Sunday, September 12, 2010

Dear readers,

Thank you for your '"get well" messages, and for your patience.

Here is a list of news items of Catholic interest from the local press. I hope and expect that 'News and Notes' will be back to normal from next week.

God bless,
Mike Leon


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After the earthquake
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St Paul’s pupils to move to temporary site (St Paul’s in Dallington )
http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=GUI1VD4BYHE6&linkid=da5a1b1c-8d3b-43f5-a6b5-3fb8b59f088c&pdaffid=Z6M6dSqlqx7EHmWpDJNZ5w%3d%3d


Christchurch quake survivors head to church
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/4097781/Christchurch-quake-survivors-head-to-church


Chch kids get a taste of Timaru
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/4105867/Chch-kids-get-a-taste-of-Timaru/


215 quake claims from Timaru
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/4105860/215-quake-claims-from-Timaru

Church due to be strengthened (The Church of the Holy Innocents, Mt Peel)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/4102418/Church-due-to-be-strengthened


Scoop News
Caritas pledges $10,000 toward Christchurch quake
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1009/S00153/caritas-pledges-10000-toward-christchurch-quake.htm


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In other news
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Priest ministered far and wide (Christchurch priest Father Miles O’Malley)
http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=T2CGQVF2GLX&linkid=dab139fa-e711-400c-927d-88659f2a92e2&pdaffid=Z6M6dSqlqx7EHmWpDJNZ5w%3d%3d

St Mary's pioneers focus of new book (St Mary's college, Wellington)
http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/showlink.aspx?bookmarkid=VMTI73TMW9T7&linkid=113054d2-2670-4600-bfa9-54b8d82f984f&pdaffid=Z6M6dSqlqx7EHmWpDJNZ5w%3d%3d

Rise In Sickness Benefits Resulted From Policy-induced High Unemployment
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/rise-sickness-benefits-resulted-policy-induced-high-unemployment/5/62720

Monte Cecilia Plan Changes Rammed Through
Press Release: City Vision 10-9-2010 11:54
http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/monte-cecilia-plan-changes-rammed-through/5/62615

Waitaki MP says voting on bill to extend Easter trading will be close
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4105817/Waitaki-MP-says-voting-on-bill-to-extend-Easter-trading-will-be-close

Caritas supports clergy in opposing Easter Trading
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1009/S00200/caritas-supports-clergy-in-opposing-easter-trading.htm

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Dear readers,

I'm sorry to say I haven't been able to compile a newsletter for this weekend due to illness.

I hope and expect to be back to normal some time next week. The next 'News & Notes' will include the news items that should have been sent this weekend.

Thank you for your patience, and God bless.

Mike Leon

Sunday, August 29, 2010

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'NZ CATHOLIC' - No. 348 - Aug. 29 - Sept 11 2010

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

In the current issue: First Communion before the age of seven proposed ... NZ won't hit target for its overseas aid ... Prison ministries highlighted ... Plans for Oamaru altar spark protests ... Schools reminded to be clear on donations ... Sacred Hearet old boys reunite in UK .. Feminist speaks out against the sexualisation of children ... Psychologist gives insight into how parents are spoiling their kids ... 530 teens pack out conference for Jesus ... Advertising features: Catholic Discipleship College ... Catholic Publications and Bookshops

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FROM THE SECULAR MEDIA

Radio New Zealand documentaries

Mary MacKillop
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/documentaries/marymackillop

A look at New Zealand aspects of the life of Mary McKillop - the Melbourne woman who co founded the Sisters of St. Joseph of the Sacred Heart) and is to become Australia's first Saint later this year.

Specola Vaticana (photos)
http://www.radionz.co.nz/national/documentaries/specola

In 2009, spoken features producer Justin Gregory traveled to Europe with the winners of the Royal Society of New Zealand's Big Science Adventure. An annual competition for secondary school students, this year it challenged teams around the country to make a five minute DVD on astronomy and revolutions in our thinking. The winning team - Timaru Boys High students Ryan Ammar, Matthew Keelty and Adam Simpson, as well as their teacher Tony Bunting - won a three week trip to visit observatories, science institutes and museums in Britain and Italy. Easily the most memorable was the Specola Vaticana, or the Vatican Observatory. Located in Castel Gandolfo in the hills above Rome, it's one of the oldest observatories in the world. Formerly located in the Pope's summer palace, the observatory has just moved down the road to a new location, where astronomer, meteoriticist (and Jesuit) Brother Guy Consalmagno was waiting to conduct the tour.

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Time to say bye to Lucas (photos)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10669628
Lucas Ward is dressed in his Spiderman suit and his family are preparing to say their final goodbyes to the little boy.

