News & Notes - 29 January 2012

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Exhibit reflects high emotions (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/6vwtt3z
An exhibition originally destined for the Christ Church Cathedral will adorn Geraldine's Mcatamney Gallery over the coming months. The art consists of 14 panels, mirroring the stations in the religious rite of the catholic church.

Small classes help children to settle
http://tinyurl.com/7nmyjmm
Shayne Kidd has only been principal of St Patrick's Catholic School for one term but already he can tell that the ''school on the hill'' has something different to offer.

St Joseph's principal put on indefinite leave
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6321578/St-Josephs-principal-put-on-indefinite-leave
The principal of St Joseph's Catholic School in Hamilton is on indefinite leave as a stoush over school management comes to a head just a week before the new school year.

Ballarat teens help in city recovery
http://www.starcanterbury.co.nz/news/ballarat-teens-help-recovery/1251959/
Instead of hitting the beaches back home, four Victorian schoolies have come to Christchurch to help with earthquake recovery. They've been accompanied by four adults including a Catholic chaplain.

Churches now uninsured
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/6308171/Churches-now-uninsured
Timaru's Presbyterian and Catholic churches are without earthquake insurance. The Catholic church has been told no earthquake coverage is available, while the Presbyterian church is hopeful of a solution.

Pacific Islands Forum urged to address health disparities
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/WO1201/S00449/pacific-islands-forum-urged-to-address-health-disparities.htm
The head of Australia's largest network of non-government health services will this week call on the Pacific Islands Forum to work on an international basis to address the major factors that contribute to people's prospects of a healthy life. Martin Laverty, the chief executive of Catholic Health Australia, which has 75 hospitals and 550 aged care service providers in its network, will make the call on Friday at the New Zealand Bioethics Conference hosted by the University of Otago.

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** What does it profit a man to attend four Hearts Aflames, but suffer the loss of his soul?" (Faith support for young people is crucial)

** "That's OK. I'll just push the button for the stimulator — I mean, elevator." (Infidelity: a survey)

** "Don't worry. We won a dental plan in the strike of '88." (The Occupy camp in Aotea Square)

** How does one hate Religion, and love Jesus? (The latest craze video on YouTube)

** Congratulations Hearts Aflame

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PERIODICALS & NEWSLETTERS

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform' http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. 'The Tablet' http://www.cdd.org.nz/the-tablet

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires' http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_lighting_new_fires.html

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Good News and the News' http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_good_news.html

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

The Nathaniel Centre. The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre. 'The Nathaniel Report' http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/?sid=5

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East' http://www.columban.org.au/?MID=200510192652

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine. http://www.tuimotu.org/articles

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen Jr

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

Thoughts on America's new whistle-blowing nuncio
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/thoughts-americas-new-whistle-blowing-nuncio

We already knew that Italian Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, named by Pope Benedict XVI in October as his new nuncio, or ambassador, to the United States, seriously rocked the boat in his brief but tumultuous run as the No. 2 official in the government of the Vatican city-state from 2009 to 2011. What we didn't know until this week, however, was just how vigorously Viganò had campaigned to be allowed to finish the financial house-cleaning he started. As it turns out, the pope's new man in Washington is something of a whistle-blower...

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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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FACEBOOK

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

Bishop Patrick Dunn
http://www.facebook.com/bishoppatrick?sk=wall

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz?sk=wall

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

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NEWS OF THE CHURCH IN NZ AND THE WORLD

http://cathnews.co.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/author/luke/page/14/

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/

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

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

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PARACHUTE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Parachute Festival 2012, Mystery Creek Events Centre, 27 - 30 January 2012.
http://www.parachutemusic.com/events

Family groups are eligible for "Pay what you can" family passes.

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EMPLOYMENT

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

News & Notes - 22 January 2012

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NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

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

New Caritas Director Appointed (photo) (20 Jan 2012)
The new Director for the Catholic social justice agency Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand begins work on 24 January. Julianne Hickey has a background in organisational and business management, including government policy advice and implementation. She has spent the last 14 years as a consultant with UK-based, global consulting company PA Consulting, delivering projects across the health, social care, criminal justice and community sectors...

New Rector for Holy Cross Seminary (photo) (18 Jan 2012)
Monsignor Peter Jeffrey from Australia has been appointed as the new Rector for Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland. The appointment, made by the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples in December 2011, has been formally announced and the decree of appointment has been issued...

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

$10m bill for school's temporary home
The Press
http://tinyurl.com/6muegq2

Spotlight on Waimate churches (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/73w89cd
St Patrick's Basilica is to be the first subject in an examination of Waimate's heritage churches.

Roses bloomed large for loyal bankman, Catholic and rosarian (photos)
Manawatu Standard
http://tinyurl.com/77vltc9
Roses were large in the life of Gerard Williams. His parents, Charles and Winifred, grew excellent roses, and Gerard was caught by their passion. Fortunately so, for he became one of the driving forces behind the internationally known Hamilton Gardens. His name is firmly linked to the Rogers Rose Garden.

Churches at heart of old-time Howick (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/82knu3u
At either end of Picton St lie two of New Zealand's oldest parishes, which helped to form Howick as it's known today. Half of those were Anglicans, the other half Catholics escaping the perils of the Irish potato famine.

Principals assess school rolls
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/6272884/Principals-assess-school-rolls

Voices raised against city brothel
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/commercial-property/news/article.cfm?c_id=28&objectid=10779609
Church and heritage campaigners are urging the Auckland Council to reject plans for New Zealand's first high-rise brothel complex.

See also: Is the heart of our city to be the country's largest red light district?
http://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/proposed-brothel-in-heart-of-the-city/

Spy base protester says sorry
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/6280822/Spy-base-protester-says-sorry
One of the Waihopai Three will return to Blenheim this weekend for a planned protest at the government spy base in the Waihopai Valley and he plans to say sorry for the trouble caused. Teacher Adrian Leason will be one of the speakers at the protest, and he said one of the reasons for being there was to apologise to police and anyone else affected by the actions of the trio.

