Lourdes Fund Cake Stall
Thank you to those who kindly made cakes for the stall, to everyone who supported it and to all who kindly gave donations. A special thank you to Brian Wright for donating the proceeds of his poetry booklet to the fund. A total of £240.00 was raised and will go towards the Lourdes Fund. Thank you for your continuing support.

The Role of the Church in Society
There will be a lecture given by Rev. Steve Chalke (Director of Oasis Trust, Author, TV Presenter) on 'The Role of the Church in Society' at University College, Chichester on Tuesday 25th February from 7.30pm - 9.30pm. This event will be an introduction to a course in 'The Theology and Practice of Youth and Children's Work starting at University College, Chichester in March 2003. For further details please contact 'The Academy', PO Box 58, Chichester, West Sussex PO19 8UD, telephone 01243 531898 ext. 323 or email: info@theacademyuk.com. Details are also on the website: www.theacademyuk.com.

Christian Unity Week 18th - 25th January
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is a week where Christians of all denominations join together in prayer and praise, giving thanks to God for all the blessings that He has bestowed on us and praying for all church denominations within these islands. Churches Together in Fareham have organised the following ecumenical services during that week.

Sunday 19th January - United Service 6.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, West Street. The Mayor of Fareham will be joining in the Service, which will be led by the Rev. Frank Wright.

Thursday 23rd January - Mid-Week Service 12.00pm at the United Reformed Church, Osborn Rd. There will be an initial gathering at the Well at 11.00am followed by the Service at 12.00pm and then a snack lunch at 12.45pm.

The Churches Together in Portchester Service takes place on Sunday 26th January at Portchester Methodist Church, beginning at 7.00pm. The preacher will be the Reverend Michael Cooper.

Please come and join in prayer and praise with our other brothers and sisters in Christ in any of these services.

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 13th and 20th January 2003 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 Father Chris.

Faith and Light
Faith and Light is a Christian organisation for people with learning difficulties and for their families and friends. The next meeting of our Parish Faith and Light Group will take place on Sunday 12th January at 3.00 p.m. in the St. Philip Howard Hall.

Parish Pastoral Council
The next meeting of our Parish Pastoral Council will be held on Wednesday 8th January in St. Jude's School.

Parish Handbook
The new Parish Handbook is now available - copies will be in all churches this weekend. Please do take a copy home with you as it contains much essential contact information for key areas of parish life. Our thanks go to the Parish Communications Team for all their efforts and hard work in the production of this new updated edition for 2003.

Used Christmas Cards
Please place any used Christmas cards in the box at the back of the church for Sr. Judith at Park Place.

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
William Sydney Porter, an American short-story writer who lived at the turn of the last century, once wrote a story which took its name from today's feast. It is called "The Gift of the Magi". The story concerns a young married couple named Jim and Dela. They were poor but much in love with each other. As Christmas approached, Dela wondered what to get Jim for a gift. She wanted to give him a watch chain for his gold watch, but she didn't have enough money. She then got the idea to cut off her beautiful long hair and sell it to buy the chain for Jim's watch. On Christmas Eve she returned home with a beautiful box containing the gold chain. However, she began to worry if Jim would be disappointed that she had had her hair cut off. Dela climbed the final flight of stairs to their tiny flat and opened the door to find Jim waiting with a neatly wrapped box in his hand. It was his present for her. When Jim saw Dela's short hair, tears began to form in his eyes but he choked back the tears to give her the gift. When Dela opened it, she couldn't believe her eyes for, there in the box, was a set of beautiful combs for her long hair. Then Jim couldn't believe his eyes when he opened his gift and found a beautiful chain for his watch. Jim had sold his gold watch to buy the combs for her hair. Dela had sold her hair for his watch chain.

Although some people think the surprise ending of that story is tragic, I think it is a lovely story, for it demonstrates that it is not the gift that matters but the love which it symbolises that is important. Similarly, with the Feast of the Epiphany, it is not the expense of the gifts which is most important but what they symbolise: Gold symbolises Jesus' Kingship; Frankincense symbolises his divinity; and Myrrh symbolises his humanity and his death. In the same way, it is not just the beautiful cards and generous gifts which I received from you this Christmas that I'd like to thank you for, but the love which they symbolise. I thank you not only for the love that you have shown me this Christmas but the love you have shown me since I've been in this parish. Similarly, it is not just the work which so many of you have been involved in over the past few years which I'd like to thank all of you for, but the love for our parish and our community which it symbolises. Thank you to everyone who has had any involvement within the parish, whether it be administrative, liturgical, catechetical, ministerial or functional, your work and what it symbolises is the best gift of all that you have given not only to me, but to this parish and to God Himself. May it continue. If, however, you have not been involved in any of these rewarding duties within the parish, then I'm sure 2003 will give you the opportunity. Have a very happy and peaceful New Year. God Bless,

Jenny Hedditch RIP
Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Jenny Hedditch who died recently. Please also remember Jenny's family and friends in your prayers.