Dictatorship of relativism
Taranaki Daily News
http://tinyurl.com/24r83fb
[The Catholic Church has lost doctrinal credibility lately, but when it comes to preservation of Western culture and values, the Pope is right on the money, in the opinion of John De Bueger]

Anger over $30m project leads to political action
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10668876
The furore over the plan to shift Monte Cecilia Catholic School and Liston retirement village has resulted in the formation of a new political group.

Restored mansion for sale (photos)
The Hutt News
http://tinyurl.com/22rtmkw
Balgownie House, a Naenae landmark, is back on the market. For much of the twentieth century the house was owned by the Catholic Church which at various times used it for an orphanage, a refuge for unmarried mothers, and a Marist Brothers' retreat.

Slice of Life: U3A chapter meeting, Pukekohe War Memorial Town Hall (photo)
Franklin County News
http://tinyurl.com/2emuykd
Includes a short item about Sister Clare Turner who returned to New Zealand this year after 15 years in Kenya.

Power and passion lift the spirits (photos)
Part one: http://tinyurl.com/2b7gmxc
Part two: http://tinyurl.com/2cqaaoz
New Zealand Herald
Peter Atkins, retired Bishop of Waiapu, is overawed by a once-in-a-lifetime experience at Oberammergau

Auckland: The Lord's song in a strange land (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10666743
"No tradition has remained so strong in New Zealand as the religious one. Churches swarm there." André Siegfried, a French writer, made this observation at the end of the 19th century. The religious imprint on Auckland at this time was seen in churches, a synagogue, schools, orphanages and the support of charitable work.

Consider the significance of the altar to the Dominican sisters
http://www.odt.co.nz/opinion/opinion/122313/consider-significance-altar-dominican-sisters
The controversy about the proposed removal of the altar from Teschemakers to its proposed new home in Holy Name Church raises a number of intriguing questions.

Two services to be held for Filipino woman killed in crash
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/4049069/Two-services-to-be-held-for-Filipino-woman-killed-in-crash
Dual services will be held today to mark the life of 35-year-old Susan Villones who died in Dunedin Hospital four days after a two-car collision near Otautau last Saturday.

Classroom fightback
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10669607
A school teacher who was deregistered for incompetency has had the decision overturned in court. But a senior educator is calling for law changes to allow the Teachers Council to suspend teachers while they are under investigation Glenda Charman resigned from the $1000-a-year Stella Maris Catholic Primary School in Silverdale last year after competency issues were raised.

Rhythm and pews (photo caption)
Taranaki Daily News
http://tinyurl.com/26po9gk
The pews sounded more like the Horn of Africa as about 100 children from St Pius X School took part in the session, led by Auckland instructor Mark Wilson from the Rhythm Interactive entertainment company.

Many changes seen in long service to school (photo)
Franklin County News
http://tinyurl.com/2amypdt
Between them, Jeannette Irwin and Fleur de Farias have more than 50 years' involvement in education, have seen St Joseph's School change principals four times and have watched the school go from four rooms to 17.

Family really is what its all about (photo)
The Dominion Post
http://tinyurl.com/27zhuza
The concept of family goes right through Porirua's Holy Family School, and it's a family that reflects what must be one of the most multicultural communities in New Zealand.

Kick-starting hall upgrade (photo)
The Hutt News
http://tinyurl.com/2d362cw
Book sales and fairs are a biy old hat, but a community footwear sale - that's different! Naenae's St Bernardette's Parish is looking to kick-start the next phase of its hall upgrade at the 'Best Foot Forward' Shoe Sale on Saturday,

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** The anniversary of the birth of an inspirational woman (Mother Teresa)
** ... Bart Simpson has somehow managed to sneak his bedroom into my house." (paying attention to crimke)
** Padre Pio (on attending the mass at the St Patrick's Cathedral for Padre Pio)
** The Recurring Themes in Life (on perseverance)
** Teschemakers, the altar and a few good men (photo)
** Heritage (a visit to the Maritime Museum in Auckland and a lesson on faith)
** Like having your socks on in the shower (a visit to a Baptist Church)

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INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Move Higher' - Luke 14:1,7-24, a reading and discussion with Simon McLellan and Violet Kudzotsa

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NEW INTERNET SERVICE

'Catholic Pages' - http://www.catholicpages.co.nz - is the Website of an online directory of organisations and companies which will later appear in print form. Non-profit organisations advertise FREE.

