Sunday, November 28, 2010

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

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

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

Masses for Pike River Miners (27 Nov 2010)

Catholic churches around the country are holding Masses for the miners who lost their lives at the Pike River coal mine...

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

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

****************************
THE PIKE RIVER MINE TRAGEDY
***************************

In our prayers (photo caption)
The Press
http://tinyurl.com/26gy3ep
Mourners gathered at St Patrick's Church in Greymouth yesterday to remember those who presihed in the Pike River mine tragedy.

Mass held for Pike River miners (video report)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/video.cfm?c_id=1&gal_objectid=10690385&gallery_id=115461
Mass is held for the 29 Pike River mine victims at St Patrick's Church, Greymouth.

Bells toll for Pike River 29 (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10690385
Twenty-nine times church bells tolled, calling in a grieving community to farewell 29 of their loved ones. As people began to arrive at St Patrick's Catholic Church in Greymouth, for a moment 29 worshippers knelt in prayer for the 29 who had died in the Pike River coal mine.

Pike River: 'Our darkest hour' (photos)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/national-news/4381393/Second-mine-blast-no-survivors
[A message of condolences and sympathy from Pope Benedict XVI]

South feels for 'neighbours' in loss
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4391306/South-feels-for-neighbours-in-loss
A minute's silence will be held in central Queenstown and Wanaka today as a mark of respect for the 29 men lost in the Pike River mine disaster.

Miners remembered around city (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/4391402/Timaru-joins-nation-in-grief/
Timaruvians will continue to pay tribute to the Pike River miners today.

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

IN OTHER NEWS ...

New translations revive Mass of old, by Fr John C O’Connor (photo)
The Press
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/opinion/perspective/4391672/New-translations-revive-Mass-of-old
New Zealand Catholics are the first in the world to welcome new English translations of the 2000- year-old Mass. After almost a decade of study and consultation, the revised texts will be used at all Masses in New Zealand from this Sunday. Father Fr John C O’Connor is a Catholic priest of the diocese of Christchurch, and parish priest of Our Lady of Victories, Sockburn and St Therese of Lisieux, Chatham Islands.

Alex has a big heart (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/east-bays-courier/4388718/Alex-has-a-big-heart
Alex Snedden has four jobs, learns karate, swims and goes to the gym. He even has time to travel the world and speak on behalf of people with Down syndrome. Earlier this year he was recognised by the NZ Down Syndrome Association for his outstanding contribution to the community.

Our Michaels and Maureens are valued too
The Daily Post, Rotorua — A006 — 25 November 2010
Rotorua couple Stephen and Stella McLeod, whose Down syndrome daughter Maureen often adds a delightful touch as an altar girl at masses at St Mary's, are among a group of parents of Down syndrome children who are taking on the Government over its antenatal screening programme for Down syndrome. [The full text of this article can be read via the public libraries' 'Newztext' service]

Half a century of Christmas stamps (photos)
The Wellingtonian
http://tinyurl.com/29fzqch
New Zealand’s first Christmas stamp was issued 50 years ago. The design of that 1960 stamp is reproduced on this year’s 60 cent gummed and self-adhesive Christmas varieties, now on sale at post shops.

Robbed of relic (photos)
North Shore Times
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/north-shore-times/4381332/Robbed-of-relic
A bone shard from a saint has been stolen from St Mary’s Catholic Church in Northcote. The relic of St Maria Goretti, the 13-year-old patron of youth and purity, was taken from a cabinet above the church’s altar.

Exploitation motivates pair’s walk
Christchurch Mail
http://tinyurl.com/22ttnxe
Kate Medlicott and Tim Geaney left Bluff on November 15 and will walk 2300km to the top of New Zealand, finishing at Cape Reinga on February 4 next year for the End Child Prostitution and Trafficking (ECPAT) Child Alert. The Walk for ECPAT is also being supported by the Catholic Women’s League, with some members joining the pair on their journey.

