Sunday, January 10, 2010

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE
Catholic Clergy conference to be held in Rome (December 30, 2009)
The Australian Confraternity of Catholic Clergy and the (American) Confraternity of Catholic Clergy are holding a joint conference of their two associations for a special seminar in Rome, 4-8 January 2010. This meeting is the first joint assembly for both confraternities and is taking place near the Vatican at the Casa Pastor Bonus...

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS
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Mother Mary Aubert
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Sainthood for New Zealander?
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/6639072/sainthood-for-new-zealander/
There are hopes New Zealand's first candidate for sainthood will come a step closer to being formally recognised by the Catholic Church as a saint this year. Mother Mary Joseph Aubert has been edging her way towards sainthood since 1997.

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Mary MacKillop
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Temuka marks saintly link (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/3188565/Temuka-marks-saintly-link
Australia's first saint is cause for celebration in South Canterbury too. Temuka parish priest Brian Fennessy said the Catholic community would mark Mother Mary MacKillop's canonisation after celebrations in Australia and Rome next year.

Sainthood welcomed in Otago
http://www.odt.co.nz/the-regions/otago/86842/sainthood-welcomed-otago
News that Australian nun Mary MacKillop will be canonised has been welcomed in Dunedin. "We've been working and praying for this for some time," the Dunedin leader of the Associates of the Sisters of St Joseph of the Sacred Heart, Patricia Clark, said.
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Wellington church and council at cross purposes
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/3216598/Wellington-church-and-council-at-crossr-old church who want to convert it into apartments may be forced by city planners to retain exterior crosses at each end of the building. But the suggestion has upset the Catholic Church, which says it would detract from the cross, which is one of the most powerful and sacred Christian symbols.

Preserving Tokelau culture motivates him (photo)
Taupo Times
http://tinyurl.com/yke72bf
A lifetime of community advocacy has been recognised as Taupo man Isitolo Isaac Pakome was awarded the Queen's Service Medal for his service to the Tokelauan community.

How Pompallier Mission garden became a hotbed of promiscuity
Northern Advocate — A004 — 08 January 2010
Promiscuity is not generally promoted at Catholic missions _ except, of course, at Pompallier Mission in the Bay of Islands. Confused? Visit this New Zealand Historic Places Trust property in Russell to find out why.

Wikipedia. 'Pompallier House' with enlargeable photo of the gardens:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pompallier_House


Queen's Service Medal recipients (2 pages)
http://www.times.co.nz/cms/news/2010/01/queens_service_medal_recipients.php
People who have connections to Manukau, and have received Queen’s Service Medals in the New Year Honours list, include: Sister Anne Hurley ... Sister Margaret Martin ... Monica Tongia Unuia

Loyal Northlanders recognised (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/northland/local-news/northern-news/3206157/Loyal-Northlanders-recognised
Nine outstanding Far North citizens were recognised for their contributions to the community at the Far North District Council's 2009 Citizens Awards at Kaikohe on December 11.

Counting on a rest after full pursuits (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/the-regions/north-otago/88280/counting-a-rest-after-full-pursuits
When Oamaru accountant Tony Brady walks out of his office for the final time, he admits it will be a strange feeling. After 55 years in the same job, making the decision to finally retire was "pretty big", Mr. Brady (72) said.

Teens paint fence to help their community (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/northland/local-news/whangarei-leader/3182639/Teens-paint-fence-to-help-their-community
Pompallier Catholic College students have painted a fence for Barnardos. The five students painted and decorated the fence in a BP Community Enterprise Project.

Touching first-time experience at the trots (photo)
http://www.harnesslink.com/www/Article.cgi?ID=77683
Something special happened behind the scenes in the Alexandra Park stabling enclosure last Thursday (New Year's Eve). It was something many of us take for granted but for Father Mathew Vadakkevettuvazhiyil a night out at the harness races provided moment in life he will never forget.

Where do our youth go to draw closer to the Lord? Christine Bell
http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2009/1228/youth122809.shtml
Five years ago, I was living in the suburbs of Auckland, New Zealand, a single mother of two children, Georgia and Mike, then 11 and nine years. Through a series of interlinked, Holy Spirit events, I packed up my entire house, closed down all my business affairs and with my two children in tow plus suitcase, guitar and skis, I embarked on a plane bound for Radway and John Paul II Charismatic Bible School. I could not have known at that time, the journey for which the Lord was preparing me. He is full of surprises...

Young sculptors create (photo)
Taupo Times
http://tinyurl.com/yabty9d
Nine students from St Patrick's Catholic School designed and made a sculpture this term.

Fire destroys family's bach and holiday spirit
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10617058
Jonathan Jervis is struggling to find any Christmas spirit after his holiday home burned to the ground. The former UK man and his wife, Cheryl, bought the old Catholic church in Waimarama three months ago and had it converted into a bach.

Catholic sister marks jubilee here
Solomon Star, Solomon Islands
http://tinyurl.com/yanvo4d
On 8 December 2009 Sr Maureen Connor celebrated her Golden Jubilee as a Missionary Sister of the Society of Mary. The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception being the patronal feast of the Daughters of Mary Immaculate, in the morning Maureen was at Visale where she was graciously invited to join the three DMI Golden Jubilarians, Srs M. Veronika, Domitila and Anna Ta'ia, in the sanctuary during Mass.

Concern over stained-glass windows (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/the-regions/north-otago/86853/concern-over-stained-glass-windows
A former pupil of Teschemakers, now living in England, wants a comprehensive report drawn up by a team of architectural historians to ascertain the whole site's cultural heritage significance for New Zealand. Former pupil Annie Gilmore contacted the Otago Daily Times after receiving an email circulated to past pupils showing an article and letter to the editor in the ODT mentioning the possible removal of the Teschemakers chapel stained glass windows.

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INSPIRATIONAL TV - http://inspirationaltv.net

** Epiphany **
A reading and discussion of Matthew 2:1-12 with Very Rev. Frank Nelson and Rev. Judith Wigglesworth at St Paul's Cathedral, Wellington.