Further details from Paul, info@catholicpages.co.nz

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NEW ZEALAND COMMENTARIES ON THE SUNDAY READINGS

Living the Word - Fr Frank Bird sm http://livingtheword.org.nz

Reflect - Veronica Lawson rsm http://www.welcom.org.nz/?sid=394

Daily Reflections (right-hand column) http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

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

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

'Attack on Ratzinger': Italian book assesses Benedict's papacy
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/attack-ratzinger-italian-book-assesses-benedicts-papacy
Friends and foes alike of Pope Benedict XVI concur that he's got an image problem. Where they place the blame for it may differ, but the fact itself seems clear: From a PR point of view, this is a pontificate defined by its train wrecks. Cataloguing those train wrecks is the burden of a valuable new book by two of the best Italian vaticanisti: Andrea Tornielli and Paolo Rodari. Their work is titled Attacco a Ratzinger: Accuse e scandali, profezie e complotti ("Attack on Ratzinger: Accusations and Scandals, Prophecies and Plots"), published in Italian by Piemme...

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FACEBOOK

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

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

'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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EMPLOYMENT

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

Prison Chaplain, Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=1203
Details in 'NZ Catholic' no. 347 August 15-28 2010 p.23, and from Donna Malone, Cathedral House, Christchurch. tel: (03) 366 9869; e-mail: dmalone@chch.catholic.org.nz Applications close 30 August 2010.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

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Dear Readers,

This is the best I can do today, due to a heavy cold. Back to normal next week.

Cheers and God bless,
Mike Leon


FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Hip Hop Brotherhood (photo)
The Hutt News
http://tinyurl.com/29xrpha
Lower Hutt's St Bernard's College is a rugby and league kind of school, but a crew from the college won the regional hip-hop competition on August 8.

An election win for MacKillop (photo)
http://north-shore-times.whereilive.com.au/news/story/an-election-win-for-mackillop/
It's the providence of God that it's an election year, Sisters of St Joseph say. With Mary MacKillop's costly canonisation looming in October, it came as a blessing when Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott both pledged $1.5 million to the sisters during the election campaign.

Environmental passion takes teens to Japan
The Dominion Post
http://tinyurl.com/24bq96x
Two Wellington teenagers have pipped more than 60 other Kiwis for the chance to travel to Japan on a youth exchange programme. Jeremy Kelly, 17, of Bishop Viard College, and Jill Campbell, 16, of Wellington Girls' College, are among 75 successful pupils from East-Asian, Australian and New Zealand high schools.

High school rolls in city overflowing
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch/4026713/High-school-rolls-in-city-overflowing
Half of Christchurch's state secondary schools are bursting at the seams, an internal Ministry of Education report shows. Of the city's 28 secondary schools, 14, including four state-integrated schools, are oversubscribed.

Interviews with members of the Board of Trustees of St Joseph's School, Queenstown

Promoting a balanced approach (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/queenstown/121675/promoting-balanced-approach
St Joseph's School board of trustees parent representative James Lynch tells James Beech that the Government's efforts to implement National Standards means it will have to provide more support and funding for schools.

Teaching family values important (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/queenstown/121264/teaching-family-values-important
The proposed Speargrass Flat Rd campus would allow for the growth of Catholic education in the Arrowtown area, St Joseph's School board of trustees proprietor's representative Fr Tony Harrison tells James Beech.

Aim to build on natural learning tendencies (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/120811/aim-build-natural-learning-tendencies
St Joseph's School board of trustees parent representative Pauline Copland is concerned science, technology and the arts will have less focus in the future of national education.

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

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INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net/inspired-word/

'Not Anticipating' - Luke 13:22-30

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NEW ZEALAND COMMENTARIES ON THE SUNDAY READINGS

Living the Word - Fr Frank Bird sm http://livingtheword.org.nz

Reflect - Veronica Lawson rsm http://www.welcom.org.nz/?sid=394

Daily Reflections (right-hand column) http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

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

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

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FACEBOOK

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

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

'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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EMPLOYMENT

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

Principal Organist and Deputy Director of Music, St Mary of the Angels, Wellington
http://www.stmaryoftheangels.wellington.net.nz
Details from the Parish Secretary, St Mary of the Angels, 17 Boulcott Street, Wellington

Senior Catholic Prison Chaplain
Details in 'NZ Catholic' no. 347 August 15-28 2010 p.23, and from Anne Dickinson, NZCBC Office, PO Box 1937, Wellington; tel. (04) 496 1747; e-mail: adickinson@nzcbc.org.nz Applications close 26 August 2010

Prison Chaplain, Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=1203
Details in 'NZ Catholic' no. 347 August 15-28 2010 p.23, and from Donna Malone, Cathedral House, Christchurch. tel: (03) 366 9869; e-mail: dmalone@chch.catholic.org.nz Applications close 30 August 2010.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

