Sacrament of Confirmation
The Confirmation Programme for Fareham and Portchester commenced on
31st January with a Welcome Liturgy at St. Philip Howard Church. Let us
then remember the candidates in our prayers as they begin their journey
- Hannah Clark, Luke Clark, Franny Cook, Samuel Cook, Alison Cull, Kyle
Cuthbert-Asplet, Shaun Donnelly, Sophie Ferguson, Mary-Anne Field, Christopher
Harrison, Elizabeth Hoare, Jacob Hoare, Philippa Johnson, Stephanie Kinder,
Damian Kevin Miskella, Frankie Moorhen, Louise O'Beirne, Martin O'Brien,
Conor O'Dowda, Guy Parkins, Michael Shurville, Charlotte Swales, Rebecca
Traynor and all who will be confirmed on Friday 14th June 2002 at St.
Philip Howard Church.
Salesian Volunteers Needed
'Planning a Gap Year, a year out?' The Salesian Volunteers need 18-30
year olds to work, residentially, for one year on a wide variety of youth
issues. Small payment provided. Valuable CV experience but also exciting,
challenging and fun. For an information pack please contact: Savio House
Retreat Centre, Ingersley Road, Bollington, Macclesfield, Cheshire SK10
5RW or telephone 01625 575405.
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 this week. Please contact Deacon
Langford (280058) for further details.
Romanian Talk & Slide Show - 26th February
Rita Bicknell from Winchester will be coming to Portchester to speak and
show slides about the plight of the people, especially women and children,
in Romania. This will take place on Tuesday 26th February in the small
room at the new Portchester Parish Hall and all are welcome.
Order of Malta - Lourdes Pilgrimage
This takes place between 3rd - 10th May 2002. For sick pilgrims the cost
is £195.00. Anyone interested should contact: Jonathan Turner, FRCP,
Royal Bournemouth Hospital, Castle Lane East, Bournemouth BH7 7DW or telephone
01202 704349. Our own Diocesan Pilgrimage will take place between 23rd
- 31st August.
Lenten Day of Reflection - Park Place
A Lenten Day of Reflection entitled 'From Caterpillar to Butterfly,
letting God be God in our lives' will be held on Saturday 23rd March
at Park Place Pastoral Centre from 10.00am - 4.00pm. The day will be led
by Fr. Stephen Weaver who is a priest and psychotherapist. He is well
known for his Retreats in helping people discover themselves in the light
of the Gospel and he describes the day in these words: "Why are
we so afraid of change?" To book a place please contact Park
Place Centre on 01329 833043
St. Philip Howard Pre-School
St. Philip Howard Pre-School is looking for a Deputy Manager (NVQ 3 or
equivalent). Minimum of 15 hours per week, term time only. From £6.00
per hour. Please contact Mrs V Riggs on 01329 233848 or 01329 311615 after
4pm.
Sunday Coffee Rota - St. Philip Howard
The new rota for coffee after the 11.00am Mass on Sunday at St. Philip
Howard Church will shortly be drawn up. If there is anyone who would like
to volunteer to be included on the rota you would be most warmly welcomed.
It's very easy, good fun and your turn only comes round every two or three
months. If you are interested in helping please contact Sue McMullan on
01329 284638.
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
Who are the "poor in spirit" that Jesus refers
to in today's Gospel? They are people whose helpless situation in life forces
them to place their total trust in God. They are the "humble of
the earth" that Zephaniah talks of in today's first reading. They
are the ones that the world sees as foolish, weak, common and contemptible
nothings, that Paul talks about in today's second reading. They are those
who are totally detached from worldly things and totally attached to that
which is heavenly. They regard worldly things as nothing and God as everything.
Although they are to be found among society's most rejected
people, they can also be found among those whom the world might consider
more successful. One of Pope John XXIII's first acts as Pope was to visit
a large prison in Rome. He told the prison inmates, "You couldn't
come to me, so I came to you." He also told them that the last
time he went to a prison was to visit his cousin. Apparently, the next
day the Vatican newspaper omitted the Pope's reference to his cousin,
afraid that some of its readers would be shocked to learn that a papal
relative was in jail.