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True Friendship
“Does that earring mean you’re a pirate?” (inter-religious struggles in history)
Babies, babies and more babies! The more the merrier I say…. (on choosing not to have children)
Praying and Fasting Facebook (social networking for personal growth)
Love and Marriage… and two individuals (religious divisions in marriage)
Laughter, the best medicine (a satire on liturgical innovation)
Selective outrage (what gender is our planet?)

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MAGAZINES AND NEWSLETTERS

Marist Messenger - January 2010
http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires' - December 2009
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resourcesubpages/lighting-new-fires.html

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform' - Dec. 2009
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Marist Brothers, New Zealand Province. 'Marist Family News - December 2009
http://www.maristbrothers.org.nz/Marist%20Family%20News.htm

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

Tui Motu InterIslands - December 2009
http://www.tuimotu.org

Society of St Vincent de Paul. Society News - December 2009
http://www.svdp.org.nz/index.php/current-news/

St Columbans Mission society. 'The Far East' - Nov-Dec 2009
http://www.columban.org.au/publications/the-far-east/index/

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen, Jr.
Somewhat lost in the shuffle over the holidays was a story with important consequences for understanding how the Vatican sees the world: celebration of the first same-sex marriage in Latin America on Dec. 28 in Argentina...

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WORLD NEWS OF THE CHURCH
http://www.youtube.com/vatican (news of Pope Benedict - video)

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EVENTS

Catholic Family Retreat
Theme "A Firm Foundation"
28th Jan - 1st Feb 2010
Keswick Camp Rotorua
Formation, fun, fellowship & faith for families of all shapes and sizes!
For more info or to register email sarahcox@catholic.org

Parachute Music Festival
Mystery Creek, Hamilton. 29 January - 1 February 2010
http://www.parachutemusic.com/festival

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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 ]

[Vacancies for Catholic youth workers are advertised on the Vacancies page of Connect.org.nz: http://www.connect.org.nz ]

Property Management Administrator, Catholic Schools Board Limited, Wellington and Palmerston North
http://catholicschools.co.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.10, and from sarita@catholicschools.co.nz ; tel: (04) 499 0184 Applications close 15 January 2010

National Treasurer, The Society of St Vincent de Paul
http://www.svdp.org.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.19, 'NZ Catholic' Dec 20 2009 - Jan 30 2010 No. 332 p.21, and from the National Office, tel. (04) 499 5070; PO Box 10815, Wellington.

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Dear readers,
This is the final 'News & Notes' for 2009. The newsletter will start again after the second or third week of January 2010 depending on the amount of accumulated news.
Every best wish and all God's blessings this Christmas.
Mike Leon

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

Wellington Cardinal celebrates 50 years of priesthood (December 18, 2009)
Wellington Cardinal Thomas Williams will celebrate his golden jubilee of priesthood and 30 years of being a bishop this Sunday 20th December. Events will begin on Friday 18th December with 5pm Mass at Sacred Heart Cathedral and a clergy gathering. On Sunday 20th December the Cardinal will celebrate 10am Mass at the Cathedral, which will be followed by a get-together with family and friends ...

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'NZ CATHOLIC' - Christmas Edition - Dec 20 2009 - Jan 30 2010 No. 332

In this issue ...
"There's probably no God" bus campaign comes to NZ ... Telecom's support for FPA prompts questions ... Christmas customs amazingly varied .. Polish wartime refugees remember and revisit the start of their new life ... 2009: The Catholic year in review ... The 10 best Christmas movies ever? ... The colossal Christmas crossword

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Sainthood for Australian (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/world/86731/sainthood-australian
Following Pope Benedict XVI's decision, which formally acknowledges the two miracles, the Vatican will hold a canonisation ceremony to name Mother Mary MacKillop a saint, more than 100 years after her death. (2 pages)

Injustice brought the fiery Scot out in Mary
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/national/injustice-brought-the-fiery-scot-out-in-mary-20091219-l6hm.html
A biographical note on Mary McKillop
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That billboard
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Church calls it quits over controversial billboard (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/86687/church-calls-it-quits-over-controversial-billboard
An inner city Auckland church, trying to promote debate over Christianity, has given up on a controversial billboard which made headlines around the world.
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Helping hand (photo caption)
Hauraki Herald
http://tinyurl.com/ycach7n
The Christmas project of the Young Vinnies of St Joseph's School, Paeroa.

New school on target for term one
Eastern Courier
http://tinyurl.com/y8wvtgt
Teachers are hired and pupils are enrolled for Flat Bush's newest primary school, Sancta Maria Catholic Primary.

'We see what you mean : a history of St Dominic's School for Deaf Children and the Catholic Ministry in New Zealand', by Kathy Broadley (book review)
Manawatu journal of history, 2009; n.5:p.74-75
The Manawatu journal of history is published by the Palmerston North Heritage Trust in conjunction with the Manawatu Branch of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust.

'Hui Aranga', by Te Ropu Rangatahi o Ruapehu
Toi te kupu, Hon 2008; n.89:p.2
The origin and purpose of the Catholic Hui Aranga. (in Maori)
'Toi te kupu' is a bi-monthly free newspaper distributed to secondary students on behalf of the Ministry of Education. It is carried by some public libraries and may be ordered from the publisher: toitekupu@learningmedia.co.nz

No decision yet on former convent site (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/3167722/No-decision-yet-on-former-convent-site
The Catholic Church is in no hurry to settle on a plan for the soon-to-be-empty site of the former Sisters of Mercy convent in Gore.

Cool idea to help kids
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/north-harbour-news/3170159/Cool-idea-to-help-kids
Enriching the lives of other children could not have been more rewarding for the pupils of St Clare at Stella Maris Catholic Primary School in Silverdale.

Who's going to church, and why we have to, by Jolyon Manning
http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/86480/who039s-going-church-and-why-we-have
About 65 years ago, I joined the St Paul's Cathedral Choir and sang in that fine institution for 27 years. Those were the days when Sundays were different and Dunedin's main street lively with a steady stream of churchgoers, both morning and night. How times have changed...

