Sunday, March 24, 2024

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

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE


** The NZ Catholic Bishops' Committee for Interfaith Relations met in Dunedin over the weekend, which also marked the time of the 5th anniversary of the Christchurch terror attack ...

** The latest issue of Inform -- magazine of Bishop of Christchurch Michael Gielen -- is available in Christchurch Diocese churches now. You can also download a copy in PDF format at https://cdoc.nz/inform

** Today's CathNews NZ has a lovely story about Fr Mark Field returning to Gisborne in his new role as parish priest at St Mary's Star of the Sea Parish

** With this coming Sunday being Palm Sunday, the Sixth Sunday in Lent, the National Liturgy Office has resources including a message from Pope Francis, music and homily suggestions, prayers and Gospel readings.

** Father David Dowling has today officially become the new Rector of Holy Cross College. Please join in welcoming him. Details of his appointment are here: 

** Today's CathNews NZ has a review of a new autobiography by Pope Francis, in which the Holy Father addresses speculation regarding his health, emphasising his commitment to his papal duties, stating "the papacy is a job for life" ...

** On the feast day of St Joseph,  Fr John O'Connor turned his Food for Faith blog over to Pope Francis, who emphasises Joseph as a man of the periphery ...

** Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, our Papal Nuncio, has arrived in Rome after a smooth journey, following his departure from Wellington on Saturday. He will resume his rehabilitation there following the stroke he suffered in Wellington ...

** In this latest addition to the Catholic Enquiry Centre's "How do you pray?"series, Bishop of Palmerston North John Adams talks about prayer through a specifically Catholic lens ...

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

LENT 2024 - 

Caritas Aotearoa's Lent Reflection Programme is here:

On the same page, Caritas'  Lent 2024 Resource Kit can accessed including: Notes for Speaking, Notes for Parish Newsletters, Liturgical Resources, 
Ideas for helping focus on the meaning of Lent, Prayers of the Faithful.

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

'NZ CATHOLIC' 

Full text articles: https://nzcatholic.org.nz/2024/  

The full content of issue 679, Feb. 25 - Mar. 9 is free to read on NZC's home page (right-hand column).

In the issue: Schools' backing sought for campaign for living wage for lowest-paid school workers ... Compassion Soup Kitchen launches appeal to fund increase in demand ... Pounamu taonga for National Shrine on Waitangi Day ... St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College opens ... Inaugural Mass celebrated at new college ... Editorial: Faith/science dialogue ... Andrew Hamilton SJ: Understanding antisemitism and its resurgence ... Sue Seconi: Lent - the passageway to Easter .... Czech theologian asks where do we meet Jesus today? (Msgr Tomas Halik) ... Papal Message for Lent 2024: Through the desert God leads us to freedom ... Ash Wednesday reminder that Anglicans and Catholics have made real progress ... Helen Luxford: Preparing for Lent ... Chch Catholic women encouraged to form "little communities" ... Invercargill facility inspired by Dutch dementia care ... World Day of the Sick: There's healing from isolation and sickness.

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

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Catholic food bank on Cashel St closes due to costs
The hungry have one less option for sustenance following the closure of a food bank which had served the needy in Christchurch for 60 years.
Catholic Social Services reluctantly shut down its Cashel St food bank earlier this month, citing the rising cost of essential food items and a lack of donations ...

Southland athletes shine at national champs in Wellington
Abby O'Boyle, a student at Verdon College, Invercargill, won four medals at the national track and field championships held in Wellington from Thursday till Sunday.

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

PASSION SUNDAY (PALM SUNDAY)  (B)   

Today's Mass is celebrated by Monsignor Bernard Kiely at Baradene College of the Sacred Heart, Remuera, Auckland. It can be viewed at: 

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


New Zealand Commentaries on the Readings for the Sundays of the Year: 

Homily Studio (podcast): Sunday 24 March 2024 
Join Hannah van Schie, Rory Paterson & Kate Kearins in conversation with Fr John O'Connor reflecting on the scripture readings for Palm Sunday.

Homily for Palm Sunday, by Fr Anthony Trenwith (podcast): 

Your Catholic Corner (podcast)
The Significance of Palm Sunday for Catholics
In this special episode, host Julie South delves into the significance of Palm Sunday and its place in the Catholic Church's calendar.

