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Dear readers,
This is the last 'News & Notes' of 2008. The newsletter will recommence in
either the second or third week of January 2009, depending on the amount of
news available.

Every best wish for a blessed Christmas and a happy New Year.

Mike Leon

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'NZ CATHOLIC' - http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

Christmas issue, no. 307 Dec. 21 - Jan 24 2008

In this issue:
2008 in Review ... Colossal Christmas Crossword

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Church's voice moving on (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10549041
The long-time voice of the Catholic Church has been ousted from her job, a
move she believes is in part linked to internal politics. Lyndsay Freer left
yesterday after 23 years' service to the church, surprised to be told that
her role as national director of the Catholic Communications office was no
longer required.

Radio NZ. Saturday, with Kim Hill.
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday
The second of two interviews with Sister Loyola Galvin, New Zealand Gardener
of the Year

Young vinnies blanket animals with love (photo)
South Waikato News
http://tinyurl.com/4qnoe4
Lost and lonely kittens and puppies will have something warm to cuddle over
Christmas thanks to pupils at Bishop Edward Gaines Catholic School ...

Float
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaruherald/4780296a6010.html
A group of Timaru school students acting as "slaves" have raised money for
the Child Cancer Foundation. In the lead-up to tomorrow's Funrazor day, year
12 students at Roncalli College have collected more than $2000 from Timaru
businesses. The students acted as unpaid "slaves". The fundraiser was
organised by Libby Zandbergen and fellow students Morgan Jones and Charlotte
Parish. People were very supportive, Libby said. The students will also show
their support for two teachers, Gavin Hamel and David Mills, who will have
their heads shaved tomorrow to raise money to support children with cancer.

Maiden speech from Clare Curran
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/politics/36515/maiden-speech-clare-curran
Tena koutou, koutou te kahui torangapu o Aotearoa me Te Waipounamu. Tena koe
hoki e te mana whakawaa o te whare nei. He kupu whakamihi tenei no roto mai
i te awa o Otakou me ona wahapu ki a koutou e noho nei ki te waha o te ika.
Tena koutou, tena hoki tatou katoa. I dedicate this speech to my
grandmothers; Ellen Kinney and Peg Thompson, two strong willed, but
compassionate women who would be proud, if somewhat astounded to see me
standing here today. I want to talk about honesty, aspiration and community.
I stand here a New Zealander, a union member, a member of the Labour Party,
a mother, and, until very recently, the owner of a small business.

My first job
Bay of Plenty Times â€" â€" 20 December 2008
Each Saturday we talk to a well known local and find out about their first
job. This week it's Brendan Schollum, principal of Aquinas College...

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INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Mary will have a son'
A reading and discussion of Luke 1:26-38 with Fr Chris Skinner and Regina
Perez at St Mary of the Angels, Wellington.

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PODCASTS

http://station15.libsyn.com

'The Fifteenth Station'
In our Christmas episode this year, we talk about kneeling at Mass
continuing in New Zealand, a Bishop that is prepared to die for an end to
abortion, the Tui beer billboards about Christmas, the Vatican going green
and the Beatles being "forgiven". From all of the 15th Station team, have a
safe, happy and holy Christmas!

Catechiwi -- Episode 4: Viva il Papa
Fr Merv Duffy, SM, returns to the Catechiwi hot seat to help explain the
papacy -- not an easy task in 25 minutes or so. Fr Merv speaks with Gavin
Abraham about the biblical origins of the papacy, some good and bad pontiffs
and his time in Rome at the time of John Paul II's death.

Familia - Episode 4
This month’s edition of the Familia Podcast features part two of our special
2 part interview with Dr. Chris Pemberton on the issue of contraception. You
can hear part one of this interview in last month's edition of the Familia
Podcast.

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'BEING FRANK'

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

Blogs about Catholic life in New Zealand. Some current topics ...