Ballarat schoolies group chooses Christchurch aid (photo)
http://www.thecourier.com.au/news/local/news/general/ballarat-schoolies-group-chooses-christchurch-aid/2423263.aspx
Two Ballarat boys, among others, have gone off to Christchurch, New Zealand, to experience schoolies with a difference.

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THE FIFTEENTH STATION

http://station15.co.nz

Episode 52 — Pope speaks to NZ bishops…and the world (January 16, 2012)

In the first episode of 2012, the panel chats about Pope Benedict's speech to bishops from New Zealand and the Pacific, his speech to the dozens of ambassadors to the Vatican and the surging Catholic candidate for the Republican presidential candidate. We also talk about the "head-hunting" of an Australian priest to be the new rector of the New Zealand diocesan seminary. For some additional reading, there's a link to a piece on former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum. And for some additional listening, there's an ABC Radio interview with Msgr Peter Jeffrey.

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LIGHT OF THE WORLD - Otago Catholic Access Radio

http://www.accessradio.org/public/programme.php?uid=1218074856-834

2012-01-15 – An episode of EWTN's 'The Journey Home': Dan Burke, a convert from Judaism.

[Choose the "Click to download" link. The sound quality of the other one is terrible - ml]

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Good news from Holy Cross Seminary (The seminary is pretty much full.)

** "Facts are meaningless, you can use facts to prove anything that's remotely true!" (Questioning "kooky" ideas)

** What's new NeoCat? (A "Neo-Catechumenal Rite"?")

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PERIODICALS & NEWSLETTERS

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform' http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. 'The Tablet' http://www.cdd.org.nz/the-tablet

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires' http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_lighting_new_fires.html

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Good News and the News' http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_good_news.html

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

The Nathaniel Centre. The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre. 'The Nathaniel Report' http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/?sid=5

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East' http://www.columban.org.au/?MID=200510192652

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine. http://www.tuimotu.org/articles

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen Jr

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

Finding the "new" in Vatican news
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/finding-new-vatican-news

It's my birthday today, so I guess that means I can cry if I want to. Although I'm not exactly weeping, I do find myself grousing a bit about the way recent Vatican stories have played in most news coverage. It's Journalism 101 that to count as "news," something is supposed to be previously unknown, out of the ordinary, or not widely familiar -- i.e., "new." Yet on two recent storylines out of Rome, we've seen some remarkably "dog bites man" coverage while either playing down or missing what was new...

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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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FACEBOOK

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

Bishop Patrick Dunn
http://www.facebook.com/bishoppatrick?sk=wall

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz?sk=wall

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

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NEWS OF THE CHURCH IN NZ AND THE WORLD

http://cathnews.co.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/author/luke/page/14/

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/

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

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

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PARACHUTE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Parachute Festival 2012, Mystery Creek Events Centre, 27 - 30 January 2012.
http://www.parachutemusic.com/events

Family groups are eligible for "Pay what you can" family passes.

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

News & Notes - 15 January 2012

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Farewell to man of service (photo)
Obituary of Britt Brewer, Morrinsville
Part one: http://tinyurl.com/7zst5pk
Part two: http://tinyurl.com/6lvh9yf

Rose garden stalwart to be missed
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/life-style/people/6257119/Rose-garden-stalwart-to-be-missed
Roses were large in the life of Gerard Williams [of Hamilton]. His parents, Charles and Winifred, grew excellent roses, and Gerard became caught by their passion. Fortunately so, for he became one of the driving forces behind the internationally known Hamilton Gardens. His name is firmly linked to the Rogers Rose Garden.

Quake-Hit New Zealanders Raise P51,000 To Help Typhoon Sendong Victims
http://www.zambotimes.com/archives/41548-Quake-Hit-New-Zealanders-Raise-P51,000-To-Help-Typhoon-Sendong-Victims.html
The people of New Zealand who recently had their share of deadly earthquakes have come together to help victims of Typhoon Sendong which left thousands of deaths, destruction and displacement of people in affected areas in Mindanao. Parishioners at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church located in Takapuna, Auckland raised some P51,000 and sent the money to the Kapatirang Claretiano Inc. (KCI), a Security and Exchange Commission-registered foundation undertaking relief and education projects in Mindanao.

Top students attain equal levels of achievement in 2011 (photos)
Cambridge Edition
http://tinyurl.com/7oz4q5g
Top honours at St Peter's Catholic School's 2011 year 8 prizegiving were awarded jointly to Kelsey O'brien and Thomas Radakin.

The dead tell tales: Eugene O'connor 1893-1972 (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/76fydfb
Waikato times
In 1972, the parishioners of Frankton Parish packed into St Columba's Church in Rifle Range Rd for the funeral of their former parish priest, Father Eugene O'connor. Also in attendance were 70 fellow priests, a demonstration of the great respect held for him.

An 'iron woman' at heart (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/features/6240057/An-iron-woman-at-heart/
January 21 is a date with a ring around it on Carmel Spencer's calendar. That is the day the newly appointed Nga Tawa Diocesan School principal will compete in Wanaka's Ironman competition. She's doing the half Ironman; a 90-kilometre bike ride, a 21km run, and a 1.9km swim in the lake.
Motueka mum recalls victim's love of life (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6235663/Motueka-mum-recalls-victims-love-of-life
Diana Cox's mother recalls her as someone who was never afraid of a challenge. Mrs Cox, 63, died in a hot air balloon accident in Carterton on Saturday along with her husband Howard Cox, 71.

Surprise over low Christian school enrolments
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/queenstown-lakes/193807/surprise-over-low-christian-school-enrolments
Misconceptions about a Queenstown Christian school and the condition of its building may have stymied its enrolment growth in the Wakatipu basin, where other schools' rolls are fit to burst, the principal says.