Hamilton family fear for missing father (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3162178/Hamilton-family-fear-for-missing-father
The family of a Hamilton man who disappeared while taking a break from looking after his special needs son are appealing for news of him. Frank Fransen, 52, was last seen by his family on November 23 and is believed to be in the Wellington area, after being seen in Porirua last Thursday.

Banding together to raise funds for school (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/3164467/Banding-together-to-raise-funds-for-school
Some of Tonga's top brass is in New Zealand to help an old school stay alive. Cornet player Kelepi Kaufana Funaki Junior, 13, is one of 49 pupils from Api-fo'ou College in Nuku'alofu on a two-month fundraising tour.

Bereavement: Emeritus Professor Jos Arrillaga (University of Canterbury)
http://www.eea.co.nz/Section?Action=View&Section_id=162&Story_id=2611
We have been very saddened to learn of the death of Emeritus Professor Jos Arrillaga. Professor Arrillaga received worldwide recognition for his contribution to the development of electrical power engineering during his career and had continued his research work after retiring from the University in 1999, going on to produce a multitude of internationally published books and technical paper and numerous awards. He was undoubtedly New Zealand’s most internationally famous power engineering academic...

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INSPIRATIONAL TV - http://inspirationaltv.net
** Christmas Reflection **
A musical reflection based on key words relating to the Christmas mystery

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NZ CATHOLIC PODCASTS

**Station XV **
Episode 28 - roasting by the Christmas fire (Tue, 15 December 2009)
For our final show of the decade, the three (not so wise) men talk about the bishops opposing the FPA's application for an abortion license, the Pope's take on climate change, have a heated exchange about adding "Catholic" to the names of our schools, the latest Irish abuse report, and eye damage to well meaning but misguided Catholic pilgrims? All this and some more great music from the Priests - Happy Christmas everyone!

** Catechiwi **
Teach Me How to Pray (14 December 2009)
It's something we should be doing every day, multiple times each day. No, not brushing your teeth (though that's good too). In the December episode of Catechiwi, we speak to Fr Merv Duffy, SM, on prayer. Fr Merv, a Catechiwi favourite, talks about different reasons to pray, different ways to pray and gives some valuable advice on prayer in general.

** Familia **
Episode 15 (1 December 2009)
This month's edition of Familia features part one of a special two part interview with Dr. Gerard O'Shea. Gerard is the principal of a Catholic primary school in Melbourne as well as being a Ph.D. He recently visited New Zealand to talk about the challenges of being a Catholic parent, and to explain the new sexuality education program, based on Catholic teaching, which has implemented in his school with great success.

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Catholic guilt (sin and reconciliation) ... Your Body is a Temple ... “It must be the first of the month: new billboard day!” ... Marriage Validity (annullments of marriages outside the Church) ... Could Mary have done with some baby formula? ... What’s in a name? (on adding "Catholic" to Catholic schools' names)

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen, Jr.

Health in Jewish-Catholic relations
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/health-jewish-catholic-relations

On Jan. 17, Pope Benedict XVI will hop across the Tiber River to visit the Great Synagogue in Rome, only the second such occasion after John Paul II’s groundbreaking visit in 1986. (That was the first time a modern pope set foot inside a Jewish place of worship, although John XXIII once stopped his car outside to bless the Jews as they exited.) Benedict already has two synagogue visits under his belt: Cologne in 2005 during World Youth Day, and the Park East Synagogue in New York in April 2008...

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WORLD NEWS OF THE CHURCH
http://www.youtube.com/vatican (news of Pope Benedict - video)

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CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON
Applications for Tindall Foundation Grants
http://www.tindall.org.nz/new-zealand-catholic-bishops-conference
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.18 and from the Secretary, tel. (04|) 496 1721; e-mail: c.foundation@wn.catholic.org.nz

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EVENTS

Catholic Family Retreat
Theme "A Firm Foundation"
28th Jan - 1st Feb 2010
Keswick Camp Rotorua
Formation, fun, fellowship & faith for families of all shapes and sizes!
For more info or to register email sarahcox@catholic.org
Parachute Music Festival
Mystery Creek, Hamilton. 29 January - 1 February 2010
http://www.parachutemusic.com/festival

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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 ]

[Vacancies for Catholic youth workers are advertised on the Vacancies page of Connect.org.nz: http://www.connect.org.nz ]

Property Management Administrator, Catholic Schools Board Limited, Wellington and Palmerston North
http://catholicschools.co.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.10, and from sarita@catholicschools.co.nz ; tel: (04) 499 0184 Applications close 15 January 2010

National Treasurer, The Society of St Vincent de Paul
http://www.svdp.org.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.19, 'NZ Catholic' Dec 20 2009 - Jan 30 2010 No. 332 p.21, and from the National Office, tel. (04) 499 5070; PO Box 10815, Wellington.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

Catholic archbishop responds to atheist bus campaign (December 11, 2009)

President of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference, Archbishop John Dew of Wellington, believes those behind the atheist bus campaign have the right to express their views, and finds it interesting that they have chosen God as their focus. “Freedom of speech is a right we all have. I find it interesting that a group of people who claim not to believe in the existence of God have chosen to make God the focus of their bus campaign,” he says ...

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'NZ CATHOLIC' - No.331 December 13-19 2009

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

In the current issue ...
Bishops fight FPA abortion licensing .. Church schools might add 'Catholic' to their names ... Tongan ordained for Auckland .. Sixth Auckland bishop was also brilliant children's author ... Married priests? For the Vatican it's still an exception to the rule ... Rome confessors see loneliness as well as sin and faith ... Priest-friends reunite 15 years after ordination ... Bishops agree to institute 'Sea Sunday' next July ... Christmas Mass times around NZ ... Advertisement: Monte Cecilia Housing Trust.

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Priory developer quits project
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/85483/priory-developer-quits-project
The Catholic Church is hoping to preserve Dunedin's historic Dominican Priory following a North Island developer pulling out of the project.

