August 2007 Issue No

15 July 2007 The Tablet A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER TO THE CATHOLICS OF THE DUNEDIN DIOCESE T HE T ABLE T (INCORPORATING THE DIOCESAN NEWS) 19 August 2007 Issue No. 124 Caritas joins Social Justice Week Social Justice Week will be celebrated this year on 9-15 September. international Social Justice Week 2007 focuses on land, source of our being and our livelihood. Sadly at times, land is also a source of conflict and effort for South injustice. The land theme builds on last year’s environmental justice theme. Initiated by the New Zealand Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Social Justice Week gives the Church time to reflect and act on topical Asia floods issues of justice today. Catholic humanitarian agency Caritas Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand has produced a resource kit, including Aotearoa New Zealand has pledged the Social Justice Week booklet Founded on Rock: Putting into practice Catholic teaching on land and environment. The booklet $20,000 towards immediate flood relief outlines Catholic Social teaching developed in response to issues of work in devastated parts of South Asia. land use and ownership throughout the world, and gives examples Nearly 2000 people have been killed and over 30 million people from Caritas’ international and domestic work of ways people are displaced across India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan by unusually working to respond to both environmental and cultural land issues. heavy monsoon rains on top of a cyclone in late June. The international A CD ROM of educational activities for primary school students, God’s Earth our Earth, Part II – The Land/Te Whenua, has also been Caritas network is seeking to raise over $US 6 million to help those distributed to all Catholic primary schools. This resource encourages recovering from storm and flood destruction in the area. teachers to inspire young people to think, pray and act within their "For large parts of the region, this is the worst flooding they have own community in relation to land, soil and environmental justice. seen in years," says Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand Director Michael Youth resources will be available in mid-August. Smith. "Our Caritas partner agencies in South Asia have been Both the booklet and the CD ROM feature the story of how a Catholic religious order in Whanganui came to transfer title of their beach working non-stop to assess the situation and get food, water and other house to local Maori – their expression of the spirit of the Treaty of emergency needs to those who need them." Waitangi. This story is told in public for the first time. "We also welcome donations from New Zealanders, which will be Caritas Episcopal Deputy Bishop Robin Leamy, in a foreword to the channelled to those most in need through our partner agencies. In booklet, explains the title, saying: “As Catholics we are told by Jesus addition to immediate needs for food, water and shelter, agencies and to ‘build our houses on rock’, to imitate Him in our relationship with all creation and to be truly stewards of God’s creation.” governments must act swiftly to avert health crises." Caritas Bangladesh is seeking $US 2.3 million to provide emergency food, water, bedding, clothing, hygiene items and cooking sets. It is also building shelters with latrines for 2500 of the neediest families. Holy Cross Residence Progress Caritas Pakistan and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) are dealing The Bishop and his Committee are delighted that the Holy with the worst flooding and cyclone damage in Pakistan in decades. Cross Residence is now under way. Priorities are providing for clean water, shelter, medical supplies and The contract for the building has been expertise to combat water-borne illnesses. Nearly 20,000 families signed and construction will start will benefit. immediately. Four months ago the Residence Appeal was launched and the CRS is also working with Caritas India to provide immediate relief Bishop is encouraged by the response so to nearly 40,000 families across eight Indian states, including Bihar, far. Donations totalling around $163,000 one of the hardest hit. have been received from this Appeal. In CRS and Caritas Nepal are also assessing the situation in Nepal. addition to this appeal, further donations of $195,000 have been received, all of which is over and above the The biggest problem is access – roads and bridges have been washed Diocesan contribution. out, so assessment is "low tech". Bicycles, pedestrians and animals are In the next few months there will be exciting progress on site at best able to reach vulnerable people in remote villages. Holy Cross, as the first units take shape. In the next issue of theTablet People wanting to donate to Caritas' South