She has cared for more than 250 foster children and still has one boy spending a week with her each month.

Bridgeman has also supported Faith and Light, a faith-based group supporting those with intellectual disabilities, the Taranaki Disabilities Information Trust, the Open Home Foundation Taranaki, the St Joseph's Conference of St Vincent de Paul, and the New Plymouth Pakeke Lions Club. Read More

The 2020 awards were announced during the 2020 Virtual Catholic Media Conference on July 2.

Otto's award was in the category, Best News Writing on National or International Event - International Event, National Newspaper or Wire Service.

The award was made for his series of stories, New Zealand Mosque Shooting:

• After attacks, New Zealand bishops tell Muslims: 'We hold you in prayer"
• For Chaldeans who fled Iraq, New Zealand attacks brought back memories
• Our only hope is in God': New Zealanders gather to pray after shooting

As well as editing the NZ Catholic newspaper, Otto also writes for Catholic News Service (CNS) and these reports were posted on their website.

He has tertiary qualifications in engineering, theology and journalism, from the University of Auckland, the University of Otago and the Auckland University of Technology.

He has worked for a community newspaper (in South Auckland), in an R&D laboratory, in a mayor's office, as a university tutor, and as a port chaplain.

The purpose of the Catholic Press Awards is to acknowledge the "outstanding work of its Publisher and Communication members."

Participants choose categories organized by different media that feature writing, design, production and editing skills, and submit in sub-categories separated by intent such as news, feature stories and so forth.

The CPA has nearly 225 publication members and 600 individual members in the association.

Member print publications reach nearly 10 million households plus countless others through our members' websites and social media outlets.

Read Otto's award willing writing:

https://cnstopstories.com/2019/03/15/after-attacks-new-zealand-bishops-tell-muslims-we-hold-you-in-prayer/

https://cnstopstories.com/2019/03/18/for-chaldeans-who-fled-iraq-new-zealand-attacks-brought-back-memories/

https://cnstopstories.com/2019/03/18/our-only-hope-is-in-god-new-zealanders-gather-to-pray-after-shooting/

Source

• cdn.ymaws.com
• cnstopstories.com
• catholicpress.org
• nzcatholic.org.nNZCatholic
• Image: nzcatholic.org.nz

The Delargey Awards are named in honour of Cardinal Reginald Delargey (1914-79) who was noted for his work for young Catholics.

They are presented by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference every two years to recognise outstanding involvement in Catholic Youth Ministry.

The 2020 winners are:

• Antje Duda of Christchurch, in the Justice and Service category of the awards, for her "remarkable impact" on the Catholic Cathedral College community, particularly in supporting students in valuing service, justice and their faith.
• Susana Fiu-Fetalai, of Auckland, in the Pastoral Care category, for her work with the Mother of Divine Mercy Refuge and Project Hope and her "remarkable commitment to supporting families and helping young people discover their God-gifted talents and create change in their lives."
• Jennifer Martinez and Sam Mano of Auckland, (pictured above) jointly, in the Pastoral Care and Leadership Development categories, for dedicating many years of service to Catholic youth in New Zealand through the Marist youth development project Logos, inspiring and encouraging youth through retreats and other programmes.
• Dave Mullin of Palmerston North, in the Advocacy category, for his many years of involvement in diocesan youth and young adult ministry, including chairing the bishops' Council for Young People from 2017 to 2019 and organising and attending World Youth Days.

As part of the award, the winners will we be recognised at Takirua 2020, the youth and marriage ministry conference, which is yet to be rescheduled because of the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bishop of Auckland Patrick Dunn, President of the NZCBC, congratulated the winners for their dedicated work with young people throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.

"The awards are an opportunity to acknowledge the work of the many wonderful people in our parishes and dioceses who tirelessly support young people in many different ways," said Bishop Dunn.

