Welcome
Father Maurice Twomey, a priest from the Holy Ghost parish in Basingstoke, has recently retired and moved to Portchester. We welcome him into our parish and wish him a happy and peaceful retirement.

Portchester Voluntary Care
This group has co-ordinators who receive requests by telephone for help with transport. They then find a suitable volunteer who will provide transport and if necessary, an escort, to Health Centres, Hospitals, Dentists etc. Donations are appreciated and can be placed in an envelope provided by the driver who will return it to the treasurer. Volunteer drivers can, if they wish, claim expenses. If you feel this service might be of help to you or if you would like to volunteer to be a driver or escort, please telephone 023 9232 1788.

Oaklands Catholic School
The Governors are now considering applications for 11+ entry in September 2003. Please contact the Admissions Secretary immediately. Closing date for 2003 Applications is 8th November 2002.

Calling All Youth between 11-16 Years Old!
In June 2002 we had the 'Dare 2B Different' Youth Event for those aged 15-25 years, when young adults explored the challenges of living as a young Christian in today's world. Now it's the turn of those aged 11-16 to enjoy the Diocesan Youth Sunday, which will be celebrated on Sunday 17th November at St. Edmund's School and St. John's Cathedral. This will be a fun day, from 10.00am - 8.30pm, exploring faith and life choices. There will be workshops, discussions and games, plus opportunities for Art, Drama, Music and Prayer. Refreshments will be available and Bishop Crispian will join you during the day so you can ask him your questions and he will later celebrate Mass. Please let Fr. Chris know if you would like to go, or ring Sue McMullan on 01329 284638. The cost is £5 per person. Travel will be arranged and paid for by the parish.

Shoebox Appeal
The official leaflet, with details of how to put together your SHOEBOX, is now available in the church porch. St. Jude's school has agreed to be the collection point.Please do try to fill a box! They are so necessary and greatly appreciated. Thanks to all those who have already sent in their shoeboxes. Don't forget, the closing date is the 5th November.

Parish Bazaar - 16th November
16th November 2002
Our annual Parish Bazaar will be held this year on Saturday 16th November from 11.00am until 3.00pm. Buy your raffle tickets now! Donations of items such as jewellery, books, toys, groceries, cakes, bottles and toiletries may now be left at the back of each church after Sunday Masses.
Please do support this annual Parish event.
The proceeds will be divided between the parish and the Advent Appeal for Wells for India.

Churches Together in Portchester
ONE WORLD WEEK JOINT SERVICE takes place today Sunday 27th October 2002 at 6.30pm at PORTCHESTER FREE CHURCH, Northern Junior School, Richmond Rise, Portchester. All Welcome.

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
In today's Gospel, Jesus talks about love and the kind of love we should have for God and for one another. Jesus says: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind…Love your neighbour as yourself." When Jesus says, "all", he implies that there are various levels of love. The first level of love is the minimal level, which may be called the essence of love. This consists in mutual sharing and fidelity. Without it there is no genuine love. The second level of love is a higher level sometimes called the logic of love. At this level the lover is not content with mutual sharing and mutual fidelity but wants more. At this level, the lover is never satisfied with the bare minimum and constantly searches for ways to surprise and please the beloved. The third level of love can be called the folly of love, which is the most perfect love there is. At this level the lover does what other people cannot understand and may consider madness.

The most perfect example of this third level of love is Jesus Himself. Speaking of this highest form of love, Jesus says, "No one has greater love than this, than to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13). To people who do not love with all their heart, soul and mind, Jesus' love is sheer madness. Most of us love most of the time at the first level. We share with one another and are faithful to one another. Many of us have moments in our lives when we love at the second level. We go out of our way to please or surprise those we love. Finally, some of us have moments in our lives when we love in a way that makes others think we are mad. In today's Gospel, Jesus exhorts us to strive more and more to love as He did ~ not in a minimal way, but in a perfect way: with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our mind. This is the kind of love that is capable of transforming not only those we love but also ourselves and the world we live in.

Churches Together in Fareham Quiz Night
Teams from each church are urgently needed for this inter-church quiz night to be held on Saturday 30th November at Crofton Community Centre (7.30pm for 8.00pm start). Please contact June Haye on 01329 318731 for more details or your CTF Representative.

Bamenda Sunday
Next Sunday is Bamenda Sunday when the Diocese of Portsmouth will celebrate its links with the West African Archdiocese of Bamenda in Cameroon. A special collection will be taken after all Masses on that weekend, the 2nd/3rd November.

European Day of Remembrance for Road Victims
RoadPeace is the national charity for Road Traffic Victims. The European Day of Remembrance for Road Crash Victims is on the 17th November this year. Each year at least 10 people die on Britain's roads and 1300+ are injured. The price in terms of human loss, grief and care is immeasurable. Let us remember and pray for all those who have been lost or injured, their family and friends and also acknowledge all those who came to their rescue, such as fire, police and ambulance personnel, doctors, nurses and counsellors.

Our Earth - Our Destiny
A conference on the Environment will take place at Portsmouth Anglican Cathedral and other venues from Thursday 28 November - Sunday 1 December. There will be a variety of both clerical and lay speakers. If you would like to obtain more information please see, www.portsmouth.anglican.org

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

27th October 2002 30th Sunday of the Year The Year of St Matthew

31 October 7.30pm Vigil Mass St. Philip Howard
1st November 7.00am Sacred Heart
1st November 9.30am Sacred Heart
1st November 7.00pm Our Lady of Walsingham

Thanks
June Hoare would like to thank everyone for their good wishes, cards and prayers during her recent illness.

A Festival of Catholic Culture
'Towards Advent', a festival of Catholic Culture (Books-Art-Music-Media) will take place on Saturday 16th November at Westminster Cathedral Hall. Open 10am - 5.30pm, Admission free. Nearest tube - Victoria. For more information please contact the Advent Festival Office on 020 7640 0042.

Portchester Voluntary Care
This group has co-ordinators who receive requests by telephone for help with transport. They then find a suitable volunteer who will provide transport and if necessary, an escort, to Health Centres, Hospitals, etc. Donations are appreciated and can be placed in an envelope provided by the driver who will return it to the Treasurer. Volunteer drivers can, if they wish, claim expenses. If you feel this service might be of help to you or if you would like to volunteer to be a driver or escort, please telephone 023 9232 1788.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"In the Eucharist salvation and love are offered to all mankind. How could we not be fascinated by this mystery?" (Pope John Paul II).

Someone is needed to fill in the hours from 6:00-7:00 pm on Tuesdays, 3:00-4:00 pm on Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 pm on Thursdays, and 12:00-1:00 pm on Fridays. If you are able to help, please telephone Lily Peach on 01329 825447 or 077 678 98885.

Women of Hope
A ladies evening at Fareham Community Church, West Street, Fareham on 28th October - 7.15pm for 7.30pm. Tea and cakes and a special Speaker.

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.
8th November (please note date change)
'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.

Helpers of the Holy Souls
The Annual Mass for Associate Members and Friends will be on Saturday 2nd November at 2.30pm in St. Mary's Convent, 404 Old Commercial Rd, Portsmouth. The Celebrant will be Fr. Sean Tobin. All are welcome to stay for refreshments afterwards.

APF
Sacred Heart APF Account for 2002 will close on Tuesday 29th October. If any Promoters have any boxes to empty, or money to hand in, please could they do so before the 29th October.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1479.28 Portchester £209.22
Mission Sunday - £641.95

Forthcoming Special Collections
3rd November - Bamenda

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