May almighty God bless us on this day when his only Son ascended into heaven to prepare a place for us. After his resurrection, Christ was seen by his disciples. When he appears as judge, may we be pleasing forever in his sight. We believe that Jesus has taken his seat in majesty at the right hand of the Father. May we have the joy of experiencing that he is also with us to the end of time. May almighty God bless us, the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Adapted from the Solemn Blessing for Ascension Day) ******************************************************* Dear friends, A couple of weeks ago New Zealand's Catholic bishops concluded one of their regular meetings and I contacted the Bishops Conference Executive Officer, Terence Oliver, to ask for a few details to send to our forum. Better late than never, I have received a summary of the more interesting decisions made at the meeting (see below), and I am hopeful that having established a precedent, I may be able to do the same in future a bit closer to the event. The meeting in Rome of nearly all the world's cardinals ended last Friday our time. In the Thursday bulletin of the Catholic news agency Zenit, there are a number of items giving a useful overview of the event: http://zenit.org/english/archive/0105/ZE010524.htm This Weekend's Tablet has a somewhat more critical view: http://www.thetablet.co.uk/cgi-bin/citw.cgi God bless, Mike Leon 'kiwicath' forum manager ******************************** NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE Decisions taken at the recent week-long meeting of NZ's Catholic bishops in Christchurch ... Pax Christi All the NZ bishops have given their support to the anti-nuclear policies of Pax Christi by submitting their names to a statement of its aims. Bishop R W Leamy SM has accepted the role of representing the bishops. [Pax Christi in the NZ Catholic directory: http://catholic.org.nz/cathcom/directory/direct3m.html#15 Pax Christi's International Website: http://www.paxchristi.net/ ] Solomon Islands Clergy Formation Many Pacific island dioceses have great difficulty funding the education of their seminarians and have requested help from the NZ bishops. Initial financial help will be given for this year and our bishops will look at alleviating the problem with other approaches in the future. Catholic Network of Marriage Educators The Network requested support for declaring a National Marriage Week which the bishops readily agreed to. The bishops asked for specific recommendations on how National Marriage Week can be celebrated. Youth Council The bishops agreed to subsidise the travel of 2 NZ delegates to the Toronto World Youth Day in 2002. [ National Council for Young Catholics: http://catholic.org.nz/cathcom/directory/direct3m.html#5 World Youth Day: http://www.wyd2002.org/ ] ******************************** FROM THE SECULAR PRESS 'Comprehensive churchgoing survey ' Otago Daily Times 21 May 2001 Sydney: New Zealand churchgoers yesterday took part in the largest and most comprehensive survey of church life in the world. The 2001 National Church Life Survey will research church attitudes, beliefs and practices in 17,300 congregations in Australia, the United States, England and New Zealand. Congregation members from 18 denominations in the four countries were asked to complete the written survey forms yesterday and for the rest of this week. Chair of the international steering committee, the Rev Dean Drayton, said the survey aimed to provide a unique snapshot of the churches at the start of the new millennium. "This project is unprecedented in its size and scope," Dr Drayton said in a statement. "For the first time we will be able to compare four countries in detail, using the largest database in church life in the world." Dr Drayton said participants would receive reports of their own results through their congregation but results would also be available on an interactive web site - http://www.ncls.org.au/ 'Universities' role of interest to church ' The Southland Times 26 May 2001 http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,806023a1943,FF.html It is unlikely the ongoing argument about university councils has attracted much attention in church circles, Invercargill First Presbyterian Church minister, the Rev Simon Rae says in Religion and Life. However, the issue is important and religious bodies do have an interest in supporting the role of the universities in our society.... **************************************** EVENTS 22-23 June Mercy Health Care Conference 2001, Waipuna Conference Centre, Auckland The focus of the conference will be how Catholic health and aged care services can uphold the dignity of human life while setting realistic limits to the care provided. Details in 'NZ Catholic' 8 April 2001 p.19 and from the Conference Organiser, Te Tairere Oranga, PO Box 109 025 Newmarket, Auckland. Website: http://www.mercy.co.nz/ 'Art and Faith' Competition for paintings of a spiritual nature sponsored by 'NZ Catholic' newspaper, Lillias McLean and Creative Communities [Auckland City] Committee. Details in 'NZ Catholic' May 20 2001 p.23 . Entry form from NZ Catholic, PO Box 147-000, Ponsonby, Auckland 1034. Email: catholic@iconz.co.nz or artel@xtra.co.nz. Fax: (09) 360 3065 or (09) 524 8322 Closing date: 31 August 2001 ***************************** EMPLOYMENT (Vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised in the Education Gazette: http://www.edgazette.govt.nz/vacancies ) Religious Education/Pastoral Assistant, St Mark's Parish, Pakuranga Auckland. Details in NZ Catholic May 6 p.23 and from the Parish Office tel 576 7959; fax: 576 7905. Applications close 1 June 2001 Weekend Nurses, Vincentian Home and Hospital, Berhampore, Wellington Details in Wel-com May 2001 p.19 and form Alison Crowe, 2a Stanley Street, Berhampore, Wellington Tel: 04 380 0294 or 04 380 0581 Tertiary Education Chaplain, Palmerston North Diocese. Details in 'NZ Catholic' 22 April 2001 p.23 and from Bishop's Office, Private Bag 11012 Palmerston North, tel 06 357 1980. Applications close 12 June 2001 Tertiary Chaplain, Palmerston North Diocese. Details in Wel-com May 2001 p.19 and form bishops' Office, Private Bag 11012 Palmerston North, Tel: 06 357 1980. Applications close 12 June 2001 Accounting Officer, Archdiocesan Development fund, Wellington. Details in Wel-com May 2001 p.19 and from Chris King, Administration Manager, PO Box 12-407, Wellington. E-mail: invest@adf.org.nz ************************************************