Br. Paolo of Taize
Come and meet Br Paolo of Taize on Sunday 23rd February 2003 from 3.30pm to 7.00pm at Holy Cross Church, Eastleigh, Hampshire. Find out more about the ecumenical community of Taize and join in a Taize prayer. See the poster on the notice board for more details or contact Kathryn Turner on 023 8032 37314 www.catholics-in-eastleigh.org.uk.

Education Sunday 2003
This Sunday is Education Sunday and collections will be taken after all masses this weekend for the Catholic Education Service. "In our schools, we work in the spirit of the mission of Jesus who came…that we might have life and have it more abundantly. Spiritual growth is fostered and nurtured alongside the full curriculum for the fullest development of the whole person. Our aim is to teach children to fulfil themselves, becoming valuable members of the community with a deep, personal understanding of Jesus in their lives." (Springhill Catholic Primary School, Southampton). Let us pray for the pupils, teachers, governors and all who contribute towards the life of our schools in our local community and beyond.

Lent 2003 - Churches Together in Fareham
Once again, Churches Together in Fareham are organising a series of five discussion groups during Lent. It is hoped that each group of about eight people meeting in someone's home will contain members of our different churches in Fareham. In the past some groups have not had a Catholic and this has been missed by the others, so please think about giving it a try this year. The course is called "In the Wilderness". Each week we listen to an audio tape and then discuss what has been said. One of the weeks the contribution on the tape is by our own Cardinal Cormac. The day and the time when you would prefer to come are up to you, see the leaflet at the back of the church for options. If you have "baby-sitting" problems, why not offer to host a group in your own home? Someone else will lead the group. So - pick up a leaflet and return it as soon as you can, to the people named on it, or to the parish office.

Lent 2003 - Churches Together in Portchester
The Portchester churches are holding Shoppers' Services and Lent Lunches every Wednesday in Lent at Portchester Methodist Church, beginning at 12 noon. Catholics will be organising the lunches on 26th March and 16th April and Fr. Chris will lead the Services. All proceeds from the lunches are shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid. All welcome.

St. Patrick's Day Barn Dance
Barn Dance - Saturday 15th March at St. Jude's School, admission by ticket only, £5.00 per head. Chilli and baked potato supper - licensed bar - raffle. Dancing to live band "Turk Town Troopers" with Caller, David Slater. Book your tickets now - call Graham Stanton on 01329 284057.

UCM Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the UCM will take place on Monday 17th February at 8.00pm in the Sacred Heart Hall. This will follow Mass which will take place at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church.

Lunch Club
There are a few vacancies for both ladies and gentlemen at the Lunch Club, which is held every Thursday in the Sacred Heart Church Hall at 12.00pm. If you would like to come along, please ring Mary Downing on 01329 234004 or Theresa Hughes on 01329 317162.

Saturday Night Special for Youth Clubs
The next Saturday night special will be held at Fareham Leisure Centre on Saturday 22nd February from 7.30pm - 10.15pm. Cost is £2.50. This is a fun night for all the Youth Clubs in Fareham. Please call 01329 230674 for further details or just turn up on the night - 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 1981 Peter Cropper, the British violinist, was invited to Finland to play a special concert. As a personal favour to Peter, the Royal Academy of Music lent him their priceless 285-year-old Stradivarius for use in the concert. This rare instrument takes its name from the Italian violin maker, Antonio Stradivari. It is made of eighty pieces of special wood and covered with thirty coats of special varnish. Its beautiful sound has never been duplicated. When Peter got to Finland, an incredible nightmare took place. Going on stage, he tripped and fell, and the violin broke into several pieces. Peter flew back to Gatwick in a state of shock.

A master craftsman named Charles Beare agreed to try and repair the violin. He worked endless hours on it and finally he got it back together again. Then came the dreaded moment of truth. What would the violin sound like? Charles handed the violin to Peter. Peter's heart was pounding as he picked up the bow and started to play. Those present could hardly believe their ears for, not only was the violin's sound excellent, but it actually seemed better than before. In the years ahead Peter took the violin on a world-wide tour. Night after night, the violin that experts thought was ruined forever drew standing ovations from concert audiences around the world.

That violin story is a good illustration of what happens to the leper in today's Gospel. In ancient society no figure was thought more pathetic than a leper. People were so afraid of catching the disease that they made the leper's life a living hell. To such a tragic leper Jesus reached out His hand lovingly, touched the man and healed him. The story of the leper and the story of the violin contain an important message for all of us. Whenever we think our lives ruined forever, we need only turn to Jesus. Like the master craftsman who fixed the violin, Jesus can repair our broken lives. And, like the master craftsman, Jesus can make from our broken lives something even better and more beautiful than before.