Atheist bus ad campaign hits a nerve
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/3154427/Atheist-bus-ad-campaign-hits-a-nerve
It swept past its $10,000 fundraising target and now an atheist campaign plans to double its contentious advertisements on buses.

Atheist ads to antagonise religious
http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/atheist-ads-antagonise-religious-3284353
A campaign for displaying atheist messages on buses is unlikely to win converts, says a spokeswoman for the Catholic Church.

A summer spent way down under (photos)
Upper Hutt Leader
http://tinyurl.com/ykydvjd
Taking part in the Erebus crash 30th anniversary commemorations was just part of a month in Antarctica by St Joseph's parish priest Father Ron Bennett. [A two-page report. Drag the first page to the left to see the second part]

Catholic women ousted from chapel
http://www.starcanterbury.co.nz/local/news/catholic-woman-ousted-from-chapel/3907412/
The Catholic Bishop of Christchurch Barry Jones has stopped the use of a city college chapel for prayer meetings by an independent mostly women Catholic group.

Union hails Easter trading bill's defeat
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/6569770/union-hails-easter-trading-bills-defeat/
Trade unionists are thrilled by the defeat of a bill that would have opened up Easter trading laws but Auckland's Chamber of Commerce says the vote was crazy.

Church group asks McClay: Sacrifice Christmas to discuss Easter changes
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO0912/S00109.htm
With another Easter Trading Bill served up on Parliamentary Members' table just before the festive season, a Church group is asking the Bill's proponent Todd McClay to discuss the issues – on Christmas Day.

Rejuvenated basilica (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/lifestyle/3131888/Rejuvenated-basilica
When a casket containing the remains of 19th- century French bishop Pompallier was brought to Waimate on a national tour in 2002, it rested in a former base for French priests preaching to mainly Irish worshippers and offspring.

Dutch celebrate arrival of saint
Bay of Plenty Times — A003 — 07 December 2009
A down-under celebration of the traditional European gift-giving festival, St Nicholas' Feast Day, transformed Tauranga's waterfront on Saturday into a vibrant spectacle of music and dancing. Every vantage point was taken by the hundreds who gathered to welcome St Nicholas who arrived by boat and tied up at the pontoon next to the Kestrel. Invited by Tauranga's Dutch community, he made an impressive sight in his bishop's dress and red mitre, holding a long gold staff...

Mother brings climate petition to House (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/environment/news/article.cfm?c_id=39&objectid=10614006
Concerned mother of four Nicky Chapman petitioned for Government climate change policy at Parliament grounds today.

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INSPIRATIONAL TV - http://inspirationaltv.net

** Celebration **
A reflection by Sister Mary Scanlan.

** Luke: John points the way **
Luke 3:10-18: a reading and homily by Fr Ted Tyler of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, Sydney, Australia.

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'BEING FRANK' - http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

If They Could Only Hear Me! (Euthanasia and the experience of Rom Houben) ... Religious sisters are doing it for themselves (the Vatican’s apostolic visitation of religious communities) ... Umbert the Unborn…a hilarious way to promote life (a pro-life cartoon character) ... Carry the one and then divide by... (what does a family consist of?) ... Yay it’s almost Christmas!! (Pope Benedict: Keep a diary of God’s love in Advent)

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen, Jr.

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

A week with this generation's Fulton Sheen
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/week-generations-fulton-sheen

I once had a church history professor who loved counter-factual thought exercises. A hypothetical question he asked us to ponder was the following: What if Fulton Sheen had been named Archbishop of New York? We’ll never know, because Sheen’s only opportunity to run a diocese came in the late 1960s in Rochester, New York, and by all accounts it wasn’t a happy experience. But these days we have an intriguing parallel to track, because if there is a Fulton Sheen of this generation -- meaning an American bishop with the same capacity to engage a national audience, to make Catholicism seem attractive to a secular world -- it’s probably Timothy Dolan, who also just happens to be the new Archbishop of New York...

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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)

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CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

Applications for Tindall Foundation Grants
http://www.tindall.org.nz/new-zealand-catholic-bishops-conference
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.18 and from the Secretary, tel. (04|) 496 1721; e-mail: c.foundation@wn.catholic.org.nz

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EVENTS

Catholic Family Retreat
Theme "A Firm Foundation"
28th Jan - 1st Feb 2010
Keswick Camp Rotorua
Formation, fun, fellowship & faith for families of all shapes and sizes!
For more info or to register email sarahcox@catholic.org

Parachute Music Festival
Mystery Creek, Hamilton. 29 January - 1 February 2010
http://www.parachutemusic.com/festival
[Dear readers: Does anyone know if the Catholic tent community 'CatholiCity' is being organised for January's festival, and do the details appear on the Internet? ML]

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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 ]

[Vacancies for Catholic youth workers are advertised on the Vacancies page of Connect.org.nz: http://www.connect.org.nz ]

Property Management Administrator, Catholic Schools Board Limited, Wellington and Palmerston North
http://catholicschools.co.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.10, and from sarita@catholicschools.co.nz ; tel: (04) 499 0184 Applications close 15 January 2010

National Treasurer, The Society of St Vincent de Paul
http://www.svdp.org.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.19, and from the National Office, tel. (04) 499 5070; PO Box 10815, Wellington.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

'WEL-COM'

http://www.welcom.org.nz

** News **
Tongans still awaiting shelter months after tsunami ... Challenge 2000 reaches the age of majority ... SH Hutt college's new cross

** World News **
Timor-Leste turns 10 as it struggles against poverty ... Papuan justice worker tells of undermining of rights ... West Papuan priest risks life to speak of oppression

** Columns **
Editorial: church, priests and leaders ... Archbishop's column: Serving in Jesus' steps ... Guest editorial: women's voice silenced?, by Joan Chittister OSB

** Schools **
Narrative Week inspires young writers ... The Biggest Little Kiwiana Show in Masterton ... St Cath's new charity initiative

** Features **
New encyclical strong on economic justice ... Year of the Priest: Paul - the ultimate servant priest ... This ephemeral life - a portrait of Msgr John Carde

** Wellington **
Convent Old Girls celebrate 75 years on the court ... Old hands steer pathway into a new era ... Newtown People's Market a regular

** Palmerston North **
Real Life! Real Power! - youth festival rocked ... Fr Tom Lawn happy in his priesthood but wondering ... A bishop's dream - Bishop Peter's address to the youth convention

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Six funerals to say, 'You were the best' (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10613340
Monsignor James Cornelius Shannahan, or Father Jim, was so popular that he needed six funerals for everyone to farewell him.

