Sunday, March 27, 2022

God our Father, your Word, Jesus Christ, spoke peace to a sinful world and brought mankind the gift of reconciliation by the suffering and death he endured. Teach us, the people who bear his name, to follow the example he gave us: may our faith, hope, and charity turn hatred to love, conflict to peace, death to eternal life.  (Second Opening Prayer, Fourth Sunday of Lent (C) )

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NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

https://www.catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/

** Catholic bishops welcome Covid restrictions easing in time for Easter

** Mena Antonio appointed new Caritas Chief Executive


NZCBC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CatholicNZ/

** Here is a video and account of Pope Francis praying the Act of Consecration of humanity, especially of Russia and Ukraine, to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

** Here is Bishop Michael Gielen this morning praying the act of consecration for Ukraine and Russia

** Leadership coach Mena Antonio is the new Chief Executive/Kaiwhakahaere Matua of the Catholic social justice agency Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

** 'NZ Catholic' March 27 is online

** Our bishops are relieved that the use of vaccine passes is ending and the restricted numbers of people allowed at Mass eased in time for Easter.

** Gallagher Security has entered into a long-term collaborative agreement with the NZ Catholic Education Office to understand the security and property needs of their schools

** A reminder! Sr Veronica Casey needs prison chaplains in the Hamilton and Dunedin dioceses.

** Pope Francis has unveiled a new apostolic constitution, hailed in early news reports for opening of top Vatican leadership roles to any baptised lay person, including women.

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'NZ CATHOLIC'

Website: https://nzcatholic.org.nz/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NZCatholic/
Full text articles: https://nzcatholic.org.nz/2022/

The full text of 'NZ Catholic'  No. 633 March 27 - April 9  is online at:
https://www.catholic.org.nz/assets/NZ-Catholic_Issue-633_March-27.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0DopT6Z2Fms6vejnTEgnPPOLJkbZ3Ov9fLlq4pA012gNO8tnTAaj-YWYk

In this issue: SVDP delighted with kumara donation ... Fuel tax drop helps but not enough ... Bishop failed to act on abuse complaint ... New name for Kavanagh College ... Pro-life groups disappointed after 'safe areas' law passes ... Media advice given for justice and peace work ... Archbishop Rugambwa: Defeat of anti-life thinking needed for peace ... Three new seminarians on their journey ... Editorial: How do we return to normal? ... The fragile and complex concept of  "peace" – a personal reflection.

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LENT 2022:  "Called to be peacemakers"

Lent is a period of forty days of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in preparation for Easter.

Each year the Lent Appeal is run by Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand on behalf of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference (NZCBC) to support its work of charity and justice for the poorest and most vulnerable around the world, including New Zealand.

Caritas makes resources available to guide reflection and prayer throughout the six weeks of Lent on the theme of the year.
The resources for parishes and communities are available here: https://caritas.org.nz/lent  
Lenten resources specifically for schools are here: https://caritas.org.nz/lent-schools

The National Liturgy Office has also prepared a series of weekly reflections and lists of resources for Lent 2022:
https://www.nlo.org.nz/news-and-events/media-releases/?fbclid=IwAR2GQeXiiVgpOYq9r6Q-69dnGY6Qt3trApQxGrbvxaNEwv17-BE_kekE0B4

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS.  

Catholic Bishops Welcome Covid Restrictions Easing In Time For Easter
https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK2203/S00493/catholic-bishops-welcome-covid-restrictions-easing-in-time-for-easter.htm
The Catholic bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand are relieved that the use of vaccine passes is ending and restricted numbers of people allowed at Mass eased in time for Easter.

Mena Antonio appointed New Caritas Chief Executive
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/5/400309
The new Chief Executive/Kaiwhakahaere Matua for the Catholic social justice agency Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is Ms Mena Antonio.

Traumatic, long path to change
https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/traumatic-long-path-change
For five long years, survivors of abuse at the hands of Dunedin clergy have waited to see if a reminder of the city's dark past would be removed. The news that they had succeeded was greeted with relief, but the handling of the investigation into Bishop John Kavanagh has come under fire ...

NEWS OF THE SCHOOLS

Sacred Heart College students go digital
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/5/400394
An online learning programme at Sacred Heart College (Napier) has broadened students' horizons, with a number of subjects previously unavailable. Currently 12 students are taking subjects online either through Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu, (formerly known as The Correspondence School), or the Online Learning Community (OLC). The subjects include Samoan, Design and Visual Communications and Architecture.

Robotic creations pupils' solution for buildings' gull problems
https://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/robotic-creations-pupils%E2%80%99-solution-buildings%E2%80%99-gull-problems
Over the past five years, Oamaru building owners have exhausted several different options in an attempt to prevent red-billed gulls nesting in the North Otago town's central business district. But they have not tried robotic cats, sharks or monster trucks with lasers and spikes — and a class of St Joseph's School pupils believe their creations could be the answer to the buildings' owners' problems.

St Patrick's School Inglewood goes all out for St Patrick's Day
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/stratford-press/news/st-patricks-school-inglewood-goes-all-out-for-st-patricks-day/UEDV5CPBHM4LBIR5YWC3LIODTI/
Everything was green at St Patrick's School Inglewood as they celebrated St Patrick's Day.

St Joseph's School Stratford supports Heart Kids New Zealand
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/stratford-press/news/st-josephs-school-stratford-supports-heart-kids-new-zealand/BL7YS6EIBNE2LJVD6PBXBRN6GY/
St Joseph's School Stratford was awash with red as they supported a national charitable organisation. Pupils and staff dressed up in red for a mufti-day to support Heart Kids New Zealand's annual fundraiser.

