Leaders from the Oceania region have gathered in Wellington for the launch of Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand’s fifth State of the Environment report for Oceania, Waters of Life, Oceans of Mercy, which was released on St Francis Day, 4 October. Participants have come from many parts of the Pacific region – Fiji, Kiribati, Tonga, Samoa, New Caledonia, Caroline Read more
With the demise of Māori boarding schools, the new principal at Hato Paora College has a personal stake in the school’s survival. Former student Nathan Matthews has returned to his old stomping ground to lead the school. Continue reading
What are New Zealand values? That is the question being asked by Māori who are concerned values important to Māori and other minorities could be trampled on if New Zealand First gets its way. Continue reading
Emotions were running high as vocal proponents for and against euthanasia debated the controversial issue at a public meeting in Wellington, with doctor culpability and protections for the vulnerable both front and centre. Continue reading
Nationally-known cook, author, Destitute Gourmet founder and Food Director of Bauer Media, Sophie Gray says Bake for Bibles is a great project for kids, friends and the whole family. Bake for Bibles is a new fundraising initiative recently launched by Bible Society New Zealand where volunteers bake Noah’s Ark animal cookies, ice them and sell Read more
The Presbyterian Church in Island Bay, Wellington, along with local community groups is putting on a festival from 4-7 October called CompassionFest, which celebrates the virtue of compassion through the life of Mother Aubert. One of the events is Splendid Drop, a beer-tasting night at which Petal and Pestle, a Belgian Red Ale brewed in honour of Mother Aubert, Read more
This week, Bishop Steve Lowe, Bishop of Hamilton, will leave for Rome to attend the 2018 Synod of Bishops which this year is focused on young people. Pope Francis announced the theme of the XV Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops: “Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment” on 6 October 2016. This Read more
Primary and intermediate schools will have to ask families for their consent to teach religious instruction – and provides alternatives for those who refuse – if new guidelines are adopted. They would also have to be explicit about what will be taught and whether it endorses a particular faith, draft guidelines released by the Ministry of Read more
Whangārei Catholic Women’s League volunteers are always on hand to dish out the coffee, tea and biscuits to help top up the blood donors after their good deed. Whangārei consistently shows up as one of New Zealand’s highest donor centres, Blood Service collection team leader Scott Sinclair said. Read more
A document from Pope Francis was a focus for reflection at the recent National Association of Principals of Catholic Secondary Schools (NAPCSS) conference. Keynote speaker Dr Rocio Figueroa, a lecturer in systematic theology at Good Shepherd College in Auckland, spoke about the importance of persevering in love and joy, based on the post-synodal apostolic exhortation the Joy of Love. Continue reading Read more