The Scrutinies
Among those preparing to be received into the Church in this parish at Easter we have two people, Lorraine and Alexi, who are to be baptised and also Roy, who will be brought into full communion with the church. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults calls on us as a parish to follow “The Scrutinies”, and the Gospel of Matthew for the Third, Fourth and Fifth Sundays of Lent is an integral part of the celebration. Readers and others with responsibility for preparing the liturgy are asked to make particular note of this change.

Lenten Appeal
The Lenten Appeal this year is for children who are the victims of AIDS. You may be shocked to learn that around 660,000 of southern Africa’s children have been orphaned by AIDS, and this number looks set to increase to 2 million by 2015. CAFOD’s focus this Lent, like ours, is the HIV/AIDS crisis in Africa, especially its effect on children. PLEASE BE AS GENEROUS AS YOU CAN.

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 this week's lunch on 26th March and the lunch on the 16th April. Fr. Chris will lead the Services. All proceeds from the lunches are shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid. All welcome.

Lourdes Cake and Chocolate Stall
The next cake stall will take place on 12/13th April following the Saturday evening and Sunday Masses. Donations of cakes, jams, Easter Eggs and chocolates would be very much appreciated. Contributions can be left in the Sacred Heart Hall or Parish Office. All proceeds to the Lourdes Fund. Thank you.

Silent Vigil for Peace & Peace Rosary
A Silent Vigil for Peace will be held every Sunday at 12 noon (for one hour) in the Princess Diana Garden of Remembrance, Osborn Rd, Fareham. Also, a Peace Rosary will be said every evening (Mon-Fri) from 6pm-7pm during Adoration in the Sacred Heart Church. All are welcome.

Catholic Bible School, Nutbourne, W. Sussex – Saturday Series
5th April – St Benedict – Alive in 2003
3rd May – St Dominic – Alive in 2003
both from 10.00am to 3.30pm.
Telephone 01243 371766 to book a place.
www.catholic-bible-school.org

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 he 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 to the Resurrection – and Life in the Spirit. Cost: Residential £72.00, non residents £20.00. To make a booking please telephone 01329 833043.

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 a book called In the Belly of the Beast, written by Jack Abbott, he describes how from the age of twelve he has spent all but one year of his life in reform schools and prisons. About fifteen of these years were spent in solitary confinement. One of his worst solitary experiences was the so-called “blackout cell”, which Jack describes this way: “It was in total darkness. Not a crack of light entered the cell. The darkness was so absolute it was like being in ink. My eyes hungered for light, for colour, the way someone’s dry mouth may hunger for saliva. The only light I saw was when I closed my eyes. Then there was before me a vivid burst of brilliance, of colour, like fireworks. When I opened my eyes it would vanish.” Compare Jack’s experience of his loss of light to the experience of another man named Evans. After being blind for over fifty years he received his sight through an operation developed in China using DNA from rats. Describing how it felt to see for the first time, he said: “It’s the most amazing thing in the world. I can’t wait to get up each day to see what I can see. Everything is like a constant high.”

Urgent - Vacancies at 'The Well'
There is currently a vacancy for an Assistant Food and Beverage Manager at the Christian ecumenical outreach centre, 'The Well'. The post is a permanent, paid position, which will require approximately 16 hours per week. Please send a CV to Mrs June Haye, 7 Malvern Avenue, Fareham PO14 1QF. If you have any questions which you would like to discuss informally, please contact June on 01329 318731. “The Well” is also in dire need of more volunteers – if you can help, even if only for a couple of hours, please contact June Haye asap on the above number.

Need your car washed?
Parish Youth Club members will be washing cars in St Philip Howard car park on Saturday 5th April from 1.00pm to 3.00pm to raise money for club funds. No specific charge – just a small donation.

Calling all Young Parishioners!
The Parish Youth Club is open to all parishioners aged between 11 – 16yrs inclusive. We meet in the St. Philip Howard Hall between 7 – 9pm on Sunday evenings. There is a lot to do in a friendly atmosphere.

Widowed
Her family far away, she felt old, lonely and miserable here in Fareham. She needed a good neighbour. Men and women with an hour to spare every fortnight, please telephone Jean on 01329 236878 or Ruth on 01329 230791. Practising Christians are needed now to visit in Fareham Town only. Fareham Good Neighbours – thank you.

Recommended Books
Preparing to be Confirmed by Diana Klein.
This is a programme firmly based on scripture and on the RCIA process. It encourages catechists to use the lectionary in their catechesis and to make the link between faith and daily life. £9.95
To live is to change – a way of reading Vatican II by Christopher Jamison, Damian Lundy and Louisa Poole.
Forty years after Vatican II, how aware are we of its teachings? An informative and easy to read introduction to the Second Vatican Council and some of its documents. £10.95.
Both books are available through the Cathedral Discovery Centre (Tel: 02392 870348)

Catholic Newspapers
The newspaper you have ordered will be available in the church porch after Mass from Easter weekend onwards.

St. Jude’s P.F.A. 50/50
The results for the March draw are:
1. D. Swinburne
2. G. Gammon
3. I. Wilson

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

30th March 2003 4th Sunday in Lent The Year of St Mark

From Pope John-Paul’s Message for Lent
“Lent is a season of intense prayer, fasting and concern for those in need. It offers all Christians an opportunity to prepare for Easter by serious discernment about their lives, with particular attention to the word of God which enlightens the daily journey of all who believe. This year, as a guide for our Lenten Meditation, I would offer a phrase taken from the Acts of the Apostles ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.” What we have here is not simply a moral exhortation, or a command which comes to us from without. The inclination to give is rooted in the depths of the human heart: every person is conscious of a desire to interact with others and everyone finds fulfilment in a free gift of self to others……When believers respond to the inner impulse to give themselves to others without expecting anything in return, they experience a profound interior satisfaction.”

First Holy Communion
Children preparing for their First Holy Communion are reminded that their next meeting will take place from 10.00am – 11.30am at St Jude’s School on Saturday 5th April. The 11.00am Mass on Sunday 6th April at St Philip Howard Church will be a First Holy Communion Celebration Mass.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"Set the Eucharist at the centre of your personal life and community life: love the Eucharist, adore the Eucharist and celebrate it. Live the Eucharist by testifying to God's love for every person" (Pope John Paul II, World Youth Day Rome 2000). If you are able to help with Adoration, please telephone Lily Peach on 077 678 98885.

Service of Healing of Memories
There will be a Service of Healing (inner healing), on Saturday 5th April at 2.00pm in the Sacred Heart Church. Anointing with the Oil of Gladness and renewal of baptismal promises will be followed by a Mass of Thanksgiving. The celebrant will be Fr. Simon Simmonds, OFM, National Spiritual Assistant to the Secular Franciscan Order. All are very welcome to attend.

Teaching at Oaklands Catholic School
The following posts are required for September 2003:- Assistant Head Teacher (L.11-L.15); 2nd in Maths Department (main scale + 2 management points. There are also vacancies for teachers or newly qualified teachers of Maths, English, Geography and History. If you are interested in any of the above please contact Chris Whitfield, Headteacher or Martin Lewis, Deputy Head at the school on 023 9225 9214.

For Sale
12-seater Ford minibus. Price £600, to include 13 months MOT. For more details please contact Graham Stanton on 01329 284057.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1475.66
Portchester - £159.38
Family Fast Day (to date) - £967.80
Lent Appeal (to date) - £1454.07

Forthcoming Collections
30th March - Clergy Assistance Fund
18th April - Holy Places

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