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LIGHT OF THE WORLD - Otago Catholic Access Radio

http://www.accessradio.org/public/programme.php?uid=1218074856-834

2012-01-08 – Ray Guarendi – "Raising good kids: back to basics"

[Choose the "Click to download" link. The sound quality of the other one is terrible - ml]

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Holiday reading

** 10 Amazing Catholics of 2011

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PERIODICALS & NEWSLETTERS

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform' http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. 'The Tablet' http://www.cdd.org.nz/the-tablet

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires' http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_lighting_new_fires.html

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Good News and the News' http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_good_news.html

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

The Nathaniel Centre. The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre. 'The Nathaniel Report' http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/?sid=5

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East' http://www.columban.org.au/?MID=200510192652

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine. http://www.tuimotu.org/articles

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen Jr

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

Five myths about anti-Christian persecution
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/five-myths-about-anti-christian-persecution

In his annual address to diplomats Monday, Pope Benedict XVI highlighted religious freedom with emphasis on persecuted Christians around the world. This week, a delegation of Catholic bishops from Europe and the States tried to shine a spotlight on one small chapter of this global story: the Gaza Strip, where 2,500 Christians live amid an overwhelmingly Muslim population of 1.5 million. English Bishop William Kenney told the Christians of Gaza, "You are not forgotten." It's a lovely sentiment ... One wonders, however, how much reality there is behind Kenney's claim...

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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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FACEBOOK

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

Bishop Patrick Dunn
http://www.facebook.com/bishoppatrick?sk=wall

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz?sk=wall

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

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NEWS OF THE CHURCH IN NZ AND THE WORLD

http://cathnews.co.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/author/luke/page/14/

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/

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

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

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EMPLOYMENT

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

News and Notes - 8 January 2012

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FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Dad's fury at principal's 'disgusting' email
http://www.wanganuichronicle.co.nz/news/dads-fury-at-principals-disgusting-email/1230778/
A Wanganui father has laid a complaint with the board of trustees at St Mary's School, saying an email he received from the school's principal was "disgusting". The father, who cannot be identified to protect his son, is demanding an investigation after a flurry of emails surrounding his ex-wife's attempts to have the boy moved from St Marcellin School to St Mary's.

New Zealand appointment for Goulburn Murray priest (audio file; photo)
http://www.abc.net.au/local/audio/2012/01/05/3402580.htm?site=goulburnmurray
The Goulburn Murray region will lose one of its leading figures, when Monsignor Peter Jeffrey departs from St Brendan's Catholic Church in Shepparton for New Zealand at the end of the month. Monsignor Jeffrey, who has also worked in Euroa, Wodonga and Beechworth, has been appointed Director of New Zealand's National Catholic Seminary. He spoke to Matt Dowling about his new challenge and his past 16 years in Shepparton...

Advocate starts by building links (photo)
The Marlborough Express
http://tinyurl.com/6ubwqxf
Training for the priesthood in Fiji gave Pacific health advocate Lasike Kula lifetime skills he is putting to good use in Marlborough.

Beauty inside wood a different inspiration (photo)
Taranaki Daily News
http://tinyurl.com/7a7xzxe
She's published 60 novels and picture books, piloted Tiger Moths and raised four children so it's hardly surprising acclaimed children's writer Joy Cowley has acquired yet another skill – woodworking.

New year baby a bonus (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/news/6210113/New-year-baby-a-bonus
Oliver Isaac Wells waited an extra 10 days to make his entrance into the world especially for the new year.

QSM for advocate of child-focussed learning
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/6203901/QSM-for-advocate-of-child-focussed-learning
"Ninety per cent of the good things in life are still available to me." So says Paul Ferris, the founding principal of Kavanagh College, who retired in July 2010 after 20 years in Dunedin and a successful battle against an aggressive cancer. Today he is being awarded a Queen's Services Medal for services to education.

Former Children's Commissioner honoured: Paul Leslie Ferris, Dunedin, Services to education (photos)
http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/otago/192823/former-childrens-commissioner-honoured?page=0%2C2http://www.odt.co.nz/regions/otago/192823/former-childrens-commissioner-honoured?page=0%2C2
Upon receiving a QSM for services to education, Kavanagh College former principal Paul Ferris said the real reward was making a difference to young teenager's lives.

Hotere's seductive artworks 'feed the soul'
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/new-year-honours-2011/6203615/Hoteres-seductive-artworks-feed-the-soul
He was born in a humble raupo whare and rode to school on horseback. Now he has joined the exclusive ranks of the greatest living New Zealanders. Artist Ralph Hotere, 80, has been made a Member of the Order of New Zealand in the New Year honours. Only 20 people can be members of the ONZ at any time.

Hawke's Bay boy, 4, run down by car
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10775412
A four-year-old boy is in a stable condition after being knocked down by a churchgoer's car on Christmas Eve.

With tremors shaking Christchurch, Christmas Mass forced outdoors
http://www.smh.com.au/world/with-tremors-shaking-christchurch-christmas-mass-forced-outdoors-20111225-1p9ef.html
Aftershocks have continued to rock Christchurch through Christmas, with no sign of the tremors easing for the festive season.

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PODCASTS

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** Station XV **

Episode 51 — Happy news, smiling Pope, Happy Christmas (December 16, 2011)

http://station15.co.nz

In this month's episode of The 15th Station, the two-man panel of James and Gavin connects from each side of the Tasman Sea to discuss some of the big stories of the past month. The New Zealand bishops are in Rome for their ad limina visit, there's talk of a full diocesan seminary in Auckland and we reflect on what Catholic News Service has found to be the biggest stories of 2011. There's also time to chat about a complicated situation in New South Wales about admission protocols for a Catholic school in New South Wales, but we finish with a story that even brought a smile to the Pope's face. On behalf of the team that makes The 15th Station possible, we wish you all a Happy and Holy Christmas and best wishes for a great 2011 — with more Station 15 podcasts as your New Year's Resolution.

