Ash
Wednesday
Wednesday
of this week is Ash Wednesday and is a day for fasting and abstinence.
Mass times are:
Sacred Heart 7.00am
Sacred Heart 9.30am
Our Lady of Walsingham 9.30am
St Philip Howard 7.30pm
A Message of thanks
Diane Hammersley would like to thank those who arranged for Mass to be
offered for her recently. Their kindness is much appreciated.
The Sacrament
of Reconciliation
All those who wish to develop and deepen their understanding of this Sacrament
are invited to a day conference on The Sacrament of Reconciliation to
be held on Saturday 2nd March at St. Michael and All Angels Church, Dunsbury
Way, Leigh Park. Coffee will be available at 10am followed by the conference
from 10.30am to 3.00pm. If you wish to attend, please put your name and
telephone number on the list on the notice board before Monday 25th February.
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. The time
will be announced in next week's newsletter.
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.
CAFOD
and the Gospel Call to Justice
An illustrated talk by Mark Woods, Regional Organiser, CAFOD South, will
take place on Saturday 23rd February, 7.30pm at the Church Hall, St Margaret
Mary Church, Middle Road, Park Gate.
The Angelus
and Rosary
The Angelus and Rosary are said at 6pm on Thursdays at Sacred Heart Church.
All welcome.
National
Marriage Week
A Marriage Re-dedication and Thanksgiving Service will be held next Sunday,
17th February 2002 at the Methodist Church, Queens Road at 3.30pm. This
is for those who have just been married as well as those who have been
married for many years. All married couples are invited to take part in
this service so as to celebrate their marriage and give thanks to God
for their spouse. It will be an opportunity for you to rededicate your
Marriage Vows and a way to express your love for each other. What's more,
it is free unlike your Wedding Day itself!
Portsmouth
United Churches Choir
Annual Good Friday Ecumenical Event 'Come and Sing' John Stainer's - ''The
Crucifixion', at St Peter's Church, Playfair Road, Friday 29th March.
Rehearsal at 5.30pm - devotional 'performance' at 7.00pm. Details from
David Cain, St. Jude's Church Office, Southsea tel: 023 9275 0442.
Lent
- Dates for your Diary
Thursday 21stFebruary - 7.30 p.m. (7.00 p.m. coffee) Avenue House Hotel,
The Avenue Fareham.
'Forgiveness - the Prodigal Son.' - talk by Canon Alan Griffiths.
Monday 4th March - 7.30 p.m. - Lenten Reflection, Our Lady of Walsingham
Church.
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
Our Gospel today continues Jesus delivery of his Sermon on the Mount.
Having presented his "Beatitudes", Jesus now goes on to illustrate
the importance his disciples have as a community. He describes them as
salt and light, both things that have a vital influence for good on the
things around them. In the case of salt it preserves and enhances flavour
and light enables us to see. Salt does not exist for itself, but to season
things; light does not exist for itself but to brighten its surroundings.
The excellence of each lies in its potential to give something to some
other being!
And that
is the way we are invited to see ourselves as disciples of Jesus. Together,
as the living Body of Christ in the world, we are commissioned to make
his love and message of life a reality, which impacts on others and invites
them to believe in Jesus. As Jesus says in St. John's Gospel "A
new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have
loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know
that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
(John 13.34,35.)
The images
of salt and light come at a good time as we prepare for Lent and our celebration
of Ash Wednesday this week. Lent is a gift to us from the Church. An opportunity
to examine our lives and decide on specific actions, which can enhance
our contribution to the work of the Church as the "Light of the World".
A quote
from an opening prayer for today puts it beautifully "Heavenly
Father, you have called your Church to be the salt of the earth and the
light of the world. Give us vigorous faith and a love that is genuine,
so that all may see our works and give you glory."
Bill
Thomas RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bill Thomas, who died recently.
The Funeral Service for Bill will take place on Tuesday 12th February
at 9.30am in the Sacred Heart Church. Vigil Prayer for the Dead will be
held on Monday 11th February at 7.00pm. Please also pray for Rose and
all Bill's family and friends.
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.