Many of the world's truly great people rarely see themselves
as great. Here we might recall that Jesus, the greatest person of all,
said: "Shoulder my yoke and learn from me, for I am gentle and
humble in heart" (Matthew 11:29). A Malayan proverb compares
great people to rice stalks in a field: "The more grain a rice
stalk has, the lower it bends down to the ground." Today's Gospel
is an invitation for us to take a good look at our lives and ask ourselves
if we qualify to be called "happy" or "blessed"
by Jesus. Do we regard created things, including ourselves, as nothing
compared to God, who is everything? Finally, do we put our total trust
in God, no matter what happens to us?
James Martin RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of James Martin who died recently.
The Funeral Service for James will take place on Thursday 7th February
at 10.30am in the Sacred Heart Church. Please also pray for Helen, Dave,
Addie, Kim and Nigel.
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.
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.
Co-Workers - Missionaries of Charity (Mother Theresa)
The Co-workers wish to say thank you to all who have, so generously, donated
gifts of money, blankets, clothes and toiletries. The Sisters write to
express their gratitude for the on-going support received from this parish
and assure us of their prayers. Appreciation is also received from the
Managers of St. Dismas and St. Petroc for our regard for the homeless.
Please note that the next meeting of the Co-workers has been postponed
from Friday 22nd February until Friday 1st March.
Racial Justice Sunday Appeal
A donation of £369 was sent to the Catholic Association for Racial
Justice (CARJ) in response to the Sunday appeal. Many thanks to all those
who contributed.
Used Postage Stamps
Thank you to everyone who has contributed used postage stamps. These will
be sent to the Scout Association to raise funds for the Trust that provides
holiday homes for handicapped Scouts (boys and girls). Please do continue
to bring your used postage stamps to church.
APF Promoters and Members
Fr. Peter Codd (Diocesan Director APF) writes: 'A record amount of
£100,660 has been raised in our diocese this year, an increase of
£5000. This is a splendid effort…'
'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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3rd February 2002
4th Sunday of the Year
The Year of
St Matthew
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Youth 2000
A Prayer Festival will be taking place on 8th - 10th February 2002 in
St. Edmund's School, Portsmouth. This is ideal for Confirmation groups.
Telephone 01937 579700 for details and booking form.
Youth Club - St. Philip Howard Hall
Please note there will be no youth club at St. Philip Howard Hall during
half-term holidays on the 10th and 17th February.
WANTED
If anyone has a pushchair or buggy (single or double size) which they
no longer require and are able to donate for a needy family please contact
Mary Cadogan on 01329 235987.
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
'How sweet, the Presence of Jesus to the longing, harassed soul! It
is instant peace, and balm to every wound.' 'Oh Jesus, here present in
the Holy Eucharist, Thy Heart is all aglow with love for me! Thou dost
call me, Thou dost urge me to come to Thee.'
(Quote of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton and Prayer from Moments Divine before
the Blessed Sacrament)
Someone is needed to fill in the hours of 3.00 - 4.00pm on Wednesdays
and 2.00 - 3.00pm on Fridays. If you can help, please telephone Lily Peach
on 01329 825447.
Bethany Group
A meeting for all members of this group - new and old - will take
place on Thursday 7th February at 7.00pm in the Sacred Heart Hall.
Faith and Light Annual Mass - 9th February
Faith and Light is a Christian Association for all people with learning
difficulties and special needs and also their families and friends. The
Annual Mass - 'A Festival of Light' - will be celebrated by Fr. Chris
Whelan on Saturday 9th February at 3.00pm in St. John's RC Cathedral in
Portsmouth. Tea will be served afterwards in the Cathedral Centre. All
are welcome.
Confraternity of the Rosary
Details of events for 2002 are on the notice boards including a pilgrimage
to Knock from 24th - 29th June.
Lenten Breakfast
During Lent why not break your normal Thursday morning routine and do
something different:
Rise early,
Attend 7.00am Mass at the Sacred Heart
Enjoy a hospitable breakfast in the Hall
followed by work, school, college or home.
Every Thursday during Lent commencing on Thursday 14th
February breakfast will be served in the Sacred Heart Hall following the
7.00am Mass. All proceeds will go to the Parish Lenten Appeal.
Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving
Fareham - £1495.10
Portchester - £190.45
Goma Appeal- £950.00
Forthcoming Special Collections
SPUC White Flower Appeal
A special collection will be taken at all masses this weekend in aid of
the SPUC White Flower Appeal.
Catholic Children's Society
A special collection will be taken at all masses on 9th/10th February
in aid of the Catholic Children's Society
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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