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** The Bishop Reflects **

http://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz/Bishops/tabid/3348/language/en-NZ/Default.aspx

Lyndsay Freer in conversation with the Bishop Pat Dunn

Episode 1: The New Zealand Bishops' ad-limina visit to Rome.

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'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** An American Pope? (Archbishop Timothy Dolan)

** "I… am never more myself than when I do" (read more this year)

** Vestal morons and Star Wars (Star Wars and Vatican II?)

** Using the name 'Catholic'

See also Gavin Abraham's blog 'The Catholic Soapbox: http://catholicsoapbox.com

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NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PERIODICALS & NEWSLETTERS

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform' http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. 'The Tablet' http://www.cdd.org.nz/the-tablet

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires' http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_lighting_new_fires.html

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Good News and the News' http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_good_news.html

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

The Nathaniel Centre. The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre. 'The Nathaniel Report' http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/?sid=5

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East' http://www.columban.org.au/?MID=200510192652

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine. http://www.tuimotu.org/articles

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ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen Jr

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

O'Malley on the sex abuse crisis: 'It's not behind us'
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/omalley-sex-abuse-crisis-its-not-behind-us

Although you won't find it on any liturgical calendar, Friday marks a monumental milestone for the Catholic church in the United States. It was exactly a decade ago, on Jan. 6, 2002, that the first Boston Globe article appeared on a serial predator and former priest named John Geoghan, triggering what we now know as the "sexual abuse crisis." Within a year, Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston resigned in disgrace... The man tapped to clean up the mess Law left behind -- a humble, self-effacing Capuchin Franciscan named Sean O'Malley -- was already a veteran drawn from the frontlines of the crisis, well before the term even existed ...

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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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FACEBOOK

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

Bishop Patrick Dunn
http://www.facebook.com/bishoppatrick?sk=wall

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz?sk=wall

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

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NEWS OF THE CHURCH IN NZ AND THE WORLD

http://cathnews.co.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/author/luke/page/14/

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/homepage/

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

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

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

EVENTS

'Hearts Aflame' 2012 - Friday 6th to Sunday 15th January, Nga Tawa College, Marton
Details on http://www.heartsaflame.org.nz

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

Catholic Diocese of Auckland. Leader of Adult Faith Formation
http://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' December 25 2011 - January 28 2012 p.23 and from Leader, Parish and Pastoral SErvices Group, Private Bag 47904, Ponsonby, Auckland 1144; tel: (09) 360 3004; e-mail: patl@cda.org.nz Applications close 15 February 2012

Dear readers,

This is the final 'News and Notes' for 2011. I will re-start in two or
three weeks' time, depending on how much there is to report.

Every best wish and all God's blessings for a happy Christmas and new year.

Mike Leon

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

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

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

Focus on New Evangelization at ad limina (18 Dec 2011)

At the end of their ad limina visits, Pope Benedict XVI told the
bishops of New Zealand and the Pacific that the Christian faith
provides the best foundation for society, and that promoting the New
Evangelization is the best way to build a Christian culture ...

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

'NZ CATHOLIC'

http://www.nzcatholic.org

In issue no. 382, December 25 2011 - January 28 2012: Ethnic diversity
strong in Catholic schools ... The cave of Jesus' birth leaves lasting
aura ... Entries in 'The True Meaning of Christmas' art competition (4
pages) ... '2011 in Review' (2 pages) ... Bumper Christmas crossword

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

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

***************
Christmas 2011
***************

Choir warms up for Christmas Eve (photo caption)
http://tinyurl.com/75dmqq5
The 50-strong Tongan choir rehearses at St Mary's Catholic Church, Blenheim

Taking a peek (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/7ldkyse
The Nativity scene at St Thomas Catholic Church, Timaru.

Praise out of doors, but still under cover
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6181888/Praise-out-of-doors-but-still-under-cover
Christmas church services will be held in the "cathedral of the great
outdoors", under canvas and in community halls across Christchurch.

Alternative church venues for Christmas in Christchurch
http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/canterbury-earthquake/94397/alternative-church-venues-for-christmas-in-christchurch
Church-goers in Christchurch have to seek alternative locations to
celebrate Christmas this year.

Work emails still checked at Christmas
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10774244
Christmas is as much a time for checking work emails as it is for
going to church, a survey has revealed.

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

Cathedral's missing doors found
http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8394127/cathedrals-missing-doors-found
Two expensive bronze doors to a tabernacle missing from Christchurch's
Catholic cathedral have been found.

Farewell Father Roberts (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/community-papers/6182973/Farewell-Father-Roberts
Tomorrow's Christmas Day mass may be his final service in Marlborough,
but St Mary's Catholic parish priest Father Alan Roberts still hopes
to return one day to the top of the south after falling in love with
the area.

Priest has rite stuff for parish with divine view
http://www.smh.com.au/national/priest-has-rite-stuff-for-parish-with-divine-view-20111223-1p8hi.html
Monsignor Stephen Rossetti will conduct midnight Mass tonight with his
sunglasses on. The glasses come with the territory. Monsignor Rossetti
is the lone Catholic priest in Antarctica - surely one of the world's
largest parishes.

Big calls answered (photos)
http://tinyurl.com/74j9ozn
Catholic priest Chris Friel heads to Christchurch next month to help
rebuild the earthquake-damaged Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament
parish. He chats with reporter Al Williams about life, priesthood and
the future.

Unrest in Parnell over office block's shadow (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/religion-and-beliefs/news/article.cfm?c_id=301&objectid=10774006
A Parnell community representative and a Catholic priest are opposing
a development that could overshadow one of the oldest churches in the
country.

Millions visit Facebook to see 'Satanic' church billboard (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/7ru4dz5
If St Matthew-in-the-city wanted to draw attention to an issue by
displaying a billboard of the Virgin Mary gasping as she clutches a
positive pregnancy test, it has certainly succeeded.