French priest succeeds where parents have struggled
The Record (Perth, Western Australia)
http://www.therecord.com.au/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2115&Itemid=26
[Fr Antoine Thomas csj, founder of a children's Eucharistic adoration movement, is coming to live at St Therese of Lisieux Catholic Church in Riccarton]

Temuka loses community stalwart (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/4374337/Temuka-loses-community-stalwart
Les Double, 70, was a champion for community causes, working tirelessly for the good of the town. He was involved with several organisations alongside his wife, Lorna, serving on committees and organising numerous events.

St John stalwarts lauded for work (photo)
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/local/news/st-john-stalwarts-lauded-for-work/3930880/
Two Western Bay residents were recognised for their years of dedicated service to St John at an investiture ceremony at St Mary's Catholic Church, Tauranga, yesterday.

Descendents of Irish Power family to reunite (photo)
Northern Outlook
http://tinyurl.com/2c439en
Surviving members and descendants of a long-standing Rangiora family will arrive in Waimakariri from all over the country in January for a 150th commemoration. Annie Power (1903-1995) was a wellknown member of the Rangiora community, serving for many years in the Catholic community. She and her family farmed outside Rangiora, her grandson Richard Power said.

Bishop always found the good in people (photo)
The Press
http://tinyurl.com/2bhh8mm
John Cunneen, the former Catholic bishop of Christchurch who died last week, has been remembered as a compassionate and gentle soul with an unwavering faith. Cunneen was last week interred in the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament after his death, aged 78, from a long illness.

Pope's condom comments extraordinary - Aids group
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/62329/pope%27s-condom-comments-extraordinary-aids-group
The New Zealand Aids Foundation says the head of the Catholic Church easing his stance on the use of condoms is extraordinary and significant.

Ex-brother 'horrified' by sex allegations (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/wellington/4390883/Ex-brother-horrified-by-sex-allegations
Bede Thomas Hampton, 62, a former Marist brother charged with sexually assaulting two pupils more than 30 years ago, says he did not do most of what is alleged against him.

Ex-Marist Brother 'Not Surprised' By Historic Sex Charges
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/ex-marist-brother-039not-surprised039-historic-sex-charges/5/73315
Wellington, NZPA Nov 24 - Former Marist brother Bede Hampton was not surprised when police knocked on his door wanting to talk to him about historic sex abuse accusations dating back almost 40 years, a court was told today.

Boy's alleged abuser apologises 30 years on, court told
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/137669/boys-alleged-abuser-apologises-30-years-court-told
A student who was allegedly abused by a then Marist brother teaching at a Catholic boarding school in Masterton in the 1970s, received an apology when he confronted the man by telephone 30 years later, a court was told today. A tape of the highly charged conversation, recorded by an Australian police detective six years ago, was played to a jury in the High Court at Wellington this afternoon. The ex-brother, Bede Thomas Hampton, 62, returned voluntarily from Queensland to face trial on 26 charges relating to incidents involving two boys at St Joseph's College in the early 1970s.

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

NEWS OF THE SCHOOLS
***********************

Many walks make light footprint on Earth (photo caption)
Taupo Times
http://tinyurl.com/2eo7swo
Some of the Tuesday Trekkers group from St Patrick’s Catholic School have just received their gold awards for walking to school 45 times.

School recruits students
North Shore Times (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/north-shore-times/4389244/School-recruits-students
A recruitment campaign has been launched in a bid to lift Hato Petera College’s student roll. The Maori Catholic secondary school is targeting the North Shore for day students.

Fantasy adventurous (photo)
Piako Post
http://tinyurl.com/2estvtu
St Joseph’s School Morrinsville treated audiences to a stellar performance with their whole school production Fantastic Four and the Kingdom of Light. The Fantastic Four took the audience on an adventure as they travelled to find the Kingdom of Light where they picked up the seven virtues of the Holy Spirit

Duathlon a great success
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/kaikoura/4376411/Duathlon-a-great-success
On Friday, St Joseph’s School [Kaikoura] held its first duathlon.

