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 course will take place on Monday 22nd and 29th July at the home of Julie and Paul Phillips. If you wish to take part, please call Julie or Paul on 01329 319392. Please arrange the date of the baptism of your child with one of the parish clergy.

PFA 50/50 results
July Draw:
1. Wendy Escott
2. Leigh Bushnell
3. Sarah Smith

7th Fareham Guides
There are currently vacancies with the Guides, for girls aged between 1012 and 14 years. They meet in Ranvilles School on Wednesday nights from 7pm until 8.30pm. Any girls wishing to join should contact Mrs Lorne Fry on 01329 285779.

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.

New/Nearly New and Cake Stall
For UCM Charities, Saturday 20th July after 6.30pm Mass and Sunday 21st after 9am Mass.

Parish Bazaar
Due to the Parish Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisi, this year's Bazaar will be held on 16th November.

Youth Club - Summer Break
The last Youth Club before the summer break will be held on Sunday 21st July. The Youth Club will recommence on Sunday 15th September, please note that from this date forth the starting time will be 7.00pm not 7.30pm.

Vacancy - St Edmund's Catholic School
A Historian who is able to teach up to GCSE is required to cover a leave of absence for two months from September 2002. Please contact Mrs Jackson on 02392 823766 ASAP for further details.

St Edmund's School 'in-house' Uniform Shop
The School Shop will be open during the week beginning 22nd July and 27th August between 9am-1pm. If you wish to come into School during the summer break to purchase your uniform please give the school a ring first on the number given above.

Help Needed
St Edmund's School is looking for a volunteer with Life Saver qualifications to help supervise the School swimming pool during some lessons. A teacher will be present. Please contact the School if you can help.

'Connected' - Souvenir Issue
Don't miss the commemorative issue of the Parish Magazine that celebrates the work of Fr. Paul, Fr. Chris and Sr. Mary. On sale this weekend - only 50p a copy.

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
When we watch or hear the news these days, we might ask ourselves why sin is so widespread 2,000 years after Jesus set up God's kingdom. Has God's kingdom dissolved into nothingness over the centuries? Where is God's kingdom anyway? Jesus addresses these questions in today's Gospel reading. He tells us how the kingdom of God is present in our world, like wheat planted in wheat field. It is in the ground and growing, but it hasn't reached maturity yet and hasn't borne its intended fruit or grain. The weeds or "darnel" referred to by Jesus were a curse to Palestinian farmers. Ancient writers described them as a kind of "fool's wheat", for in the early stages of its growth, it looked very similar to real wheat. This is one of the reasons why the owner, in Jesus' parable, tells his workers to wait until harvest time before weeding out the darnel. In the meantime, the weeds and wheat should be left to co-exist side-by-side in a wheat field, just as good and evil co-exist side-by-side in the world.

So, what should be our attitude towards all the evil in the world that surrounds us, and what can we do about it? Our first choice might be to curse the darkness and cry out in frustration, "Stop the world, I want to get off". Our second choice, however, is not to curse the darkness but try and light a candle in it. Remember what Jesus told his followers earlier in Matthew's Gospel: " You are a light for the whole world. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a bowl; instead he puts it on a lampstand, where it gives light for everyone in the house. In the same way your light must shine before people" (Matt. 5:14-16). Each of us, therefore, must consult out conscience and decide with prayer how we can best light our own candle and set it on a lampstand. This will the theme of the Mass on July 28th , that young people from all around the world will be reflecting on, at the World Youth Day in Toronto this week. His Holiness Pope John Paul II will be saying the Mass and I will be attending this with a group from our diocese. Please remember to pray for all of us as I'll be praying for you. Have a great summer.

An Hour with St Pio of Petrucina
Come and spend time in prayer every Thursday at Sacred Heart Church beginning at 6pm - Angelus, followed by Rosary and Evening Prayer.

Schools Finance Liaison Officer
The Schools Finance Committee are looking for a suitable person to liase with schools over contributions to the central schools project fund. Such a person should have a good knowledge of working in a school environment and of the issues facing schools and be familiar and sympathetic with the aims and mission of the Church. The post would suit a recently retired head of a Catholic school or a former Chair of Governors. If you know of anyone whom you feel could be approached please contact Mgr. Jeremy Garratt on 023 9282 0894.

Great Wall of China Walk - Sponsorship
Would those people who have sponsored Deacon Langford Vincent for his walk on the Great Wall of China and still have money to pay please put their contribution in an envelope, together with their name and address, and hand it in to the Parish Office or to the Deacon himself. Thank you.

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.

Park Place Summer Garden Party
This will be held today between 3pm and 5.30pm and all funds raised will be sent to the Sisters' Franciscan Leper Colony School in Ethiopia. The children, whose parents suffer from leprosy, are themselves ostracised by everyone despite their being free from the disease - THE STIGMA REMAINS. There is no welfare, medical or financial aid from the State, their only hope for the future is through the devoted care of the three Sisters who nurture and educate the children. Please come and enjoy a happy afternoon at Park Place. There will be music, activities for children, a raffle, a small dogs display, various stalls and, of course, a delicious tea - all included in the price of £5 per adult and 50p per child. The event will take place be it wet or fine.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

21st July 2002 16th 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.

Lift Required
If you are able to offer a lift to the 9am or 11am Sunday Mass to someone living in St Nicholas Crescent, Fareham please telephone 01329 220269.

Farewell Gathering for Fr. Paul & Sr. Mary
On Sunday 22nd September there will be a Service of Thanksgiving and Farewell Gathering for Father Paul Townsend and Sr. Mary Moore. The Service will be held in St. Philip Howard Church at 2.30pm followed by a Reception in St. Jude's School Hall afterwards. More information will follow shortly.

Mary McGrath RIP
The family and friends of the late Mary McGrath would like to thank Father Paul, Father Chris and all those in the parish who cared for Mary, especially the SVP, Ministers of the Eucharist and the UCM. The care and attention that Mary received from the parish in her later years has brought much comfort to her family at this difficult time.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
""Eucharistic Adoration strengthens Christian life..I exhort you to continue along this adoring path, putting before the gaze of Jesus Christ the anxieties, the hopes, the worries and even the sins of all humanity. Before Him everything takes on a new face."
(Pope John Paul II)
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. Farewell Gathering for Fr. Paul & Sr. Mary
On Sunday 22nd September there will be a Service of Thanksgiving and Farewell Gathering for Father Paul Townsend and Sr. Mary Moore. The Service will be held in St. Philip Howard Church at 2.30pm followed by a Reception in St. Jude's School Hall afterwards. More information will follow shortly.

Churches Together in Portchester
The quarterly Ecumenical Service will take place on Sunday 28th July at 6.30pm in St. Mary's Church, Portchester Castle.
All are most welcome to attend.

Choice (Encounter Movement)
Choice will be holding its first national reunion since the 1989 Convention. This will take place on Saturday 17th August. More information from Maria Radford on 020 8660 4165.

Wanted
Reliable cleaner wanted for three hours a week. Please telephone 01329 310785 for details.

Great Wall of China Walk - Sponsorship
Would those people who have sponsored Deacon Langford Vincent for his walk on the Great Wall of China and still have money to pay please put their contribution in an envelope, together with their name and address, and hand it in to the Parish Office or to the Deacon himself. Thank you.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1604.55 Portchester £191.25

Forthcoming Special Collections
21st July - Apostleship of the Sea
28th July - Southern Africa Appeal

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