Churches Together Celebration
As there is to be an Ecumenical Service of Celebration of the Queen's
Golden Jubilee on Sunday 26th May at 10am, which some parishioners
wish to attend, the Mass at Sacred Heart Church on that day will be
at 9.00am instead of 9.30am. Details of the Ecumenical Service will
be given shortly.
 The
Sacrament of Baptism
Those who ask for the Sacrament of Baptism for their child are invited
to take part in a short course of preparation. The next such course will
take place on Thursday 2nd, 9th and 16th May at the home of Jayne and
Philip O'Riordan. If you would like to take part, please call Jayne or
Philip on 01329 515991. Please arrange the date of the baptism of your
child with one of the parish clergy.
St. Philip
Howard Church
Discussions took place this week about a possible future extension and
development at St. Philip Howard Church. No firm decisions were reached,
but the Diocesan Surveyor and the Advisor on Church Buildings felt that
we should continue to explore the possibility of making the most of the
facilities and space that we have. (PJT)
Catholic
Certificate in Religious Studies
The Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies (CCRS) is a basic introduction
to the beliefs of the Catholic Faith, validated by the Bishops' Conference
of England and Wales. It is intended for those who are involved in parish
catechesis and other ministries, religious education in schools, or anyone
who would like to know more about their faith. In Portsmouth Diocese new
courses are starting in Portsmouth, Basingstoke and Maidenhead in the
autumn term of 2002. The full course, leading to the award of the Certificate,
consists of eight Saturdays per year over 2 years - or you are welcome
to choose which modules interest you most! For further information contact
Nicky Stevens, Diocesan Offices, Park Place Pastoral Centre, Winchester
Rd, Wickham PO17 5HA, Tel: 01329 835583; email: nstevens@portsmouth-dio.org.uk
Diocesan
Pilgrimage to Lourdes 2002
Booking Forms for the 2002 Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes (23 - 30 August)
are now available from the Parish Office. The pilgrimage will be under
the leadership of Bishop Declan Lang and both air and rail travel options
are scheduled. If you are sick and wish to join the pilgrimage please
contact Pauline Jackson on 01329 236275. If there is any young person
(18 yrs +) who wishes to go to Lourdes as a 'helper' please contact Jane
Cadogan on 01329 235987.
Douai
Abbey
Should we paint the face of Christ? Reflections on the place and Meaning
of Christian Art by Oliver Holt OSB - Wednesdays April 24th, May 8th,
May 22nd, June 5th at 7.45pm. Not an academic course in art history, but
a survey of religious art of various traditions to explore the ideas behind
the images. Why do we need to make pictures of the world of the spirit?
Can we fully appreciate a mediaeval painting if we do not agree with its
apparent theology? Can a non-believer understand a crucifixion or a nativity?
The Course will be illustrated with slides. Suggested donation for the
waged £15 for the whole series booked in advance or £5 each
session. Details are on the notice board.
15th
Fareham Scout Group
The AGM for the 15th Fareham Scout Group is on Wednesday 8th May at St.
Philip Howard Church Hall at 7.15pm. Will a representative for each Beaver,
Cub and Scout please try to attend this important meeting. The Scout group
is also actively seeking nominations for the position of Chairman. If
you are interested please contact Andrea Barnes on 01329 283620.
Lost
for Words
'Lost for Words' is a course designed to help Christians share their faith
in a relaxed, natural and helpful way. It is presented by the Church Pastoral
Aid Society, an Anglican home mission agency committed to serving the
local church in Great Britain and Ireland. A day is being run for Christians
who want to learn how to use this exciting and effective resource in their
own churches on Saturday 29th June at the Holy Trinity Church in Fareham,
9.30am - 4.00pm. For further details please contact June Haye on 01329
231449.
WANTED
for Dahlinks Drama Group
A director, producer, choreographer, costume designer, set designer, co-ordinator,
illustrator, and a musical director are required for the forthcoming parish
production of a brand new musical comedy stage-play to be performed later
in the year. If you are interested in any of the above vacancies please
contact Tom Rooney on 01329 230065. Let this be the first call for the
'Dahlinks' to gather!