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The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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NZ CATHOLIC no. 347 August 15-28 2010

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

In the current issue: NZ broadcasting legend receives papal knighthood ... Catholics, Anglicans disagree on ordination ... Pro-life witnessing sparks some abuse ... Credit reform bill dies ... Sisters reunite at The Solitude ... Kiwi priest reflects on 28 years in world's most Catholic nation ... Church still medieval and feudal, says theologian and priest ... Advertising Feature: Products and Services

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

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Teschemakers' Altar
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Altar-cation in Oamaru church (video)
http://www.3news.co.nz/Altar-cation-in-Oamaru-church/tabid/817/articleID/169768/Default.aspx
There was a tense standoff this morning in an Oamaru church. At the centre of the stand-off was the centrepiece of the church - an altar, ornate, cherished and made from Italian marble. The Dominican Sisters who own it want it moved; but locals are determined it should stay where it's been since 1926.

Public meeting supports keeping chapel intact (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/120691/public-meeting-supports-keeping-chapel-intact
A public meeting in Oamaru last night overwhelmingly resolved to support the retention of Teschemakers Chapel, including its fixtures and fittings, in its entirety to allow future public access and use.

Bid to keep marble altar in Oamaru
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/stories/2010/08/13/081577834427
Holy orders and court orders are on the agenda at a public meeting in Oamaru on Friday night.

Hopes for big turnout at altar public meeting (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/120506/hopes-big-turnout-altar-public-meeting
The fight to retain the marble altar in the Teschemakers Chapel has "taken on a life of its own", Oamaru writer Nathalie Brown says.

Altar stays - for now (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/120033/altar-stays-now
A bucket of tools made it to the front steps of the Teschemakers Chapel near Oamaru yesterday - but no further. An interim enforcement order issued by the Environment Court meant work could not start on removing the chapel's altar.

Protesters block road to Teschemakers chapel (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/print/119845
Dunedin's Holy Name Parish might contravene the Waitaki District Council's district plan if an attempt is made to remove the altar from the Teschemakers chapel, district councillor Peter Garvan says.

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Monte Cecilia School
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`We want our school _ not a new park'
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10665997
Friends of Monte Cecilia plan protests over what they say is a politician's costly legacy project

Who needs enemies when Friends of Monte are on the rampage?, by Brian Rudman
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/brian-rudman-on-auckland/news/article.cfm?c_id=1502866&objectid=10665694
Anti-closure lobbyists should see bigger picture of a stunning park and a 21st century school.

New ticket will fight Banks over school move
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10664887
A political ticket has been formed to oppose plans by Auckland City Mayor John Banks and his Citizens & Ratepayers allies to spend millions moving Monte Cecilia School and Liston retirement village in Hillsborough.

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Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand provides $125,000 towards Pakistan flood relief
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/fromthefield/caritasnz/12814782777.htm
Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand is appealing to the New Zealand public for funds to support flood relief work in Pakistan. The United Nations has said the floods are worse than the 2004 tsunami in Asia, in terms of the number of people who will need short- or long-term help after losing homes or livelihoods.

A Catholic approach to patient care
The Daily Post (Rotorua) A003 - 13 August 2010
[An article about Mrs Miyoko Hammersley, Rotorua Hospital's Catholic chaplain. The article can be read via the public libraries free 'Newztext' service.]

Church jubilee stirs memories (photos)
Western Leader
http://tinyurl.com/2a7lrl2
Nine priests and thousands of parishioners have passed through its doors. Countless weddings, baptisms and funerals have taken place under its roof. Holy Family Catholic Parish in Te Atatu Peninsuila celebrates its 50th anniversary this month.

Voila! A French cabaret (photo)
Whangarei Leader
http://tinyurl.com/2bxkjbr
Pompallier Catholic College French students are holding a French cabaret evening on Friday as a fundraiser for their annual trip to New Caledonia in October next year.

The Wellingtonian Interview: Greg O'Conner
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/local/the-wellingtonian/4013103/The-Wellingtonian-Interview-Greg-O-Conner
Police Association president Greg O'Connor talks about guns, the 1981 Springbok tour and the Wellington southerly.

Football: Humble Fleming a key for Caversham
http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/football/120168/football-humble-fleming-key-caversham
One Fleming will be on the Caversham sideline and one Fleming will be in the thick of the action at the Chatham Cup semifinal on Saturday. Sports editor Hayden Meikle meets rising midfielder Patrick Fleming.

