Christian Aid Week –
11th – 17th May 2003
Collectors are urgently needed to help distribute and collect envelopes for this charity. We have a large area of roads to cover, many of which are missed every year due to a lack of volunteers. If you can cover a street, or only 20 houses, please ring Alison Ivison on 01329 230049 (Fareham) or Joan Hamilton on 023 9238 5559 (Portchester).

Lenten Appeal
The Lenten Appeal this year is for children who are the victims of AIDS. 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 are organising the lunch on the 16th April. Fr. Chris will lead this Service. All proceeds from the lunches are shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid. All welcome.

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.

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.

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.

Choice Weekend – calling all young people!
Bishop John Hine has recently said that it is not easy today for young people to grow in a true understanding of what life is all about. Commercial and peer pressures are so powerful and so confusing – it is easy to drift with the tide. Over the years the Choice weekend (Choice is part of the Encounter Movement) has proved to be a powerful experience for young people, giving them a greater understanding of family, of love, and even of Church. The next Choice weekend will be held on the 16th–18th May in the beautiful setting of the Carmelite Priory in Boars Hill, overlooking Oxford. For an information leaflet please telephone Bill and Joy Reilly on 0118 981 3784.

Don Bosco Camps – Diocese of Portsmouth
These summer camps (for boys only) of Secondary School age (11-16yrs) were initially sponsored by the Salesian priests in the early 1970’s. They are now organised from within the Diocese but retain the patronage of the Saint of Young People (St. John Bosco). They are held at St. Cassian’s Centre, Kintbury (Newbury). Each day centres around the celebration of Mass, from which the boys are encouraged to live the Gospel whilst enjoying activities, sports, competitions, local trips and several surprises! The Leaders all began as 11-year old campers; some have now become teachers, youth workers, seminarians and priests, while others have settled into family life. The Youth camp for this year will run from Sunday 3rd August to Saturday 9th August – under canvas – cost £100. For further details contact Fr. Michael Peters on 023 8055 8497 or at St. Mary’s College, 106 Cobden Avenue, Southampton SO18 1FS.

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 13th April (Palm Sunday) at 3.00pm in St. Philip Howard Hall

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 few years ago a father wrote an article dealing with his son Mike who had been killed in the Falklands War. He received the news on a Friday evening. He had just returned from work and was standing over a messy workbench in his garage, trying to decide what job to tackle before supper. Suddenly he heard his name. He looked up and saw his wife and his parish priest standing at the doorway. His jaw dropped. “What’s wrong?”, he asked. “Mike’s been killed,” his wife said. Immediately the father lost all contact with reality around him. His mind flashed back across the years. First, he saw Mike as a six-year-old, kicking a football in the garden. Next, he saw Mike in his kit as Captain of his school’s football team. Finally, he saw Mike in his Royal Navy uniform. Mike was a son that would make any father truly proud. He said that the news of Mike’s death left him so shocked and so stunned that he was unable to speak to his wife or hold her in his arms. All he could think of was Mike, lying cold, lifeless and still.

Ellen (Lena) Hanks RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Ellen (Lena) Hanks who died recently. Please also pray for Ellen’s family and friends. Ellen’s funeral service took place on Tuesday 1st April at Portchester Crematorium.

Elena Waller RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Elena Waller who died recently. Please also pray for Elena’s family and friends. Her funeral Mass will take place on Tuesday 8th April at 9.30am at Sacred Heart Church.

United Service – Churches Together in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (CTHI)
There will be a chance to celebrate together across denominational boundaries on Sunday 1st June at 4pm at St. John’s Cathedral in Portsmouth. The Presider will be Bishop Crispian Hollis and the Preacher will be Rev. Tom Stuckey (Chair of the Southampton Methodist District). This is a unique occasion and every church needs to be represented. Rehearsal dates for the ecumenical massed choir are: Tuesday 20th May (7.30pm – 9.00pm) at St. Edward the Confessor RC Church, Chandlers Ford; Wednesday 21st May (7.30pm – 9.00pm) St John C of E Church, Newport. You do not need to be a member of a choir to attend either rehearsal.

Ecumenical Youth Pilgrimage to Taize, France
Saturday 19th July to Monday 28th July. For young adults aged 17-29. For further information contact Julie, Adviser for Youth, on 01329 835583.

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.

Parish Newsletter – “The Union”
The Easter Parish Newsletter will be printed on Thursday 17th April. Any items to be published in this issue should be sent to the Parish Office by 12noon on Tuesday 15th April.

Biblical Study Seminar
Fareham Community Church invites you to an in depth Biblical Study Seminar on “The Second Coming of Christ” on Friday 9th May (evening) and Saturday 10th May (daytime). The seminar will cover what the Bible has to say about The Return of Jesus, Millennium Views, the Final Judgement and Heaven and Hell, and the relevance these subjects have in our daily lives. This course is a Cornerstone Scholl of Ministry module and is priced at only £10. Please contact Fareham Community Church office on 01329 829121, email office@fareham-cc.org.uk to book, or to get further information. A brochure is available. You are advised to book early as places may be limited.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

6th April 2003 5th Sunday in Lent The Year of St Mark

Palm Sunday
The Palm Sunday procession on Sunday 13th April will start in the car park at the Sacred Heart Church. On re-entering the church, children go into the hall for Children’s Liturgy. Parents are responsible for seeing them into the hall.

The Easter Vigil
The Easter Vigil will take place at St. Philip Howard Church on Saturday 19thApril at 8.30pm. It is the highpoint of the Church’s year because it is the central proclamation and celebration of Jesus’ resurrection, with baptism at its heart. Please come along to support Lorraine Crusham and Alexi Donadoni who are to be baptised and Roy Crowl who will be received into the full communion of the Catholic Church. Part of the celebration of baptism is the renewal of our own baptismal commitment.

Party after the Easter Vigil Mass
Following the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday 19th April there will be a party to welcome Lorraine, Alexi and Roy to the Church. As usual, you are invited to donate items of food for a finger buffet at the party. In the entrance hall of each church is a list of food, please sign your name against the items you are able to donate. Please bring your donations on Saturday 19th April to the Sacred Heart Hall (10am-11am); St. Philip Howard Hall (2pm – 3pm) and Our Lady of Walsingham Church (10am – 11am).

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"When Our Lord was on earth, 'a secret power went out from Him, at His touch the sick recovered their health, the dead were restored to life.' Well, He is still living! Living in the tabernacle in His adorable Sacrament" (Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity). If you are able to help with Adoration, please telephone Lily Peach on 077 678 98885.

Eucharistic Ministers Roster
The new Rosters for Eucharistic Ministers at the Sacred Heart Church and St. Philip Howard Church are now available from the back of the church.

Teaching at Oaklands Catholic School - Updated Vacancies
The following posts are required for September 2003:- 2nd in Maths Department (main scale + 2 management points. There are also vacancies for teachers or newly qualified teachers of Maths and Music. For further information please contact Chris Whitfield, Headteacher or Martin Lewis, Deputy Head at the school on 023 9225 9214.

Urgent - Vacancies at “The Well”
“The Well” is still in need of more volunteer helpers – please contact June Haye on 318731. Copies of the April newsletter from “The Well” may be found at the back of the church.

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 - £1383.06
Portchester - £191.58
Clergy Assistance Fund - £282.42
Lent Appeal (to date) - £1556.17

Forthcoming Collections
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