Solemn Latin Mass
A Solemn Latin Mass according to the traditional Catholic liturgy will be held at St. John's Cathedral, Portsmouth on Sunday 6th October at 3.00pm. Latin Mass, Gregorian Chant and Sacred Polyphony. Refreshments will be available afterwards in the hall. Vespers and Benediction at 5.00pm.

Afraid of Working with the Media?
Publicising an Event? Want to put your view across? Scared when the Press ring up? These and other questions will be raised at a fun evening in the Cathedral Discovery Centre, Portsmouth on Monday 11th November. The meeting is open to all Parish Groups, Catholic Organisations and anyone who wishes to use the media and not be frightened by it. The session will be led by Barry Hudd, Diocesan Communications Officer, and Rosemary Power, Head of the Department of Social Responsibility. A follow-up morning for those who want more will be on Saturday 30th November from 9.15am - 1pm at Chandlers Ford (followed by a shared lunch). There is no charge for the event but early advance booking is essential, please contact the Dept. Of Social Responsibility on 01329 835583/834677.

Christine Mansley RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Christine Mansley who died recently in Yorkshire. Christine was well known in the parish as an ex-guider from the 2nd Fareham Guide Company. Please pray for Christine's daughter and all her family and friends.

Shoebox Appeal
Now that the children are back at school, Christmas can't be far away! Now is the time to start collecting bits and pieces for the SHOEBOX APPEAL. Get out the knitting needles for scarves, hats and mittens - and baby clothes. Last year's effort was spectacular. Let's do even better this year. Thanks. Marian.

Parish Bazaar - 16th November
WANTED - Any unused gifts in your household will shortly be needed as donations for the Parish Bazaar, so please start digging deep into those cupboards! Items such as jewellery, books, toys, groceries, cakes and toiletries are all required but no jumble. Raffle tickets will be sold from the 5th/6th October.

APF Boxes
It is coming to the end of the APF financial year, if you have a box that has not been emptied during the past year, please contact the Fareham Secretary, Ron Lewis on 01329 847533 or the Portchester Secretary Joan Hamilton on 02392 385559, by the first weekend in October.

Salesian Co-operators
Please see the poster on the notice board regarding this association of men and women who follow the vocation of service to the young people in the local church, in the spirit of Don Bosco.

A Taste of India
This is an occasion for all to come with family and friends to enjoy an Indian meal together at Park Place Pastoral Centre on Sunday 27th October 2002 at 12.30pm. Cost is £12.00 per person including wine (£6 for children) in aid of the Franciscan Mission Project for Rural Women's Development in India. Advanced booking advisable as numbers is limited. Please contact Sister Judith fsma , Park Place Pastoral Centre, Winchester Rd, Wickham, Fareham PO16 5HA or Tel: 01329 833043.

Are You New?
Are you new to this 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 Father Chris or to the Parish Office. Alternatively complete our online form.

THE UNION
Thought for the Week
What causes a person to undergo a conversion, a change of heart, as the younger son does in today's Gospel? Well, there are at least three steps required to bring about such a conversion. The first step begins when we realise we are discontented with our present situation. For people will only consider change in their life if they are not happy with it. In other words, having a heavy restless heart and a deep-down desire to be better is the first step in the conversion process. The second step in the process is what has been called the "trigger event". This is the spark that lights the fire under us to do something about our situation. The third step is making the all-important first move in the direction of a new life. This is when a decision is made to do something practical and concrete about changing our present life.

Today's readings invite us to take inventory of our lives and ask ourselves how content we are with them. For example, are we dissatisfied with our present relationship with God? Do we desire a deeper, closer relationship with Jesus? Do we want to love our family and our neighbour more, as Jesus loves them? If our answer to these three questions is yes, then today's Scripture readings could be the spark or "trigger event" that prompts us to do something about these things. Maybe the all-important first move in the direction of a new life is to present ourselves for healing in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. If this is the case then please look at the back of this newsletter to check a change in times of the availability of this Sacrament. The invitation that God is making to each one of us is an open one which requires different responses from each one of us. How we choose to respond to this faith invitation is up to us.

Fareham Deanery Formation Talks
The next talk in the Adult Formation Series will be held on Wednesday 30th October in St. Jude's School Hall, commencing at 7.30pm (Coffee/Tea at 7pm). The theme is 'All Souls? All Saints? An Exploration'' and the speaker will be Fr. David Sillince. Everyone is most welcome to attend. Crèche facilities will be made available if interest is shown, please telephone 01329 284638 for details.

Halloween Discos
15th Fareham Scout Group are holding Halloween Discos on Friday 25th October in St. Philip Howard Hall. For 6-10 years the fun starts at 6pm - 7.30pm and includes a prize for the best fancy dress, karaoke, face painting and games. For 10+ years the fun starts at 7.45pm - 9.15pm and will include karaoke, games and face painting. Tickets - £1, available through St. Jude's school office or any Scout Leader - they will be limited, so buy early to avoid disappointment!

