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LENT 2003

The Practice of Jesus : Commentaries on the readings for Sundays & holy days
http://www.ake.quik.co.nz/termon/

"Praying Lent"
http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/

Daily Lenten Reflections
http://www.ewtn.com/faith/lent/index.htm

The Lent Calendar -
http://www.americancatholic.org/Features/Lent/calendar/lent2003.asp

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FROM THE CATHOLIC PRESS

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Marist Messenger March 2003
http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

Full text:
** Readings: Daily Mass readings and devotional prayers.
** Focus: Lent: Looking at the face of Jesus. Fr Carl Telford sm
** Jesus; last words from the Cross - Barbara Ellis
** Marist Spirituality - Humility
** Surf's up - this months recommended Websites to visit.

Annotated links:
** Extra reading - a selection of articles from online Catholic journals, magazines and papers.
** Daily News from the Catholic world.

Also in the March print edition:
Repent or perish ... Problems or sins ... Go to Joseph .... Mary, refuge of sinners .... The Last Supper .... Jesus welcomes sinners ... . The Two Wolves: which do we feed? ... The Stations of the Cross ... Wisdom over a crisis ... Jesus' last words from the Cross

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"Fussing youngsters at worship services draw differing responses", by Ed Langlois, Catholic News Service http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/20030228.htm Portland, Ore. (CNS) -- Msgr. Philip Murnion is not sure what to say about the topic of noisy or restless children in church. "I'd just be making it up," the expert on parish life says of the highly sensitive and universal issue.....

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IRAQ

"There is still time". Joint statement on the potential war in Iraq from the Church Leaders in New Zealand. (February 2003 http://www.catholic.org.nz/newsF.htm

Pope's peace messenger has face to face with Bush http://www.cathnews.com/news/303/37.php Pleading for peace, an emissary from Pope John Paul II has questioned US President Bush on whether he's doing all he could to avert what the envoy called an "unjust" war with Iraq....

Cardinal Laghi's statement following meeting with Bush: "Holy See Maintains That There Are Still Peaceful Avenues" (full text) http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=32326

U.S. Hasn't Ruled Out Holy See's View on Iraq, Says Vatican Aide at U.N. http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=32231

Prayer and fasting are weapons of peace, Says John Paul II http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=32268

Jews and Muslims Join the Fast for Peace http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=32283

Asia/Indonesia - prayer and fasting for peace from Aceh to Kalimantan: Muslims pleased Fides, March 5 2003 http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2003/0303/05_05.html

Japan - Catholic bishops issue statement against war on Iraq urging the use of peaceful means to settle the crisis Summary report: http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2003/0303/04_04.html Full text: http://www.fides.org/eng/vita_chiesa/vescovi_japan030303.html

Australian bishops support Pope call to observe international law http://www.cathnews.com/news/303/17.php

Vatican Extols "Force of Law, Not the Law of Force" http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=32053

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

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*** Euthanasia Bill ***
"MPs set for intense lobbying over euthanasia bill " NZPA/INL 07 March 2003 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2313360a6160,00.html MPs are set for intense lobbying over a voluntary euthanasia bill introduced yesterday, with doctors and the Catholic church already voicing their opposition....

"Euthanasia debate to heat up " TVNZ One News Mar 07, 2003 http://onenews.nzoom.com/onenews_detail/0,1227,173624-1-7,00.html The debate surrounding euthanasia is heating up as the Death With Dignity Bill is nearing its hearing in parliament. New Zealand First MP Peter Brown's private member's bill is due to be debated in parliament in the next few weeks and outlines a process where anyone wanting to opt for euthanasia has to get their medical condition signed off by two doctors as well as seeing a psychiatrist and a counsellor....

"Campaigner fights muzzle " NZ Herald 08.03.2003 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=news&thesubsection=&storyI\ D=3199757 Voluntary euthanasia campaigner Lesley Martin, who has been charged with the attempted murder of her mother, will fight in court next week against a muzzling order....