Timaru pupils make care packages for Covid-19 afflicted families
https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/128069152/timaru-pupils-make-care-packages-for-covid19-afflicted-families
As fundraising ventures are cancelled due to Covid-19, a Timaru school has decided to give instead of receive. St Joseph's School Timaru School Community Group president Jasmine Pye said for the past two years the school had been able to hold any successful fundraisers.

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FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (C)

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Today's Mass, celebrated by Father Craig Dunford at St Luke's parish, Flat Bush, Auckland
can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0zxZlo4C3k

Sunday Mass is also broadcast on Shine TV (Freeview channel 25) at 2 pm  and live streamed at:
https://www.shinetv.co.nz/videos/live  (only viewable in New Zealand).


Inspired Word: A video reading and commentary on the gospel of the day by Suzanne O'Rourke and Calire Mullarkey.
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32   The parable of the prodigal son
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAQWRt6kWlc&list=PLeDNiKpHSQBAMx_xkzRR8wnm_isNdXF-u&index=23

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Other New Zealand Commentaries on the Sunday Readings:
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Fr Kevin Waldie SM. Sunday Reflection:
https://nzcatholic.org.nz/category/sunday-reflection/  

Sunday homilies of Fr Anthony Trenwith (audio):
http://station15.co.nz/

Marist Messenger. Daily Reflections: https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz/

Fr Frank Bird sm. Living the Word: Sundays of the Year: Discussion Guide - https://livingtheword.org.nz/

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CRUX - Edited by John L. Allen Jr. and Inés San Martin

https://cruxnow.com/

Pope Francis consecrates Russia, Ukraine to Immaculate Heart of Mary
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/03/pope-francis-consecrates-russia-ukraine-to-immaculate-heart-of-mary
 Pope Francis said only God can eliminate the evil of "the vicious war" against Ukraine during a ceremony where he consecrated Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary ...

Confession is more about God's forgiveness than our sins, pope says
https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2022/03/confession-is-more-about-gods-forgiveness-than-our-sins-pope-says
The sacrament of reconciliation "is not so much about our sins" as it is about God's forgiveness, Pope Francis said ...

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EMPLOYMENT
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Social workers, Wellington Catholic Social Services
Details in 'NZ Catholic' March 27 - April 9  p.9  and from 04 385 8642;  reception@wn.catholic.org.nz
Applications close 14 April.

Prison chaplains, Hamilton and Dunedin dioceses
Details:
https://www.catholic.org.nz/news/media-releases/vacancies-prisonchaplains/?fbclid=IwAR3Tx_ubnrKjHs5QHccfxwZFl54bLhZ6AAIuMzifG9iu7gA4lmcLKNF75Zw
Applications to: Sister Veronica Casey, Senior Catholic Prison Chaplain vcasey@nzcbc.org.nz or phone 0275233983

Chief executive, Te Kupenga, Catholic Leadership Institute
Details in 'NZ Catholic' March 13-26 p.8 and at:
https://www.tekupenga.ac.nz/uncategorized/seeking-for-tumuaki-chief-executive/?fbclid=IwAR3mcPr5Pr7XfhevQmbaLrBR-l-tywUXh-m5MZ1Djccwy5JlF006Ebm36Ss
Applications to Gerald Scanlan at gerald@careeringoptions.co.nz by 28 March 2022.


Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised on the Website of the Education Gazette: https://gazette.education.govt.nz/vacancies/?Keywords=catholic#results

Vacancies in the Catholic Volunteers Overseas programme:
https://www.caritas.org.nz/get-involved/catholic-volunteers-overseas

Job vacancies in the Catholic dioceses of ...

Auckland: https://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/staff-vacancies/
Hamilton: https://www.cdh.org.nz/jobs
Wellington: https://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/adw_community/vacancies/
Dunedin: https://www.cdd.org.nz/employment-opportunities

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THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

https://www.catholic.org.nz/

The six dioceses:
https://www.catholic.org.nz/find-us/dioceses-2/#section_59

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New Zealand Catholic
Periodicals & Newsletters
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'NZ Catholic' is a national newspaper published by the Catholic Bishop of Auckland. https://nzcatholic.org.nz/

Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. 'Kete Korero'.
https://www.cdh.org.nz/kete-korero/

Catholic Dioceses of Palmerston North and Wellington. 'Wel-com'  http://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/welcom/

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'  
https://chchcatholic.nz/?sid=25 (Latest news - Latest Inform)

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. Pastoral Newsletter
https://www.cdd.org.nz/

The Nathaniel Centre. The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre. 'The Nathaniel Report' http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires'
https://nzceo.schoolzineplus.com/nzceo/archive

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East'
https://www.columban.org.au/media-and-publications/the-far-east-magazine/archive/

Society of Mary. 'Marist Messenger'
https://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul NZ.
https://www.svdp.org.nz/resources/  Newsletters. News in Brief:  

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine.
https://tuimotu.org/   Scroll down to Articles, Explore More

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Facebook
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NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference
https://www.facebook.com/CatholicNZ/

Catholic Discovery NZ (Catholic Enquiry Centre)
https://www.facebook.com/catholicdiscovery.nz/

'NZ Catholic' newspaper
https://www.facebook.com/NZCatholic/

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand
https://www.facebook.com/caritasaotearoa/timeline

Holy Cross Seminary
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Marist Seminary, Auckland NZ
https://www.facebook.com/Marists

Society of St Vincent de Paul NZ
https://www.facebook.com/SocietyofStVincentdePaulNZ/

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News of the Church
in NZ and the World
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http://cathnews.co.nz/category/new-zealand/

https://nzcatholic.org.nz/

https://www.romereports.com/en/  (video)
https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=rome+reports&sp=EgIIAw%253D%253D

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