Cartoonist entitled to express his view
The Press
http://tinyurl.com/29pxcrf
The Press Council has ruled on a complaint by Ken Orr against The Press. Ken Orr complained about a cartoon depicting Pope Benedict published in The Press on Thursday, April 1, this year. Orr stated that the cartoon was misleading, false and offensive, and breached principles relating to accuracy, comment and fact. The complaint is not upheld.

Unease over carpark sale
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/4010797/Unease-over-carpark-sales
Criminals and churchgoers could together form an unlikely roadblock to the sale of an inner- city New Plymouth carpark. The Powderham/Vivian street carpark, opposite the courthouse and St Joseph's Catholic Church, might be sold off by the New Plymouth District Council and could fetch a price of more than $1 million.

Future of church to be discussed (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/east-otago/120017/future-church-be-discussed
The use of the 1870 Hampden Presbyterian Church, classified as a historic building, will be discussed at a public meeting tomorrow night.

Religion gives salvation for immigrants
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10664624
Koreans find church networking crucial in settling into new life in New Zealand

Church support crucial for Korean migrants
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1008/S00094/church-support-crucial-for-korean-migrants.htm

New Zealand doctor devotes himself to needy (photo)
http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2010/08/09/new-zealand-doctor-devotes-himself-to-needy/
Adrick Baker is not like most doctors. Instead of pursuing a lucrative career in a big city hospital, the New Zealander has devoted a large part of his career serving thousands of poor villagers for free in northeastern Bangladesh.

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Interviews with members of the Board of Trustees
of St Joseph's School, Queenstown
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Broadening perception of governance (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/print/120471
St Joseph's School assistant principal Kirsten Moore, The teachers' representative on the board, says teaching in London for four years has given her "perspective on the fact we are lucky with what resources we have and we should be encouraged to use the environment for education outside the classroom."

Support for staff (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/queenstown/120150/support-staff
Teaching Christian values benefits New Zealand society, St Joseph's School board of trustees proprietor's representative Margaret Young believes. The former teacher's aid for special needs children tells James Beech that National Standards are only one method of assessing education.

School seen as easing 'pressure' (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/119803/school-seen-easing-pressure
Rural resorts cause more impact on countryside amenity than the proposed Speargrass Flat campus will, St Joseph's School board of trustees proprietor's representative Phil Wilson says.

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** St Max (St Maximillian Kolbe)
** "Hey, pal. That's my headshot up there..." (does the Church have any influence on society?)
** Feminism is the radical notion that women are people (feminists and pornography)
** Many Mickles make a Muckle (it's the little things we do that matter)
** Like a Phoenix from the ashes. (introducing Marty, a new blogger)
** Race to the altar? (fewer boys are altar servers)
** Let's put all the troublemakers together (prisoners getting younger)

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INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net/inspired-word/

'Life Fulfilment'
Sr Stephanie Kitching talks to John Consedine, about the value of friendship. the pleasure of walking, his work as a professional counsellor, when the going gets tough, and the people who have inspired him.

'Anticipation'
A reflection by Sr Mary Scanlan

'Radical Involvement'
Luke 12:49-56: a reading and reflection with Rev Dr Raymond Pelly and Canon Jenny Wilkens at St Paul's Cathedral, Wellington.

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PODCASTS

http://station15.libsyn.com

** Catechiwi -- The Four Marks of the Church
Fri, 13 August 2010

Each Sunday, Catholics profess that they believe in a Church that is one, holy, catholic and apostolic. What do those words mean? And how does that differ -- if at all -- from what other Christian denominations believe? Fr Merv Duffy, SM, explains the terms and their importance to the Faith in the month's episode of Catechiwi.

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NEW ZEALAND COMMENTARIES ON THE SUNDAY READINGS

Living the Word - Fr Frank Bird sm http://livingtheword.org.nz

Reflect - Veronica Lawson rsm http://www.welcom.org.nz/?sid=394

Daily Reflections (right-hand column) http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

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

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

Why Rome scorns resignations, and a great week for wonks

It may be a measure of how somnambulant Rome becomes during the ferragosto vacation period that the big Vatican story this week was actually something that didn't happen. It turns out that two Irish bishops implicated in that country's sexual abuse crisis, Dublin auxiliaries Eamonn Walsh and Raymond Field, won't be resigning after all, because Pope Benedict XVI wants them to stay on...