The Parents of Christmas (first Christmas as a confirmed Catholic) ... "Are
you saying ‘boo’ or ‘Boo-urns’? (Catholic movie rewiews) ... The
Importance
of Friendship (with video link) ... The Temptations of Jesus (on reading
Pope Benedict's ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ ... Nuevo Semi-Protestantism ... Harder
Times (Christmas and the recession)

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

http://ncrcafe.org/node/507

Unpublished interview with Avery Dulles
Tributes to Cardinal Avery Dulles, who died last week at the age of 90, have
already been penned by people who knew him far better than I did, and who
are in a much stronger position to assess his theological legacy. At that
level, all I can add to what's already been written is "amen." What I can
contribute to the mix of remembrances, however, are the contents of a
previously unpublished interview I had with Dulles two years ago, in October
2006, as part of the research for my forthcoming book on "Megatrends in
Catholicism...."

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WORLD NEWS OF THE CHURCH (Regularly updated)

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.romereports.com (video)

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EVENTS

'Hearts Aflame' Catholic Summer School
9-18 January 2009
St Bede's College, Christchurch
Details:
http://www.heartsaflame.org.nz/HA2009/tabid/1348/Default.aspx


Parachute Music Festival
Mystery Creek, Hamilton. January 23 to 26 2009
http://websites.parachutemusic.com/festival/2009/

Legacy: "Witness the Spirit"
Saturday 21 - Sunday 22 February 2009
Tahaki Reserve, 250 Mt Eden Road, Mt Eden, Auckland
World Youth Day follow-up for ages 16-35
Details in 'NZ Catholic' no. 307 Dec. 21 - Jan 24 2008 p.8, and from Jo van
Kempen, tel: (09) 360 3023; (027) 249 1448

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EMPLOYMENT

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

Youth Minister. St Peter's College. Parishes of Palmerston North
http://www.dyc.net.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2008 p.12, and from Jonny Boon, email:
jboon@pndiocese.org.nz ; tel: (06) 350 3824 or 021 976 483 Applications
close 19 December 2008.

Seasons for Growth . Trainer / Coordinator
http://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/?sid=162
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2008 p.15 and from Barbara Gilray, tel. (04)
385 8642; e-mail: director@wn-catholicsocialservices.org.nz Applications
close 22 December 2008.

Presenters, 'NZ Catholic' newspaper
Details in 'NZ Catholic' no. 307 Dec. 21 - Jan 24 2008 p.22, and from Dennis
Augustine, NZ Catholic, PO Box 147-000, Ponsonby, Auckland 1144; tel (09)
360 3049; e-mail: advertising@nzcatholic.org.nz

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CATHOLIC COMMUNICATIONS NZ

http://www.cathcom.org.nz/media.php

'New Vatican document is a positive affirmation of human dignity and ethical
research' (14 Dec 2008)
Statement on the new Vatican document - Dignitas Personae ("The Dignity of a
Person"), from The Nathaniel Centre (The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics
Centre)

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'NZ CATHOLIC' - No. 306 - Dec. 14-20 2008

In this issue ...

Features: Cardinal Newman and his links to Pompallier and New Zealand; How
to evangelise with Christmas Mass; Churchgoing in the Cook Islands keeps joy
and gladness in worship ... Information: Holiday Mass Times ... Advertising
Feature: Monte Cecilia Housing Trust

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Old fashioned games help todays kids (photo)
North Harbour News
http://tinyurl.com/59ytfk
Board games are now part of the curriculum at Stella Maris Catholic School
in Silverdale ...

Otorohanga puts Sir Ed on the walkway (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/4791333a6579.html
(Photo caption: Lady and the children: Lady June Hillary with children from
St Mary's Catholic School, Otorohanga, at the opening yesterday of the Ed
Hillary Walkway)

Young Star Emma is lighting up the city (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/dunedin/35704/young-star-emma-lighting-city
Her parents and a French nun are among the people Dunedin Stars 2008 Young
Star supreme award recipient Emma Rosevear (18) names as key influences.

Gentleman judge an optimist
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/4788670a6563.html
Judge Peter McAloon A top of the South district and family court judge
described by his colleagues as "a real gentleman" will be farewelled
tomorrow in Blenheim.

White Christmas (photo)
Taupo Times
http://tinyurl.com/63jx4f
St Joseph's Catholic Church took first place in the Community section of the
Mangakino Chrismas float parade.

