Sr. Mary Moore
It is with considerable regret that I must announce the departure of Sr. Mary from the parish of Fareham and Portchester. She will be leaving us towards the end of August. After much thought and prayer, Sr. Mary has decided to retire from parish work. She will be living as a member of the L.S.U community in Southampton.

Sr. Mary is on holiday at the moment. I thought, therefore, that this would be a good time to have a collection for her so that we can show our appreciation for all that she has done for us. There will be collections for Sr. Mary at the end of all Masses on Sundays the 7th and 14th July. Contributions may also be left at the Presbytery marked "Sr. Mary". The collection for the Apostleship of the Sea will be transferred to Sunday 21st July.

Parish Pastoral Council
A big thank you to the Parish Pastoral Council for a marvellous evening last Wednesday.

St Benedict
Thursday of this week is the Feast of St Benedict, Patron of Europe.

St Edmund's Catholic School
Parents of Year 4 and 5 pupils are cordially invited to see St Edmund's in action between 9.15am and 12 noon on Tuesday 9th July or Friday 12th July 2002. Visit Classrooms: Meet the Headmaster: Talk with pupils: Have your questions answered. Refreshments available. Call in at Reception.

Lourdes Buffet Lunch
The next Lourdes Lunch will take place on Saturday 20th July 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 from this weekend from Pauline Jackson 01329 236275 or Ann Corr 01329 236575. Everyone most welcome.

A Message from Matthew Carter
"Hello again. After a successful first year's study in a London college, I have found myself again in a parish. I am now living in Southampton, helping at Holy Family in Millbrook for the next 12 months. I hope to see you all sometime over the summer. Always in my prayers, God bless, Matthew."

Catholic Certificate in Religious Studies This course is an introduction to theology in the Roman Catholic tradition and is an ideal formation for catechists or indeed, for any adult interested in exploring their faith. The course begins in September at the Cathedral Discovery Centre in Portsmouth. Please contact the Parish Office if you would like more information or would like to take part.

Vacancy at 'The Well'
There is currently a vacancy for a Food and Beverage Manager at the Christian ecumenical outreach centre, 'The Well'. The post is a permanent, paid position, which will require approximately 19 hours per week: 8.00am - 2.30pm on Wednesday to Friday and 8.00am to 5.30pm on alternate Saturdays. Hours worked will be paid at the rate of £4.50 per hour. A knowledge of retail trading is desirable. If you are interested in this opportunity please write, enclosing a full CV, to Mrs June Haye, 7 Malvern Avenue, Fareham PO14 1QF. If you have any questions which you would like to discuss informally, please contact June on 01329 318731. The closing date for applications is Friday 26th July.

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.

THE UNION
Thought for the Week
Seven hundred years before Jesus' birth, legend has it that a Greek slave named Aesop compiled a collection of stories. Today we know them as Aesop's Fables. Although most of his stories involve animals, one of the fables deals with a dispute between the sun and the wind, over which of the two was the stronger.

One day an opportunity arose to settle the dispute. A person dressed in a coat was walking down a deserted country road. The sun said to the wind, "Whoever makes that person remove the coat faster will be the winner."

The wind not only agreed but decided to go first. He blew and blew, but the more he blew, the tighter the person held onto the coat. Finally, exhausted, the wind gave up. Then the sun took over. It merely shone in all its glory and, within minutes, the person took off the coat. Aesop said that the moral of the story was this: You can achieve more by gentleness than by violence.

In today's Gospel Jesus teaches us that same message when he says, "…learn from me, for I am gentle and humble of heart….". This message is an important message for us all to respond as Jesus did to those who wrong us, and as the sun did in Aesop's fable, with genuine warmth and gentleness and with tender sensitivity, unlike the violent wind in Aesop's fable.

Oaklands School
On Monday 8th July Fr. Paul will be signing Oaklands forms at St. Jude's School.

Mary McGrath RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Mary McGrath who died recently. Please also remember her family in your prayers. The funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday 9th July at 9.30am at Sacred Heart Church. Vigil Prayer for the dead will take place on Monday 8th July at 7.00pm also at Sacred Heart Church.

Roy Alan Waldock RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Roy Waldock who died recently. Please remember Mrs Tatford and Roy's family in your prayers.

