 The
Gospel of Mark
A Study Day on Mark's Gospel in preparation for Lectionary Year B is being
offered to readers, catechists, clergy and all other interested parishioners.
This will take place on Saturday 16th November from 10.30am to 4.00pm
at St. Swithun's Church Hall, Yateley and will be led by Fr. David Sanders,
OP., a Dominican presently student master at Blackfriars, Oxford. The
cost is £10.00 per person and you are asked to bring a packed lunch
and your Bible. If you are interested in this day, please contact the
Department for Catechesis at Park Place Pastoral Centre by Friday 8th
November. The telephone number is 01329 835583.
Parish
Bazaar - 16th November
11.00am - 3.00pm
ONLY TWO MORE WEEKENDS UNTIL THE PARISH BAZAAR!
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. |
Parish
Pilgrimage to Rome & Assisi
There will now be a second departure point for the coach to Gatwick
on the 18th November. This will be at 11.30am at Our Lady of Walsingham
Church in Portchester. If there is anyone who would prefer to join the
coach in Portchester (other than those people who have already been contacted
by the Parish Office) please telephone either Joan or Michele as soon
as possible on 01329 318869. It is important that we know who is joining
from which departure point, in order to ensure that no-one is left behind!
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.
Prisoners'
Week
9th - 15th November is Prisoner's Week when we are asked to pray for those
in prison and their families.
An interesting
Web Site
www.cathport.com
is a site, provided by "The Tablet", which gives a comprehensive
guide to Catholic resources on the Internet.
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.
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THE
UNION
Thought for the Week
An American author called Flannery O'Connor, wrote a story entitled
"Parker's Back" about a man called Parker and his wife, Sarah
Ruth, who lived in a run-down shack in the deep South. Sarah Ruth constantly
nagged her husband about his lack of religion and despised the tattoos
that decorated his body. One day, in an effort to improve his relationship
with his wife, Parker decided to have a large picture of Jesus tattooed
on his back. When he returned home and showed her the tattoo she screamed,
"Idolatry!", then picked up a blunt instrument and began
beating Parker savagely across the back.
Parker sat
there and let her beat him, until she nearly knocked him senseless and
large bruises formed on the face of the tattooed Christ. Then he staggered
up and headed for the door. Later, when Sarah Ruth glanced outside, her
eyes hardened even more. There was Parker leaning against a pecan tree,
crying like a baby. His tears were not from the savage beating; they were
from the fact that Parker now realised that there was nothing he could
do to please his self-righteous wife.
Few stories
better illustrate the two kinds of people that Jesus dealt with most often
in the Gospels: self-righteous people and sinners. Sarah Ruth portrays
the self-righteous person, and Parker portrays the sinful person. Sarah
Ruth not only rejects Parker's effort but uses it as an occasion to impress
upon him how religious she is and how irreligious he is. Today's Gospel
is a reminder, not only to priests, but to all of us who are striving
to become better Christians, not to do the same as Sarah Ruth, for "anyone
who exalts himself will be humbled, and anyone who humbles himself will
be exalted."
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
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Date for your Diary
Parish Christmas Dinner
Saturday 30th November 2002
St Jude's School Hall - 7.30pm
This
is a special parish occasion for everyone to gather and enjoy
an evening of festivity.
Tickets:
Adults £12.50 Concessions £9.00
Family £30.00
Tickets will be available after all weekend masses (2nd/3rd November
onwards) from the following people:
6.30pm
Saturday SH
Jon & Jasmine Ward
9.00am Sunday SH
Anna & Peter Chandler
11.00am Sunday SPH
Sue McMullan
5.30pm Sunday OLW
Olive Jerram
or
you may book your ticket by telephoning Pauline Jackson
on 01329 236275
All
proceeds to Naomi House, Winchester
the children's hospice
where care and support is given to children during their good days,
difficult days and last days.
Sponsors
for this event would be most appreciated either through:
* your company *
* family sponsorship *
* or individual donations *
donors
will be kept anonymous if requested
Please
contact Father Chris if you would like to sponsor or donate to this
parish event.
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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.
St Jude's
RC Primary School
Current newsletter here
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3rd
November 2002
31st Sunday of the Year
The
Year of St Matthew
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Bamenda
Sunday
Today 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.
Remembrance
Day
Next Sunday, 10th November, is Remembrance Sunday.
Blessing of the Graves - November 2002
During November, we are encouraged to remember and pray for the
dead, and to reflect on the beauty of the resurrection.
Prayers
will be said at both Fareham and Roman Grove Cemeteries at 3.00pm
on Sunday 10th November.
On
Sunday 17th November prayers will be said at Portchester Crematorium
at 3.00pm. On these occasions we will also bless graves and memorial
stones as requested.
|
 The
Sacrament of Reconciliation
How do we bring our hurts and failings to God? Do we still need this Sacrament?
How do we experience healing and reconciliation. A day on the Sacrament
of Inner Healing and Renewal of God's Love will be held on Saturday 23rd
November beginning with coffee at 10.00am and ending at 4.00pm, at The
English Martyrs, Tilehurst Road, Reading. Once again, you are asked to
bring a packed lunch but other refreshments will be provided. To book
a place, please contact The Secretary, Portsmouth Diocesan Offices, Park
Place Pastoral Centre, Wickham, by Friday 15th November. The telephone
number is 01329 835583.
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
"Of all the Sacraments, there is not one that can be compared
to the Holy Eucharist….a soul may receive its Creator, and as often
as it desires." (St John Vianney)
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.
Bethany
Group Mass
This takes place on Thursday 14th November at Sacred Heart Church, beginning
at 7.30pm.
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.
Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1379.38 Portchester £143.50
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
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