Bishops calls on Govt to sign human rights declaration
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/bishops-calls-govt-sign-human-rights-declaration-38\
737
Catholic bishops have called on the Government to support the Declaration on
the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted by the United Nations General
Assembly in September last year...

Gavin's future looks bright (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/northland/4786366a22378.html
A Maori boy from one of Northland’s poorest towns has graduated from an
Auckland secondary school with top honours. Moerewa 17-year-old Gavin Muka
Brown achieved the highest aggregate pass rates in his year for five years
running while a student at Hato Petera College in Northcote...

Catholics welcome three new priests
http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=108258
The sacrament of Holy Orders was held for three new priests at the Sacred
Heart Cathedral in Suva yesterday, among them Father Iosefo Brandon who did
pastoral work in New Zealand last year.

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INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Just back from the UN'
Nicole interviews Sr Anna of the Sisters of Mercy, just back from a two-week
course at the UN on combatting poverty and the Millenium Development Goals.

'Pointing the way'
A reading and discussion of John 1:6-8; 19-28 with Very Rev. Frank Nelson
and Rev. Jenny Wilkins at St Paul's Cathedral, Wellington.

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'BEING FRANK'

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

Blogs about Catholic life in New Zealand. Some current topics ...

Little Blessings; Abundant Grace (on being open to life in marriage) ... "I’m
a white male, age 18 to 49. Everyone listens to me, no matter how dumb my
suggestions are." (on cherry-picking religion) ... Artistic Licence (is it
possible to enjoy contemporary art?) ... Doggy with envy (dogs and envy) ...
Is Islam inherently bad? ... More than mistletoe (sex and Christmas parties)
... Holidays and pumpkin pie (recipe for pumpkin pie)

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

http://ncrcafe.org/node/507

Vatican issues new document on biotechnology
In a resounding confirmation that the Catholic church's pro-life concern
extends to the brave new world of biotechnology, the Vatican today issued a
tough document ['Dignitas Personae'] condemning the freezing of human
embryos, genetic engineering, human cloning, animal/human genetic hybrids,
and a number of other procedures described as affronts to human dignity. The
document also reiterates existing bans on embryonic stem cell research,
in-vitro fertilization, and the "morning after pill" ...

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WORLD NEWS OF THE CHURCH (Regularly updated)

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.romereports.com (video)

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EVENTS

'Hearts Aflame' Catholic Summer School
9-18 January 2009
St Bede's College, Christchurch
Details:
http://www.heartsaflame.org.nz/HA2009/tabid/1348/Default.aspx


Parachute Music Festival
Mystery Creek, Hamilton. January 23 to 26 2009
http://websites.parachutemusic.com/festival/2009/

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EMPLOYMENT

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

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

Seasons for Growth . Trainer / Coordinator
http://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/?sid=162
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2008 p.15 and from Barbara Gilray, tel. (04)
385 8642; e-mail: director@wn-catholicsocialservices.org.nz Applications
close 22 December 2008.

Youth Minister. St Peter's College. Parishes of Palmerston North
http://www.dyc.net.nz
Details in 'Wel-com' December 2008 p.12, and from Jonny Boon, email:
jboon@pndiocese.org.nz ; tel: (06) 350 3824 or 021 976 483 Applications
close 19 December 2008.

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS -

New Zealanders of the Year: Patrick Kelly, specialist Paediatrician
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10546746&pnum=9
You'll most often find Patrick Kelly at the Starship Children's Hospital
trying to put back together children who have suffered horrific abuse at the
hands of those who are supposed to love them the most. Sometimes the
injuries are so severe neither Kelly nor his colleagues can fix them...

Spreading the message on rubbish
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dominionpost/4782516a27490.html
New Zealand's Catholic Church is focusing on the environment, spokeswoman
Lyndsay Freer says. Direction has come from the top, with Pope Benedict XVI
issuing instructions for a greener Vatican, and for solar panels to be
installed on the Vatican roof...

Bound to make an impression (photo)
The Bay Chronicle
http://tinyurl.com/5mq5r2
An exhibition of stunning mezzotints by artist Maria Martin-Smith will be on
display at Pompallier Mission from November 28 ...