No repairs for slashed church billboard
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/6163329/No-repairs-for-slashed-church-billboard

Protest against Auckland church billboard (photo; video)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/6158300/Protest-against-Auckland-church-billboard

*******************
News of the Schools
*******************

Carmel College, Auckland: Carmel College to get arts centre
http://tinyurl.com/7al2l83

Sacred Heart College, Auckland: Rain decides carnival winner (photos)
http://tinyurl.com/7pky7xc

St Joseph's, Hamilton: Nepotism and bullying alleged at school
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6170999/Nepotism-and-bullying-alleged-at-school

St Joseph's, Hamilton: Parent appalled by slurs on principal
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6186594/Parent-appalled-by-slurs-on-principal

Stella Maris, Silverdale: Big rise in enrolments
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/6160212/Big-rise-in-enrolments

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

INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Traveler's Birth: Luke 2:1-14, a reading and commentary by Sister
Stephanie Kitching.

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

LIGHT OF THE WORLD - Otago Access Radio

http://www.accessradio.org/public/programme.php?uid=1218074856-834

Programmes in December:

25 – A Christmas play written and produced by Jill Bevilacqua, plus
stories and carols for Christmas Day.

Programmes in January

1 – The world's most famous star, the Star of Bethlehem, a myth or an
astronomical reality? Al Kresta talks with Rick Larson. Also, the
story of St Basil, and the Magi in art.

8 – Ray Guarendi – "Raising good kids: back to basics".

15 – Dan Burke, a convert from Judaism, tells of his Journey Home into
the Catholic faith.

22 – In November the Vatican hosted a conference on cutting edge
stem-cell research. We find out why one Pontifical Council is
supporting an American biotech company.

29 – Fr Thomas Williams considers the question: "Can God be trusted?"

Programmes in February

5 – Brennan Pursell talks about his book History in His Hands: A
Christian Narrative of the West.

12 – St Valentine; and an interview with Amy Bonaccorso, author of How
to Get to 'I Do': A Dating Guide for Catholic Women.

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

'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Shake up (earthquakes, and the other kind)

** Feeling Lucky? (Archbishop Diarmuid Martin: pull up your socks, or leave)

** A plea for Christchurch (i.e. the cathedral)

** Anglican Church vs. Mary, Mother of God (that billboard)

See also Gavin Abraham's blog 'The Catholic Soapbox: http://catholicsoapbox.com

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

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PERIODICALS & NEWSLETTERS

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. 'The Tablet' http://www.cdd.org.nz/the-tablet

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires'
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_lighting_new_fires.html

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Good News and the News'
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_good_news.html

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

The Nathaniel Centre. The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre. 'The
Nathaniel Report' http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/?sid=5

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East'
http://www.columban.org.au/?MID=200510192652

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine.
http://www.tuimotu.org/articles

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

ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen Jr

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

The Laws of Christian Thermodynamics
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/laws-christian-thermodynamics

I happen to groove on population statistics, but I realize that for
most people they rival watching paint dry, or the heartbreak of
psoriasis, as a good time. Faced with a new report from the Pew Forum
on the global Christian population, therefore, let's start with a few
deliberately bold assertions to get the blood moving...

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

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

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

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

Bishop Patrick Dunn
Details in http://www.facebook.com/bishoppatrick?sk=wall

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz?sk=wall

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

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

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

NEWS OF THE CHURCH IN NZ AND THE WORLD

http://cathnews.co.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/author/luke/page/14/

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/

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

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

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

EVENTS

'Hearts Aflame' 2012 - Friday 6th to Sunday 15th January, Nga Tawa
College, Marton
Details on http://www.heartsaflame.org.nz

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

Catholic Diocese of Auckland. Leader of Adult Faith Formation
http://www.aucklandcatholic.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' December 25 2011 - January 28 2012 p.23 and
from Leader, Parish and Pastoral SErvices Group, Private Bag 47904,
Ponsonby, Auckland 1144; tel: (09) 360 3004; e-mail: patl@cda.org.nz
Applications close 15 February 2012

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

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

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

Bishops enjoy good conversation with Pope (13 Dec 2011).

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops have met with Pope Benedict XVI, for
the first of two meetings they will have with the Pope during their ad
limina visit. The second meeting will take place on Saturday 17
December ...

Also:

Vatican Radio interview with Archbishop Dew (audio)
http://212.77.9.15/audiomp3/00293348.MP3

New Zealand : A far and familiar Church
http://www.oecumene.radiovaticana.org/en1/Articolo.asp?c=546479
Geographically it may be a far and distant Church, but the challenges
that it faces are akin to those found in Europe; the marginalisation
of faith in an increasingly secular society, the proper integration of
migrants within larger society and an increasingly aging and dwindling
clergy. But the Catholic Church in New Zealand is also witnessing the
after-effects Sydney 2008, with young people becoming more
enthusiastic and proud of their faith, and the joy they bring with
them to the local Church...

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

'WEL-COM'

http://www.welcom.org.nz

NEWS

Director of TCI appointed
TCI is the provider, on behalf of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops'
Conference of formation for those involved in education and pastoral
ministry in Aotearoa New Zealand and to engage in research and
discussion in New Zealand in all areas of church and its ministries...

Youth ministry under review. Archbishop disestablishes positions
All present positions in both the Youth and Young Adult Office and the
Tertiary Chaplaincy Team will be disestablished. Two current
ministries will be combined into one under the Office for Catholic
Ministry with Young People...

Earthquake risk assessment goes ahead
In a letter dated November 25 Archbishop John said it was 'imperative'
that, if a building had been determined to be potentially unsafe, the
parishioners be informed of the risk...

COLUMNS

Verbum Domini: the value of culture for the life of the community, by
Kieran Fenn fms
We live in a fragmented Church and in times of great change. Two
issues and responsibilities lie at the centre of our Christian
existence: to tell the Jesus story (the scriptures – not forgetting
the Old Testament that was Jesus' Sacred Scripture) and celebrate the
Jesus presence (Sacraments)...