Churches
Together in Portchester Lent Lunches
Shoppers' Services and Lent Lunches take place every Wednesday in Lent,
including Ash Wednesday, at Portchester Methodist Church, Castle Street
beginning at 12 noon. Portchester Catholics will be arranging the Service
and Lunch on Wednesday 20th February and Wednesday 20th March. Proceeds
will be shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid. All are welcome.
Sacred
Heart Lent Lunches
 Lenten
lunches (soup and bread) will be served every Friday in Lent at 12.30pm
in Sacred Heart Hall, Everyone is welcome to come and support the Parish
Lenten Appeal, which is for the locally run charity "Wells for India".
Vacancy
St George's Catholic School for Boys, Southampton seeks a full-time Geography
teacher from 8th April 2002 to cover maternity leave. The post is for
one term initially. Telephone inquiries are welcome - telephone 02380
322603.
Volunteer
Opportunity
Could you commit some time to provide occasional secretarial and administrative
support to Departments in the Portsmouth Diocesan Curia to cover sickness,
holiday or short term heavy workload? As a volunteer you might not be
called on for some time but then be asked if you could offer half a day
or even more. Of course, you would not always be free to help and that
is why we are hoping to create a pool of potential voluntary helpers.
Out of pocket expenses such as travel costs could be reclaimed from the
Diocese. Some secretarial experience, including word processing, is essential.
The ideal person would enjoy working with a variety of people and be willing
to turn their hands to any administrative or secretarial task within their
capabilities. If you would like more information, or are interested in
offering your services, please contact Mary Swaffield on 023 9282 5430,
fax number: 023 9287 2424, email: mswaffield@portsmouth-dio.org.uk
'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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10th
February 2002
5th Sunday of the Year
The
Year of St Matthew
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A Pastoral
Letter
A Pastoral Letter from Bishop Crispian will be read at all Masses today.
Copies are available in the church porch.
Stations
of the Cross
The Stations will be celebrated in Sacred Heart Church on Friday evenings
at 7.00pm and at Our Lady of Walsingham on Sunday afternoons at 4.00pm.
Rite
of Election
Please pray for members of our Parish who will be going to the Rite of
Election on Saturday 16th February:
Andrea Barnes: Sarah Carter: Paul Cubitt: Greg McIntyre.
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
''As Mary presented and consecrated Jesus in the temple, we ask her
now to consecrate and present us to the Sacred Heart of Jesus…Simeon's
prophecy of Jesus being rejected continues to our age, as the Holy Eucharist
is an embarrassment to the proud today, just as His Incarnation, the Eucharist
and His Cross were a stumbling block to those not open to God's plan of
salvation 2000 ago…This is why your visit to him is so important.
You console him for those who turn away from His Eucharistic love…Simeon's
joy is our joy today as in the Blessed Sacrament we behold what Simeon
proclaimed at the Presentation: 'My eyes have seen the Salvation…for
all peoples to see: a revealing light to the Gentiles, the glory of your
people' (LK 2:30-32)
(From the book Loving Jesus with the heart of Mary)
Someone is needed to fill in the hours from 7.00-8.00pm on Thursdays,
3.00-4.00pm on Wednesdays and 4.00 - 5.00pm on Fridays. If you can help,
please telephone Lily Peach on 01329 825447.
PLEASE NOTE THERE WILL BE NO ADORATION DURING HALF-TERM WEEK,
11 - 15 FEBRUARY.
Thanks
Letters of thanks have been received from St. Francis Leprosy Guild
and Action Aid for the money sent by the parish. These contributions are
now already being used in the countries requiring aid.
St. John's
Gospel
Beginning on Ash Wednesday - 13th February - 7.30 - 8.30pm at Park Place
- and each Wednesday until 30th March: "ST JOHN'S GOSPEL" led
by Fr. Andrew.
Notes will be provided for each of the six sessions and it is FREE!!
Finlay
James Vincent
Geoffrey and Louise Vincent have presented a baby brother, Finlay James
Vincent, to Callum and Alasdair on 4th February 2002.
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 - £1777.48
Portchester - £175.87
SPUC White Flower Appeal - £260.30
Forthcoming
Special Collections
Catholic Children's Society
A special collection will be taken at all masses this weekend 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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