Garin College wins competition on points
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/sport/4387879/Garin-College-wins-competition-on-points
Ten teams of students from Motueka High School, Garin College, Waimea College and Nayland College have been competing over the past five weeks, with Garin 1 claiming the title in yesterday's final round ahead of Motueka Yeti. Both teams won four games. However, Garin's +37 points differential placed it well ahead of Motueka's +18. Garin 3 finished third and Motueka Kings were fourth. This is the third year of the competition, with Nayland winning the inaugural event and Waimea winning last year's title. The event's increasing popularity means that another competition will be run in the new year starting in February and all the players have indicated they will be entering the Bowls Nelson Secondary Schools Centre Qualifying event on February 24.

St Mary's out to keep mini cup title
http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/sport/news/st-marys-out-to-keep-mini-cup-title/3931481/
Western Bay of Plenty's St Mary's School chase a three-peat of Mini World Cup Championship titles tomorrow. The Bay of Plenty final of the BOP Cricket Mini World Cup brings together the winners from four regional competitions, held in the Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty, Rotorua and Taupo at Boord Park in Rotorua.
The Mini World Cup was initiated by Bay of Plenty Cricket six years ago, to introduce year five and six pupils to the enjoyment of the game. To give the competition a real flavour of international cricket, all school teams represent a cricket-playing nation.

Hope is a winner (photo)
The Dominion Post
http://tinyurl.com/23kbxxv
After receiving more than 200 entries, the competition to design a T-shirt for Cure Kids has been wone by an 11-year-old Taine Te Miha from St Peter's Catholic School in Cambridge.

Waitara's oldest resident turns 102 years young (photos)
North Taranaki Midweek
http://tinyurl.com/275mszh
On Friday Mrs Molly Staples was thrilled to bits to see students from St Joseph's Catholic School coming up the drive of Kohatu Rest Home to sing to her on her 102nd birthday.

Determination pays off (photo)
The Dominion Post
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/college-sport/4378243/Determination-pays-off
What a difference a week makes, and for cricketer Sean O’Connor it meant scoring his maiden century. Seven days earlier the St Pat’s Town first XI opener had been out for 70 when trying to hit over the top in the first innings of his side’s College Sport Wellington premier one game against Tawa College at Kilbirnie Park.

Dare leads to red noses for all (photo)
Northern Outlook
http://tinyurl.com/2d9ndx7
Alex Kuipers and fellow St Patrick’s School (Kaiapoi) student Sean Walters took on a $200 dare with their principal Therese Coleman and won.

The Hutt News Primary Schools' Supplement: text and photos
St Michael's, Taita: http://tinyurl.com/22pdcol
San Antonio School, Eastbourne; St Bernadette's, Naenae: http://tinyurl.com/2er79cs
Sacred Heart School, Petone: http://tinyurl.com/2fwsu9f

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

'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Few and far between? (When all eyes are on you, the practising Catholic)

** “Something was said…not good. What was it?” (the Pope and condoms)

** Inculturation or Deformation? (variations on the Mass)

** Harry Potter and the end being nigh (looking at Harry Potter with a more objective eye)

** Ordinariate in England and Wales (a statement by the bishops of England and Wales)

** Of Monday morsels, mines, and muddying the waters (Pike river, condoms and aids

** Constantly filtering (music and the mind)

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

INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Stay Awake' - Luke 24:37-44, a reading and commentary with Violet Kudzotsa and Simon McLellan.

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

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

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

In defence of 'L'Osservatore Romano'
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/defense-l%E2%80%99osservatore-romano

Pope Benedict XVI’s surprising comments on condoms in his new book-length interview with German journalist Peter Seewald, titled Light of the World, obviously has been the big Vatican story this week... a fascinating subplot has emerged in the form of fierce intra-Catholic blowback against L’Osservatore Romano, the official Vatican newspaper, which published a set of extracts from the book on Saturday night, including an edited version of Benedict’s comments on condoms... First, here’s a sampling of what critics are saying...

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

FACEBOOK

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

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

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)

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

'NZ Catholic' subscription promoters
http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Nov. 21 - Dec. 4 2010 p.19, and from Dennis Augustine, Promotions and Advertising Manager, NZ Catholic, PO Box 147-000, Ponsonby, Auckland, 1144; tel: (09) 360-3049; e-mail: advertising@nzcatholic.org.nz