Marist Laity NZ. Living The Word:  http://livingtheword.org.nz/
Palm Sunday of the Passion of the Lord Year B – Hosanna

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

STATION XV (podcast)


Episode 192 — Allegations, Attitudes, Anthropology, Advertising  (March 18, 2024)

New Zealand's lone cardinal has been the subject of allegations of abuse in the 1970s, with the allegations aired publicly despite police saying they won't proceed with charges. It's a challenging opening for Anna, Don, Cameron and James this month, but there are reasons for hope as a study finds young people are inclined to believe in God and Pope Francis is preparing to mark Holy Thursday by visiting a prison. The Holy Father has also spoken out again about gender ideology, saying it's a great challenge. Apparently an advertisement featuring Jesus has been a challenge for some other people. Enjoy this month's episode, and best wishes for a happy and holy Easter.

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

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


English cardinal offers prayers for Princess of Wales after she reveals cancer diagnosis

Cardinal Vincent Nichols has offered his prayers to Britain's Princess of Wales after she revealed she is receiving treatment for cancer.  In his statement, Nichols said he saluted "the courage of the Princess of Wales in speaking so openly about her personal health." "Not only does she give encouragement to all who carry the burden of ill health, but she also speaks so movingly of the importance of her family life. Her message will move many people to pray for her and her full recovery, as I certainly will do myself," the cardinal said ...

**********
EMPLOYMENT 
**********

Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised on the Website of the Education Gazette: 

Vacancies at Caritas Aotearoa: 

Job vacancies in the Catholic dioceses of ...


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

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND


The six dioceses:

***********************
New Zealand Catholic 
Periodicals & Newsletters
***********************

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

Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. 'Kete Korero'. 

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

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'  

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. Newsletter

NZ Catholic Education Office Newsletter 'Kotui'

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

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East' 

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

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine. 

*********
Facebook
*********

NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference

Catholic Discovery NZ (Catholic Enquiry Centre)

'NZ Catholic' newspaper

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

Catholic Theological College

Holy Cross Seminary

Marist Seminary, Auckland NZ

Society of St Vincent de Paul NZ

*****************
News of the Church 
in NZ and the World
*****************









...

Sunday, March 17, 2024

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

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE


Papal Nuncio Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa returning to Rome
Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, the Apostolic Nuncio to Aotearoa New Zealand, is expected to leave for Rome today as he continues his recovery from a stroke ...

Bishops' statement supporting Caritas Lent Appeal 2024
The Catholic bishops have written a letter asking everyone in our parishes to support the Caritas Lent Appeal ...

Nick Wilson of Palmerston North new Council for Young People Chair
Nick Wilson of Palmerston North is the new chair of the Council for Young People of the Catholic bishops of Aotearoa New Zealand ...

Catholic hospital chaplains meet for first-ever national hui
Senior Catholic Hospital Chaplain Tony Lenton reports on the work of New Zealand's Catholic hospital chaplains in our major public hospitals for patients, families and hospital staff, and of the recent national hui-conference they held in Auckland ...



** Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa, the Apostolic Nuncio to Aotearoa New Zealand, is expected to leave for Rome today as he continues his recovery from a stroke. 

** Senior Catholic Hospital Chaplain Tony Lenton has written an article on the work of the Catholic hospital chaplains.

** The bishops have written a letter asking everyone in our parishes to support the Caritas Lent Appeal. 

** Kia ora Nick Wilson of Palmerston North Diocese, the new chair of the bishops' Council for Young People

** Vinnies is helping more people than ever with food parcels, says today's CathNews NZ, but donations are falling. Please help Vinnies by donating or shopping at your local Vinnies store.

** Te Kupenga-Catholic Theological College has a series of short theology courses coming up, led by seasoned lecturers and offering a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of faith and engage in thoughtful dialogue

** Lent 2024 Week Five: The National Liturgy Office has posted resources for Week Five of Lent. These include readings, prayer, suggested music and a Homily Studio Podcast.

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

LENT 2024 - 

Caritas Aotearoa's Lent Reflection Programme is here:

On the same page, Caritas'  Lent 2024 Resource Kit can accessed including: Notes for Speaking, Notes for Parish Newsletters, Liturgical Resources, 
Ideas for helping focus on the meaning of Lent, Prayers of the Faithful.

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

'NZ CATHOLIC' 

Full text articles: https://nzcatholic.org.nz/2024/  

The full content of issue 679, Feb. 25 - Mar. 9 is free to read on NZC's home page (right-hand column).

In the issue: Schools' backing sought for campaign for living wage for lowest-paid school workers ... Compassion Soup Kitchen launches appeal to fund increase in demand ... Pounamu taonga for National Shrine on Waitangi Day ... St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College opens ... Inaugural Mass celebrated at new college ... Editorial: Faith/science dialogue ... Andrew Hamilton SJ: Understanding antisemitism and its resurgence ... Sue Seconi: Lent - the passageway to Easter .... Czech theologian asks where do we meet Jesus today? (Msgr Tomas Halik) ... Papal Message for Lent 2024: Through the desert God leads us to freedom ... Ash Wednesday reminder that Anglicans and Catholics have made real progress ... Helen Luxford: Preparing for Lent ... Chch Catholic women encouraged to form "little communities" ... Invercargill facility inspired by Dutch dementia care ... World Day of the Sick: There's healing from isolation and sickness.