Look of horror `worst thing' (photos)
Herald on Sunday — A008 — 06 December 2009
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10613736
All Black strongman Keven Mealamu and and his wife Latai were yesterday mourning at home with his family, after the funeral on Friday of Christina ``Portia'' Mealamu. In Europe, Graham Henry and All Black teammates including captain Richie McCaw, Mils Muliaina, Rodney So'oialo and Andrew Hore had phoned or texted their support but he was too busy supporting his grieving family to watch their test match against France on television.

Children take Christmas walk (photo)
Hauraki Herald
http://tinyurl.com/y8alved
About 300 primary school children, accompanied by teachers and parents, walked to three Whititanga churches on Monday to experience three different aspects of Christmas.

Radio New Zealand. 'Saturday', with Kim Hill
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/20091205
11:15 Interview with Colin Gibson
Colin Gibson is Emeritus Professor of English at Otago University. His research interests include Chaucer, Renaissance and later drama, New Zealand hymnology, and the interchange between literature and the visual imagination. His publications include editions of Renaissance English dramatists, seventeenth-century poetry, and a large number of hymns and songs. He has been a member of the New Zealand Hymnbook Trust's editorial panel from its inception, and has contributed hymns and musical settings to all its publications, from Alleluia Aotearoa (1992) to Hope is our Song (2009). He is Australasian editor for a Dictionary of World Hymnody, soon to be published jointly in Great Britain and America.

Oh baby... it's bubs in abundance (photo)
http://www.times.co.nz/cms/news/2009/12/oh_baby_its_bubs_in_abundance.php
They’re a prolific lot and they don’t do things by halves. In the space of six months, Sancta Maria College in Botany has celebrated the births of eight bouncing babies, with the most recent born just weeks ago.

Radio New Zealand. 'Nine to Noon'
11:30 Justin Glyn
Former Auckland barrister and academic lawyer now training to be a Jesuit priest in Australia.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/20091201

Radio New Zealand. 'Nine to Noon'
09:35: Males in Education Now programme (MEN)
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/ninetonoon/20091202
Interviews with Paul Tupou-Vea, Head of AUT's Males in Education Now programme - designed to help keep teenage boys engaged in education - and Kieran Fouhy, Principal, St Peter's College, one of the schools participating in the pilot scheme.

Musical smorgasbord on offer (photos)
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/galleries/gallery/your-town/84494/add-text-to-body-musical-smorgasbord-offer
The Franciscan Colleges' music group is in New Zealand on its biennial tour and this year comprises 75 pupils from Padua and Mt Alvernia colleges in Brisbane.

NZ supports change to royal-succession rules
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10612784
Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand will give its support to change royal succession law that bans first-born daughters from ascending the throne and another law that bans Catholics from marrying into the royal family. The British monarch is also the Queen, or King, of New Zealand and under British law, changes to the succession rules must be approved by each country of the realm.

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INSPIRATIONAL TV - http://inspirationaltv.net

** Rowan Williams on Advent **
Advent and waiting, an illustrated reflection by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

** Matthew: Come follow **
Matthew 4:18-22: a reading and homily by Fr Ted Tyler of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, Sydney, Australia.

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'BEING FRANK' - http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

Final Score: Me, 1. Appendix, 0. (appendicitis, a reflection) ... "Wait a minute. This looks like rock and/or roll." (at Mass in Belgium) ... The growing pains of virtue at the community breakfast table (in Congo, lessons of patience, tolerance and understanding) ... Anything for better seats? (on using deception to get in to St Peter's) ... Interesting analysis on a sad saga

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen, Jr.

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

Benedict's headache with populist Catholicism
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/benedicts-headache-populist-catholicism

Like everybody else in this hyper-political age, Catholics are conventionally divided into "liberals" and "conservatives." Another way to slice the pie is what we might call the difference between "institutional" and "populist" Catholicism. Recent events in Europe illustrate the growing political punch of populist Catholicism on the global stage.

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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)

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CARITAS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND - http://www.caritas.org.nz

Post graduate scholarships (2)

Details in 'NZ Catholic' Nov. 29 - Dec. 12 2009 p.23, and from claire@caritas.org.nz Applications close 10 December 2009.

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CATHOLIC FOUNDATION OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF WELLINGTON

Applications for Tindall Foundation Grants
http://www.tindall.org.nz/new-zealand-catholic-bishops-conference
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.18 and from the Secretary, tel. (04|) 496 1721; e-mail: c.foundation@wn.catholic.org.nz

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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 ]

[Vacancies for Catholic youth workers are advertised on the Vacancies page of Connect.org.nz: http://www.connect.org.nz ]

Property Management Administrator, Catholic Schools Board Limited, Wellington and Palmerston North
http://catholicschools.co.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.10, and from sarita@catholicschools.co.nz ; tel: (04) 499 0184 Applications close 15 January 2010

National Treasurer, The Society of St Vincent de Paul
http://www.svdp.org.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2009 p.19, and from the National Office, tel. (04) 499 5070; PO Box 10815, Wellington.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

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NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

CD featuring Pope due for release (November 27, 2009)

A CD featuring the voice of Pope Benedict XVI will be released worldwide on Monday 30 November. The CD, ‘Music from the Vatican: Alma Mater,’ contains a blend of Lauretan Litanies and Maria popular chants, with eight original pieces of modern classical music. The Pope’s voice can be heard speaking and singing in Latin, Italian, Portuguese, French and German ...

