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LENT 2003

Preacher at Papal Spiritual Exercises Reflects on Love of God http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=32455 Vatican City, March 9, 2003 (Zenit.Org-Avvenire). "Big wars are prepared by many little wars, arrogant acts and egoism," said 59-year-old Archbishop Comastri, vice president of the Pontifical Academy of Mary Immaculate. This prompted him to choose "God is Love! Let Us Start Afresh from This Beautiful News" as the theme of the weeklong retreat....

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

Stations of the Cross http://www.catholic.org.uk/chapel/stations/

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NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

"Proposed Euthanasia legislation contrary to human dignity" (11 March 2003) http://www.catholic.org.nz/newsF.htm Legislation that is shortly to come before Parliament seeking to legitimize voluntary euthanasia is placing our society at a critical juncture. We believe that life is the most basic gift of a loving God – a gift over which we have stewardship but not absolute dominion. Passing through death into eternal life is also God’s gift. A gift is received, not grasped or taken on our own terms....

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FROM THE CATHOLIC PRESS

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'NZ Catholic' No 157, March 9, 2003 http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

"National office will co-ordinate handling of abuse complaints " The Catholic Church is to set up a national office to co-ordinate the handling of sex abuse complaints...

"Mother forgave her son's murderer " Terri Blair faced the man who murdered her son - and told him she forgave him. ..

"Pledge to Bishop Pompallier becomes political issue " A promise of religious freedom won by Bishop Jean Baptiste Pompallier 163 years ago has become the focus of new controversy. On February 24 the Leader of the Opposition, Bill English, claimed the Treaty of Waitangi extended to a fourth article, calling it "a Trojan horse for Maori indigenous beliefs". ....

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Caritas HK: Humanitarian aid, rehabilitation and development efforts required if we want North Korean people to become part of international community Fides News Service 3/3/03 http://www.fides.org/eng/news/2003/0303/11_04.html "Food aid has saved hundreds of thousands, mostly women and children. This is why despite the difficulties we encounter in collecting funds and in dealing with North Korean bureaucracy, we must carry on, our work is important. Concern for those who suffer is a priority for Caritas" says Kathi Zellweger, head of international projects for Caritas Hong Kong....

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IRAQ

Father Richard Neuhaus on the Iraqi crisis : Editor in Chief of "First Things" points to disarmament as a just cause http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=32497

Russell Shaw on the Iraqi crisis: Where the Vatican and White House Concur -- and Differ http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=32663

"Church Leaders Pray for Peace Initiative" (press release) Scoop 12 March 2003 http://www.scoop.co.nz/archive/scoop/stories/25/73/200303120049.93ef4459.html The leaders of New Zealand's major national churches have asked all their congregations to pray for peace in the Middle East this Sunday, March 16....

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand: "What Everyone Should Know about a War on Iraq" http://www.caritas.org.nz/world/asia/iraq/iraq_war_jan2003.htm

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FROM THE SECULAR MEDIA

"Entertainer Hinewehi Mohi returns to St Joseph's Maori Girl's College to honour the teacher who inspired her" TVNZ: The Holmes Show (Friday March 14) http://tvone.nzoom.com/programmes/holmes/story.html?story_2003_archive.inc

"New bishop `not imminent' " Otago Daily Times 8 March 2003 (full text) A replacement for the Roman Catholic Bishop of Dunedin, the Most Rev Leonard Boyle, has yet to be found. Bishop Boyle (72) announced his retirement to the Otago-Southland diocese last September for health reasons. His resignation does not become effective until another bishop is appointed to the position. The papal nuncio (ambassador of the pope) in Wellington, Archbishop Patrick Coveney, said yesterday it would be several months before a replacement was appointed. "It is not imminent."

"Debating prostitution Bill" (letter to the editor, by Bishop Len Boyle) Otago Daily Times 10-March 2003 http://www.odt.co.nz/cgi-bin/search-display-story-online-new?date=10Mar2003&obje\ ct=G7J3751843LS&type=html&WORDS=catholic&DB=Editorial You reported that a group called "Catholic Action" made some scathing comments and judgements about politicians who would support the Bill decriminalising prostitution ( ODT , 24.2.03). "Catholic Action" is not an official organisation of the Catholic Church. I have no idea who they are and want to make it clear to your readers and, in particular the politicians, that we dissociate ourselves from the organisation and the methods used in opposing the proposed legislation.....

"Hato Petera eyes up rivals" http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,2325576a11,00.html INL 13 March 2003 Hato Petera will fly the flag for Maori boarding schools in the Auckland Secondary Schools' Maori and Pacific Islands Cultural Festival ...

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WEB TV

Wellington Archdiocesan Media Office: Catholictv.net http://catholictv.net Sr Stephanie Kitching interviews Fr Gerard Burns, a member of a recent fact-finding delegation of Caritas Internationalis to Israel and the Palestinian territories, on conditions for peace between the two sides.

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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 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 from 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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