Source:

Supplied: Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

NZ Catholic Bishops Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

Begun in 2008, the biannual awards are named in honour of Cardinal Reginald Delargey (1914-79), a former Bishop of Auckland and Archbishop of Wellington who was noted for his work with young Catholics.

The awards aim to provide recognition for ministry workers and supporters of ministry with young people; to educate the community about ministry with young people; to raise the profile of Catholic ministry with young people, and recognise the place of long-term involvement in Catholic ministry with young people.

Sponsored by the NZCBC, the awards are given in various components of youth ministry, including Advocacy; Justice and Service; Catechesis; Leadership Development; Community Life; Pastoral Care; Evangelisation; Prayer and Worship.

"They are an opportunity to acknowledge those wonderful people in our parishes and dioceses who tirelessly give of themselves in so many different ways," says Siobhan Dilly, NZCBC Executive Officer.

Past Delargey Award Recipients
2004: Gil Price, Auckland, Advocacy; Kevin and Helen Plant, Wellington, Leadership
Development; Fr Peter Fahy, Palmerston North, Community Life
2006: Mary Bennett, Palmerston North, Catechesis; Philippa Pidd, Wellington, Advocacy;
Raylene Dwyer RSM, Christchurch, Leadership Development
2008: Kitty McKinley, Wellington, Justice and Service; Br John Paul Wilson FMS,
Auckland, Evangelisation; Susie Jorgensen, Dunedin, Pastoral Care
2010: Br Doug Dawick FMS, Auckland, Pastoral Care; Tina Shore, Auckland, Pastoral Care; Michael O'Sullivan, Michael Buchanan, Kirsty Campbell, Palmerston North, Pastoral Care
2012: Fr Mark Chamberlain, Dunedin, Community Life and Pastoral Care, Fr Frank Bird SM, Auckland, Leadership Development; Ron Allen, Palmerston North, Leadership Development and Community Life
2014: Linda and Paul Darbyshire, Palmerston North, Pastoral Care; Norma Bellamy, Palmerston North, Pastoral Care
2016: Anne and Andy Lovell, Wellington, Evangelization; Joanne Bell, Dunedin, Catechesis, Prayer and Worship; John Rogers, Wellington, Advocacy
2018: Delphina Soti, Auckland, Justice and Service; Pesamino Tili, Dunedin, Community Life

Nominations close on January 17 2020, with the awards expected to be announced at the Takirua 2020: Shaping the Mission conference in Wellington at Anzac weekend.

Click here for full details and the nomination forms

Further information: Please contact Kate Aduna, NZCBC, admin@nzcbc.org.nz

Source

Supplied: David McLoughlin
Communications Adviser, NZ Catholic Bishops
Te Huinga o nga Pihopa Katorika o Aotearoa

Image: aucklandcatholic.org.nz

Father Kevin Head, editor of the Marist Messenger said he was delighted with the awards.

He was particularly pleased that the efforts of his small staff, working with few resources, had received some recognition.

The Awards the Marist Messenger received were:

The Best Print Magazine
Citation: Sometimes the best things come in small packages. So it is with the Marist Messenger.

This year the ‘magazine of Catholic spirituality' celebrates 90 years of publication, a truly wonderful achievement for the Marist Fathers in New Zealand.

The magazine is compact in format (and in administration and operation) but is packed with good reads - no admonitory preaching here, just inspiring spiritual reflections from laity and religious, including daily insights into the readings of the day, interesting Marist history, guidance from Pope Francis and short biographies of the month's saints.

The Messenger is both edifying and entertaining - with a jokes section guaranteed to raise your spirits with a laugh.

There's also a crossword.

Happy 90th birthday, Marist Messenger. Ad multos annos.

The Best original photograph
A cropped copy of the award-winning photograph appears above. Click here to view the original.

It was taken on Ash Wednesday by Jonathan Pierce at Challenge 2000 in Johnsonville, just north of Wellington.

Citation: "This photo beautifully displays the intersection between faith and culture in New Zealand, with a poignant moment captured on Ash Wednesday of the ashes being drawn in a cross on the forehead of a man, with two women on either side in the background."

