Sister Julia Flannery
Sr. Julia would like to say a very sincere thank you for your tremendous
generosity. Lots of people gave her personal gifts and greetings in addition
to the parish presentation. She would like to write to everyone individually
but regrets that this will be impossible. Sr. Julia hopes that everyone
will accept this note as an expression of her gratitude.
The celebration of Evening Prayer and Benediction and the reception at
St. Jude's afterwards was all so wonderful. St. Julia says that her time
in Portchester and Fareham has been among the happiest times of her life.
She will always remember us in her prayers.
Youth Forum
As a result of comments made at the recent Parish Open Meeting, the Parish
Pastoral Council would like to invite anyone who would be prepared to
become part of a group of people to look into the provision of activities,
events and communications with the youth of our parish, to help develop
a Youth Forum. You would not necessarily need to be involved in direct
contact with the youngsters, but representation on the Forum from those
currently involved with young people would be very welcome as would anyone
from the 18+ age group, (the older youth).
If you would like to find out more, please contact
the Parish Office by the end of January.
Lunch Club
Two additional helpers are required for the Lunch Club which meets on
a Thursday in the Sacred Heart Church Hall. If there is anyone who is
available to help from 11.00am - 1.00pm on alternate Thursdays please
ring Mary Downing on 01329 234004 or Theresa Hughes on 01329 317162.
The Life of Christ - an open-air play
An open-air play on the life of Christ is to be performed at the Wintershall
Estate, Bramley in Surrey on Fri/Sat 28th & 29th June 10.15am until
4.00pm. Adult tickets £10 Children £5. Please add your name
to the list at the back of the church if you are interested, indicating
whether you have transport. Limited seats are available and an indication
of numbers is required by the end of January. Please contact Deacon Langford
(280058) for further details.
Child Protection Training
If you are planning to attend the child protection meeting on Thursday
31st January at 7.30pm at St. Jude's please contact Christine McGrew at
the school by Tuesday 29th January to confirm. If there are not sufficient
numbers this session will be cancelled as the previous 4 sessions have
been so well attended.
Catholics and Holocaust Memorial Day
Today is Catholics and Holocaust Memorial Day. 'Lest we forget' is a phrase
which draws our hearts and minds to those who died fighting in the two
world wars. Holocaust Memorial Day focuses our minds on the need to remember
the tragic loss of Jewish life, when 1 in 3 Jews died worldwide, and on
all who suffer and die through prejudice and tyranny in our world today.
WANTED:
Producer/Director for a brand new musical stage play, hopefully to be
performed by the Parish. Please contact Tom Rooney on 01329 230065.
Are You New?
Are you new to this parish? If you have recently moved to this area, please
fill in our online form, or alternatively
one of the "Are You New?" forms to be found at the entrance
to the church and return this to Father Paul or Father Chris or to the
parish office.
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THE UNION
Thought for the Week
In today's Gospel, as he begins his ministry in Capernaum by calling
his first disciples, Jesus echoes John the Baptist's message of repentance.
"Repent", says Jesus, "for the Kingdom of Heaven is close
at hand". Significantly, these are the first words in Matthew's Gospel
that Jesus speaks following his baptism and experience of temptation in
the wilderness. They come first because the invitation to repent brings
the possibility of receiving the healing, which is such an important part
of Jesus' ministry.
In his thought last week, Fr. Chris spoke about the Sacrament
of Reconciliation. He commented on how it was sad and tragic to neglect
it. It is sad that so few people open their lives to the great gifts of
healing that the Sacrament of Reconciliation or Penance brings!
The Catechism tells us that there are two "Sacraments
of Healing": Anointing of the Sick and Reconcilation. Anointing of
the Sick is the sacrament which brings us the healing power of the Spirit
in serious and troubling illness, it is not the last sacrament of the
dying. It should be seen as a sacrament that anyone may receive who is
troubled by serious sickness. Reconciliation bring us the healing action
of the Holy Spirit, who comes to forgive and strengthen us, particularly
in those areas of life where we are conscious of weakness and fear.
A number of people have asked me how they should go about
arranging for the Sacrament of Reconciliation. An appointment can be made
with a particular priest or a person can come to the church at the time
when the Sacrament is available. The meeting can be anonymous, as in the
confessional, or it can take the form of a conversation in less formal
surroundings. The meeting begins with an exchange of greetings and a passage
of scripture then, the priest helps the person make a confession and offers
appropriate spiritual guidance and a penance. Once the person has expressed
sorrow, the priest gives absolution. It is an easy and comforting experience
- give it a try!
Justice & Peace Group
An illustrated talk "CAFOD and the Gospel call to justice"
by Mark Woods, Regional Organiser, CAFOD South, will take place in the
Church Hall, St. Margaret Mary, Middle Road, Park Gate at 7.30pm on Saturday
23rd February. ALL WELCOME.
