"Dreams Come True" Charity
If you frequent The Well, for coffee etc, please support their charity appeal "Dreams Come True" which is a nationwide charity whose aim is to lift the spirits of seriously and terminally ill children by enabling them to fulfil their most treasured dreams, which can be as varied as a child's imagination. If you would like to know more about "Dreams Come True" please contact them at: York House, Knockhundred Row, Midhurst, West Sussex. GU29 9DQ - freephone 0800 0186013.

Healing Ministry Refresher Course
Gosport Parish is hoping to organise a refresher course for its Healing Team. This should take place on Thursday evenings beginning in early Spring. It will be led by Geoff and Gina Poulter, directors of the Catholic Bible School. They have had much experience in the healing ministry. Anyone in the Deanery who feels called to this ministry is very welcome to attend. Please give your name and contact number to Fr. David Adams or Doug Savage at Gosport Parish Office on 02392 580119.

Churches Together in Portchester
Last Sunday's ecumenical service at Portchester Methodist Church raised £87.22 which will be shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid. Thanks to all who supported this service.

Flags and Banners Workshop
Marie Bensley will present a one day workshop at Fareham Community Church on Flags and Banners in worship - Saturday 22nd February 10.00am to 4.00pm. Cost £8.00 adult: Child (10-16 yrs) £5.00.

First Holy Communion
Parents whose children are preparing for their first Holy Communion are reminded that there is a parents evening on Wednesday 12th February from 7.30pm - 9pm at St. Jude's School. The next meeting for children is on Saturday 8th February at St. Jude's School from 10.00 - 11.30am. The 11.00am Mass on Sunday 9th February at the St. Philip Howard Church will be a First Holy Communion Celebration Mass.

Confirmation
The first programme session for Confirmation Candidates will be held on Saturday 8th February from 10.15am - 12 noon at St. Jude's School. The second meeting will be on Saturday 15th February and this will be followed on Sunday 16th February by the Enrolment Mass at St. Philip Howard at 11.00am.

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 9th February at 3.00 p.m. in the St. Philip Howard Hall.

Christian Poetry - Douai Abbey
There will be a poetry workshop on Saturday 22nd February from 10.00am - 4.30pm at Douai Abbey. This day school will explore a variety of poems which express both Christian belief and questioning, from the mediaeval period to the present day. People from all denominations and faiths are welcome as well as those with no religious background at all - please contact the Programme Director on 0118 971 5333 for more details.

Healing Families - Douai Abbey
Often people need healing from ills or crises brought about through other members of their immediate families or the generations before, possibly unknowingly. There will be a workshop run by Nicholas Bainbridge OSB on Saturday 8th March from 10.00am - 5.00pm which will help participants identify these causes and allow God to heal them. Suggested fee for the waged is £10. For more details or to book a place please contact the Programme Director, Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berks RG7 5TQ or tel. - 0118 971 5333.

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
Today's feast of the Presentation of the Lord is a celebration of meeting which takes place on the fortieth day after the birth of Jesus. The High Priest of the new covenant enters the temple of sacrifice for the first time in the weak condition of a baby. His once and for all sacrifice will be more profiting than all the sacrifices ever offered in that holy place.

The meeting with Simeon is a moment of joy for the old man, who through much prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit in him is able to recognise Jesus as our Lord and Saviour. In a prophetic moment, Simeon is also able to recognise the shame and glory of Jesus' cross. The meeting of Anna with the child Jesus opens her heart to praise God and tell the Good News to everyone. For Jesus' mother, Mary, it is a meeting which reveals again her son's identity and mission along with her own sharing in His sufferings.

When we come together at Mass to celebrate this feast we, too, will be gathering to meet this same Jesus with candles in our hands and acclaim Him with Simeon as "the light to enlighten the pagans". Through our spirit of prayer and attentive listening we, too, will come to see and understand the plans that God has for us. With patience and perseverance we, too, will learn to accept the sorrows and joys of life. Together we, too, will be inspired to go forth to love and serve the Lord, preaching the message of Christ to all we meet.

Ian McCormack Dinner - Ferneham Hall
Ian McCormack is coming to Fareham to give a talk at a dinner evening on Thursday 20th February. The talk will recount his experience of being certified dead in hospital after being stung by the deadly Box Jellyfish, and then 'coming back to life', much to the surprise of the doctor attending him! Since this experience Ian has devoted his "new life" to sharing the good news of God's love. The evening will be a great occasion to invite non-church friends to and includes a 3 course meal. Tickets are just £10 a head and can be obtained through Fareham Community Church (01329 829121) or email: office@fareham-cc.org.uk.