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'NZ CATHOLIC' - Nov. 29 - Dec. 12 2009 - No., 330

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

Climate change call to ring out ... Difficult Christmas predicted for many ... Music companies compete for Kiwi Catholic listeners ... Pilgrims establish scholarship after hearing Palestinian stories .. School entry verification toughened ... Pro-life club faces student stonewall at Auckland uni ... Priest says NZ should welcome Tamils ... Make Advent mean more this time .. New Zealand pilgrims warm to Jordan ... Anglicans, Catholics study papal writings

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Have a ball at the hall
Dargaville News
http://tinyurl.com/yb36ez7
The Kauri Coast Festive Ball promises to be a ball like no other. Organised by the Catholic Parish of the Northern Wairoa, it is being promoted as a festive ball for the entire community and not just the Catholic parish.

St Joseph's opens its new 'heart' (photo)
Upper Hutt Leader
http://tinyurl.com/y8u2jma
The latest improvements in almost a century of Catholic schooling in Upper Hutt, dating back to the former St Joseph's Orphanage, were officially opened by Archbishop John Dew last Tuesday.

Parishioner admits faking cancer for money
http://www.3news.co.nz/Parishioner-admits-faking-cancer-for-money-/tabid/423/articleID/131414/cat/64/Default.aspx
A churchgoer pleaded guilty to fraud today after gambling away money that fellow parishioners thought they had donated for his "medical" treatment. Gerard Francis Marychurch, 39, was remanded on bail to reappear in Auckland District Court in February for sentencing.

Trissie 102 years young and keeping cheerful
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/3101521/Trissie-102-years-young-and-keeping-cheerful
Trissie Fitzharris yesterday celebrated her 102nd birthday at Winton's Burleigh Rest Home, where she has lived for the past three years.

School opens playground (photo)
Taupo Times
http://tinyurl.com/ylalnhv
St Patrick's Catholic School is welcoming the summer months with a state-of-the-art playground made possible by generous grants and continuous fundraising efforts.

School's out for teaching pair
Northern Advocate — A003 — 24 November 2009
Longtime Pompallier Catholic College teachers Raewyn Wright and Rosemary Morgan are retiring after clocking up 30 and 25 years respectively at the school. Deputy principal Greg Mutton said both teachers were well respected by staff and students and their departure was the end of a chapter.

Photo rush as Xavier House demolition starts
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/3097768/Photo-rush-as-Xavier-House-demolition-starts
The demolition of a building, once considered important enough to be put on a heritage register, has started before the Gore District Council's heritage department could photograph it for historical records. Xavier House, formerly the Sisters of Mercy convent, is being pulled down by its owner, the Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. The building has been mainly unoccupied for several years and had fallen into disrepair.

Runi's Mexican Roots Adds Spice To Unitec Grad Show
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/runi039s-mexican-roots-adds-spice-unitec-grad-show/5/31357
Runi Schoenhofer can still recall going on numerous visits to church sites in Mexico with her architect father as a young girl. His most famous work is hard to ignore - the Basilica of Guadelupe in Mexico City is the biggest church in the country.

Small screen queen (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sunday-star-times/features/3104820/Small-screen-queen
For someone with a reputation of eating people for breakfast, Julie Christie looks surprisingly affable. But the steeliness that saw her dubbed a "control freak" in a 2006 Metro magazine story comes to the fore barely 30 seconds into her interview with the Sunday Star-Times.

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INSPIRATIONAL TV - http://inspirationaltv.net

** Survival **
Sister Mary Scanlan reflects on survivng a life-threatening illness

** Luke: Watch and Pray **
John 21:34-36: a reading and homily by Fr Ted Tyler of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, Sydney, Australia.

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'BEING FRANK' - http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

New Zealand Catholic Blogs. Some current topics ... On Islam and the Crusades ... "Then I heard the sound that all Arctic explorers dread…" (a problem with spiritual reading) ... The new Primate of England ‘offered flowers at the altar of Hindu deities’ ... In response to Benedicta… (comments on comments on Mass in the Congo) ... Under new management (Icon Media Ltd and the future of 'Being Frank') ... Learning all the time (on working through a Scott Hahn online bible study)

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen, Jr.

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

Anti-gay bill in Uganda challenges Catholics to take a stand
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/anti-gay-bill-uganda-challenges-catholics-take-stand

As Spiderman has always understood, with great power comes great responsibility. In Catholicism, that’s a point with particular relevance these days for Africa. Explosive growth of the church is turning Africa into a 21st century Catholic powerhouse, which means that Catholic leaders in Africa face a new responsibility to wield their influence wisely. A startling story percolating in Uganda illustrates that truth...

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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)

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CARITAS AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND - http://www.caritas.org.nz

Post graduate scholarships (2)

Details in 'NZ Catholic' Nov. 29 - Dec. 12 2009 p.23, and from claire@caritas.org.nz Applications close 10 December 2009.

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

[Vacancies for Catholic youth workers are advertised on the Vacancies page of Connect.org.nz: http://www.connect.org.nz ]

Sunday, November 22, 2009

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

** Catholic bishops oppose licence for Early Medical Abortions ** (November 20, 2009)
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are writing to various government ministers to oppose and express their concern about the possible granting of a licence to dispense Mifepristone (Mifegyne® RU 486) with Misoprostol for the purpose of procuring Early Medical Abortions (EMA)...

** Church leaders urge bolder action on climate change ** (November 20, 2009)
In the lead up to the Copenhagen climate summit New Zealand Church leaders are urging bolder steps by the whole community in the country’s efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and are calling on political leaders to strive for the strongest commitment by the international community at the summit.

** New Zealand Church Leaders statement: Copenhagen climate summit - a Kairos moment ** (November 20, 2009)

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Surgeon supports family clinic move over abortion pill
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/11/21/1245d42339c3
An abortion surgeon believes some women might benefit from receiving the abortion pill at a Family Planning clinic. The clinic in Hamilton has sought approval from the Abortion Supervisory Committee and, if approved, would be the first of its kind in New Zealand to offer the pill to women.