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"Catholic college for eastern suburbs " INL 07 March 2003 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/sundaystartimes/auckland/0,2106,2311426a6497,00.htm\ l A secondary school, catering for up to 1000 students, is being built for Howick and Pakuranga's Catholic community. The co-educational college, to be named Sancta Maria, is scheduled to open in January 2004...

"Service opens in new offices with blessing of the bishop " (photo) ODT Friday, 7-March 2003 http://www.odt.co.nz/cgi-bin/search-display-story-online-new?date=07Mar2003&obje\ ct=G6I05U4609HP&type=html&WORDS=catholic&DB=Editorial Blessings and a song heralded the official opening of the Catholic Social Services new premises in Dunedin yesterday....

"William Hobson's promise has created a conundrum. Article four and Hobson's choice", by Tim Watkin NZ Herald 02.03.2003 http://www.nzherald.co.nz/storydisplay.cfm?thesection=news&thesubsection=&storyI\ D=3198468 Shortly after 11am on February 6, 1840, Bishop Pompallier approached Captain William Hobson on the lawn at Waitangi, just as 500 Maori were set to sign the treaty. He asked that "the natives might be informed that all who should join the Catholic religion should have the protection of the British government". Given the dominance of the Anglican missions in New Zealand at the time, Pompallier was trying to ensure a level religious playing ground where he could compete for the souls of Maori on equal terms.....

"Churches holding family festival " Timaru Herald 03 March 2003 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/timaruherald/0,2106,2301906a6571,00.html The Anglican, Presbyterian and Catholic Churches in Pleasant Point are having a combined churches family festival. The event is to be held at the Kerry Hall (the Catholic Church) on March 9 at 4.30....

"Bid to ban Christian films " INL National News 06 March 2003 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2309506a11,00.html A Parliamentary committee wants censorship laws changed so Christian films critical of gay people can be banned....

"Catholics seek outside reviewer " INL National News 08 March 2003 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2316382a11,00.html The Catholic Church is seeking a non-Catholic to review the way it handled a sex abuse complaint. Catholic Communications' Director Lyndsay Freer said it had been decided the auditor should be from outside the Church and able to conduct a rigorous and independent inquiry....

"Ex-priest may fight sex case extradition " INL National News 04 March 2003 http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2304360a11,00.html A former New Zealand priest accused of sexually abusing children is likely to appeal against extradition from London. Alan Woodcock, 54, is accused of indecently assaulting teenage boys at Silverstream in Upper Hutt, Wellington and Palmerston North between 1982 and 1985 while working as a teacher....

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EMPLOYMENT

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

Vacancies in Catholic Youth Ministry are advertised on the Job Bank page of the National Council for Young Catholics: http://ncyc.org.nz

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Adult Religious Education Co-ordinator, Hamilton diocese Accountable to the Catholic bishop of Hamilton , as Catechetical Studies course director and Teaching supervisor in Pastoral Leadership and Moderator for the "walk by Faith" programme Full details in 'NZ Catholic Mar 9 2003, p.21 and from Sarah Rounthwaite,, sarahr@mlc.co.nz . Applications close 24 March 2003

Research and advocacy Officer, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Responsible for work on New Zealand justice and peace issues. Full details in Wel-com March 2003, p. 19 and form Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, Po Box 12-193 Wellington, e-mail: claire@caritas.org.nz

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EVENTS

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National Catholic Schools’ Day, April 2nd 2003

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The Eucharistic Convention, Friday 25th April - 6.00pm Sunday 27 April 2003 http://eucharistic-convention.com Venue: The Logan Campbell Theatre, Auckland Showgrounds, Greenlane Road, Auckland New Zealand The Eucharistic Convention 2003 is an annual event organised by lay people within the Auckland Diocese of the Catholic Church in New Zealand. Full details are on the Website.

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