Catholic Bible School Dates for your Diary:
Nutbourne House, Farm Lane, Nutbourne, W. Sussex - tel. 01243 371766.

Saturday 15th March 2003 - "Can what matters to me matter to those I love?" - Commencing at 10am and closing at 3.30pm.

"Open Door Retreat" - commencing 2nd May 2003 (9 weekly sessions) - a time to deepen your relationship with God.

A new Lenten Programme will also take place, reflecting on the Easter story through the eyes of some of the main characters who were there.
The Bible School also offers a wide range of Distance Learning programmes suitable for personal or small group study. Please telephone the school for further details.
www.catholic-bible-school.org

Date for your Diary
There will be a Barn Dance on Saturday 15th March at St. Jude's School. This will include a Chilli Supper. More information to follow.

Defibrillator Appeal
The Rotary Club of Fareham (supported by Fareham Borough Council) is holding an appeal to raise money to purchase a 'Heart Start Pack' used by Paramedics at a cost of £3,500. This is currently not available in Fareham Town Centre. If you would like to contribute to the appeal or find out more information please contact John Gauntlett on 01329 280683 or Tom Churchill on 01329 843346.

Catholic Singles
Single, separated, widowed or divorced? Catholic Singles helps practising Catholics meet other Catholics, supports Catholic Parishes and charities, provides a monthly bulletin called Catholic Networking and advertises social events free of charge. Only £10 annual membership plus an initial donation of £20, half of which is donated to your parish or a Catholic or pro-life charity of the member's choice. Free information, with no obligation, from Catholic Singles, PO Box 41, Altrincham, WA14 4FR, tel. 0161 941 3498, email: info@catholicsingles.org.uk

Can You help in the Church?
If you could spare a little time to help to clean one of our churches or in arranging the flower displays, please speak to Father Chris.

National Marriage Week 9th - 16th February
In order to take part in National Marriage Week, Father Charles Aylward has kindly agreed to celebrate Mass on Wednesday 12th February at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church. Everyone is most welcome to attend to celebrate this vocation.

Pilgrimage to Fatima 6th - 15th June 2003
A 10 day pilgrimage in the spirit of the Message of Fatima will take place from 6th - 15th June. There will be ample opportunity for personal prayer, including a priest-led retreat and daily participation in the official celebrations of this world-famous shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. The pilgrimage cost is £495 sharing a twin en-suite room (unfortunately no single rooms are available). The price includes return flights London-Lisbon-London (Heathrow), return coach travel, Lisbon-Fatima-Lisbon, full board accommodation, medical and travel insurance and the three-day retreat. For further information please send an SAE to Mr Trevor Downs, (A Day with Mary), 15 Carlton Crescent, North Cheam, Surrey SM3 9TS or fax 020 8641 6418.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

2nd February 2003 Presentation of the Lord The Year of St Mark

Lenten Groups
Jesus was in the wilderness and emerged to do his public ministry. Are we also in the wilderness, and are we prepared to become visible? This is the theme for discussion in this year's Lenten Groups. The groups are ecumenical, and provide an ideal way to meet informally in Christian homes. Please do come and join us to get to know Christians of other denominations and discover how much we have in common. You will be assured of healthy discussion without any pressure. Information leaflets (green) giving further details are available from the back of the Church. Forms need to be returned by 17th February.

Choir Members Workshop - Douai Abbey
Saturday 8th February 10.45am - 4.00pm. During this workshop we shall work at singing technique and look at some repertoire for Lent and Holy Week. See the notice board for further details.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"In your prayer during the day and in receiving the Blessed Sacrament, always use words of love and hope toward our Lord, such as: 'You are my Father, O Lord! You are the spouse of my soul, the King of my love and the well-beloved of my soul! O good Jesus, you are my dear Master, my aid, my refuge!' (St. Francis de Sales)". If you are able to help with Adoration, please telephone Lily Peach on 01329 825447 or 077 678 98885.

Parish Pastoral Council
The next meeting of our Parish Pastoral Council will be on Wednesday 5th February at Our Lady of Walsingham in Portchester.

Need help with Domestic Work?
Cleaning or ironing work undertaken in the Portchester area - 2 hours from 9.15am - 11.15am on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday. Please telephone 01329 236553 for more details.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1496.55
Portchester - £139.30
St Francis Leprosy Guild - £196.95
'Wells for India' - (Final Total) - £3375.13

Forthcoming Collections
16th February - Catholic Education Service
23rd February - Survive Miva (Missionary Vehicle Association)

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