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FACEBOOK

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

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

'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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EMPLOYMENT

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

Principal Organist and Deputy Director of Music, St Mary of the Angels, Wellington
http://www.stmaryoftheangels.wellington.net.nz
Details from the Parish Secretary, St Mary of the Angels, 17 Boulcott Street, Wellington

Senior Catholic Prison Chaplain
Details in 'NZ Catholic' no. 347 August 15-28 2010 p.23, and from Anne Dickinson, NZCBC Office, PO Box 1937, Wellington; tel. (04) 496 1747; e-mail: adickinson@nzcbc.org.nz Applications close 26 August 2010

Prison Chaplain, Catholic Diocese of Christchurch
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=1203
Details in 'NZ Catholic' no. 347 August 15-28 2010 p.23, and from Donna Malone, Cathedral House, Christchurch. tel: (03) 366 9869; e-mail: dmalone@chch.catholic.org.nz Applications close 30 August 2010.

Sunday, August 8, 2010

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NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

Pastoral letter marks feast day of Blessed Mary MacKillop (August 4, 2010)
New Zealand's Catholic Bishops have written a pastoral letter on Blessed Mary MacKillop, which will be available in parishes on her feast day, Sunday 8 August. In their letter the bishops encourage parishes and schools to find ways to celebrate the canonisation of Mary MacKillop to take place in Rome, 17 October 2010...

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'WEL-COM'

http://www.welcom.org.nz

** News **
First lay pastoral leader appointed to Samoan chaplaincy
Inter-generational project nets major arts award
Alternative welfare working group launched

** World News **
Thai locals seek refuge in Jesuits' Bangkok base
Timor-Leste turns 10 as it struggles against poverty
Papuan justice worker tells of undermining of rights

** Columns **
Editorial: Magdalene: The 'apostle to the apostles' could show the way, by Cecily McNeill
Archbishop's column: Believers united heart and soul, by Archbishop John Dew
From Apocrypha to apocalyptic: Opening the book, by Kieran Fenn fms

** Features **
When a miscarriage happens - a priest's response
Sharing time, talent and treasure
A justice that reconciles - prison in search of rehab

** Palmerston North **
A whole new face on Creation: Hawke's Bay looks entirely different in winter, by Fr Kevin Neal
A changing of the guard: Cullinane College has a new head, by Darryl Daignault
Dannevirke children honour a great NZ leader: Red Sock Leadership Week, by Dave Lamont

** Reflect **
19th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C: Luke 12:32-48; a reflection by Veronica Lawson rsm

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Blessings all around, by Pat Barrett (photo)
The Press
http://tinyurl.com/23qxkov
Sometimes life takes an interesting turn and the expected becomes the exceptional, as it was with the recent tour I helped organise for Catholic Nigerian Bishop Martin Uzoukwu who was invited by the Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, Barry Jones, and the Divine Mercy Trust with which I am involved.

Churches, union nix Easter bill
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/4000736/Churches-union-nix-Easter-bill
Retailers may welcome Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean's bill to extend Easter trading laws in her electorate, but the proposal has not won over the religious community.

Appeal for altar made nationally
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/119158/appeal-altar-made-nationally
An attempt to retain the marble altar at the Teschemakers' chapel has gone national after featuring on RadioLive yesterday morning.

Teschemakers altar report spurs appeal for support
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/north-otago/118822/teschemakers-altar-report-spurs-appeal-support
Oamaru writer Nathalie Brown is urgently seeking support for the retention of the marble altar in the Teschemakers chapel.

Catholic father weighs mercy against care for the vulnerable: a letter to the editor by Fr Gerard Burns
The Dominion Post
http://tinyurl.com/27dbaxv
The Very Rev John Murray advocates physician-assisted suicide and challenges clergy to say what sort of god they believe in (Letters, July 27). He appeals to the command to show mercy. For me, this command stands alongside that to protect the vulnerable...

1. Head supports national standards. 2. Outgoing principal praises Upper Hutt schools (photo) (two articles)
Upper Hutt Leader
Part one: http://tinyurl.com/25lphw4
Part two: http://tinyurl.com/29rbnzg

Kids suffer as flu strikes
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/3997612/Kids-suffer-as-flu-strikes/
Winter is hitting Hamilton school children hard, with hundreds of kids struck down with the flu over the past week. St Joseph's Catholic School in Fairfield began the week with 126 students - more than a third of its 360-strong roll - away from school sick.

School land decision confirmed
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/central-leader/3986354/School-land-decision-confirmed
The Auckland Transition Agency has confirmed Auckland City Council's decision to buy the land Monte Cecilia School sits on.

Increased safety measures in light of revelations
Press Release: Hato Paora College Board of Trustees 02-8-2010 13:43
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1008/S00002/increased-safety-measures-in-light-of-revelations.htm
Feilding-based Maori Catholic boys' school Hato Paora College has instituted increased safety measures over the last three years in light of revelations of abuse in 2007 and the subsequent conviction of former principal Elvis Shepherd.