"Using traditional photographic techniques such as the rule of thirds, exquisite details have been captured and sharp focussing communicates a message of hope, and also reverence for the moment."

The best headline
‘A Very Modern Model of a Marist Seminarian!'

Citation: Catchy and a bit of fun without being crass or taking away from the article, the best headline. "A Very Modern Model of a Marist Seminarian"

The citation said, "The loose alliteration cleverly adds to the rhythm of the headline without overpowering its attractiveness to the reader."

The NZ Catholic, Tui Motu and the Nathaniel Report also received awards.

Click here to read the full list of awards.

Arbuckle is noted scholar in both theology and anthropology. He is the author of many books, the most recent being: Laughing with God: Humor, Culture, and Transformation (2011); Culture, Inculturation, and Theologians: A Postmodern Critique (2010); Humanizing Healthcare Reforms (2013); Catholic Identity or Identities? Refounding Ministries in Chaotic Times (2013); The Francis Factor and the People of God: New Life for the Church (2015).

In announcing the list, Spirituality and Practice notes: "Every year from the more than 300 books we review on this website, we choose the Best Spiritual Books. In addition to 50 adult books, we also include 15 Best Spiritual Children's Books.

"These are titles that have most impressed and inspired us. Since we only review books that we want to recommend to you for your spiritual journey, this selection actually represents the best of the best."

Spirituality and Practice is a multi-faith and inter-spiritual website, founded by Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat.

"The site's name reflects a basic understanding: spirituality and practice are the two places where all the world's religions and spiritual paths come together. While respecting the differences among traditions, we celebrate what they share in common."

Launched in 2006, Spirituality & Practice consolidates nearly 50 years of the work of co-directors Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat and their various publications and projects, including Cultural Information Service, Living Room Learning, Values & Visions, and the Spiritual Literacy Project.

In their review the Brussats commented: "We commend the author for bringing such clarity, depth, and daring to the well-worn topic of loneliness!"

Source

• spiritualityandpractice.com
• spiritualityandpractice.com
• bbi.catholic.edu.au
• Image: chausa.org

They also won the Health and Well-being category.

The Wellington Airport Regional Awards are run by the Wellington International Airport, the Wellington Community Trust and five local councils.

The focus of the awards is to celebrate volunteers for their valuable contribution to society.

The Compassion Soup Kitchen will now be in the Regional Award Finals to be held in November this year.

Karen Holland, the manager of the Compassion Soup Kitchen said: "This is a wonderful acknowledgement of the work of the Sisters and our volunteers.

"The Sisters of Compassion have worked in partnership with many volunteers and benefactors for over 100 years.

"We are so proud to be a part of the story of Suzanne Aubert, the sisters and the Wellington community.

"Thank you to the Wellington City Council, Wellington Community Trust and to the Wellington Airport Regional Community Awards for this recognition of years of service."

In response to an invitation from local doctors to help provide social support to a growing community, Suzanne Aubert and the Sisters of Compassion came to Wellington in 1899.

Among the works they began in the city was the serving of soup to around 80 men each day out of a sliding window in the kitchen of St Joseph's Home for Incurables in Buckle St.

The Soup Kitchen continued on the Buckle Street site until the Sisters moved to premises in Sussex Street in 1973.

It moved again in 1999 to the current site at 132 Tory Street, not much more than a stone's throw from the original location.

The Soup Kitchen has over 200 volunteers who help in the kitchen, dining room, and with its purposeful activities project. They also share their talents to help our whanau.

Source

scoop.co.nz

soupkitchen.org.nz

Image: facebook

Catherine McAuley Centre at Villa Maria College received an award in the public architecture category.

The jury noted of this project, "The building's pleated corten cladding references the memory of Catherine McAuley and her protective shawl and provides an exterior that changes in colour and depth, giving a strong sculptural presence to the building.