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

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Religious advertising on buses sparks approaches to councillors
Advertising from a Catholic organisation on the back of new eBuses has prompted some residents to approach councillors and the deputy mayor to express discomfort. The advertising, depicting a Divine Mercy image of Jesus, had led a few people to contact him as well as to other councillors, Rohan O'Neill-Stevens said ...

School leaders unite to defend free lunches
A dozen school and early childhood sector groups have united to ask Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to retain funding for the free school lunch scheme, Ka Ora Ka Ako. In a letter to Luxon published on Tuesday afternoon, the organisations said the programme was critical. The letter's signatories covered Catholic, area, intermediate and Montessori schools, primary, secondary and Maori principals, both teacher unions, kindergartens and one of the main early childhood education associations.

Teen's film ready for silver screen
An aspiring Ferndale film-maker considers himself privileged to have his film premiere at the SBS St James Theatre in Gore. St Peter's College pupil thirteen-year-old George McFadzien's home-made movie Granvia Country Calendar Part Two will have its own screening at the theatre on Sunday ....

Feilding's Hato Paora College 2024 head students are Legacy Poutawa and Apirana Barber

School's out, but reunion is in (photo caption)
Ex-pupils of St Dominic's College Duned had a tour of the former priory on Saturday and dinner at Chisholm Links. 

Waharoa for St Mary's: gateway carving represents blend of te ao Maori and Catholic faith 
A waharoa (gateway) at Gisborne's St Mary's Catholic Primary School has been created to represent the school

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

FIFTH SUNDAY OF LENT (B)   

Today's Mass is celebrated by Monsignor Bernard Kiely at Good Shepherd Parish, Balmoral, Auckland. It can be viewed at: 

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


New Zealand Commentaries on the Readings for the Sundays of the Year: 

Homily Studio (podcast): Sunday 17 March 2024 
Well done to Lucienne Hensel and Chris Duthie-Jung – trying to be in conversation with John O'Connor – who kept cutting out then vanished completely – reflecting on the scriptures for the Fifth Sunday in Lent..

Homily for the Fifth Sunday of Lent, by Fr Anthony Trenwith (podcast): 

Your Catholic Corner (podcast)
Jeremiah 31: Inner Renewal Promised - God in Your Heart
Julie South unpacks Jeremiah's prophecy of an inner renewal - God writing a new covenant on our hearts, pointing to an intimate relationship through spiritual transformation. We also examine biblical foundations for reconciliation and confession of sins.

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

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


Vatican says women deacons, not celibacy, on docket for synod
 Organizers of Pope Francis's ongoing Synod of Bishops on Synodality announced Thursday that ten different working groups had been formed in the Roman Curia to address specific topics that came out of last year's session. These topics, they said, are restricted to issues mentioned inside of the synod hall and include hot-button questions such as women's access to the diaconate and ways of welcoming the LGBTQ+ community ...

**********
EMPLOYMENT 
**********

Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised on the Website of the Education Gazette: 

Vacancies at Caritas Aotearoa: 

Job vacancies in the Catholic dioceses of ...


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

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND


The six dioceses:

***********************
New Zealand Catholic 
Periodicals & Newsletters
***********************

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

Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. 'Kete Korero'. 

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

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'  

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. Newsletter

NZ Catholic Education Office Newsletter 'Kotui'

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

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East' 

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

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine. 

*********
Facebook
*********

NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference

Catholic Discovery NZ (Catholic Enquiry Centre)

'NZ Catholic' newspaper

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

Catholic Theological College

Holy Cross Seminary

Marist Seminary, Auckland NZ

Society of St Vincent de Paul NZ

*****************
News of the Church 
in NZ and the World
*****************








Sunday, March 10, 2024


NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE


Letter to the People from Archbishop Paul Martin SM
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ. I am writing to you regarding recent media coverage of an allegation against Cardinal John Dew about events alleged to have take place in the 1970s ...



** Homily Studio: Join Jelvine Cortez, Kate Kearins and Colin MacLeod in conversation with Fr John O'Connor reflecting on the scriptures for the Fourth Sunday in Lent ...

