At least two of our Messenger readers are Centenarians: Mrs Agnes Mora of Seatoun Wellington is 102, and Sr Eulalia Martini rsm of Hokitika is 100. Congratulations and warm greetings to you both. Perhaps there are more out there. The Messenger would like to hear from you.
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The Society of Mary (NZ) Retreats have recently been conducted by Australian Jesuit Fr Mark Raper OA. He is currently President of the Asian and Pacific Conference of Jesuit Provinces. His main work has been among refugees, for which he was awarded the Order of Australia.
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The Catholic media in NZ has lost one of its veteran columnists with the death of Fr Humphrey O’Leary CSsR. A canon lawyer by training, he had a distinguished academic career, and laterly wrote a column for Tui Motu. The son of a former Chief Justice of New Zealand, Fr Humphrey had keen eye for the reality behind church documents and often pointed this out in his award-winning columns. May he rest in peace.
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There is a story about the celebrated soccer coach Kevin Fallon in Gisborne, (NZ) attending a parents’ evening when his son Rory was a candidate for Confirmation He said, “I want you to know that tonight is the first time ever I have missed training as a professional player-coach”. His reaction when Rory scored the winning goal for the All Whites in November is not printable in these pages, but Rory himself told the TV interviewer: “I thank Jesus Christ, I thank God. I’ve prayed all week that I would score, and I did !”. The sacrament must have honed his natural gifts, along with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
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Our crossword compiler “Appo” (a family name) is ready after 40 or so puzzles to hand over to another compiler who is able to produce a monthly, difficult, Catholic-tinged and quirky puzzle. Apply to the Editor. Remuneration negotiable.
