Southern Africa Appeal-Now is the time to act!
"Don't come back at Christmas time and start trying to do something then, it will be too late. Now is the time to act". This was the message from Nicholas Mkwapata, Director of the Catholic Development Commission of Malawi, as he talked about the food crisis facing his country. The whole region (Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Angola) needs nearly four million tonnes of food assistance. People require food immediately and also seeds that are ready to plant come the next rainy season to see them through to the following harvest. A special collection will be taken at all masses on 28th July for this appeal - please do try to give generously - your support may help prevent a full-scale disaster in Southern Africa.

Faith and Light
The registered charity for people with Special Needs and Learning Difficulties, their families and friends would like to thank everyone who supported their market stall in Gosport on Tuesday 16th July. A total of £320 was raised. The proceeds will go towards our group's levy to National Funds, the National Commitment to Africa and local outings. A special thank you to Fr. David Adams for his help in storing all the items and to all concerned in making the event a success. Anyone wanting information about Faith & Light may see the blue leaflet on the notice board at the back of the church or tel. 01329 310091 or 02392 580681 for more information.

Congratulations to Nellie Dean
Congratulations to Nellie Dean, one of our much-valued flower arrangers, who will be celebrating her 90th birthday at the beginning of August.

Lourdes Buffet Lunch
Thank you to everyone who supported the lunch and to those who kindly gave donations. A profit of £376.00 was raised - many thanks for your continued support.

Summer Garden Party - Park Place
The Sisters and Friends of Park Place would like to thank everyone who supported the Garden Party held at the Pastoral Centre on Sunday 21st July. £1,845 was raised for the Sister's Franciscan Leper Colony School in Ethiopia. It is a great comfort to know that some of the Sister's vision for the children's future can be realised thanks to the generosity of all who attended or helped in any way. Many thanks and God's blessing to all.

Are You New?
A warm welcome to all visitors to Fareham or Portchester this summer and welcome, too, to those who are newcomers to our parish? If you have recently moved to this area, please fill in one of the "Are you new?" forms to be found at the entrance to the church and return this to the parish office. Alternatively, please fill in our online form

THE UNION
Thought for the Month
The Summer Holidays are here once again! As usual, this will be the only Newsletter for the holiday period. The next one will be published on the 1st September. Please keep this issue because it contains all the times of the liturgies for the coming weeks.

As this is the last piece that I shall write for the Fareham and Portchester Newsletter, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you all for the past four years; the time during which I have been blessed with a very happy ministry. My guiding vision has been to ensure that as many people as possible have been involved in the mission of the Church as it develops here. I know that this has made demands on the generosity of many, especially in terms of the gift of time. I shall always be grateful for the spirit of co-operation and the vitality and welcome that marks this Catholic Community in Fareham and Portchester.

I look forward to hearing news from Fareham and Portchester and to watching the work of the Lord grow from strength to strength. As I leave here for the second time, exactly twenty-two years after the first, I know that the Catholic Church in Fareham and Portchester will have a very special place in my prayer and affection.

Summer Holiday Arrangements
Fr. Chris is now on his annual summer break; he will return on 23rd August. I will go on holiday from the 23rd August and will officially leave the parish on the 18th September. Sr. Mary will leave at the end of August. We welcome back to our community Father Manuel Gonzalez who has kindly agreed to supply in our parish once again during the summer period. We also extend a warm welcome to José Antonio Belmonte Aguilar, a seminarian, who has accompanied Fr. Manuel from Spain. José will be staying with us in the parish for ten days.

Our choir in Fareham will have a well-earned break during the summer. Readers are asked to note that the Psalm will not be sung during the coming weeks, until the 8th September. During the month of August the Sacred Heart Church will be closed during the day except for those times when Mass is being celebrated. Please remember that Children's Liturgy of the Word is taking a break and will resume on the 8th September. Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament has now ceased and will resume in the Sacred Heart Church and in Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Monday 9th September 2002. I would like to wish everyone, who is taking a holiday, a relaxing and refreshing time with safe and comfortable travel. For those unable to take holidays, I hope this time of year brings an opportunity for some rest and recreation.