Calling All Young People…
15th Fareham Scout Group currently has vacancies in all sections. Beavers have fun between the ages of 6-8 years, Cubs enjoy themselves from 8 - 10½ years and our more adventurous Scouts run from 10½+ years. All sections are run by trained Scout Leaders who spend lots of time and energy ensuring that our members enjoy an active, balanced programme of activities in a safe environment. For more details for any age group please contact Andrea Barnes on 01329 283620.

Altar Servers - Old and New
There will be a meeting for senior altar servers in the Presbytery at 7.30pm on Saturday 5th October. If you are unable to attend this meeting please inform Fr. Chris. There will be a special training day for all new altar servers, beginning at 11.45am and finishing at 1.00pm on Saturday 12th October in the Sacred Heart Hall. If there is anyone who wishes to become an altar server but cannot attend this meeting, please contact Fr. Chris.

Mass for the Sick
A Mass for the sick will be held in St Philip Howard Church on Saturday 5th October at 3pm. Tea and biscuits will be served by members of the SVP in the Church hall immediately following the service. Special Ministers are requested to make any necessary transport arrangements. If anyone has difficulty with transport, please contact either Mary Cadogan on 01329 235987 or Peter Aspin on 01329 665240.

Readers
Readers are invited to a Deanery Day of Reflection on Proclamation of the Word to be held from 10am on Saturday 19th October at St Margaret Mary RC Church, Middle Road, Park Gate. The day will be led by Father James Boyle and by Fran Ross, Diocesan Advisor for Lay Leadership. Please see the poster on the notice board for details.

A Trail of Two Cities
Philip Crispin is undertaking a 90 mile sponsored pilgrimage from Toledo to Avila as a way of raising money for the work of the De Paul Trust and The Society of St Vincent de Paul to help both the young homeless and the elderly and the infirm. He is the only Pilgrim from the diocese and has pledged himself to raise £2000. If you would like to sponsor him then please contact him at 13 Richmond Road, Southsea, Hants. PO5 2LL.

Race Night - St. Jude's School
There will be a race night at St. Jude's School on Saturday 12th October starting at 7.30pm with the first race at 8.00pm. Licensed bar and children's bar. For more information please contact Graham Stanton on 01329 284057.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

29th September 2002 26th Sunday of the Year The Year of St Matthew

St. George Catholic School for Boys
There is an open evening for parents of prospective pupils on Monday 30th September from 6pm - 9pm at St. Georges School, Leaside Way, Southampton. If you are unable to attend the Open Evening please telephone (02380 322603) to arrange for a visit to take place on Thursday 3rd October.

Vision for the Church - Douai Abbey
Bishop Remi De Roo took part in the 2nd Vatican Council. On Wednesday October 16th at 7.45pm at Douai Abbey he will be talking about the Council's Vision for the Church and discussing how far it has been achieved and how much we still have to do. If you would like to book a place please contact the Programme Director, Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berks RG7 5TQ - Tel 0118 971 5333 or email douaiabby@aol.com.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"The cross of Jesus is the divine power which triumphs over the wisdom of the world. It signifies the obedience of Jesus, His charity and self-sacrifice that His followers must imitate through Mary in the new life that He offers through the shedding of His Precious Blood." (From A Holy Card Prayer Book)
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.

Admission to St. Edmund's School - 2003
St. Edmund's School request that parents of Year 6 children wishing to have their sons or daughters educated at St. Edmund's commencing September 2003, apply immediately to the school. St. Edmund's receives substantial applications including a significant number from other Christian denominations. However, it is the policy of the school governors for baptised Catholic children to receive priority. The School will be holding an Open Evening on Tuesday 1 October 2002 from 6.30pm. Admission forms and the school prospectus are available on request from the School Admissions Secretary or may be obtained at the Open Evening.

First Friday Reflections - Dates for the Diary
Following the success of the reflection services held during Lent, a series of 'First Friday' liturgies has been arranged, each starting at 7.30pm at Our Lady of Walsingham Church.
4th October
'The month of Our Lady' - Rosary with reflection and prayer on the 'Joyful Mysteries'.
1st November
'Trust in grief' - A reflection for the month of the Holy Souls.
6th December
'New Year' - An Advent reflection as we start the Church's year.

Finding New Life in the Spirit
A series of 8 seminars will be facilitated on 'Life in the Spirit' commencing on Tuesday 1st October at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Hall for 8 consecutive weeks. An introductory evening will be held on 24th September at the same time/place. This is an important opportunity to deepen your spiritual life in today's world, so why not come along and see.

Landings
There is now an informative web site www.bsac.ac.uk/LandingsUK with details about this process which welcomes back inactive Catholics who wish to return to the church. The follow up day for those who attended the Landings workshop in April is on Saturday 1st February at Bishop Challoner School, Basingstoke.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1666.50 Portchester £134.40

Forthcoming Special Collections
29th September - Cathedral
6th October - Family Fast Day

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 Chris, or complete the online form

Fr Chris Whelan