** Many Kiwi Catholics have thrown coins in the Trevi Fountain while making pilgrimages to Rome. But who knew that those coins are collected by the local Caritas and used for this Catholic organisation's charitable work

** From Bishop Steve:  "One of the interesting features of being Bishop of Auckland is meeting with the Bishops of the Oriental Churches, those in communion with Rome and those of the Orthodox communion...

** In this video for the Catholic Enquiry Centre, Caritas Aotearoa NZ CEO Mena Antonio responds to the question "How do you pray?" with her usual openness and flair

** A Taste of Theology lecture series: Get to know your rights under the Canon Law from Msgr Dr Brendan Daly, Canon Law lecturer, Judicial Vicar for the Tribunal of the Catholic Church in New Zealand ...

** Archbishop Paul Martin SM, the Archbishop of Wellington, has today written a letter to the people of all the country's parishes, schools and Catholic agencies. It follows media stories about Cardinal John Dew. 

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

LENT 2024 - 

Caritas Aotearoa's Lent Reflection Programme is here:

On the same page, Caritas'  Lent 2024 Resource Kit can accessed including: Notes for Speaking, Notes for Parish Newsletters, Liturgical Resources, 
Ideas for helping focus on the meaning of Lent, Prayers of the Faithful.

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

'NZ CATHOLIC' 

Full text articles: https://nzcatholic.org.nz/2024/  

The full content of issue 679, Feb. 25 - Mar. 9 is free to read on NZC's home page (right-hand column).

In the issue: Schools' backing sought for campaign for living wage for lowest-paid school workers ... Compassion Soup Kitchen launches appeal to fund increase in demand ... Pounamu taonga for National Shrine on Waitangi Day ... St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College opens ... Inaugural Mass celebrated at new college ... Editorial: Faith/science dialogue ... Andrew Hamilton SJ: Understanding antisemitism and its resurgence ... Sue Seconi: Lent - the passageway to Easter .... Czech theologian asks where do we meet Jesus today? (Msgr Tomas Halik) ... Papal Message for Lent 2024: Through the desert God leads us to freedom ... Ash Wednesday reminder that Anglicans and Catholics have made real progress ... Helen Luxford: Preparing for Lent ... Chch Catholic women encouraged to form "little communities" ... Invercargill facility inspired by Dutch dementia care ... World Day of the Sick: There's healing from isolation and sickness.

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

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Vatican investigating historic child sex abuse claims against New Zealand Cardinal John Dew
Newshub can reveal the Vatican is investigating New Zealand's highest ranked Catholic over child sex allegations. Speaking to Newshub, Dew said he was "absolutely certain" what has been alleged did not happen. "I can honestly say with every ounce of my being that I have never abused anyone in my life. Ever." ...

New Zealand cardinal strongly denies accusation of abuse: A statement by  Cardinal Dew

Cabrini: A biopic that's nun too subtle, but nun too shabby either (film review)
In 1889, Maria Cabrini and her Sisters of the Sacred Heart landed at New York's Ellis Island and found themselves trying to set up shop for the Lord in the disease and crime-ridden hell hole that would one day be known as Lower Manhattan. Today, Maria Xavier Cabrini is recognised as the first American saint, the patron Saint of Immigrants and is also – this is true – regularly invoked by drivers looking for a carpark, on the perfectly sensible grounds that since she lived in New York City, she might have some sympathy 

Hamilton man racially abuses Catholic church staff setting up for Sunday mass
[This story contains offensive language}

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

FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT (B)   

Today's Mass is celebrated by Fr Craig Dunford at St Luke's Parish, Flat Bush, Auckland. It can be viewed at: 

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


RNZ. Hymns on Sunday 10 March 2024 (audio and text). 
It's the Fourth Sunday in Lent, known as Laetare ('rejoice' in Latin) Sunday. Hymns include Praise, my soul, the king of heaven and the psalm paraphrase Praise God, for he is kind. And we remember New Zealand hymn writer Bill Wallace, who recently died at the age of 9


New Zealand Commentaries on the Readings for the Sundays of the Year: 

Homily Studio (podcast): Sunday 10 March 2024 
Join Jelvine Cortez, Kate Kearins and Colin MacLeod in conversation with Fr John O'Connor reflecting on the scriptures for the Fourth Sunday in Lent.

Homily for the Fourth Sunday of Lent, by Fr Anthony Trenwith (podcast): 

Your Catholic Corner (podcast)
From Destruction to Rebirth: The Cycles of Spiritual Growth
In this Fourth Week of Lent and two weeks out from Easter, host Julie South delves into the theme of reconciliation, exploring its biblical origins and significance in the Catholic tradition ...