Archbishop's column: reviewing the year. Archdiocesan priests look
back with gratitude, by Archbishop John Dew.
I found this a most helpful exercise as I listened attentively to the
priests share the joys and generosity of parishioners who live their
faith day by day...

SCHOOLS

School's out for summer: Hutt Sacred Heart students finish the year in
make-believe
Year 13 students at Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt, celebrating
their last week of school last month before studying for final
exams...

Local champ off to world competition: Susannah Lynch heads to
cross-country world championships
At the College Sport Wellington annual awards evening on November 6,
Suzannah was named Multisport Athlete of the Year...

FEATURES

The Church and homosexuality - a response
One of two responses to the publication in Wel-com last month of
'Lives on a different course - time to catch up with society' - a
father's anguished struggle to understand the Church's stance against
his son's sexual orientation...

Florence Mary Kane 1929 to 2011 RIP
Mgr John Carde gave this eulogy at the funeral of Florence Kane of
Waikanae, on September 19...

Vatican endorses 'Robin Hood' tax against greed
The Vatican's anointing of the Tobin Tax is another step forward. This
tax sits at the heart of the gospel commitment to provide for the poor
and marginalised. It resonates in a world which deals daily in
trillions of dollars, much of it in the hands of speculators,
financiers and international banks whose seemingly unaccountable
dealings create huge injustice...

PALMERSTON NORTH

They came together to pray
Assisi moment commemorated in Palmerston North
The event in Palmerston North which the New Zealand Catholic Bishops'
Committee for Interfaith Relations organised, did what the first
Assisi event achieved in Italy. It brought together inspiring people
to pray for peace, and engendered good will, which is the beginning of
trust, the foundation of peace...

Struck down but still loved: Looking back over six years of recovery
from stroke, by Fr Kevin Neal
I remember the ward in Whanganui hospital and wondering what was going
on in other wards. The fact was though, I couldn't move...

A significant birthday: Fr Peter Fahy hits 70
The biggest surprise of the afternoon was when his sister Mary, who
lives in the UK, walked in. She had not told him she was coming and
those in the know were sworn to secrecy...

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

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

A Kiwi Christmas: Our traditions
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/christmas-2011/6137473/A-Kiwi-Christmas-Our-traditions
Reader's Digest asked a representative sample of 259 New Zealanders
"Just what does Christmas mean to New Zealanders - and what do we
treasure most?"

Bronzed tabernacle doors elude diocese
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1112/S00391/bronzed-tabernacle-doors-elude-diocese.htm
Staff of Christchurch's Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament are hopeful
that the Ria Bancroft bronzed doors that were removed from storage,
are in the safekeeping of a well-meaning parishioner.

Catholic cathedral hunts missing doors (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/christchurch-earthquake-2011/6151995/Catholic-cathedral-hunts-missing-doors

Zealot destroys church poster (photo)
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/religion-and-beliefs/news/article.cfm?c_id=301&objectid=10773887
A protester destroys the controversial St Matthew-in-the-City Church
Christmas poster. Photo / Michael CraigStunned passers-by watched as a
scissors-wielding zealot slashed a billboard showing the Virgin Mary
clutching a positive pregnancy test yesterday.

Virgin Mary billboard sparks outrage in New Zealand (photo)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/8957667/Virgin-Mary-billboard-sparks-outrage-in-New-Zealand.html

On The Beat: NZ music wrap: Three in one
http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/music/6157809/On-The-Beat-NZ-music-wrap
It's not often an artist can lay claim to a song being on three albums
at the same time. That's the case with Kiwi soul diva Julie Ta'ale,
who records as MzJ.

Convent home rich in character and history (photos)
The Southland Times
http://tinyurl.com/7lw7tqe
The 108-year-old former convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Winton,
Southland, is now in ptivate ownership and being renovated.

Quake insurance to be canned
http://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/6135041/Quake-insurance-to-be-canned
Ansvar, which insured 75 per cent of New Zealand churches, announced
in September it would not renew earthquake policies when they finished
and last week announced it would cancel policies on December 31,
regardless of when they expired.

*******************
News of the Schools
*******************

Marian College, Christchurch: School on the move (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/6154286/School-on-the-move

Pompallier Catholic College, Whangarei: New tool for after school
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/northland/whangarei-leader/6127140/New-tool-for-after-school

Roncalli College, Timaru: Hurdler claims national title (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/7wlyddp

Sacred Heart Girls' College, New Plymouth: Outcry forces council
u-turn http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/6141646/Outcry-forces-council-U-turn

St Joseph's, Hamilton: 'Issues' at St Joseph school
http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/6151413/Issues-at-St-Joseph-school

St Joseph's, Stratford: Ready for Santa parades (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/south-taranaki-star/6143348/Ready-for-Santa-parades

St Mary's, Mosgiel: Increasing roll prompts plans for possible move
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/190752/increasing-roll-prompts-plans-possible-move

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

INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Assenting': Luke 1: 26-38, a reading and commentary by Sister
Stephanie Kitching.

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

LIGHT OF THE WORLD - Otago Access Radio

http://www.accessradio.org/public/programme.php?uid=1218074856-834

Programmes in December:

18 – Canadian Fr Bill Regal tells his story of battling substance
abuse and the work of Guest House.

25 – A Christmas play written and produced by Jill Bevilacqua, plus
stories and carols for Christmas Day.

Programmes in January

1 – The world's most famous star, the Star of Bethlehem, a myth or an
astronomical reality? Al Kresta talks with Rick Larson. Also, the
story of St Basil, and the Magi in art.

8 – Ray Guarendi – "Raising good kids: back to basics".

15 – Dan Burke, a convert from Judaism, tells of his Journey Home into
the Catholic faith.

22 – In November the Vatican hosted a conference on cutting edge
stem-cell research. We find out why one Pontifical Council is
supporting an American biotech company.