Little Sisters celebrate (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/dunedin/82903/little-sisters-celebrate
Marking the cannonisation of the Little Sisters of the Poor founder Jeanne Jugan, at a mass at St Joseph's Cathedral last night, were the sisters, residents and supporters of the Sacred Heart Home and Hospital in Brockville, members of the Catholic community and representatives from other denominations.

School marks fifty great years (photos)
High Country Community Herald
http://tinyurl.com/ybotged
St Joseph's School Oamaru is celebrating fifty years of success with their last addtion to the school this month, and they want to make a weekend of it.

Man who gambled away church money back in court
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/6492271/man-who-gambled-away-church-money-back-in-court/
A man who allegedly gambled away money that churchgoers thought they had donated for his medical treatment was back in court again today.

School wants to stay
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/3071848/School-wants-to-stay
At least 50 Monte Cecilia School supporters turned up to the Auckland City Council's arts, culture and recreation meeting last week to convince councillors to reposition the school rather than move it a kilometre.

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INSPIRATIONAL TV - http://inspirationaltv.net

** John: A King **
A reading and homily on John 18:33-37 (this video was not functioning early on Sunday morning - ML)

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PODCASTS

http://station15.libsyn.com

** Station XV - Episode 27 - Cathanglicans and Destiny **
In this episode we talk about Anglicans coming home, Destiny and Tamaki's "spiritual sons", a record intake at our seminary here in New Zealand, and whether selling the Vatican would solve world hunger...or would just be a stupid idea! Plus we preview the new album by The Priests. You can catch the video stream up at www.ustream.tv/the15thstation, and you can find us on Twitter at twitter.com/station15, and on Facebook at facebook.com/station15.

** Catechiwi — with a Vatican official - 8 November 2009 **
When Christ walked the earth, it was his wish that the Church should be "one". However, over the past 2000 years, the Church has had major splits and minor splits, leading to countless Christian churches around the world. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has been trying to restore unity with other Christians. In this month's episode of Catechiwi, Gavin Abraham interviews Msgr Juan Usma Gomez, a native of Colombia and now an official with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Msgr Usma Gomez talks about the successes of the ecumenical movement, looks at the "state of play" at the moment and touches on the recent Vatican announcement on welcoming Anglicans into the Church.

** Familia — Episode 14 **
This month we take a break from our usual programing schedule to bring you a special presentation on euthanasia that was given by Brendan Malone last month in Auckland. The talk, entitled "Euthanasia and Human Dignity", examines the recent cultural trend towards embracing euthanasia and it explores some of the philosophical errors underpinning this trend, and some good reasons why legalising euthanasia is a very dangerous thing for a society to do.

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'BEING FRANK' - http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

New Zealand Catholic Blogs. Some current topics ...

Oh Ye of Little Faith (under stress, re-centring on what's important) ... “Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!” (coping with beggars in Europe) ... The Mystery of Faith (standing or kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer) ... The 4th Sunday in Not-So-Ordinary Time (Sunday in DR Congo ) ... "He doesn’t understand all the new trendy words ..." (banning Beenie Man) ... Full house (record numbers at Auckland seminary) ... Is there anybody out there? (life on other planets)

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen, Jr.

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

Rethinking the Catholic box score
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/rethinking-catholic-box-score

Catholicism and baseball share a natural affinity. Both venerate the past, both spawn vast bodies of rules and lore, and both put a premium on patience. The analogy applies here too: In the church as on the diamond, flawed categories skew perceptions of the game. A Catholic version of Moneyball might offer two challenges to the ecclesiastical box score: * Thinking not just in local or national terms, but globally. * Focusing not just on controversy, scandal, and newspaper headlines, but where ordinary Catholics actually invest their time and treasure...

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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)

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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 ]

[Vacancies for Catholic youth workers are advertised on the Vacancies page of Connect.org.nz: http://www.connect.org.nz ]

Parish Secretary (part-time), Sacred Heart and San Antonio Parishes, Eastbourne/Petone
Details in 'Wel-com' November 2009 p.8 and from sacredheart@paradise.net.nz Applications close 27 November 2009.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

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NEWS & NOTES - 15 November 2009

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'NZ CATHOLIC' - No.329 November 15-28 2009

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

Record intake predicted for NZ seminary ... Bishops approve instruction for new Mass ... Description of priests as monsters upsets archbishop ... Jesuit activist says NZ should get out of Afghanistan and into peace ... 44 pilgrims follow Exodus journey ... NZ icon honours Hawaii icon ... Book review: The theolgogy of climate change ... Advertising Feature: Conference and Retreat Centres ...

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Billboard ad riles church (photo)
Herald on Sunday — A034 — 15 November 2009
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10609388
A billboard suggesting a priest could job-share with a man wearing a fetish mask has been labelled a "mockery of the Christian faith" by the Catholic Church. But the people who put it up have no intention of taking it down.

Community helps with upgrade (photo)
Northern Outlook
http://tinyurl.com/yj5ubcu
Collaboration between St Patrick's School PTA, the Youth Development Opportunities Trust and sponsors is resulting in better security and a visual improvement to the school's premises.

Finn gets red-carpet treatment (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/3058484/Finn-gets-red-carpet-treatment
The red carpet was rolled out and the grape juice flowed at St Joseph's Church Hall earlier this week for the premier of 12-year-old Finn Whittington's movie The First Struggle.

Bill Donnelly — a life well lived (photo)
http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article/?id=14669
Bill Donnelly's contribution to his whanau, sport, and Gisborne in general was reflected in the procession of people through Te Poho-o-Rawiri Marae, where he lay in state for two days, and the massive turnout at St Mary Star of the Sea Church — a lot of people didn’t know he schooled at the convent then Marist Brothers.

Teschemakers chapel elements may be moved
http://www.odt.co.nz/the-regions/north-otago/81737/teschemakers-chapel-elements-may-be-moved
An application for consent to remove five stained glass windows from the historic Teschemakers chapel, in the grounds of the former Catholic boarding school, has led two North Otago men to call for the chapel to be left intact.