Inspired Word: A video reading and commentary on the gospel of the day by Rev. John Mullis and Very Rev Frank Nelson at St Paul's Cathedral, Wellington.
John 3:16-18  Jesus and Nicodemus

**********
EMPLOYMENT 
**********

Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised on the Website of the Education Gazette: 

Vacancies at Caritas Aotearoa: 

Job vacancies in the Catholic dioceses of ...


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

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND


The six dioceses:

***********************
New Zealand Catholic 
Periodicals & Newsletters
***********************

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

Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. 'Kete Korero'. 

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

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'  

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. Newsletter

NZ Catholic Education Office Newsletter 'Kotui'

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

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East' 

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

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine. 

*********
Facebook
*********

NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference

Catholic Discovery NZ (Catholic Enquiry Centre)

'NZ Catholic' newspaper

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

Catholic Theological College

Holy Cross Seminary

Marist Seminary, Auckland NZ

Society of St Vincent de Paul NZ

*****************
News of the Church 
in NZ and the World
*****************







Sunday, March 3, 2024


NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE


Extra printed copies of Te Kahu o te Ora: A Consistent Ethic of Life now ready at $3 each
The landmark new Catholic bishops' teaching document Te Kahu o te Ora: A Consistent Ethic of Life has been reprinted, with paper copies available to schools, parishes, Church organisations and individuals for just $3 each. Te Kahu o Te Ora contains a succinct overview of eight key moral areas ...

Fr David Dowling appointed Rector at Holy Cross Seminary Auckland
Father David Dowling has been appointed the new rector of Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland. The appointment has been confirmed by the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelisation. Fr David is at present the Human Formator at Holy Cross. He will take over the role in April from the present Interim Rector, Bishop Emeritus Colin Campbell ...



** Following his weekly General Audience, Pope Francis, who has been suffering from mild flu symptoms, visited Rome's Gemelli Hospital for some diagnostic tests ...

** The landmark new Catholic bishops' teaching document Te Kahu o te Ora: A Consistent Ethic of Life has been reprinted, with paper copies available to schools, parishes, Church organisations and individuals for just $3 each ...

** Congratulations and ka pai Father David Dowling on your appointment as the new rector of Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland ...

** Third Sunday in Lent Sunday 3 March: The National Liturgy Office has published readings, prayers and homily suggestions for this coming Sunday, March 3, the Third Sunday in Lent. Go here ...

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

LENT 2024 - 

Caritas Aotearoa's Lent Reflection Programme is here:

On the same page, Caritas'  Lent 2024 Resource Kit can accessed including: Notes for Speaking, Notes for Parish Newsletters, Liturgical Resources, 
Ideas for helping focus on the meaning of Lent, Prayers of the Faithful.

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

'NZ CATHOLIC' 

Full text articles: https://nzcatholic.org.nz/2024/  

The full content of issue 678  February 11 - 24 is free to read on NZC's home page (right-hand column).

In issue 679, Feb. 25 - Mar. 9 2024: Schools' backing sought for campaign for living wage for lowest-paid school workers ... Compassion Soup Kitchen launches appeal to fund increase in demand ... Pounamu taonga for National Shrine on Waitangi Day ... St Ignatius of Loyola Catholic College opens ... Inaugural Mass celebrated at new college ... Editorial: Faith/science dialogue ... Andrew Hamilton SJ: Understanding antisemitism and its resurgence ... Sue Seconi: Lent - the passageway to Easter .... Czech theologian asks where do we meet Jesus today? (Msgr Tomas Halik) ... Papal Message for Lent 2024: Through the desert God leads us to freedom ... Ash Wednesday reminder that Anglicans and Catholics have made real progress ... Helen Luxford: Preparing for Lent ... Chch Catholic women encouraged to form "little communities" ... Invercargill facility inspired by Dutch dementia care ... World Day of the Sick: There's healing from isolation and sickness.

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

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Fr David Dowling Appointed Rector At Holy Cross Seminary Auckland
Father David Dowling has been appointed the new rector of Holy Cross Seminary in Auckland. The appointment has been confirmed by the Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelisation. Fr David is at present the Human Formator at Holy Cross. He will take over the role in April from the present Interim Rector, Bishop Emeritus Colin Campbell ...

'Not justice': Survivor's advocate slams 'pathetic' settlement offer
Former Marist Brother Charles Afeaki will be sentenced in May for his abuse of two 11-year-old boys in the 1970s. The wealthy Marist Brothers will pay out just $45,000 in compensation. A survivor's advocate says that's a "travesty". The Royal Commission into Abuse in State and Religious Care is due to report back next year with firm recommendations for a payment scale for survivors of abuse. The Marists' letter said once the Royal Commission's redress scheme was established, they would honour it and so would top up the payment ...