Tui's `offensive' billboard takes a hasty flight
http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/waikatotimes/4783373a6004.html
A beer billboard that offended many Christian groups is coming down almost
as quickly as it went up...

Knitting nanas
Howick and Pakuranga Times
http://www.times.co.nz/cms/news/2008/12/volunteers_vital_to_our_community.php?pa\
ge=2
Growing up in an era when people spent their evenings knitting and sewing
has instilled Cassie Moody with the skills to help hundreds of South
Auckland babies. The South Auckland Health Foundation graciously receive the
beanies, bonnets, jackets, booties and blankets she and many other similar
folk have knitted for so many years that Mrs Moody can’t remember exactly
how many...

Kids relish round the bridges (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/6bt5jh
These road runners from St Peter's Catholic school recently got a just
reward for all their hard training ...

SADD funds used to stage drunken party
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/local/5186907/sadd-funds-used-stage-drunken-party/
Drunken teenagers at a party funded by a high school's anti-drink-driving
group have trashed a rural Southland hall. Bottles were thrown at passing
cars and into a children's playground during the out-of-control party,
organised by high school pupils using money from the St Peter's College SADD
(Students Against Driving Drunk) committee, last Friday...

Arson destroys reading room at Christchurch primary (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/4780034a6009.html
Christchurch police are investigating an arson at a St Teresa's Primary
School in Riccarton...

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INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Mary Potter 161 years later'
Sr Mary Scanlan talks to Gay Robertson and Chris Murphy on the the staff of
the Mary Potter Hospice.

'Cleaning up our lives'
A reading and discussion of Mark 1:1-18 with Rev Jenny Wilkins and Rev Dr
Eleanor Sanderson at St Paul's Cathedral, Wellington.

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INTERVIEW WITH A CARMELITE NUN - Parts one to four

http://nz.youtube.com/results?search_query=carmelite+zealand&search_type=&aq=f

A series of four video interviews with Sister Cushla of the Christchurch
Carmelites, an enclosed, contemplative religious order.

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'BEING FRANK'

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

Blogs about Catholic life in New Zealand. Some current topics ...

"All this fresh air is making my hair move and I don’t know how long I can
complain." (on holding a blessing of the sick during Mass) ... Solidarity
and subsidiarity (solidarity and subsidiarity in Catholic social teaching)
... "Praise and Worship� Music in Church" (on Contemporary Christian music
in worship) ... Prepare ye the way (on purgatory) ... Musical Bites (the
Vatican and the Beatles - the movie 'Young at Heart)

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC MAGAZINES AND NEWSLETTERS

'Marist Messenger' - December 2008
http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

NZ Catholic Education Office newsletter 'Lighting New Fires' (with Catholic
schools' Supplement) - November 2008
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resourcesubpages/lighting-new-fires.html

Christchurch Diocese newsletter - 'Inform' - December 2008
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Marist Brothers' Marist Family newsletter - December 2008
http://www.maristbrothers.org.nz/Marist%20Family%20News.htm

Tui Motu InterIslands magazine - November 2008
http://www.tuimotu.org

The New Zealand Society of Eucharistic Adoration newsletter - September 2008
http://www.divinenet.org.nz/adoration.html

St Columban's Mission Society magazine 'The Far East' - November-December
2008
http://www.columban.org.au/?MID=200510192652

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

http://ncrcafe.org/node/507

Vetting possible ambassadors to the Holy See
One hallmark of emotional maturity is a capacity to distinguish between the
satisfying thing to do, and the smart thing to do. The clamor in some
circles for the Vatican to exercise its prerogative under international law
to say "no, thanks," should President-elect Barak Obama try to name
Pepperdine University law professor Douglas Kmiec as his ambassador to the
Holy See, offers a case in point...

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

WORLD NEWS OF THE CHURCH (Regularly updated)

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.romereports.com (video)

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

EVENTS

'Hearts Aflame' Catholic Summer School
9-18 January 2008
St Bede's College, Christchurch
Details:
http://www.heartsaflame.org.nz/HA2009/tabid/1348/Default.aspx

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

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