"A sanctuary garden at the centre of the building creates an outdoor space within the interior that is the focus of a new kind of contemplation and prayer, rich in symbolism and informed by the bi-cultural teaching history of the Sisters."

Cathedral Grammar Junior School received an award in the education category.

The judges commended the architects for the "immense patience and diligence coupled with serious architectural skill" needed to complete this project.

They noted, "Any building that allows children to play on its roof is a winner.

"Proportion and composition have been impeccably resolved to a high level of accuracy; structure and spaces are in full harmony.

"Students at this school have a close relationship with their teachers and seem to thrive. Colour, texture and even the smell of the timbers are all inspirational."

The awards were part of the peer-reviewed New Zealand Architecture Awards Programme run by the NZ Institute of Archi­tects.

There were 34 winners, from seven categories chosen by a jury of five architects.

Source

• facebook
• architecturenow.co.nz
• Image: architecturenow.co.nz

This was the message Oranga Tamariki (The Ministry for Vulnerable Children) chief executive Grainne Moss delivered when scholarships and prize-money were awarded to 20 young people in state care at the annual William Wallace awards in Wellington on Wednesday.

The awards celebrate people in the care of the Oranga Tamariki, who have overcome challenges in life.

Blaise Hubbard, from Gisborne, has been in care since she was 8-years-old.

An accomplished musician, with a master on at least six instruments and dreams of being a music teacher.

Hubbard won tuition fees for her first year of study at Victoria University in Wellington.

But she did not see herself as disadvantaged.

"It's more your own mindset in how well you're going to do, you have to be willing to put in the effort to get places. I don't think I was disadvantaged with my predicament."

One of last year's award winners Dallas Thomson said he had moved homes 20 times over six years in care, but it was important to remain positive.

"When you move around a lot like I have you learn to grow up very quick as maturity is brought upon you at a young age."

The awards are named after William Wallace, who left a bequest to Child, Youth and Family.

Wallace (who died in Australia on 17 July 1989) left his residual estate to 'the neglected children's department or like institution of the Dominion of New Zealand'.

Wallace intended that these funds would be used to nurture children and young people in care and help them develop their potential.

There are 15 - 20 awards available each year, which total in value up to $4,000:

Source

• RNZ
• Oranga Tamariki
• Kiaora Hauora
• Image: RNZ

The award was one of a number made by the LDS to organisations, church members and government ministries in recognition of community services they have provided.

"On behalf of the Caritas Samoa, we give our sincere and humble thanks to President Jason Joseph and the Apia Samoa Central Stake for this Special Award for Caritas Samoa," said Ah Wai.

She said receiving the award provided an amazing opportunity to create more awareness and advocacy programmes not only for disaster but for health, education and youth.

"This will create a strong networking with our lead Government Ministries through our programmes," Ah Wai said.

Caritas Samoa was founded in February 2008 and became a fully-fledged member of Caritas Internationalis in 2011.

The organisation has been working to strengthen the communities' disaster risk awareness, with joint training being held with Red Cross across the country.

It has also worked with communities in urban Apia and in a coastal village to relocate them away from areas where there are regular flooding or erosion issues.

As part of their efforts to resolve the issues for people in these communities, they are raising awareness, helping people develop options and working out long-term plans for a sustainable way of life in their new homes.

Caritas Samoa works in close partnership with international relief organisations, as well as the Samoan government's National Disaster Management Office to provide assistance and training where needed.

Apart from its work on emergency response, Caritas Samoa also assists low-income families by providing food and clothing, by promoting capacity building initiatives for women and helping with the improvement of rural waters supplies.

Caritas Samoa also takes part in peace and reconciliation at a grassroots level by improving relations between students in schools where there is unrest.

There are more than 200 volunteers who are registered to be part of Caritas Samoa.

Source

• Samoa Observer
• Tui Motu
• Caritas
• Image: Samoa Observer

Year 13 student Xavier English gave a 6 minute speech about the use of virtual reality for training in health and safety situations.

