Financial Report 2002
Copies of this Financial Report are available in the porch at each church. Please take a copy.

Women's World Day of Prayer - Portchester
This year's Service takes place on Friday 7th March at Portchester Methodist Church beginning at 2.15pm. The Service has been prepared by Christian Women of Lebanon and the Speaker will be Pam Davey. Those who have been asked to read etc. are asked to attend a rehearsal on Wednesday 26th February at 10.00am at Portchester Methodist Church.

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.

Prayer for St. Anne's School
An opportunity for all who pray for the school to join together every month. This month they are at 8a Grosvenor Road, Highfield, 8.00pm on 24th February. Telephone 8077 1937 for more details.

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.

Co-Workers of Mother Teresa - Missionary Sisters of Charity
The Co-workers would like to express their thanks for the generous donations of money, clothing and toiletries. Letters of appreciation have been received from representatives of the Society of St. Dismas for our ongoing support of their work with the homeless and needy. Letters are continually being received from the Missionary Sisters of Charity, who are so grateful for our contributions. They, in turn, are very generous with their prayers and blessings for the parish.

Praying with Francis
You are invited to come to Sacred Heart Hall on 1st March at 2.30pm to pray in the Franciscan tradition.

Battery Operated Bath Seat
The SVP has a battery operated bath seat which anyone is welcome to borrow if they can find it useful. Please contact Mary Cadogan on 01329 235987 if you are interested.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

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
A number of political and religious prisoners were released by the Romanian government in 1964. One was a priest called Fr. Richard Wurmbrand. He had spent fourteen years in prison; three of them in solitary confinement. In his book, In God's Underground, Fr. Richard describes his years in solitary. His cell was a basement room with no windows. A bare bulb illuminated it at all times. His bed was a rough straw mattress on top of three planks. There were no toilet facilities. He had to depend on the guards, who sometimes made him wait for hours, laughing at his physical discomfort. One night, Fr. Richard was startled by a faint tapping on the wall next to his bed. A new prisoner had arrived in the cell next door and was signalling him. Fr. Richard tapped back. This provoked a series of taps. After a while, Fr. Richard realised that his neighbour was trying to teach him a simple code: one tap is A, two taps is B, three taps is C and so on.

From this crude beginning, his neighbour, who was a radio operator, taught him the Morse Code. Fr. Richard told the radio operator that he himself was a priest and asked his neighbour if he were a Christian. There was a long silence. Finally, the neighbour tapped back, "I cannot say so." Every night the two men spoke through the wall, getting better acquainted. Finally, one night the neighbour tapped out "I should like to confess my sins." Fr. Richard was deeply moved by the request. The confession took a long time. It was interrupted by periods of silence and extended far into the night. When he had finished, Fr. Richard tapped back the words of absolution which concluded: "Your sins are forgiven." It was a dramatic moment for both men. Then the neighbour tapped back: "I am happier at this moment than I have ever been in my life." Today's Gospel invites us to experience the same happiness that the young paralytic also received when he heard those same words from Jesus: "Your sins are forgiven." We don't even have to learn the Morse Code or be lowered through the roof to hear them. Simply turn up for the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

Adult Formation This Week "Lent - Giving Up or Taking On?" Speaker - Fr. Chris Whelan Wednesday 26th February 7.30pm - St. Jude's School Hall (Tea/Coffee at 7.00pm)

A Message from Barbara McLachlan
"A Patchwork workshop day has been planned for Saturday 12th April in the St Philip Howard Hall. For further details please see the poster in the porch and add your name on the form to show interest in coming. I am not a teacher; I love my hobby and wish to introduce it to anyone who may be interested. Please return the response forms to the parish office by 4th April."

Pacem in Terris - John XXIII
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.

Pray for Peace On-line
From Sunday 23rd February to 3rd March thousands of people around the world will pray together at Sacred Space for Peace in the World at- www.sacredspace.ie (the Jesuit website.) Each day's prayer will be inspired by the words of John XXIII, first published in Pacem in Terris forty years ago this year. Prayer does make a difference! - Prayer of an 11 year old Indian boy:

"Lord, make this world last as long as possible."

This prayer will be echoed around cyberspace. Website organiser, Fr. Alan McGuckan, SJ, says: "Many thousands of people pray at Sacred Space each day and the feedback from all over the world says that they want to be part of a world-wide prayer for peace."

Catholic Newspapers
It is proposed to renew the sale of the three Catholic newspapers after Mass at weekends, starting on Easter Sunday (20th April) for a trial period of three months. If successful, it is hoped that this will become a permanent feature and in order to estimate how many should be ordered, we need to know how many parishioners would be willing to order a weekly copy of one or more of the papers mentioned. Please cut out the order form below and hand it in to Denis Hodgetts, (6.30pm Saturday); John Vivian (9.00am Sunday); Chris North (11.00am Sunday); Veronica Reeves (5.30pm Sunday)

The Papers are:-
The Universe - 90p:
The Catholic Times - 70p
The Catholic Herald - 80p

23rd February 2003 7th Sunday of the Year The Year of St Mark

Survive MIVA
A retiring collection will be taken at all Masses this weekend for Survive MIVA, a Catholic Association whose objective is to provide transport in the developing world for missionaries and others involved in pastoral, healthcare and educational projects and in the relief of poverty.

Calling all young parishioners!
The Sunday Night Youth Club is available to all young parishioners aged between 11 and 16 inclusive. The club is open in the St Philip Howard Hall every Sunday from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. There are lots of things to do in a very friendly atmosphere and if you join soon you will be in time for the subsidised trip to Thorpe Park!

Pancakes & Penance - Eggs & Easter
The Catholic Women's League are sponsoring this youth event in partnership with the Diocesan Advisor for Youth for 25 young people aged 8 - 12 years which will take place from Tuesday 25th February through to Wednesday 26th February at Park Place Pastoral Centre, Wickham. Please contact Julie Meads at Park Place if you are interested. Places are limited.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"At Lourdes, even Mary has stepped aside to make way for Christ. There is no place in the world where Christ in the Eucharist is more glorified. The procession of the Eucharist by candlelight is the high point of each day. Here the pilgrims are joined in faith, and all the countries of the world are united as the procession winds from the grotto to show that Jesus is the Gift of the Virgin Mary. Now she stands at the side of her Son so that He may console." (Rev. Mgr. John F. Davis). 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 - £1370.50
Portchester - £145.80
Catholic Education - £268.10

Forthcoming Collections
23rd February - Survive Miva (Missionary Vehicle Association)
2nd March - Catholic Children's Society

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