Attitude key to navigating new roles
The Ensign is introducing the head pupils from each of the five secondary schools in the readership area for the next few weeks. This week we are introducing St Peter's College head pupils Eve McKenzie and Daniel Kovarski ...

Having fun while helping environment
Dressing up in fancy clothes is just one of the perks of volunteering at an op shop. Senior pupils from Trinity Catholic College and Taieri College spent the morning helping unpack donations at Shop on Carroll as part of an Enviroschools hui yesterday. The secondary schools hui "YOUR VOICE!" focused on turning environmental ideas into action in schools and wider communities ...

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

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT (B)   

Today's Mass is celebrated by Fr Chris Friel at St Thomas the Apostle Church, Holy Family parish, Glenwood, Timaru. It can be viewed at: 

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


New Zealand Commentaries on the Readings for the Sundays of the Year: 

Homily Studio (podcast): Sunday 3 March 2024 
Join Kath Petrie & Merv Duffy in conversation with Fr John O'Connor reflecting on the scriptures for the Third Sunday in Lent.

Homily for the Third Sunday of Lent, by Fr Anthony Trenwith (podcast): 

Your Catholic Corner (podcast)
The Spirituality of Stillness: Genuflection, Prayer and Preparation
Moses' Mandates Meet Jesus' Zeal: Righteous Rules vs Defiant Desecration
Ever feel lost trying to understand the ancient biblical texts behind Sunday Mass? Struggle to connect God's word across the centuries to your modern life? This week's episode from the Your Catholic Corner podcast is for you! 

Inspired Word: A video reading and commentary on the gospel of the day by Rev. Canon Jenny Wilkens and Very Rev Frank Nelson at St Paul's Cathedral, Wellington.
John 2:13-25   Jesus goes to the temple

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

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


Pope takes fresh aim at gender theory, asks that it be studied
 When he was elected Successor of Peter in 2013, Pope Francis asked the pontifical academies to study the phenomenon of human trafficking ... Now, it appears the pope has set a new topic in his sights: So-called "gender theory," saying it "cancels differences" and therefore "cancels humanity" in an audience with participants in a March 1-2 conference titled, "Man-Woman Image of God: For an Anthropology of Vocations" ...

Church leaders in Holy Land condemn 'wanton attack' in Gaza
 After a disputed incident in which more than 100 Palestinians were killed while attempting to access humanitarian aid in Gaza, Church leaders in Jerusalem have condemned what they described as a "wanton attack" and called for a ceasefire ...

**********
EMPLOYMENT 
**********

Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised on the Website of the Education Gazette: 

Vacancies at Caritas Aotearoa: 

Job vacancies in the Catholic dioceses of ...


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

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND


The six dioceses:

***********************
New Zealand Catholic 
Periodicals & Newsletters
***********************

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

Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. 'Kete Korero'. 

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

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'  

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. Newsletter

NZ Catholic Education Office Newsletter 'Kotui'

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

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East' 

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

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine. 

*********
Facebook
*********

NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference

Catholic Discovery NZ (Catholic Enquiry Centre)

'NZ Catholic' newspaper

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

Catholic Theological College

Holy Cross Seminary

Marist Seminary, Auckland NZ

Society of St Vincent de Paul NZ

*****************
News of the Church 
in NZ and the World
*****************








Sunday, February 25, 2024


NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE


** Jessica Jackman is the new director for Hearts Aflame Summer School, replacing Jemma Brunton, who has held the role for nine years ... 

** Contractors have started repair work on the roof of Sacred Heart Basilica in Timaru,  re-coppering the centre dome and the cupolas of the two bell towers, damaged in a hailstorm in November 2019. 

** Bishop John Adams says Roman Catholic thought most certainly has a place in the public square today. NZ Catholic reports on his homily at Te Kupenga Catholic Theological College's inaugural Mass for 2024,

** The Vatican's Dicastery for Evangelisation releases "Teach Us To Pray", a guide book on prayer for Christians, as the Church prepares to celebrate the 2025 Jubilee. 

** Bishop Steve asks us to pray for the soul of Fa'anana Efeso Collins, the MP and former Auckland Councillor who died after taking part in a charity run

** Watch on YouTube! Archbishop of Wellington Paul Martin, SM, Wairarapa parish Priest Fr Dennis Nacorda, and Auckland Vicar for Maori Manuel Beazley share their experiences of the Holy Father's Synod on Synodality in Rome last October

** The National Liturgy Office has readings, prayers, homily suggestions and other resources for the Second week of Lent online here ...