"It's the next platform and will create lots of things in technology." English said.

"People don't realise how far virtual reality has become. "It's at the point of real experience.

"I know it's extremely relevant."

English has been awarded the Ministry for Social Development Silver Scholarship ($2500) and the Ministry of Education Gold Scholarship ($5000).

Old boy Finn Lowndes, who now studies physics and law at Victoria University, delivered a speech about nuclear fusion technology being the solution to the world's energy crisis.

He said the words "nuclear power" would normally be met with trepidation by environmentalists.

At the moment nuclear power depends on nuclear fission reactors which involve the coming together of atomic nuclei.

If anything goes wrong with fission reactor an explosion such as the ones the power plants in Chernobyl and Fukushima can occur.

However, nuclear fusion reactors involved the coming together of atomic nuclei, as opposed lo their separation (fission).

"If something goes wrong there would be no explosions." said Lowndes.

"It's a new field that needs pioneering minds to take charge of."

Lowndes' presentation has been selected as one of 6, from university undergraduates across New Zealand, to compete in the national finals in September.

He will be awarded between $1500 and $10,000 depending on his performance in the finals.

The Sir Paul Callaghan Eureka Awards are designed to increase young New Zealanders interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.

A key part of the Eureka Awards is showing how the student's STEM idea can benefit New Zealand's economic, environmental and social wealth and well-being.

Source

• FaceBook
• Cook Strait News
• Eureka
• Image: Cook Strait News

Earlier this year he received a lifetime achievement award in Practical Theology from the Broken Bay Institute.

Arbuckle's essay, "Fundamentalism as an Enemy of the Common Good" which was published in Health Progress (Nov-Dec 2016) won first place in the Best Essay Originating with a Magazine or Newsletter: Professional and Special Interest Magazine (Including Clergy and Religious).

The judges comments were: Excellent, well written piece. Valuable citations, provocative, and persuasive.

The Catholic Press Association of the United States and Canada has nearly 250 publication members and 500 individual members in the association.

Member print publications reach 10 million households plus countless others through members' websites and social media outlets.

Arbuckle was born and educated in New Zealand. After his ordination he studied philosophy in Rome and then at Cambridge University where he was trained as as social anthropologist.

In the late 1980s he began to apply anthropological insights to religious organizations.

He then concentrated on the challenges confronting faith-based healthcare systems in USA, Canada, and Australia.

He now lives in Australia where he is a consultant to private and public healthcare systems internationally on how best to maintain the original founding values of healthcare.

He is the author of close to 20 books.

Source

• Amazon
• Catholic Press Association
• Catholic Press Association awards 2017
• Image: sm.org.nz

Ann Muir's 45-year career as a teacher at Kamo Intermediate, St Joseph's School and Pompallier Catholic College has endeared her to the community.

"I just love being with the kids and helping them to learn and succeed," Miss Muir said.

Despite retiring in 2011 after a long haul at the teacher's desk, Miss Muir continues to teach special needs children part time, assists with a school lunch programme and provides financial and emotional support to disadvantaged students and their families. Read more

The With and For Girls Awards is a global initiative to identify and support strong local organisations working with and for girls. As part of the award package, SVSG will receive US$50,000 of flexible funding and capacity building support.

The charity - based in Apia, Samoa - is recognised for its work with survivors of violence and sexual abuse in Samoa, providing shelters and support for women and girls, in addition to educating community members on violence prevention. Continue reading

NZ Catholic journalist Rowena Orejana won a bronze award in the best new writer category for a story about the difficulties facing rural parishes.

NZ Catholic also won a silver award in the best headline category and a bronze award in the best humorous item category, the latter for a cartoon by Steven Monson.

Tui Motu Interislands won a silver award in the best feature, multiple author category for an article on Sts John XXIII and John Paul II.

Bishop Peter Cullinane was one of the contributors to the Tui Motu article.

Continue reading