Walsingham Youth Prayer Festival 2002
For the past three years over 1,500 young people (ages 12-35) have gathered together at the RC Shrine of Our Lady in Walsingham for the Prayer Festival. They come from all over the world to worship in prayer so why not join them this year? The festival runs from 6pm on the 22nd August until 2pm on 26th August and there will be talks, discussions and workshops, together with the opportunity to speak with religious from many communities such as the Dominicans, Franciscans, Jesuits, etc. Suggested donation £55, all accommodation is under canvas and basic meals will be provided. Coaches will be laid on from most major cities. Persons under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian; persons under the age of 18 must have parental consent & a medical form. For more information or to book please telephone 01937 579700/720/730/740/750, book online at www.youth2000.org or write to PO Box 176 Leeds LS17 9XU.

Kevin Eccleston - Family Tree Research
Kevin is researching his family history and his grandmother (Annie Eccleston nee Kearns) was apparently a frequent visitor to the churches in the area between 1923 - 1996. If anyone has knowledge of Annie's life in the area, or any details regarding the Eccleston's history, genealogy, lands etc, please contact Kevin at 13 Tottenham Road, Farncombe, Godalming, Surrey GU7 2HT.

Parish Pilgrimage to Rome and Assisik
A reminder that the remaining balance of payment for the Parish Pilgrimage is payable by Monday 16th September. All cheques should be made payable to 'Anthony R Coles Travel and Conferences' and sent to the Parish Office. If there are any queries regarding payment, travel insurance etc. you may either telephone the organiser of the pilgrimage, Anthony Coles, direct on 020 7431 3414 or contact the Parish Office.
Coach to/from Fareham/Gatwick - A 49-seater Executive coach (with WC/drinks etc.) has now been booked for the outward and return journeys from Fareham and Gatwick. The collection point will be the Sacred Heart Church in Fareham, times will be advised nearer the departure date. If there is sufficient demand an extra collection point will be added in Portchester. The cost for the return journey will be £14.50 per person. If you require a seat on the coach please contact the Parish Office. Please note that cheques for the coach journey must be made out to the parish (PRCDTR Fareham Sacred Heart) and not to Anthony Coles.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

August 2002 The Year of St Matthew

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Please note that, as in previous years, there is a break in Adoration during the summer holidays, in the Sacred Heart Church and in the Church of Our Lady of Walsingham. Adoration will begin again on Monday the 9th of September.

Lourdes Pilgrimage
The annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes this year takes place from 23 - 30 August, under the leadership of Bishop Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton. Please pray for all who will be attending from our diocese.

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.

Ravenswood Shop at Knowle
We urgently need more people to assist us so that we can continue providing this service to patients and staff. The shop is only open between 10am and 12 mid-day, Monday to Friday. Even if you can only give a few hours now and then it would be a great help. Please contact one of the priests in the first instance.

A Blessing
If, for whatever reason, you are unable to receive Communion at Mass, please feel free to come forward for a Blessing. Simply cross your arms across your chest and ask the priest for a Blessing at the time for receiving Holy Communion.

Power to the People
TESCO have halted their policy of issuing FREE 'Morning - After' pills to under age girls. TESCO say that the reversal of their policy came after a review of the policy in which the concerns of customers were raised. Customers have raised concerns over the pill being dispensed to under 16s without the knowledge or consent of their parents. After listening carefully to these concerns they have decided not to dispense to those under 16. Well done to all those who wrote to TESCO complaining. Some also returned their Loyalty cards as well as boycotting the supermarket. Prayers have been answered, although a complete reversal of policy is what is truly desired.

Partial-birth Abortion
What is it? The barbaric operation ends an unborn child's life by forcing scissors into its skull before removing the brain with a vacuum device. It has no medical or moral justification. There is nothing in English law which bans partial-birth abortions. It is known to have been carried out in this country. Please write a polite letter requesting information on why partial-birth abortion is not illegal in the UK to:-
Alan Milburn
Department of Health
Richmond House
79 Whitehall
London SW1A 2NL

Sadhana Meditation - Park Place
The word 'Sadhana' means a spiritual 'path' or 'practice'. There will be a Sadhana Meditation weekend led by Sister Frances fsma from the 20 - 22nd September. Residential from £78.00 Non Resident £15.00 Please contact Park Place on 01329 833043 for more details.

Finance
With thanks for the offerings on the 16th Sunday of the year
Fareham - £1730.05 Portchester £134.00
Apostleship of the Sea - £502.14

Forthcoming Special Collections
28th July - Southern Africa Appeal Sea
8th September - Racial Justice

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