Fr. Michael Peters writes:
Fr. Michael Peters expresses his sincere gratitude for your prayers and support. His sister, Melinda, is now at peace after years of suffering. Mass has been offered for your intentions. Every Blessing.

Weekend Lenten Retreat - Park Place
Fr. Stephen Weaver will lead a weekend retreat entitled 'Letting Go, and Letting God - following the disciples in the Dark Night' on April 5th - 6th at Park Place Pastoral Centre. Fr. Stephen is a priest, psycho-therapist and Spiritual Director. During the weekend Fr. Stephen will help us reflect on how we fear change in our lives. In personal relationships, our relationship with the Church or with life itself, we face the pain, letting go of a lesser love and life in order to accept a deeper love and life. The disciples' relationship with Jesus is a model for Christian faith entering the dark night of surrender and loss leading on to the Resurrection-and Life in the Spirit. "Hope tramples desolation; joy overcomes despair and peace ends violence", the implications of living in the Easter Christ. Cost: Residential £72, Non Residents - £20. To book - Tel. 01329 833043.

Peacemaking Resources
1. - Pacem in Terris - John XX111
This Encyclical Letter, originally issued in 1963, speaks of the right and responsibilities of the individual, the dignity of each human person, the duties of governments and relationships between states, highlighting the need for disarmament and the common good. At its heart it contains a stark rejection of warfare as a way of solving disputes, as unworthy of human beings. This Encyclical has recently been re-issued by CTS and is available priced at £2.50 plus postage. Orders may be placed through the Cathedral Discovery Centre (Tel: 02392 870348) quoting CTS Ref. no. S264, or by contacting CTS direct on 0207 6400042.

2. - Iraq-related website
For updated information and documentation on Iraq, there is a comprehensive Iraq-related website to be found at www.casi.org.uk. This comes recommended by 'Pax Christi' the International Catholic Movement for Peace. The site is maintained by Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq (CASI), which aims to raise awareness of the effects of sanctions, and campaigns on humanitarian grounds for the lifting on non-military sanctions. It is a portal to other sources of information listed by sources and themes, with further links to Campaign Groups and Charities also provided.

Teaching at Oaklands Catholic School
The following posts are required for September 2003:
Head of History - main scale + 3 management points
2nd in Maths Department - main scale + 2 management points.
Teacher of Maths and Teacher of English (main scale) to teach up to GCSE and 'A' level.
Are you interested in changing schools and coming to Oaklands to teach? Vacancies arise across the curriculum every year and therefore we would like to meet you. Alternatively, are you a graduate? Are you over 24? Are you interested in training to teach in a highly successful Catholic Secondary School? Would you like to be considered for paid 'on the job training' through the Graduate Teacher Programme instead of going back to college to do a PGCE course? If you are interested in any of the above please contact Chris Whitfield, Headteacher or Martin Lewis, Deputy Head, on 023 9225 9214 as soon as possible.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

16th February 2003 6th Sunday of the Year The Year of St Mark

Sacrament of Confirmation
The 11.00am Mass at St. Philip Howard today will be the Enrolment Mass for Confirmation Candidates. As they begin their journey, let us remember the candidates in our prayers, - Laura Andrews, Jacob Annison, Sarah Burrard-Lucas, Sarah Cook, Claire Duncan, Niall Farrell, Ben Gainey, Alexandra Gallagher, Daniel Giles, Jack Groves, Stephanie Harrison, Bethany Kempster, Zoe Lawrence, Abbi Line, Patrick Maber, Calum Murdoch, Sarah Murphy, Lisa Pyrzewski, Tracey Russell, Cecilia Ryan, Melanie White - and all who will be confirmed on Friday 20th June 2003 at St. Philip Howard Church.

Medjugorje Pilgrimage
There are a few places available on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje from 11th - 18th September. For more details please contact John Pollard, 7 Asquith Close, Christchurch, Dorset BH23 3DX, Tel: 01202 487859 or email: John@shawpollard.fsnet.co.uk . A small number of booking forms are available from the Parish Office if required.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"Our Lord knew well that we were too weak to walk courageously along the road of life that is often very difficult. So His prophet who saw from afar all the treasures hidden in the Church of Jesus Christ said, 'Thou has prepared a table before me, against them that afflicts me'(Psalm 23:5) The food of this table is Jesus Christ Himself; His Divine Flesh, His Precious Blood. It is He who prepares the feast and invites us to it" (St Madeline Sophie Barat). If you are able to help with Adoration, please telephone Lily Peach on 01329 825447 or 077 678 98885.

A Word of Thanks from SPUC
A letter of thanks has been received from SPUC, who recently held a White Flower Appeal in the parish. The amount collected was £285.60. Thanks to all those who gave generously.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1408.58
Portchester - £177.73

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