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.
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.
Lourdes
Buffet Lunch
The next Lourdes lunch will take place on Saturday 9th March at 12.30pm
in the St. Philip Howard Hall. The lunch is in aid of the fund to send
young helpers to Lourdes. Tickets, priced at £5.00, will be on sale
this weekend from Pauline Jackson (01329 236275) or Ann Corr (01329 236575).
Everyone is most welcome.
New Books
from the Bishops' Conference
The Bishops' Conference has recently published two new books. "The
Search for Christian Unity" outlines the Catholic Church's commitment
and approach to ecumenism (Price £4). The second book, ''Teachers
of the Faith" includes speeches by 8 bishops on spirituality,
moral issues, ecumenism, justice and peace, education and other issues
(Price £7). Both books are available either through the Cathedral
Discovery Centre (Tel. 023 92 870348) or from the Catholic Media Trust,
39 Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1BX - cheques payable to Catholic Media
Trust.
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!
Women's
World Day of Prayer
Fareham Methodist Church will be holding 2 services on Friday 1st March
at 2pm and 7.30pm. Both men and women are very welcome and a crèche
will be available.
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.
Thursday 7th March - 7.30pm (7.00 p.m. coffee) Avenue House Hotel, The
Avenue, Fareham.
'Rite of the Sacrament of Reconciliation' - Fr. David Adams.
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
Today is the first Sunday of Lent. The word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon
word lencten, which means "springtime", referring to the season
in which Lent normally occurs. The idea of Lent as a time of penance dates
back to early Christianity when sizeable penances were done during this
season. The reason Lent lasts for 40 days derives from the fact that Jesus
spent 40 days in the desert. The custom of fasting during Lent relates
to Jesus' fasting during his stay in the desert.
The early
Church prescribed fasting during Lent for two groups of people in particular.
Firstly, it prescribed fasting for all adult catechumens. The word catechumen
refers to those who are being instructed in the faith and preparing to
be baptised at the Easter Vigil. Secondly, the Church prescribed fasting
for all adult Christians who were preparing to renew their own baptismal
vows at the Easter Vigil. Fasting was seen as a way of purifying and assisting
these two groups in their Easter preparations. Therefore, Lent was seen
as a time of penance in preparing for baptism or for renewing one's baptismal
vows.
The idea
of Lent has not changed much since early times. The spirit of the season
remains the same and it is still viewed as a time of repentance and conversion.
It is a time for us to evaluate our lives and deal with our sinfulness
honestly, courageously and straightforwardly. It is a time for us to turn
to Christ, acknowledge our sins and confess them and commit ourselves
to Him in a deeper, more profound way. It is also a time for us to pray,
not only for ourselves, but for our community, especially our own candidates
and catechumens who begin their second step in their initiation process
this weekend with the Rite of Election at the Cathedral on Saturday and
the Presentation of the Elect on Sunday, marking the final period of their
preparations for the Easter Vigil.
"The
Well"
Part - Time Assistant Manager
A part-time Assistant Manager is required at ''The Well' 12 - 22 hours
per week. Ideally the candidate will have a catering background and have
some retail/management experience. Training will be given to the successful
candidate. Please write with a full CV by Friday 22nd February to Mrs
June Haye, The Well, 115-118 West St Fareham PO16 1QF.
Urgent Appeal for Volunteers
"The Well" is having serious manning difficulties at
present. Unless more people are able to volunteer to help there will be
no alternative but to close the Coffee Shop at certain times. Ideally,
six people are needed to help at various times but especially on Monday
and Tuesday afternoons. Many thanks go to the current volunteers who have
dedicated their time and energies and doubled up on shifts to keep the
shop open. If you feel you can help please contact June Haye on 01329
318731.
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".
Eucharistic
Ministers' Meeting Postponed
Due to insufficient notice given, the Annual Meeting for Eucharistic Ministers
will not take place this Friday, 22nd but will be postponed until after
Easter. A date for this meeting will be given in next week's Newsletter.
St. Edmunds
Catholic Secondary School Vacancies for 3 Foundation Governors
Bishop Crispian is seeking applications from committed baptised Catholics
who wish to be considered for the above school. In addition to the legal
responsibilities of the Governing Body, the Foundation Governors have
a responsibility for preserving the religious character of the school,
sustaining and developing the school as a Catholic educating community
and giving clear witness as individuals, and as a team, to the Gospel
message and to the Church's teaching. Appropriate training is available
during the period of service (from date of appointment until 31 August
2005). Application packs are available from the Parish Priest, School
Office or the Department of Schools Governance, Park Place Pastoral Centre,
Winchester Rd. Wickham PO17 5HA. Closing date for receipt of applications:
6th March 2002.
St Jude's
RC Primary School
Current newsletter here
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17th
February 2002
1st Sunday in Lent
The
Year of St Matthew
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New Job
- Father Paul Townsend
A few weeks ago Bishop Crispian asked me to take on a new job. As from
September this year, I relinquish my post as "Head of the Department
for Collaborative Ministry" to become the "Episcopal Vicar for
the Formation of the Clergy". The Pope's document "On the Formation
of Priests" says that this work of formation has four aspects: human,
spiritual, intellectual and pastoral. It is clearly a huge undertaking.
I would be grateful for your prayers as I prepare for it. With immediate
effect I become a member of the Bishop's Council. This has regular meetings
and means that I will be away from the parish for two days at a time.
Thanks
Many
thanks for all the greetings, good wishes and promise of prayers that
Father Chris and I received on our Ordination Anniversaries.
Apologies
I apologise to everyone about the mistaken cancellation of Adoration last
week. I had forgotten, until I checked the records, that Adoration only
ceases during the Easter, Christmas and summer vacations and not at half
term.
Lenten
Penitential Service
A Lenten Penitential Service, with the opportunity for individual confession,
will take place on Thursday 14th March at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church.
St. John's
Gospel
This series of meetings on 'St. John's Gospel' led by Fr. Andrew began
on Ash Wednesday at Park Place and continues each Wednesday from 7.30
- 8.30pm until 30th March. Notes are provided and it is FREE!!
The Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament
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.
Bill
Thomas RIP
Mrs
Rose Thomas and her family would like to thank Fr. Paul, Pat Kemp, Colleen
and all the congregation and friends for their great support, warmth and
compassion following the death of Bill, a beloved husband, father and
friend.
Renewal
or Revolution?
It's forty years since the 2nd Vatican Council opened. In this series
of Lent talks the story and teaching of that council will be surveyed.
Topics will include the historical content, Scripture and Tradition, the
Liturgical Movement, the nature of the Church and its relationship with
the world. Led by Paul Paniccia, the talks will be held on Mondays February
18, 25 and March 4, 11, 18 starting at 7.45pm at Douai Abbey. Suggested
donation for the waged £20 for the series or £5 per session.
For more details please contact the Programme Director, Douai Abbey, Upper
Woolhampton, Reading, Berks RG7 5TQ or email Douaiabby@aol.com
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 breakfast will be served in the Sacred Heart Hall following
the 7.00am Mass. All proceeds will go to the Parish Lenten Appeal.
Youth
Events
On the 9th March and 13th April there is a Youth Event at Fareham Leisure
Centre. The cost is £2.50 which allows use of all the facilities.
Please note that the Youth Club at St. Philip Howard Church will not therefore
run on the 10th March and 14th April.
Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving
Fareham - £1554.42
Portchester - £187.18
Catholic Children's Society - £383.76
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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