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
Often when Jesus reflects upon His life, He speaks of it in terms
of being on a journey, travelling back to His Father in heaven. We, too,
are on that same journey now. We may feel lost at the moment or we may
feel as though we know the way and can reach our destination easily. Either
way we have sure guidance that we can rely on at every moment in our journey.
That guidance is Jesus Christ who made the journey before us and already
knows the way. He can guide us on every step of our journey to the Father
and He will never let us down. He reassures us in today's Gospel, when
He says, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one can come
to the Father except through me."
Earlier
in John's Gospel, Jesus also reassures us by saying, "Whoever
follows me, will not walk in darkness but have the light of life."
(John 8:12) This brings us to a second point about Jesus and our journey.
He is not only the "Way" to the Father but also the "Truth"
about the Father. In this day and age, when there is so much confusion
about God, it's a great gift to be able to turn to Jesus and learn the
truth: that God isn't an uncaring force, but a loving, merciful Father.
Finally,
not only is Jesus the "Way" to the Father and the "Truth"
about the Father; He also contains within Himself the very "Life"
of the Father". Our journey is not just a journey in this life. It
is a journey into another, eternal, life. Jesus has given us the sacraments
to sustain us on this spiritual journey, beginning with the seed of eternal
life in baptism. He even gives Himself to us as food for the journey,
in the Eucharist: "Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has
eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day." (John
6:54) Through the sacraments and by trying to follow in His footsteps,
Jesus has made it possible for us to rise to a new life with Him and the
Father and the Holy Spirit.
Churches
Together in Portchester
An Ecumenical Evening Service takes place this Sunday 28th April at Portchester
Methodist Church beginning at 6.30pm. Fr. Paul will be preaching at the
Service. All are welcome.
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Bishop's
Pastoral Letter for Vocations Sunday
This weekend we hear the Bishop's Pastoral Letter for Vocations
Sunday. We are reminded that each of us, because we are baptised,
is called by God to a particular vocation. Whilst we have a duty
to care for and support all vocations within the Church we pray
especially this weekend for all those who may be considering the
Priesthood, the Diaconate or Consecrated Life. May our prayers
help them to discern God's plan for them.
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New Parish
Web Site Address
Our parish web site has taken another step forward and now has a new and
not such a difficult web address to remember (www.sacred-heart.org.uk).
The old address will still be in operation for the foreseeable future
and, if used, will take you automatically across to the new address. We
are getting over 14,000 page views per month and hopefully this will continue
to increase month after month. Our parish newsletter is one of our most
popular pages and continues to attract more and more interest from around
the world. We would like to encourage you, our parishioners, to become
more active on our discussion board, to ask questions, make friends and
debate subjects of interest. Please tell
us what you would like to see on the web site - if you would like
to write an article that you feel would be of interest to others, please
do. We need your ideas. Our discussion
board currently has forums from 'Coffee mornings' to 'Skateboarding'
and can be expanded to meet the parish's needs. Please help us maintain
all that has been achieved so far - do get online and use your web site!
Day for
New Catholics
Bishop Crispian will lead this day of prayer and reflection for all new
Catholics on Saturday 11th May 2002. The day will include a celebration
of Mass and opportunities to share experiences with others. A light buffet
lunch will be provided. Venue: Cathedral Discovery Centre, Portsmouth.
Time: 10.30am - 3.00pm. To assist with catering please contact Rose Marr
at the Diocesan Offices at Park Place on 01329 835583 if you wish to attend.
Portchester
Pentecost Celebration and Picnic at the Castle
On Pentecost Sunday, 19th May, Churches Together in Portchester are holding
their second Pentecost celebration of witness. The procession will begin
at 12.30pm outside Portchester Methodist Church and will arrive at the
Castle for a picnic at 1.00pm. A Pentecost liturgy will close the celebration
after the picnic. Everyone from Fareham and Portchester is welcome and
encouraged to attend.
Christian
Aid Week
This year Christian Aid week is from the 12th - 16th May. As yet we do
not have any roads covered in the parish and would very much appreciate
some volunteers. If you would like help in Fareham please tel. Alison
or Helen Ivison on 01329 230049 or in Portchester please tel. Joan Hamilton
on 02392 385559.
Your
prayers are requested
Diane Hammersley would be grateful for your prayers for her speedy recovery.