Shocking betrayal of young trust
Manawatu Standard
http://tinyurl.com/2dj3yw4
It took 20 years for justice to be delivered. In March 1990 Elvis Dobson Shepherd began a pattern of sexual offending against male students that would not see the light of day. That was until last week. Shepherd, Hato Paora College's suspended principal, was found guilty of abusing teenage boys in his care during his time at a Maori Catholic boarding school in Auckland.

** Interviews with members of the board of trustees of St Joseph's School, Queenstown **

Giving back to school community (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/print/119472?page=0%2C0
National Standards will force children and schools to compete against one another, leading to competition far too early in a child's education experience, St Joseph's School board of trustees parent representative Gigi Hollyer says.

Balance key to setting up pupils for life (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/print/118785
National standards will draw a line in the sand as to where we want our children to be with their learning, St Joseph's School board parent representative Chris Chandler says.

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Misanthropy, Nihilism and Atheism
** "... people who claim they've seen aliens are always pathetic low-lifes with boring jobs."
** It's goodnight from me, and it's goodnight from him.(another blogger says farewell)
** Belated happy birthday (on the fourth anniversary of 'Being Frank')
** Things I never knew (You never know who's praying for you)
** Lord, open our eyes! ('discernment of spirits' the Ignatian way)

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INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net/inspired-word/

'Be prepared'
Luke 12:32-48: a reading and reflection with Sr Stephanie Kitching and Sr Marcellin Wilson.

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NEW ZEALAND COMMENTARIES ON THE SUNDAY READINGS

Living the Word - Fr Frank Bird sm http://livingtheword.org.nz

Reflect - Veronica Lawson rsm http://www.welcom.org.nz/?sid=394

Daily Reflections (right-hand column) http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

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

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

Q&A with Fr. Joseph Tobin

Elevating another American to a senior Vatican position, Pope Benedict XVI on Monday named Redemptorist Fr. Joseph Tobin as the new secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, colloquially known as the "Congregation for Religious." It's the office with lead responsibility for some 190,000 religious priests and brothers, and roughly 750,000 sisters, worldwide. The Superior General of the Redemptorists from 1997 to 2009, Tobin, 58, becomes an archbishop by virtue of the appointment...

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FACEBOOK

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

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

'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)

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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 ]

Sunday, August 1, 2010

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'NZ CATHOLIC' - Issue no. 346, August 1- 14 2010

http://www.cathcom.org.nz

In this issue ... Timeline set for bringing in new Mass translation .. CWL wants better pay and better work hours for parents ... Abortionist quitting ASC welcomed ... Pro-life promoter seeks super city mayoralty ... Catholic schools top ranked ... Liturgist explains changes to Mass ... Sir Anand's Catholic light filtered through a vice-regal canopy ... Visiting German professor a big fan of Pope Benedict ... Advertising Feature: Pilgrimages

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Funeral held for motorway couple
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10662758
A woman who shared a birthday with her uncle had the sad task of farewelling him and her aunty at their funeral in Tuakau yesterday. St Andrew's Catholic Church in Tuakau was full for the funerals of Ewen Charles Donaldson, 87, and his wife Dulce Maria, aged in her 60s.

Hundreds turn out to farewell Walter (photo)
Franklin County News
http://tinyurl.com/27v94fe
Pukekohe lost one of its favourite sons last week with the passing of much-respected community man Walter Stembridge.

Parishioners unlikely to get money back after rip-off (photo)
http://www.3news.co.nz/Parishioners-unlikely-to-get-money-back-after-rip-off/tabid/423/articleID/167892/Default.aspx
An Auckland man who ripped off parishioners from his church has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison. Gerard Marychurch took more than $265,000 from churchgoers at St Francis's Catholic Church in Pt Chevalier.

Popular Sound of Music show opens (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/northland/local-news/dargaville-districts/3960811/Popular-Sound-of-Music-show-opens
Otamatea Repertory Theatre's major musical production The Sound of Music opens soon for an eight-show season.

Arrowtown to celebrate saint
http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/arrowtown/118130/arrowtown-celebrate-saint
Australia may claim Blessed Mary MacKillop as its first saint, but she is just as eligible to be Arrowtown's first saint, Fr Tony Harrison says.

'Right to die' can all too quickly feel like a duty for the sick and the elderly, by John Kleinsman
The Dominion Post
http://tinyurl.com/2dvxnrz
The debate about euthanasia, or more accurately ''physician-assisted suicide' - let's not dress it up by using soft language like ''death with dignity' - has reared its head again. We are told that there should be a legal right for certain persons (specifically doctors) to be able to kill someone when that is what the individual wants. This claim to the right to assisted suicide, which comes out of a deep-seated fear of the dying process, will have farreaching effects on the elderly and the sick.

