NEWS OF THE GREAT JUBILEE
http://www.catholic.org/newzealand/cathcom/jubilee/news.html

I have trimmed back the reports on World Youth Day to just the sections for the last two days and the Aftermath. In that section there are several new report links plus news of a new Web site -http://www.giovani.org - "which in a few days will offer a chat service and discussion forums in six languages so that young people who participated in WYD can give their testimonies and maintain the friendships they forged in Rome." Also on our News page there's a preliminary report on the Jubilee of University Staff (3-10 September)

'YOUNG CATHOLICS'
http://www.catholic.org/newzealand/cathcom/youth/
With the end of World Youth Day 2000 I plan to preserve a couple of reports of the spectacular Saturday night and Sunday events in a page on our new 'Young Catholics' section with photos, hopefully this week.

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

Bequest Fundraiser Christian Broadcasting Association is seeking a person to establish a bequest prospect list and secure bequest commitments. Further details on p.19 of this weekend's 'NZ Catholic' (Aug.27) or from phil@cba.org.nz ; tel: 09 525 2730

PASTORAL LETTER

Our Bishops' 'Statement on Homosexuality' is published this weekend in 'NZ Catholic' p.7 and on the Web at: http://www.catholic.org/newzealand/cathcom/bishops/letters/hosex.html Written by Bishop Peter Cullinane, current President of the NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference, Part 1 refers to an earlier letter 'Dignity, Love, Life' (1986) which unfortunately is one of the few pastoral letters we haven't got on the Web. I have asked Catholic Communications for a copy to put up. Part 2 deals with the meaning of sexuality, false propaganda regarding homosexual behaviour, and chastity Part 3 explains that the bishops support for initiatives in favour of proprietorial and civic rights for all couples does not take anything away from society's higher obligation to uphold the uniqueness of marriage.

The thing that struck me was that in a bishops' pastoral letter of over 700 words, neither God nor the Word of God are mentioned. Does anyone else find that odd?

COMING EVENTS

7 to 9 September
The "Catholic Schools' 2000 Jubilee Convention", Wellington 7 to 9 September.
The programme and registration form are at: http://www.catholic.org/newzealand/nzceo/schools/convention

29 September - 1 October
"Children, Springtime of the Family and Society": a conference of Family Life International, St Joseph's Church Hall, 10 Dominion St., Takapauna, Auckland Details form the FLI Web site: http://www.fli.org.nz ; or from fli_ak@iconz.co.nz ; tel 09 631 7950 or 09 638 8101

30 September - 1 October (Auckland) 6-7 October (Christchurch)
Youth Conference and Rally for Love, Life and Family organized by Family Life International Auckland: North Shore Brass Band Hall, 13 Taharoto Rd., Takapuna Christchurch: Christ the King Parish Centre, 90 Greers Rd., Burnside Details from the FLI Web site http://www.fli.org.nz or from fli_ak@iconz.co.nz ; tel 09 638 8101 or 09 631 7950 (Auckland); t.schmetzer@clear.net.nz (Christchurch)

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Catholic schools' convention slated Manawatu News 23 August 2000 http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,331552a1900,FF.html
The Catholic school system in New Zealand is devoted to the wealthy and the powerful, if its official millennium celebrations are anything to go by, says former Massy University professor of education Ivan Snook ... [The convention programme is at http://www.catholic.org/newzealand/nzceo/schools/convention ]

'Churches Hold GE Symposium' 23 August 2000 http://www.scoop.co.nz/archive/scoop/stories/34/69/200008231417.67a5d083.html
Ethical concerns related to Genetic Engineering will come under the spotlight at a church-sponsored Symposium in Wellington on Friday 25 August ...

'Obituary – John Joseph Melia' Southland Times 23 August 2000 http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,331356a1942,FF.html
The sudden passing in Te Anau of John Joseph Melia halved the number of Irish Catholic priests in Southland ...

'Magazine judged top in awards' Otago Daily Times 21/8/2000
http://www1.odt.co.nz/cgi-bin/search-display-story-online?PATH=2000/8/21/IFH44C3\ 584IR.html&WORDS=tui+motu&DB=Editorial
When Father Michael Hill and Frances Skeleton decided to launch Tui Motu InterIslands, a monthly religious magazine, sceptics thought it would never succeed ...

'Catholics celebrate church Jubilee year'
Otago Daily Times 12 August
http://www1.odt.co.nz/cgi-bin/search-display-story-online?PATH=2000/8/12/IAD40A9\ 580IR.html&WORDS=catholic&DB=Editorial
Catholics from throughout the Dunedin diocese will gather tomorrow for a special Mass to mark a jubilee year in the church ...

'Church group studies GE'
Waikato Times 12/8/2000
NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE Churches have formed their own commission into genetic engineering, as concern mounts over the moral and ethical questions posed by GE advances. Representatives of the Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian and Catholic churches attended yesterday's public meeting of the Royal Commission on Genetic Modification.

'Songs of praise to replace roar for Lions'
The Dominion Date: 06/8/2000
NOT AVAILABLE ONLINE Songs of praise will replace the roar of Lions rugby fans at Wellington's WestpacTrust Stadium on November 4 when the region's combined churches hope 30,000 people will attend an afternoon celebration of Christ's birth 2000 years ago. Organisers, who launched Celebrate Jesus 2000 last night, said it promised to be Wellington's biggest ecumenical celebration. A 600- strong choir, a full orchestra, and the Opera New Zealand stage would occupy the section below the big screen, event producer Robert Haven said.

Until next week, God bless.
Mike Leon
'kiwicath' list manager