29 – Fr Thomas Williams considers the question: "Can God be trusted?"

Programmes in February

5 – Brennan Pursell talks about his book History in His Hands: A
Christian Narrative of the West.

12 – St Valentine; and an interview with Amy Bonaccorso, author of How
to Get to 'I Do': A Dating Guide for Catholic Women.

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

'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Diaconate and Women Religious (some dioceses have no provision for
the permanent diaconate)

** "Hey, since when is Christmas just about presents?

** 25 Books that Saints Cherished.

** An Advent Conspiracy (What if we diverted a fraction of our holiday
spending towards helping people in the Third World?)

** Losing tradition? (Who remembers the hymn 'Star of the Sea'?)

** Who hates Latin? (our sacred language and the liturgy)

** Happy Advent everybody! (A reminder from the Holy Father about what
matters most)

See also Gavin Abraham's blog 'The Catholic Soapbox: http://catholicsoapbox.com

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

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PERIODICALS & NEWSLETTERS

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. 'The Tablet' http://www.cdd.org.nz/the-tablet

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires'
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_lighting_new_fires.html

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Good News and the News'
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_good_news.html

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

The Nathaniel Centre. The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre. 'The
Nathaniel Report' http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/?sid=5

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East'
http://www.columban.org.au/?MID=200510192652

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine.
http://www.tuimotu.org/articles

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

ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen Jr

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

The perils of a part-time pope
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/perils-part-time-pope

Marco Politi, to be sure, has a point of view. A veteran Italian
journalist and commentator, mostly for the leftist La Repubblica,
Politi's sympathies clearly run to the Catholic church's progressive
wing. It thus may be tempting to see his critical new book on Benedict
XVI, titled 'Joseph Ratzinger: Crisis of a Papacy', as the predictable
grumbling of someone who just doesn't like what this pope stands for.
However understandable, that would be a mistake...

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

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

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

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

Bishop Patrick Dunn
Details in http://www.facebook.com/bishoppatrick?sk=wall

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz?sk=wall

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

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

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

NEWS OF THE CHURCH IN NZ AND THE WORLD

http://cathnews.co.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/author/luke/page/14/

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/

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

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

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North, Youth Ministry Coordinator, Wanganui.
http://pn.catholic.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' December 4-17 2011 p.23, in 'Wel-com'
December 2011 p.13, and from Katheleen Field at cya@dyc.net.nz ; tel:
(06) 350 3824 and 021 509 436

Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington. Office of Catholic Ministry with
Young People (3 positions)
http://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/?sid=322
Details on the Web page, and from Lorraine McArthur, Director,
Archdiocesan Pastoral Services, tel (04) 496-1706; email
l.mcarthur@wn.catholic.org.nz
Applications close on 20 December, 2011

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

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE

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

Bishops in Rome for Ad Limina (9 Dec 2011)
New Zealand's Catholic bishops have arrived in Rome for their ad
limina visit, which begins Monday 12 December. They will be joined by
Archbishop Charles Balvo, Apostolic Nuncio to New Zealand...

Columban Calendars connect prisoners with God (5 Dec 2011)
One way the Columban Mission is reaching out to the marginalised this
Christmas is by donating 800 Columban Calendars to prisoners around
New Zealand. The calendars are being given to Catholic prison
chaplains to offer to prisoners...

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

'NZ CATHOLIC'

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

In issue no.380, December 4-17 2011: No. of Chch parishes to halve ...
Rugby stars about to kick off married life ... Large influx of
seminary students expected for 2012 ... Faith a major part of new MP's
identity ... Care provided for senior Marist priests and brothers ...
Village church a taonga at the lake ... Nurse answers call to mission
abroad ... Feature: Catholic marriage (3 pages)

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

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Cardboard cathedral 'will go ahead'
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/christchurch-earthquake/6118504/Cardboard-cathedral-will-go-ahead
It would cost more than $100 million to fully restore the
earthquake-damaged Catholic cathedral in Christchurch. Cathedral of
the Blessed Sacrament leaders are considering whether to restore the
building for more than $100m or build a new cathedral for about $40m.

New office, take two (photos)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/east-bays-courier/6106859/New-office-take-two
One of New Zealand's oldest Catholic churches is again facing the
possibility that it could be overshadowed by a new development next
door. The Real Estate Institute of New Zealand at 202 Parnell Rd has
submitted a revised resource consent application for approval to
demolish its current premises and construct a new three-storey
mixed-use building there. The Church of St John the Baptist Parnell is
next door, separated only by Denby St.

What can religious organisations shield from the Privacy Act?
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=12987&page=0
[A summary, with a hostile commentary, of a hearing in 2008 before the
New Zealand High Court which seemed to mean that parties who provide
information in confidence to the Tribunal of the Catholic Church
cannot expect that information to remain confidential if another
affected party asks to see it]

Fate of churches in balance
http://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/6097097/Fate-of-churches-in-balance
South Canterbury's earthquake-damaged churches may face demolition as
the date looms for hefty insurance hikes.

Papal award for dedicated service (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/upper-hutt-leader/6097179/Papal-award-for-dedicated-service
Upper Hutt woman Mary Richardson has added a papal medal to her many
awards for a lifetime's service to the Upper Hutt community.

Long-banned carols performed in basilica
http://tinyurl.com/7a9blh5
St Mary's Basilica in Invercargill was filled with carols last night,
as Southlanders filled the pews to hear 13 Christmas songs forbidden
for 450 years in Scotland.