St. Jude's
School PFA 50/50 Draw
This month's prizewinners of the school draw are:
D Campkin,
Mrs Brady,
N Campkin.
St Jude's
Craft Club
would be grateful for pieces of fur fabric, unfinished tapestries, wool
or any craft/sewing materials. Please bring to school or church, marked
''Craft Club'. Thank you.
St Jude's
RC Primary School
Current newsletter here
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28th
April 2002
5th Sunday of Easter
The
Year of St Matthew
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Adult
Formation
The talks/discussions on 'the Mass' will continue in the Fareham
Deanery on the following dates.
Wednesday 22nd May
Liturgy of the Eucharist
by Fr. Mark Hogan
Wednesday 19th June
Rite of Communion & Concluding Rite
by Fr. Chris Whelan
The
talks will be held in the Avenue House Hotel, The Avenue, Fareham
starting at 7.30 p.m. (coffee at 7.00pm). All are very welcome
- please do try to attend.
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Fr. Pat
Lyons
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Fr. Pat Lyons, who died
recently. May he rest in peace.
World
Youth Day
The 17th World Youth Day takes place in Toronto, Canada and Fr. Chris
will be joining a group of young adults from our diocese on pilgrimage
from 18th - 29th July to celebrate with Pope John Paul II. Young Catholics
will be there from all over the world to share their traditions, cultures,
languages and experiences, in artistic, spiritual, religious and social
events, celebrating being part of the Universal Church.
The Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament
"The Risen Lord is free of all constraints imposed by space and
time. He can be anywhere he wants to be and he wants to be entirely present
to us in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar. Under the appearance of bread,
Jesus is truly present, divinity and humanity, body and soul. When the
faithful spend time with him in adoration, then love for the Lord grows
strong. Love for Jesus inspires love for all those whom Jesus himself
loves ..." (Francis Cardinal George, O.M.I.) "The Blessed
Sacrament is our Heaven on earth" (St. Alphonsus).
If you would like to join in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, please
contact Lily Peach on 01329 825447.
A Day
with Mary
A Day with Mary will be held at St. Michael's Abbey, Farnborough on Saturday
11th May 2002 from 10.00am - 5.45pm. This will be a day of instruction,
devotion and intercession based on the message given at Fatima in 1917.
Further details are on the noticeboards in all churches.
Together
4 Fareham - Ferneham Hall
On Thursday 16th May at 7.30pm people from over 40 churches across the
borough of Fareham are coming together for an evening of Prayer and Praise.
We will be praying for our borough, for fruit from the Gospel, for the
needs of our borough, and for the ongoing work of our churches.
Pilgrimage
to Fatima 8th - 17th June 2002
A 10 day pilgrimage in the spirit of the Message of Fatima will take place
from 8th - 17th June. There will be ample opportunity for personal prayer,
including a priest-led 3-day silent retreat and daily participation in
the official celebrations of this world-famous shrine of Our Lady of Fatima.
The pilgrimage cost is £550 sharing a twin room or £610 for
a single room (limited availability) and includes return flights London-Lisbon-London
(Heathrow), return coach travel Lisbon-Fatima-Lisbon, full board accommodation,
medical & travel insurance and the three-day retreat. For further
information or a booking form please contact Bridget Folan (A Day with
Mary) on 020 8944 9321.
Christian
Ecology Link
A celebration of God's Creation - songs of praise, readings and prayer
will take place on Sunday 12th May 2002 at 3.00pm in the Sacred Heart
Church. Refreshments will follow - all are welcome to attend.
Confirmation
Programme
On Saturday, 27th April, a Retreat will be held for all Confirmation candidates
at Park Place from 10.00 a.m. - 4.00pm. Bishop Crispian will come to the
parish to confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on Friday 14th June at
7.30pm at St. Philip Howard Church.
Financial
Report - Fareham and Portchester
Copies of the Financial Report for Income and Expenditure in 2001 for
the parish of Fareham and Portchester are available from the back of the
church.
Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving
Fareham - £1672.01, Portchester - £216.77
St. Patrick's Missionary Society - £1088.88
Forthcoming
Special Collections
28th April - Clergy Training Fund
12th May 2002 - World Communications
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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