St. Jude's -Vacancy for Foundation Governor
Bishop Crispian, who has absolute discretion in the appointment of Foundation Governors, is seeking applications from committed baptised Catholics who wish to be considered for the above vacancy. The governors of a Catholic school work as a team, in close co-operation with the headteacher and all staff. 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 in accordance with Canon (church) law and the teaching of the Catholic Church 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). Lack of experience in education in a Catholic school should not deter anyone from applying if there is a genuine desire to serve the mission of the Church. Application packs are available from the Parish Priest, the School Office or the Department for Schools Governance, Park Place Pastoral Centre, Winchester Road, Wickham PO17 5HA. Closing date for receipt of applications is 22 July 2002.

St Boniface, Shirley
This year, the parish of St Boniface, Shirley is celebrating the centenary of the foundation of their mission, and the 75th anniversary of the opening of the present church. They would like to hear from anyone with any memories or photos of life at either the present brick church or the original 'tin' church. In particular, they are looking for any photos or postcards showing the exterior of the tin church in Foundry Lane, Shirley which was in use from around 1902 to 1927. Please send any information to Carole Olding, St Boniface Church, 413 Shirley Road, Southampton or by e-mail to secretary@st-boniface.org.uk

Recommended Reading
The following are recommended especially for parish groups and parish pastoral councils. All are available from the Discovery Centre.
The Sign We Give - 'I believe it contains the seeds of a revolution in the way in which we live and work in the Church today.' (Bishop Crispian).
On the Threshold - Bishops' Conference Working Party on Sacramental Initiation - especially designed for use by catechists, teachers and priests.
The Priority of Adult Formation - An overview of the Church's teaching on the role of adult formation.
Novo Millennio Inuente Apostolic Letter of Pope John-Paul II - the Pope urges us to look ahead. He outlines the call to holiness, prayer the Eucharist and listening to the Word of God.

'Connected' - Souvenir Issue
Don't miss the commemorative issue of the Parish Magazine which will be on sale next weekend, 14th July, to celebrate the work of Fr. Paul, Fr. Chris and Sr. Mary - only 50p a copy.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

7th July 2002 14th Sunday of the Year The Year of St Matthew

If you are able to offer a lift from Portchester to a morning Mass, please contact the Parish Office.

Lift from Stubbington
If you are able to offer a lift from Stubbington to the 9am Sunday Mass, please telephone Valerie Hay-Esson on 01329 664859.

End of Sunday Morning Mass - Portchester
To mark the end of Sunday morning Masses at Our Lady of Walsingham Church, there will be an American-style buffet lunch starting at 12.30pm TODAY.

House Mass - Care Group Network
A House Mass will be held on Monday 8th July at 5 Silver Birch Avenue, Fareham for anyone within the Care Network Area of Silver Birch Avenue, Justin Close or Cleveland Drive. The Mass will start at 7.30pm followed by an American supper - you are welcome to bring some food to share. It would be helpful, if possible, to know numbers in advance so please telephone Sue McMullan on 01329 284638 or Bernie Russell 01329 236779 to confirm, or for further information.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"All the sacraments, O Jesus, and especially this sacrament of the Eucharist, flow forth from your loving heart. I wish I could give you as much honour and glory as you give your Father in this divine mystery. I know you love me now with the same degree of love that compelled you to die on the cross for me. Divine Heart, introduce yourself to those who do not know you. I adore you, I thank you, I love you, with every soul who loves you at this moment." (St. Alphonsus Liguori)
Someone is urgently needed to fill in the hours from 2:00-3:00 pm and 3:00-4:00 pm on Wednesdays as well as 5:00-6:00 pm on Thursdays. If you are able to help, please kindly call Lily Peach on 01329 825447 or 077 678 98885.

APF Annual Mission Mass
The Annual Mission Mass will be celebrated in St. John's Cathedral on Wednesday 17th July at 7.30pm. This will be followed by a short film, in the Cathedral Centre, about a Missionary in Guatemala. All welcome.

Wanted
If anyone has a child's buggy or pram that they no longer require which would be suitable for a baby of three months, please telephone Mary Cadogan on 01329 235987. A carrycot is also required.

Stan Johnson
Stan will be in Peel Nursing Home, Newgate Lane from the 15th July.

Skating - Holbrook Ice Rink, Gosport
Yappers Youth Group - trip Saturday 13th July 2.30-4.30pm - Adult + skate hire £3.65; Child £3.25; Family ticket 2 + 2 or 1 + 3 £10.00. All young people most welcome. Parents are responsible for their children for the trip. Gather outside the Ice Rink entrance at 2.20pm.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1596.65 Portchester £214.60
Peter's Pence £341.51

Forthcoming Special Collections
7th July - Sr. Mary's Leaving Collection
14th July - Sr. Mary's Leaving Collection
21st July - Apostleship of the Sea

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