Churches Together in Fareham Barn Dance
Saturday 9th February at 7.30pm in St. Jude's School Hall - American
Supper (please bring your own alcoholic beverages). Soft drinks will be
on sale. Cost of tickets £3.50. Tickets will be available for sale
at The Well, 116-118 West Street, Fareham or on the door on the evening.
This is to celebrate the start of National Marriage Week.
Churches Together in Portchester
The Churches Together in Portchester Service will be held at 6.30pm at
Our Lady of Walsingham today, Sunday 27th January and will be followed
by refreshments.
Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi
I have provisionally booked a Parish Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi beginning
on Monday 18th November 2002 and ending the following Monday 25th November.
Many visits would be arranged and detailed nearer the time. As I need
to know fairly soon how much interest there would be in this pilgrimage,
I have provided a tear-off slip on the paper newsletter. If you are interested
in coming please sign it and return to me. The cost will be in the region
of £725.00.
Confirmation
The First Confirmation Meeting will take place on Thursday 31st January
at 7.30pm at St Philip Howard Church. All prospective candidates and their
parents should attend.
The service will be followed by refreshments in the hall where there will
be an opportunity to ask any questions you may have.
The first meeting for Candidates will be on: Saturday 2nd February at
St. Jude's School. From 10.30am to 12 noon. This will be followed on:
Sunday 3rd February by the Enrolment Mass at St Philip Howard Church at
11.00am.
'Ultimate Questions' - Meridian Television
''Ultimate Questions', - the religious discussion show for ITV will feature
4 high profile guests each week who will debate a variety of religious
and ethical based subjects, led by journalist Martin Lewis. The series
is being filmed at Meridian Studio's in Southampton on 10th, 17th and
24th February and the 10th, 17th and 24th March. Audience members are
required - please contact Emma Thomas via e-mail at emma.thomas@granadamedia.com
or tel. 023 80 712563
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27th January 2002
3rd Sunday of the Year
The Year of
St Matthew
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St George's Catholic School for Boys
On Tuesday 29th January, St. George's Catholic School in Southampton is
holding a sponsored reading day for year 8 pupils to raise money for children's
cancer charities and at the same time enhance their enthusiasm for reading.
Guests, for example, authors and sportsmen, have been invited to support
them. If you would like to help, please contact the school.
Lent Groups
During Lent there will be Ecumenical Lent Groups made up of local
groups of Christians gathered together to reflect and study the theme
'…..called to be Saints' (1Cor 1:2). The course is run for a period
of 5 weeks only i.e. during Lent. Application Forms (in
canary yellow) giving details, timings and further information are available
at the back of the Church and need to be returned by 28th January.
It is an ideal way to meet informally in someone's home and get to know
Christians of other denominations and discover how much we have in common.
Discussions are Bible based and relevant to the 21st Century.
Come on, give it a try.
Haslar Hospital & Gosport War Memorial Hospital
If any parishioners are admitted to Haslar Hospital they, or their relatives,
should inform the Catholic Naval Chaplain, if they wish to receive Holy
Communion or any other sacraments. He is the person responsible in the
first instance.
If anyone is admitted to Gosport War Memorial Hospital and wish to receive
Holy Communion or other sacraments they, or their relatives, should inform
the Catholic Church in Gosport (tel:023-92-580119 and be prepared to leave
a message on the answerphone). The hospital is not able to divulge personal
information about patients and the parish priest in Gosport does not have
the time to keep track of all the admissions and departures.
 The
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
One of the most striking marks of true love is benignity. Love gives
cheerfully. Will not a fond mother, a solicitous father, give to a beloved
child everything within a parent's power? Jesus Christ in the Blessed
Sacrament also gives and what does he give? "Everything that he has,"
says St. Augustine, "His grace, His merits, His glory". "He
keeps nothing back," says St. Thomas. "He places all the riches
of His love into the sacramental gift. In this gift He presents to us
all the love of His Incarnation, all the merits of His life and His works,
the entire price of Redemption." (The Blessed Sacrament: God With
Us)
Someone is needed to fill in the hours of 3.00 - 4.00pm on Wednesdays
and 2.00 - 3.00pm on Fridays. If you are able to help, please telephone
Lily Peach on 01329 825447.
Eucharistic Ministers
A Day of Reflection will be held for Eucharistic Ministers on Saturday
2nd February from 10am - 3.30pm at St. Margaret Mary Parish in Park Gate.
Contact Park Gate Parish Office for further details on 01489 572797.
Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving
Fareham - £1742.35 ,
Portchester - not available
Catholic Education Service - £259.33
Forthcoming Special Collections
Goma Volcano Disaster
A special collection will be taken at all masses this weekend in aid of
the Goma volcano disaster.
SPUC White Flower Appeal
This special collection will now be taken at all masses on 2nd/3rd February
in aid of the SPUC White Flower Appeal.
Interested in Becoming a Catholic?
A series of meetings and talks takes place each year for those interested
in becoming a member of our Church. If you would like to know more, please
contact Father Paul, or complete the online
form
Father Paul Townsend
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