NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

** Catholic bishops oppose licence for Early Medical Abortions ** (November 20, 2009)
New Zealand’s Catholic bishops are writing to various government ministers to oppose and express their concern about the possible granting of a licence to dispense Mifepristone (Mifegyne® RU 486) with Misoprostol for the purpose of procuring Early Medical Abortions (EMA)...

** Church leaders urge bolder action on climate change ** (November 20, 2009)
In the lead up to the Copenhagen climate summit New Zealand Church leaders are urging bolder steps by the whole community in the country’s efforts to curb greenhouse gas emissions, and are calling on political leaders to strive for the strongest commitment by the international community at the summit.

** New Zealand Church Leaders statement: Copenhagen climate summit - a Kairos moment ** (November 20, 2009)

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Surgeon supports family clinic move over abortion pill
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2009/11/21/1245d42339c3
An abortion surgeon believes some women might benefit from receiving the abortion pill at a Family Planning clinic. The clinic in Hamilton has sought approval from the Abortion Supervisory Committee and, if approved, would be the first of its kind in New Zealand to offer the pill to women.

Little Sisters celebrate (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/dunedin/82903/little-sisters-celebrate
Marking the cannonisation of the Little Sisters of the Poor founder Jeanne Jugan, at a mass at St Joseph's Cathedral last night, were the sisters, residents and supporters of the Sacred Heart Home and Hospital in Brockville, members of the Catholic community and representatives from other denominations.

School marks fifty great years (photos)
High Country Community Herald
http://tinyurl.com/ybotged
St Joseph's School Oamaru is celebrating fifty years of success with their last addtion to the school this month, and they want to make a weekend of it.

Man who gambled away church money back in court
http://nz.news.yahoo.com/a/-/top-stories/6492271/man-who-gambled-away-church-money-back-in-court/
A man who allegedly gambled away money that churchgoers thought they had donated for his medical treatment was back in court again today.

School wants to stay
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/3071848/School-wants-to-stay
At least 50 Monte Cecilia School supporters turned up to the Auckland City Council's arts, culture and recreation meeting last week to convince councillors to reposition the school rather than move it a kilometre.

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INSPIRATIONAL TV - http://inspirationaltv.net

** John: A King **
A reading and homily on John 18:33-37 (this video was not functioning early on Sunday morning - ML)

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PODCASTS

http://station15.libsyn.com

** Station XV - Episode 27 - Cathanglicans and Destiny **
In this episode we talk about Anglicans coming home, Destiny and Tamaki's "spiritual sons", a record intake at our seminary here in New Zealand, and whether selling the Vatican would solve world hunger...or would just be a stupid idea! Plus we preview the new album by The Priests. You can catch the video stream up at www.ustream.tv/the15thstation, and you can find us on Twitter at twitter.com/station15, and on Facebook at facebook.com/station15.

** Catechiwi — with a Vatican official - 8 November 2009 **
When Christ walked the earth, it was his wish that the Church should be "one". However, over the past 2000 years, the Church has had major splits and minor splits, leading to countless Christian churches around the world. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church has been trying to restore unity with other Christians. In this month's episode of Catechiwi, Gavin Abraham interviews Msgr Juan Usma Gomez, a native of Colombia and now an official with the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Msgr Usma Gomez talks about the successes of the ecumenical movement, looks at the "state of play" at the moment and touches on the recent Vatican announcement on welcoming Anglicans into the Church.

** Familia — Episode 14 **
This month we take a break from our usual programing schedule to bring you a special presentation on euthanasia that was given by Brendan Malone last month in Auckland. The talk, entitled "Euthanasia and Human Dignity", examines the recent cultural trend towards embracing euthanasia and it explores some of the philosophical errors underpinning this trend, and some good reasons why legalising euthanasia is a very dangerous thing for a society to do.

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'BEING FRANK' - http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

New Zealand Catholic Blogs. Some current topics ...

Oh Ye of Little Faith (under stress, re-centring on what's important) ... “Twenty dollars can buy many peanuts!” (coping with beggars in Europe) ... The Mystery of Faith (standing or kneeling during the Eucharistic Prayer) ... The 4th Sunday in Not-So-Ordinary Time (Sunday in DR Congo ) ... "He doesn’t understand all the new trendy words ..." (banning Beenie Man) ... Full house (record numbers at Auckland seminary) ... Is there anybody out there? (life on other planets)

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

http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic

Rethinking the Catholic box score
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/rethinking-catholic-box-score

Catholicism and baseball share a natural affinity. Both venerate the past, both spawn vast bodies of rules and lore, and both put a premium on patience. The analogy applies here too: In the church as on the diamond, flawed categories skew perceptions of the game. A Catholic version of Moneyball might offer two challenges to the ecclesiastical box score: * Thinking not just in local or national terms, but globally. * Focusing not just on controversy, scandal, and newspaper headlines, but where ordinary Catholics actually invest their time and treasure...

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WORLD NEWS OF THE CHURCH

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

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

http://www.youtube.com/vatican (news of Pope Benedict - video)

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EMPLOYMENT

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

[Vacancies for Catholic youth workers are advertised on the Vacancies page of Connect.org.nz: http://www.connect.org.nz ]

Parish Secretary (part-time), Sacred Heart and San Antonio Parishes, Eastbourne/Petone
Details in 'Wel-com' November 2009 p.8 and from sacredheart@paradise.net.nz Applications close 27 November 2009.