Dear readers,

This is the last News & Notes for 2010. The next newsletter will go out on Sunday 9 January 2011.

Every best wish and all God's blessings for a Happy Christmas.

Mike Leon

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NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

http://www.catholic.org.nz/news/fx-list-articles.cfm?ctype=MRART&loadref=50

Winning design chosen for WYD 2011 t-shirt (21 Dec 2010)
The winner of the World Youth Day 2011 T-shirt Design Competition is Alexandra Turner from the Diocese of Auckland. Her design received the most votes from the judging panel, which included professional designers...

Youth ministry award winners announced (21 Dec 2010)
The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference and its Office for Young People have announced the recipients of the 2010 Delargey Awards, which recognise significant and outstanding contributions to Catholic youth ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand...

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'NZ CATHOLIC' - Christmas Edition, Dec. 25 2010 - Jan. 29 2011

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

In this issue: Southland papal award may be a first ... Case for NZ's first 'Blessed' nears finish ... Christmas at the Vatican is unique ... Abused Suzanna has no doubt that Our Lady saved her life ... 2010 in review ... Interview with Pope deflates myths, explains decisions and offers insights ...

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

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CHRISTMAS 2010
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Jesus' birth still resonates 2000 years after the event: a message from Auckland church leaders (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10696063

Sharing at Christmas (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/waiheke-marketplace/4480387/Sharing-at-Christmas
It’s not all bad news for the [Waiheke Island] Anglican community which won’t be spending Christmas in its own new church after plans to build it have been delayed. While putting the consent together has taken longer and been more costly than originally planned, there have been some positives. Sharing services with the Catholic church in Little Oneroa has seen an increase in the ecumenical nature of both churches.

Christmas, Island style
Upper Hutt Leader
http://tinyurl.com/29r565h
Christmas in the Pacific is like no other. But despite the differences in traditions and rituals, the focus on religion, family and food is universal. Esther Lauaki compares a typical Samoan Christmas with two other Polynesian families’ festivities.

Caring for the Grandparents caring for children this Xmas (photo)
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1012/S00629/caring-for-the-grandparents-caring-for-children-this-xmas.htm
The Catholic Caring Foundation (CCF) urges communities to remember the many grandparents raising children this Christmas.

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IN OTHER NEWS ...
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Holy Innocents’ service
Kapiti Observer
http://tinyurl.com/2544tbw
Father Jim Kershaw of St Patrick’s parish Paraparaumu will conduct a memorial service for babies who have died and their families on the Tuesday after Christmas, to coincide with the Feast of the Holy Innocents.

Your choice or theirs?, by Melissa Mcdonnell
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/blogs/pg-parental-guidance-advised/4476286/Your-choice-or-theirs
Why a part-time Catholic had her daughter baptised in the Church. [Readers' comments are invited]

Lunch courtesy of northern friends (photo caption)
Christchurch Mail
http://tinyurl.com/2d4vh8s
Doing lunch: A frivolous lunch - with hat, scarf, and flower 'de rigueur' - was enjoyed by the Dallington branch of the Catholic Women's League courtesy of the League's Te Puke and Gisborne branches to lift the spirits of their southern sister post-quake.

Catholic Church looks overseas for priests (transcript of radio broadcast)
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2010/s3097301.htm
Father Doug Hoare from Dunedin diocese has gone to Queensland to help fill a shortage of rural priests.

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NEWS OF THE SCHOOLS
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Bishop Viard College, Porirua: Future looks bright (photo)
Kapi-Mana News
http://tinyurl.com/2axdgxu

John Paul College, Rotorua: Teen charged over fatal smash (photo)
http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/local/news/teen-charged-over-fatal-van-smash/3934969/

Roncalli College, Timaru: Privy seal after clean
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/4488009/Privy-seal-after-clean
Dirty loo causing a stink
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/4479113/Dirty-loo-causing-a-stink

Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt: Trust awards scholarships (photo)
The Hutt News
http://tinyurl.com/29fft8p

St Bernard's college, Lower Hutt: Michael scores three in a row for college (photo)
The Hutt News
http://tinyurl.com/29gwszu

St Mary’s, Blenheim: Emotional farewell after 25-year stint (photo)
The Marlborough Express
http://tinyurl.com/2b6s3hk

St Mary's, Blenheim: Life lessons on leadership (photo)
Marlborough Midweek
http://tinyurl.com/2bouecq

St Peter’s, Cambridge: School scoops essay competition (photo)
Cambridge Edition
http://tinyurl.com/2aqrl3e

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Don’t ask, Don’t tell (a tourist in the Big Apple)

** mas everyone and may the Blessed Virgin invite you to come close to the crib of her Son over the next couple of days.

** Waiting, Hope, Journeys, and Hobbits (lessons for Advent from J. R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis and others)

** Doctor Life (experiences of a Catholic obstetrician)

** The true meaning of Christmas

** The Hidden Saint (an appreciation of Saint Joseph)

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FACEBOOK

Pompallier's People: The Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Catholic-Church-in-Aotearoa-New-Zealand/149916141686808
Twitter:
http://twitter.com/catholicnz

Bishop Pat Dunn's diary
http://www.facebook.com/bishoppatrick

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz

Icon Media
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Auckland/Icon-Media/126176587430993?v=wall

'The Fifteenth Station'
http://www.facebook.com/station15

Youth for Family and Life (YFL) New Zealand
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Youth-For-Family-and-Life-CFC-YFL/113115662062621

SMNZ Marists - the Society of Mary in New Zealand
http://www.facebook.com/Marists

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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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EVENTS

Catholic Charismatic Renewal Conference: "Put out into the deep" (Lk 5:4)
Friday 4 March - Sunday 6 March 2011
Barrycourt Quality Hotel Conference Centre, 20 Gladstone Road, Parnell, Auckland, NZ
Details in 'NZ Catholic' December 19 - 24, p.9, at http://www.catholiccharismatic.org.nz/files/isao-conf-brochure-2010.pdf and from Conference Secretary, St Joseph's Centre, 1 Fred Thomas Drive, Takapuna, Auckland 0622, NZ; tel: (09) 835 1396 (ask for Anil Baptist); fax: (09) 489 3021; e-mail: aucklandccr@gmail.com

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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 ]

Resource Development department, Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, Australia (3 positions)
Gifts Manager, Catholic Education
Gifts Manager, Centacare
Annual Giving Manager
Details from Mr Mitch Witherington, Consultant at Global Philanthropic; e-mail: m.w@globalphilanthropic.com ; tel: +61 7 3211 2320 or +61 0421 043 282 and http://globalphilanthropic.com/subpage.php?p=116
Applications close 14 January 2011