Year...

FEATURES

The Church and homosexuality - a response
One of two responses to the publication in Wel-com last month of
'Lives on a different course - time to catch up with society' - a
father's anguished struggle to understand the Church's stance against
his son's sexual orientation...

Florence Mary Kane 1929 to 2011 RIP
Mgr John Carde gave this eulogy at the funeral of Florence Kane of
Waikanae, on September 19...

Vatican endorses 'Robin Hood' tax against greed
The Vatican's anointing of the Tobin Tax is another step forward. This
tax sits at the heart of the gospel commitment to provide for the poor
and marginalised. It resonates in a world which deals daily in
trillions of dollars, much of it in the hands of speculators,
financiers and international banks whose seemingly unaccountable
dealings create huge injustice...

PALMERSTON NORTH

They came together to pray
Assisi moment commemorated in Palmerston North
The event in Palmerston North which the New Zealand Catholic Bishops'
Committee for Interfaith Relations organised, did what the first
Assisi event achieved in Italy. It brought together inspiring people
to pray for peace, and engendered good will, which is the beginning of
trust, the foundation of peace...

Struck down but still loved: Looking back over six years of recovery
from stroke, by Fr Kevin Neal
I remember the ward in Whanganui hospital and wondering what was going
on in other wards. The fact was though, I couldn't move...

A significant birthday: Fr Peter Fahy hits 70
The biggest surprise of the afternoon was when his sister Mary, who
lives in the UK, walked in. She had not told him she was coming and
those in the know were sworn to secrecy...

***********************************

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

A Kiwi Christmas: Our traditions
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/christmas-2011/6137473/A-Kiwi-Christmas-Our-traditions
Reader's Digest asked a representative sample of 259 New Zealanders
"Just what does Christmas mean to New Zealanders - and what do we
treasure most?"

Bronzed tabernacle doors elude diocese
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1112/S00391/bronzed-tabernacle-doors-elude-diocese.htm
Staff of Christchurch's Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament are hopeful
that the Ria Bancroft bronzed doors that were removed from storage,
are in the safekeeping of a well-meaning parishioner.

Catholic cathedral hunts missing doors (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/6151995/Catholic-cathedral-hunts-missing-doors

Zealot destroys church poster (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/religion-and-beliefs/news/article.cfm?c_id=301&objectid=10773887
A protester destroys the controversial St Matthew-in-the-City Church
Christmas poster. Photo / Michael CraigStunned passers-by watched as a
scissors-wielding zealot slashed a billboard showing the Virgin Mary
clutching a positive pregnancy test yesterday.

Virgin Mary billboard sparks outrage in New Zealand (photo)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/8957667/Virgin-Mary-billboard-sparks-outrage-in-New-Zealand.html

On The Beat: NZ music wrap: Three in one
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/6157809/On-The-Beat-NZ-music-wrap
It's not often an artist can lay claim to a song being on three albums
at the same time. That's the case with Kiwi soul diva Julie Ta'ale,
who records as MzJ.

Convent home rich in character and history (photos)
The Southland Times
http://tinyurl.com/7lw7tqe
The 108-year-old former convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Winton,
Southland, is now in ptivate ownership and being renovated.

Quake insurance to be canned
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/6135041/Quake-insurance-to-be-canned
Ansvar, which insured 75 per cent of New Zealand churches, announced
in September it would not renew earthquake policies when they finished
and last week announced it would cancel policies on December 31,
regardless of when they expired.

*******************
News of the Schools
*******************

Marian College, Christchurch: School on the move (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/6154286/School-on-the-move

Pompallier Catholic College, Whangarei: New tool for after school
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/whangarei-leader/6127140/New-tool-for-after-school

Roncalli College, Timaru: Hurdler claims national title (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/7wlyddp

Sacred Heart Girls' College, New Plymouth: Outcry forces council
u-turn http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/6141646/Outcry-forces-council-U-turn

St Joseph's, Hamilton: 'Issues' at St Joseph school
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6151413/Issues-at-St-Joseph-school

St Joseph's, Stratford: Ready for Santa parades (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/south-taranaki-star/6143348/Ready-for-Santa-parades

St Mary's, Mosgiel: Increasing roll prompts plans for possible move
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/190752/increasing-roll-prompts-plans-possible-move

******************************************

INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Assenting': Luke 1: 26-38, a reading and commentary by Sister
Stephanie Kitching.