Asia Flood relief efforts we will include pictures of the construction. can: If you have not made your contribution to the Holy Cross Residence Appeal the Committee encourages you to do so. Donations are still * Phone: 0800 22 10 22 to make credit card donations or being received at the Diocese’s Office, Private Bag 1941, Dunedin. * Donate online using a credit card at www.caritas.org.nz or This Complex for our retiring clergy needs our support. * Post donations to: Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, “They have given their lives to our community – PO Box 12-193, Thorndon, Wellington 6144. let’s give something back”. Page 1 The Tablet 15 July 2007 Pope Invites Young People to Sydney Benedict XVI is encouraging young people to prepare well for the World Youth Day to be held next July in Australia. The Pope concluded his general audience on July 4 with a special exhortation to young people, telling them that the youth gathering will be a spiritual renewal that will benefit all of society. "One year from now we will meet at World Youth Day in Sydney!" the Holy Father said. "I WORLD YOUTH DAY 2008 want to encourage you to prepare well for this marvelous celebration of the faith, which will be NOW LESS THAN 1 YEAR AWAY! spent in the company of your bishops, priests, religious, youth leaders and one another. World Youth Day in Sydney is now less than a year away. We now enter a crucial period in our Enter fully into the life of your parishes and preparation. Individual Registrations have now opened and it is important that everyone participate enthusiastically in diocesan events! registers as soon as possible. In this way you will be equipped spiritually to Individual Registrations experience new depths of understanding of Those intending to go to World Youth Day in Sydney next year need to go to all that we believe when we gather in Sydney www.wyd2008.org.au and register as soon as possible. The registration process will: next July. "A sense of awe and eager anticipation also A. Seek your personal details. describes how we feel as we make preparations B. Your flight information (Our principal flight will be Freedom Air SJ773 leaving to meet in Sydney." Dunedin on Monday, 14 July 2008 and returning as Flight SJ 772 on Monday, July The Pope acknowledged that for many, the 21 2008 although seats are limited). Those wanting to fly at other times or from trip to Australia will be a long journey. different locations need to approach their group leader for flight information. "Yet Australia and its people evoke images C. Your group details. We have registered 7 groups and have estimated that there will of a warm welcome and wondrous beauty, of be approximately 190 people attending. The travel company has arranged for this an ancient aboriginal history and a multitude number of seats to be set aside but needs to know via individual registrations that of vibrant cities and communities," he said. "I this is accurate as soon as possible. Our groups are as follows know that already the ecclesial and government authorities, together with numerous young Group Leader Contact Number Australians, are working very hard to ensure an exceptional experience for us all. I offer them Dunedin Samoan my heartfelt thanks." Catholic Pesamino Tili [email protected] 1236 Benedict XVI told the youth that the University Amy Armstrong [email protected] 1235 celebration is "much more than an event." He affirmed that "it is a time of deep spiritual Central Otago Fr Vaughan Leslie [email protected] 1341 renewal, the fruits of which benefit the whole of Kavanagh College Colin MacLeod [email protected] 1482 society. Young pilgrims are filled with the desire to pray, to be nourished by Word and sacrament, JCFM Gore Sr Michelle Hughey [email protected] 2024 to be transformed by the Holy Spirit, who Oamaru Jocelyn Marsh [email protected] 2090 illuminates the wonder of the human soul and shows the way to be 'the image and instrument Southland Michael MacManus [email protected] 2199 of the love which flows from Christ.' "It is this love – Christ's love – for which the Choose a group that best fits your situation. The University group is for those past world yearns. Thus you are called by so many school age based in Dunedin. Kavanagh is for those of school age even if not to 'be his witnesses.'" attending Kavanagh. Groups above are for those over 16 - 35 and group leaders/ The Pope told the youth to bring their friends helpers. Those outside of that age group must register as a separate group and who are searching for truth. acquire your own accommodation. "Some of you have friends with little real D. Choose Registration Package. For most this will be package A. The cost for this is purpose in their lives, perhaps caught up in $395 with payment being requested later in the year.

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