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

LENT 2024 - 

Caritas Aotearoa's Lent Reflection Programme is here:

On the same page, Caritas'  Lent 2024 Resource Kit can accessed including: Notes for Speaking, Notes for Parish Newsletters, Liturgical Resources, 
Ideas for helping focus on the meaning of Lent, Prayers of the Faithful.

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

'NZ CATHOLIC' 

Full text articles: https://nzcatholic.org.nz/2024/  

The full content of issue 678  February 11 - 24 is free to read on NZC's home page (right-hand column).

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

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Timaru's historic basilica getting new copper on domes
Copper has been shipped from Italy to replace Timaru's Sacred Heart Basilica domes damaged in a fierce hailstorm in 2019. Holy Family parish priest Father Christoper Friel said work had begun with scaffolding going up around the historical landmark, Catholic church ...

Warm and furry welcome (text and video)
A triple medal-winner in the World Swimming Chanpionships, Erika Fairweather was stunned by the "unexpected" reception from pupils from her former school, Trinity Catholic College, who greeted her with a moving kapa haka performance ...

Leaders aiming to serve pupils, staff, school community
The Courier is catching up with pupil leaders in secondary schools throughout South Canterbury. In this instalment by reporter Connor Haley, we have the school leaders from Roncalli College ...

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

SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT (B)   

Today's Mass is celebrated by Pa Peter Tipene at the parish of St Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Avondale, Auckland. It can be viewed at: 

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

New Zealand Commentaries on the Readings for the Sundays of the Year: 

Homily Studio (podcast): Sunday 25 February 2024 
Join John Kinder & Catherine Gibbs in conversation with John O'Connor, reflecting on the scriptures for the Second Sunday of Lent.

Homily for the First Sunday of Lent, by Fr Anthony Trenwith (podcast): 

Your Catholic Corner (podcast)
The Spirituality of Stillness: Genuflection, Prayer and Preparation
Why do Catholics kneel and cross themselves before they take a seat in church? Julie South answers this Listener Question of the Week. Through biblical passages from Genesis, Romans, and Mark, she unravels the themes of faith, sacrifice, and God's love, …

Marist Laity NZ. Living The Word:  https://livingtheword.org.nz/
2nd Sunday of Lent – This Is My Beloved Son

Inspired Word: A video reading and commentary on the gospel of the day by Rev. Canon Jenny Wilkens and Very Rev Frank Nelson at St Paul's Cathedral, Wellington.
Mark 9:2-10 The transfiguration

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

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


Vatican, Ukraine church leaders reflect on two years of war
On the second anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and the war it sparked, Church leaders on the ground and in the Vatican have lamented the ongoing human and social toll, and have called for peace and an end to the global arms trade ...

The keeper of the Vatican's secrets is retiring. Here's what he wants you to know
The Vatican has been trying for years to debunk the idea that its vaunted secret archives are all that secret: It has opened up the files of controversial World War II-era Pope Pius XII to scholars and changed the official name to remove the word "Secret" from its title. But a certain aura of myth and mystery has persisted — until now ...

**********
EMPLOYMENT 
**********

Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised on the Website of the Education Gazette: 

Vacancies at Caritas Aotearoa: 

Job vacancies in the Catholic dioceses of ...


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

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND


The six dioceses:

***********************
New Zealand Catholic 
Periodicals & Newsletters
***********************

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

Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. 'Kete Korero'. 

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

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'  

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. Newsletter

NZ Catholic Education Office Newsletter 'Kotui'

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

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East' 

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

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine. 

*********
Facebook
*********

NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference

Catholic Discovery NZ (Catholic Enquiry Centre)

'NZ Catholic' newspaper

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

Catholic Theological College

Holy Cross Seminary

Marist Seminary, Auckland NZ

Society of St Vincent de Paul NZ

*****************
News of the Church 
in NZ and the World
*****************








Sunday, February 18, 2024

NZ CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE


"Through the desert God leads us to freedom" – Pope Francis' 2024 Lenten Message
In his message for Lent 2024, Pope Francis tells us: "Through the desert, God leads us to freedom." Lent is a "season of grace, a time of conversion," he writes, where the desert can become "a place where our freedom can mature in a personal decision not to fall back into slavery ...



** Ka pai Christian Domilies, St Peter's College Auckland Year 12 student, for achieving the top score in the world (and New Zealand) in religious studies in the 2023 Cambridge International exams.

** Te Kupenga - Catholic Theological College welcomed its new students today. A lovely album of photos here.

** In a Food for Faith article today, Fr John O'Connor of the National Liturgy Office sees the popular TV show The Repair Shop as an image of Lent.

** Today's CathNews has an article about the experience of the Synod assembly shared this week in Zoom meetings with Archbishop Paul and Auckland Vicar for Maori Manuel Beazley. 