Courting disaster
The Sunday Star Times, 16 May 2010
Part one: http://tinyurl.com/22kd3wa
Part two: http://tinyurl.com/2byfwun
Too many ignore the warning signs until way after the vows have been exchanged. Which men should women avoid marrying, what are the red flags and what would an 80-year-old Catholic priest know anyway, asks Bonnie Sumner. [An interview with Father Pat Connor, the author of 'Whom Not to Marry: Time-Tested Advice From a Higher Authority.]

Stairway to heaven / by Jolene Williams
Metro May 2010 n.343: p.88-92
Jolene Williams visits the Holy Cross Seminary, Ponsonby, and meets some of the resident seminarians. She observes the daily routine, speaks to the men about their calling and commitment. The article touches on the numbers of adherents to Catholicism and the supply of trained priests in various regions worldwide. [This issue of Metro is available in public libraries]

Planting the seed of life-long learning (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/print/117697
In the first of our series of interviews with each member of the St Joseph's board, the second-term chairman tells James Beech the importance of life-long learning, why the proposed Speargrass Flat Rd campus will be praised in the future and that New Zealand part finances its future with sausage sizzles. The North Auckland-born and raised planning and survey companies director has lived in the Wakatipu since 1994. The public Catholic Integrated School has 148 pupils in years 0 to 8.

St Joseph's rising to challenges (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/your-town/queenstown/118436/st-josephs-rising-challenges
In the second year of her role as principal of St Joseph's School, Queenstown, principal and board of trustees member Trisch Inder tells James Beech that keeping up with classroom technology is one of the biggest challenges facing the school.

Schools play swap the leaders as Kelly made head of Verdon
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/3977463/Schools-play-swap-the-leaders-as-Kelly-made-head-of-Verdon
The interschool relationship between Verdon College in Invercargill and Oamaru Catholic secondary school St Kevin's College extends beyond sporting exchanges - it includes the leadership of both schools.

School principal molested students
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/crime/3978623/School-principal-molested-students
Suspended Hato Paora College principal Elvis Dobson Shepherd has been found guilty of sexually abusing students at an Auckland school in the early 1990s.

Mandarin goes down well with school kids
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/western-leader/3969830/Mandarin-goes-down-well-with-school-kids
Learning Chinese might not be easy but it sure is worth the effort. That's what children from the Holy Cross Catholic school in Henderson are saying.

Change in culture a winner for students
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/3956275/Change-in-culture-a-winner
Suspensions and expulsions have nose-dived at a Christchurch boys' school following a five-year focus on culture change. In 2006 St Thomas of Canterbury College replaced its pastoral care behaviour management system with a restorative justice programme.

Agency's Monte Cecilia School Decision Saddens
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1007/S00324/agencys-monte-cecilia-school-decision-saddens.htm
The decision by the Auckland Transition Agency (ATA) to confirm the decision of Auckland City Council to purchase the land currently occupied by Monte Cecilia School from the Catholic Diocese is profoundly disappointing say those councillors who have consistently opposed the school's eviction.

Treaty foundation for goodwill, by Sam Murphy, Year 13, Kavanagh College (photo)
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/schools-news/118175/treaty-foundation-goodwill
The Treaty of Waitangi is always my favourite topic at school, and looking back, I'm glad that James Busby had the foresight to have it signed so early in the year...

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Lord, open our eyes! (spiritual discernment the Ignatian way)

** Joy (on the importance of a good attitude)

** How do you pray?

** An indelible mark (on being asked to become a godparent)

** Vocations vs Vampires (the Twilight phenomenon; paths in the spiritual/supernatural life)

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NEW ZEALAND COMMENTARIES ON THE SUNDAY READINGS

Living the Word - Fr Frank Bird sm http://livingtheword.org.nz

Reflect - Veronica Lawson rsm http://www.welcom.org.nz/?sid=394

Daily Reflections (right-hand column) http://www.maristmessenger.co.nz

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

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

A Kenyan lesson in faith, politics, and the Christian future
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/kenyan-lesson-faith-politics-and-christian-future

Next Wednesday, Kenyans head to the polls to vote on a new national constitution. Seen through a religious lens, the interesting point about Wednesday's vote is that the Constitution appears set to pass despite overwhelming opposition from Kenya's Christian leaders. There may be an important lesson to be culled from that about the Christian future, especially the intersection of faith and politics...

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FACEBOOK

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

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

'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 ]