About :: Connect.org.nz

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About

Connect.org.nz:

•    aims to be an online infrastructure that assists young Kiwis to live fully and be connected to Christ, the Church and each other and one that forms the internet hub of young Catholics in Aotearoa New Zealand, filled with exciting content, resources, links to social networks and relevant sites for Catholic young people.

•    is a joint project managed by the National World Youth Day Committee (NZ) (NWYDC) and the National Council for Young Catholics (NCYC), agencies of the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference dealing with ministry with young people.

•    acknowledges the historical event of World Youth Day in our midst.

•    sets out to augment the New Zealand Catholic Bishops' Conference (NZCBC) Strategic Plan 2008-2013 in implementing the WYD08 legacy.

•    is part of a larger plan for the Church in Aotearoa New Zealand to reap the great fruits of World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney. The New Zealand WYD legacy is expressed in the words 'Tihei Mauri Ora: Live Fully, Be Connected'. This message is found in various ways throughout the site as we look to assist and challenge people to live fully and be connected to Christ, the Church and each other.

The Goals

With the NZCBC, we hope to see:

•    Young people accepted by all as full members of the Church: “Young Catholics are called to follow Jesus: not just in the future as adults, but now as maturing disciples.” Ecclesia in Oceania 44.

•    Young people participating and taking leadership roles in all parts of the Church and in its contribution to the good of society.

•    Young Catholics leaving secondary school connecting with a nurturing faith community.

•    Tu Kahikatea – A Framework for Catholic Ministry with Young People in Aotearoa New Zealand fully implemented and study of it promoted widely in parishes and dioceses.
         The three goals of all Catholic ministry with the young as             outlined in Tu Kahikatea are:
        Goal 1 - To empower young people to live as disciples of             Jesus Christ in our world today.
        Goal 2 - To draw young people to responsible participation in         the life, mission and work of the Catholic faith community.
        Goal 3 - To foster the total personal and spiritual growth of         each young person.

•    Catholic agencies developing strategies for capitalizing on the post-World Youth Day period.

(New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference Pastoral Priorities Plan 2008-2013,
GOALS AND STRATEGIES Section 4. - YOUNG PEOPLE)

Media Coverage

Scoop 18 June 2008 - Connect.org.nz to host WYD Kiwi Pilgrim Journal
Scoop 22 May 2008 - Online Initiative Launched for World Youth Day
Wel-Com May 2008 - Something Vital Just Clicked

Links to external sites listed on Connect.org.nz

While all care is taken to ensure the quality of the information listed on the site and those we link to, it is obviously not possible for us to be responsible for all content, or changes in content, or any questionable links from the sites we may link to from time to time. The content of the websites listed on the site may not always necessarily represent the views of the NZCBC or its agencies.

All efforts will be made to ensure that, at the time of listing, the link reflects the intention for which it was listed. This intention or reason for our linking to the site/specific URL will be stated on connect.org.nz beside the link.

The Logo

The name 'Connect' really sums up the purpose of the whole site. The Maori word 'tuia' means to weave together. This image of weaving forms a strong image of the connect.org.nz site - to help weave a network of young Kiwi Catholics seeking to live fully and be connected to Christ, the Church and each other

The 't' in Connect is shaped as a cross and has the marks found on Paschal (Easter) candles in Catholic Churches around the world representing Christ’s death but also his resurrection. Each year a new Candle is made and lit at the Easter Vigil Mass. Easter is central to our understanding of God becoming human; living, dying, rising and promising to come again. Using the image of a paschal candle we are connected to the Catholic faith that is present around the world.

The separated lighter panel on the 'C' at the start of Connect appears to be almost connecting with the rest of the 'C' as a subtle symbol of the purpose of connect.org.nz.

The People

To contact the Site Owners, click here.

Connect.org.nz Focus Group – Fr Frank Bird, Dany & Raffi Rassam, Joseph Houghton, Jonny Boon, Fr Vaughan Leslie, Josie Leota, Cameron Surrey, Sarah Downey, Jane Dravitski, Manuel Beazley, Vaughan Hook, James Bergin

Connect.org.nz architects and builders – The Spoke Project: James Bergin & Peter Ravlich

Connect.org.nz logo design – David Gianotti