Dunedin church to receive marble altar from chapel at Teschemakers
http://www.odt.co.nz/the-regions/north-otago/81866/dunedin-church-receive-marble-altar-chapel-teschemakers
The marble altar from the chapel at Teschemakers is heading to the Holy Name Church in Dunedin, according to a Catholic parish newsletter.

City's new priests brush up cooking skills (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/3054368/Citys-new-priests-brush-up-cooking-skills/
Many people may find it strange New Plymouth's newest Catholic priests come from India. But even though less than 2 per cent of Indians belong to the Catholic faith that still makes them 17 million strong and more than 14,000 of them are priests. Father Vijay, 31, and Father Sanjay, 32, are two who decided to come and help fill some of the gaps.

HRH puts shine on golden effort (photos)
Hutt News
http://tinyurl.com/yfrdbf2
Not some stuffy or stand-off Royal: that seeemed to be the consensus of scores of pupils at Sacred Heart College who got to chat to Prince Edward when he took a break from the formal part of the Duke of Edinburgh Hillary Award ceremony.

Matty takes off for China (photo)
Hamilton Press
http://tinyurl.com/yk2zhus
Matty Bauernfeind leaves for China this Saturday to receive stem cell therapy, and his classmates at St Peter Chanel Catholic School have been helping to make sure he gets there.

Icon honours priests
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/kaikoura/3051272/Icon-honours-priests
This year the Catholic Church is celebrating the Year for Priests and to commemorate the occasion an icon of St John Vianney is touring the country.

Council may move school to make space for park (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10608557
Auckland City ratepayers will pay up to $15 million to build a new primary school in Hillsborough under a deal being negotiated between Deputy Mayor David Hay and the Catholic Bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn.

NZ offer to asylum seekers 'unlikely'
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/politics/news/article.cfm?c_id=280&objectid=10608531
New Zealand is unlikely to offer refuge to 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers plucked from a stricken boat, Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman said yesterday.

Building bridges towards unity (photo)
The Catholic Leader (Brisbane)
http://www.catholicleader.com.au/news.php/features/building-bridges-towards-unity_53717
An interview with Monsignor Juan Usma Gomez, a member of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity with special responsibility for relations with Pentecostals, the second largest Christian community after Catholics. Mgr Usma Gomez visited New Zealand in early November.

Brainwave programme educates future parents (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10608342
"If you give children lots of hugs and kisses, are you going to make them soft: true or false?" asked Brainwave Trust educator Wendy Nelson yesterday. "False," replied the boy near the front of the Year 9 class at De La Salle College in Mangere East, the first mainstream school in the country to get Brainwave's education programme on how infants' brains develop in their first three years.

Te Ara Hou Celebrates 10 Years As A Social Work Innovation
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/te-ara-hou-celebrates-10-years-social-work-innovation/5/29625On 11 November Te Ara Hou, the innovative social services village situatedon Morrinsville Road, celebrates 10 years of working together to address social issues in Hamilton. Te Ara Hou is the result of a joint vision between Council, which initially purchased the village's land, and Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic social work agencies.

Cook book
Taranaki Daily News, 10 Nov 2009, Edition 1, Page 12.
From the Heart: A Recipe Book from Sacred Heart Girls' College. Reviewed by Deborah Sloan. The New Plymouth Catholic girls' college is putting together a good-quality, full- colour recipe book as a fund-raiser.

Mission complete for money-raising lads
Taranaki Daily News | 13 Nov 2009 Page 5
It can be a difficult task raising money for worthy causes during a recession, unless you come from Francis Douglas Memorial College. The students broke their own record in impressive fashion on their traditional Mission Action Day

Balloon goes up for popular principal
Bay of Plenty Times — A002 — 12 November 2009
Your years at secondary school are defined by many things but for students at Aquinas College it will be their principal, Brendan Schollum, who helped mould and create the most memorable.

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INSPIRATIONAL TV - http://inspirationaltv.net

** Post-abortion trauma **
Sister Stephanie Kitching talks to Suzanne O'Rourke of the Voice for Life national charitable trust ( http://www.voiceforlife.org.nz/main )

** Give generously **
The Last Judgment (Mark 13, 24-32), a reading and homily by Fr Ted Tyler of the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, Sydney, Australia.

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'BEING FRANK' - http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

New Zealand Catholic Blogs. Some current topics ... Here’s to Hope (happiness and hope in Costa Rica) ... The Catholic Church is a force for good in the world (the BBC's "Intelligence Squared" debate) ... A little bit of Friday-night cornerstore evangelisation (Friday night in Kinshasa, Congo) ... School pride (on attending Priuzegiving at Rosmini College) ... God is good? (responding to the massacre at Fort Hood).

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen, Jr.
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic

Spain takes a page from the US pro-life playbook
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/spain-takes-page-us-pro-life-playbook

Americans who have spent any time in Catholic circles in Europe have likely been subjected to some clucking about our alleged political myopia. Even the most doctrinally conservative European Catholics often lament what they see as an obsession in America with abortion, and an over-identification of the American church with the political right. Conveniently ignored is the fact that the church’s political alignment in a given culture often depends on factors beyond its control. In both Europe and the States, one such variable is how open the political left is to pro-life sentiment. To put the point bluntly, if pro-lifers (including Catholics) can’t find a home on the left, many of them are obviously going to end up on the right...

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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)

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

[Vacancies for Catholic youth workers are advertised on the Vacancies page of Connect.org.nz: http://www.connect.org.nz ]

Administration Assistant/Receptionist (part-time), Wellington Catholic Education Centre
http://www.wcec.org.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' November 2009 p.15, and from wcec@wn.catholic.org.nzand Veronica Gray tel: (04) 496 1718 ; fax: (04) 496 1715. Applications close 16 November 2009.

Parish Secretary (part-time), Sacred Heart and San Antonio Parishes, Eastbourne/Petone
Details in 'Wel-com' November 2009 p.8 and from sacredheart@paradise.net.nz Applications close 27 November 2009.