** Te Kupenga-Catholic Theological College runs online part-time courses on Safeguarding in the Catholic Church in Aotearoa NZ.

** The Catholic Enquiry Centre has created a new online page of prayers. 

** Lent is the time of Caritas Aotearoa NZ's annual Lenten Appeal. Envelopes are available at Mass, or you can make a secure donation online. 

** In his message for Lent 2024, Pope Francis invites the faithful to pause for prayer and to assist our brothers and sisters in need, in order to change our own lives and the lives of our communities

** With the season of Lent beginning tomorrow, Ash Wednesday, the National Liturgy Office's Fr John O'Connor blogs on the origins of the season

** CathNews reports on the talk this week by Czech Catholic priest, philosopher, and theologian Tomáš Halík at  Victoria University Wellington

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

LENT 2024 - 

Caritas Aotearoa's Lent Reflection Programme is here:

On the same page, Caritas'  Lent 2024 Resource Kit is available including: Notes for Speaking, Notes for Parish Newsletters, Liturgical Resources, Ideas for helping focus on the meaning of Lent, Prayers of the Faithful.

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

'NZ CATHOLIC' 

Full text articles: https://nzcatholic.org.nz/2024/  
The full content of issue 677  January 28 - February 10 is free to read on NZC's home page (right-hand column).

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

FROM THE SECULAR PRESS

Hidden graves found under Onehunga church, including former Catholic Bishop of Auckland
The hidden graves of three church luminaries, including the fourth Catholic Bishop of Auckland, have been found under a city church more than a century after their deaths. Tradies discovered three side-by-side headstones last year while removing old carpet and carpet tiles at Our Lady of the Assumption in the central Auckland suburb of Onehunga.

Auckland St Peter's College student is top of the world in religious studies
Auckland's St Peters College Year 12 student Christian Domilies got the highest score in religious studies in the world for his Cambridge exams. About 1.5 million students from 150 countries and more than 6000 schools enter Cambridge exams every year. Annually, it hands out about 2,750,000 grades globally.

Mangere College students viciously attack Marcellin boy in carpark
The mother of a young Marcellin College student who was hospitalised after a serious attack by around 10-15 teenagers from Mangere College is calling for action before another child is seriously hurt or killed.

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

FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT (B)   

Today's Mass is celebrated by Father Stephen Berecz at the parish of St John the Baptist, Parnell, Auckland. It can be viewed at: 

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


New Zealand Commentaries on the Readings for the Sundays of the Year: 

Homily for the First Sunday of Lent, by Fr Anthony Trenwith (podcast): 

Your Catholic Corner (podcast)
A 30-minute reflection and commentary on the Sunday readings by Julie South.
Lent, Baptism, and Temptation: Insights from Genesis, First Peter and Mark's Gospel
Q&A: Where is Lent mentioned in the Bible?

Marist Laity NZ. Living The Word:  https://livingtheword.org.nz/
First Sunday of Lent – Repent and Believe

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

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


In a social media era, make private time for God, pope says
Pope Francis opened the Lenten season with a procession and Mass on Ash Wednesday, telling Catholics to carve out a silent space for God amid the buzz of the digital era in which little remains private ...

**********
EMPLOYMENT 
**********

Executive Director, Whanau Mercy Ministries Trust
Details in 'NZ Catholic' Jan.28 - Feb 10 2024 p.20 and from Gerard at mercy@scanfam.nz
Applications close 19 February 2024.

Events and Volunteer Coordinator. Sisters of Compassion Group, Island Bay, Wellington

Teaching vacancies in New Zealand Catholic schools are advertised on the Website of the Education Gazette: 

Vacancies at Caritas Aotearoa: 

Job vacancies in the Catholic dioceses of ...


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

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND


The six dioceses:

***********************
New Zealand Catholic 
Periodicals & Newsletters
***********************

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

Catholic Diocese of Hamilton. 'Kete Korero'. 

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

Catholic Diocese of Christchurch. 'Inform'  

Catholic Diocese of Dunedin. Newsletter

NZ Catholic Education Office Newsletter 'Kotui'

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

St Columban's Mission Society. 'The Far East' 

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

'Tui Motu Interislands'. An independent Catholic magazine. 

*********
Facebook
*********

NZ Catholic Bishops' Conference

Catholic Discovery NZ (Catholic Enquiry Centre)

'NZ Catholic' newspaper

Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand

Catholic Theological College

Holy Cross Seminary

Marist Seminary, Auckland NZ

Society of St Vincent de Paul NZ

*****************
News of the Church 
in NZ and the World
*****************