**************************************************

LIGHT OF THE WORLD - Otago Access Radio

http://www.accessradio.org/public/programme.php?uid=1218074856-834

Programmes in December:

18 – Canadian Fr Bill Regal tells his story of battling substance
abuse and the work of Guest House.

25 – A Christmas play written and produced by Jill Bevilacqua, plus
stories and carols for Christmas Day.

Programmes in January

1 – The world's most famous star, the Star of Bethlehem, a myth or an
astronomical reality? Al Kresta talks with Rick Larson. Also, the
story of St Basil, and the Magi in art.

8 – Ray Guarendi – "Raising good kids: back to basics".

15 – Dan Burke, a convert from Judaism, tells of his Journey Home into
the Catholic faith.

22 – In November the Vatican hosted a conference on cutting edge
stem-cell research. We find out why one Pontifical Council is
supporting an American biotech company.

29 – Fr Thomas Williams considers the question: "Can God be trusted?"

Programmes in February

5 – Brennan Pursell talks about his book History in His Hands: A
Christian Narrative of the West.

12 – St Valentine; and an interview with Amy Bonaccorso, author of How
to Get to 'I Do': A Dating Guide for Catholic Women.

*************************************************

'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Diaconate and Women Religious (some dioceses have no provision for
the permanent diaconate)

** "Hey, since when is Christmas just about presents?

** 25 Books that Saints Cherished.

** An Advent Conspiracy (What if we diverted a fraction of our holiday
spending towards helping people in the Third World?)

** Losing tradition? (Who remembers the hymn 'Star of the Sea'?)

** Who hates Latin? (our sacred language and the liturgy)

** Happy Advent everybody! (A reminder from the Holy Father about what
matters most)

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

*******************************************

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PERIODICALS & NEWSLETTERS

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. 'The Tablet' http://www.cdd.org.nz/the-tablet

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires'
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_lighting_new_fires.html

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Good News and the News'
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_good_news.html

Society of Mary. 'Marist Messenger' http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

The Nathaniel Centre. The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre. 'The
Nathaniel Report' http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/?sid=5

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East'
http://www.columban.org.au/?MID=200510192652

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine.
http://www.tuimotu.org/articles

*******************************************

ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen Jr

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

The perils of a part-time pope
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/perils-part-time-pope

Marco Politi, to be sure, has a point of view. A veteran Italian
journalist and commentator, mostly for the leftist La Repubblica,
Politi's sympathies clearly run to the Catholic church's progressive
wing. It thus may be tempting to see his critical new book on Benedict
XVI, titled 'Joseph Ratzinger: Crisis of a Papacy', as the predictable
grumbling of someone who just doesn't like what this pope stands for.
However understandable, that would be a mistake...

*******************************************

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

********************************************

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

Bishop Patrick Dunn
Details in http://www.facebook.com/bishoppatrick?sk=wall

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz?sk=wall

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

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

*****************************************

NEWS OF THE CHURCH IN NZ AND THE WORLD

http://cathnews.co.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/author/luke/page/14/

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/

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

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

*************************************************

EMPLOYMENT

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

Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North, Youth Ministry Coordinator, Wanganui.
http://pn.catholic.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' December 4-17 2011 p.23, in 'Wel-com'
December 2011 p.13, and from Katheleen Field at cya@dyc.net.nz ; tel:
(06) 350 3824 and 021 509 436

Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington. Office of Catholic Ministry with
Young People (3 positions)
http://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/?sid=322
Details on the Web page, and from Lorraine McArthur, Director,
Archdiocesan Pastoral Services, tel (04) 496-1706; email
l.mcarthur@wn.catholic.org.nz
Applications close on 20 December, 2011