*******************
News of the Schools
*******************

Santa kicks off the season (photos)
http://tinyurl.com/85lwfxv
[In Christmas parades around the country, it's often thanks to the
local Catholic school and parish that Jesus, Mary and Joseph aren't
left out. God bless St Peter's Catholic School, Cambridge (see
right-hand column) and a pat on the back for the donkey - ML]

Baradene College, Auckland: A long love affair with languages (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/7dp9zcs

Francis Douglas Memorial College, New Plymouth: Riccitelli century
leads school side's fightback
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/sport/6084634/Riccitelli-century-leads-school-sides-fightback

Garin College, Richmond, Nelson: Maths whiz takes honours (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/6uyvjpx

Hato Petera College, Auckland: College head to raise profile (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/north-shore-times/6106374/College-head-to-raise-profile

Hato Petera College, Auckland: Principal named at Hato Petera
http://tinyurl.com/83bhtby

John Paul College, Rotorua: Extra staff better than sponsors'
http://www.rotoruadailypost.co.nz/news/extra-staff-better-than-sponsors/1200352/

Kavanagh College, Dunedin: Speedy youngsters stars of school sport
(photo) http://www.odt.co.nz/sport/other-sport/189709/speedy-youngsters-stars-school-sport

Kavanagh College, Dunedin: Year 9 roll up at city schools
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/189728/year-9-roll-city-schools

Roncalli College, Timaru: Pupils' posies for season's greetings (photo
caption) http://tinyurl.com/7kks8xt

Sacred Heart College, Lower Hutt: Teens turn disaster into success
(photo) http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/capital-life/6097616/Teens-turn-disaster-into-success

Sacred Heart Girls' College, New Plymouth: Protest wins roading
rethink (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/6096973/Protest-wins-roading-rethink

St Joseph's, Kaikoura: Pee wee trail racers steal the show (photos)
http://tinyurl.com/6sav29q

St Joseph's, Morrinsville: Age group title for local bmx rider (photo)
http://tinyurl.com/7l46bo7

St Theresa's, Featherston: Reports of gunman near school a product of
a 'vivid imagination'
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10772118

St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch: Radio New Zealand.
Afternoons. 'Emergency charger' (audio file)
http://podcast.radionz.co.nz/aft/aft-20110329-1425-Emergency_charger-048.mp3

St Thomas of Canterbury College, Christchurch: Student creation lights
the way http://www.voxy.co.nz/technology/student-creation-lights-way/5/109244
Stella Maris, Silverdale, Auckland: Halina a special teacher (photo)
http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/rodney-times/6106763/Halina-a-special-teacher

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

INSPIRATIONAL TV

http://inspirationaltv.net

'Attending', A voice cries: John 1:19-28, a reading and commentary by
Dr Raymond Pelly and Very Rev Frank Nelson at St Paul's Cathedral,
Wellington.

Also: 'Considering', a reflection for Christmas. "Being the change
that I want to be in the world", by Sister Mary Scanlan

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

LIGHT OF THE WORLD - Otago Access Radio

http://www.accessradio.org/public/programme.php?uid=1218074856-834

Programmes in December:

11 – Drs Robert Walley and Donna Harrison talk about the work of
MaterCare International.

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

'BEING FRANK' - New Zealand Catholic blogs

http://www.beingfrank.co.nz

** Dissatisfaction (don't just sit there, do something)

** Two things I have trouble believing (about very small babies, and
video games)

** My Week of Anglicans (on the reasons for the Catholic-Anglican split)

** A Modern Seminarians' Dictionary (ironic definitions from the 1980s)

See also Gavin Abraham's blog 'The Catholic Soapbox: http://catholicsoapbox.com

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

NEW ZEALAND CATHOLIC PERIODICALS & NEWSLETTERS

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'
http://www.chch.catholic.org.nz/?sid=25

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. 'The Tablet' http://www.cdd.org.nz/the-tablet

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Lighting New Fires'
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_lighting_new_fires.html

NZ Catholic Education Office. 'Good News and the News'
http://www.nzceo.catholic.org.nz/pages/resources/resources_good_news.html

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

The Nathaniel Centre. The New Zealand Catholic Bioethics Centre. 'The
Nathaniel Report' http://www.nathaniel.org.nz/?sid=5

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East'
http://www.columban.org.au/?MID=200510192652

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine.
http://www.tuimotu.org/articles

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

ALL THINGS CATHOLIC, by John L. Allen Jr

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

Global priest shortages, faith and reason in the U.K. and a loss in Ohio
http://ncronline.org/blogs/all-things-catholic/global-priest-shortages-faith-and-reason-uk-and-loss-ohio

The most important Catholic story of our time is the demographic shift
from the global north to the south, with two-thirds of the Catholics
in the world today living in the southern hemisphere, a share that
will rise to three-quarters by the middle of the century. One
underutilized resource for pondering this transition is the missionary
orders, with their long experience navigating cultural gaps. As it
happens, I received two fascinating reflections this week from veteran
missionaries, one an Italian Comboni serving in the Philippines, Fr.
Renzo Carraro, and the other an American Jesuit currently in Malawi
after many years in Zambia, Fr. Pete Henriot. Although each covered a
variety of topics, they intersect at a critical point: priest
shortages and their frightening pastoral implications...

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

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

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

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

Bishop Patrick Dunn
Details in http://www.facebook.com/bishoppatrick?sk=wall

Catholic Discipleship College
http://www.facebook.com/cdcnz?sk=wall

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

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

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

NEWS OF THE CHURCH IN NZ AND THE WORLD

http://cathnews.co.nz

http://www.nzcatholic.org.nz

http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/author/luke/page/14/

http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/

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

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

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

EMPLOYMENT

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

Catholic Diocese of Palmerston North, Youth Ministry Coordinator, Wanganui.
http://pn.catholic.org.nz
Details in 'NZ Catholic' December 4-17 2011 p.23, in 'Wel-com'
December 2011 p.13, and from Katheleen Field at cya@dyc.net.nz ; tel:
(06) 350 3824 and 021 509 436

Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington. Office of Catholic Ministry with
Young People (3 positions)
http://www.wn.catholic.org.nz/?sid=322
Details on the Web page, and from Lorraine McArthur, Director,
Archdiocesan Pastoral Services, tel (04) 496-1706; email
l.mcarthur@wn.catholic.org.nz
Applications close on 20 December, 2011