Fareham Deanery Adult Formation
Nicky Stevens, Head of Department for Evangelisation & Catechesis, will speak on "Ordinary Time in the Year of Mark" on Wednesday 22nd January at St. Jude's School Hall from 7.30pm (Coffee/Tea at 7.00pm).

Church Parade
Please note that the 11.00am Mass in the St. Philip Howard Church on Sunday 19th January will be a Church Parade.

White Flower Appeal
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be making their annual White Flower Appeal after all Masses on the weekend of 18th/19th January. This will be in support of their vital work to gain legal protection for defenceless unborn children and in their fight against the legalisation of euthanasia. The threat to the sanctity of human life is growing ever greater, so please do give generously to this appeal.

Spirituality in the Workplace
What do we mean by trust and respect in the workplace? How can we recognise and work more effectively with the different gifts and talents others have? Is St. Benedict's teaching on hospitality, compassion relevant in our work lives? Learn how to cope with anger and forgiveness and balance the demands of work with our commitments to spouse, partner, family or friends. A retreat workshop entitled 'Relationships in the Workplace' will take place at Douai Abbey from 17th - 19th January 2003 looking at all these points and more. For further details please contact the Programme Director on 0118 971 5333.

Hospitals and the Data Protection Act
The Patients Charter requires Hospital authorities to care for the religious and spiritual needs of their patients, while the Data Protection Act forbids those authorities to pass sensitive personal data, like religious affiliation of patients, to chaplains unless the individual patient has expressly requested this. Therefore, when parishioners are admitted to hospital they should make sure that they tell the hospital staff taking their details that they are Catholics, and express their wish that this information be passed to the Roman Catholic Chaplain. Those responsible for children or for those who are unconscious when admitted should do likewise.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

5th January 2003 The Epiphany The Year of St Mark

Thank You
Michele and Joan would like to thank everyone who brought gifts and cards into the Parish Office during the festive season. Your kindness and good wishes are very much appreciated. At this time we would also like to thank all the volunteers who help us with various tasks in the office throughout the year.

Advent Breakfast
The total amount raised from breakfast served in the Sacred Heart Hall following the 7.00am Mass each Thursday during Advent was £148.00. Thank you to Father Richard and to those parishioners who supported the services. The proceeds will go to the Parish Advent Appeal.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
The Sacrament of the Eucharist is far more powerful for the sanctification of souls than all other spiritual means of grace." (St. Denis)
If you are able to help with Adoration, please telephone Lily Peach on 01329 825447 or 077 678 98885.

Adoration will resume this week on 6th January.

New Course in Youth and Children's Work
You are warmly invited to an informal presentation and open evening for the new course in 'The Theology and practice of Youth and Children's work' at University College, Chichester on Thursday 6th February from 7.30pm - 9.00pm. There will be an opportunity to hear a brief presentation about the new course starting in March and a chance to meet and chat with staff and course lecturers. A light buffet and drinks will be served before the presentation commences at 7.45pm. Please tel. 01243 816448 for more details.

First Holy Communion Programme
The next meeting for children preparing for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion will take place on Saturday 11th January at 10.00am at St. Jude's School.

Dealing with Life's Pressures
There is to be a seminar entitled 'Dealing with Life's Pressures' on Saturday 18th January 2003 at Fareham Baptist Church, Gosport Rd, Fareham from 10.00am - 4.00pm (Registration at 9.30am). The seminar with be led by Di Bower (trained counsellor) and Sandy Bower (trained in stress management) and will cost just £5 per person. Please bring along a notebook, pillow or cushion and a packed lunch. For more information contact the Community Church office on 01329 829121 or Fareham Baptist Church Office on 01329 230659.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1358.60
Portchester - not available
Christmas Offering - £3448.00

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