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 final Shoppers’ Service/Lent Lunch takes place this Wednesday at Portchester Methodist Church, Castle Street at 12 noon. Catholics will be organising the lunch and Fr. Chris will lead the Service. Proceeds will be 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 this weekend following the Saturday evening and Sunday Masses.

Praise in the Precinct
The Portchester Churches meet for Praise in the Precinct at Portchester on the third Saturday of every month from 10.30 to 11.30am. The next Service takes place on Saturday 19th April. All are welcome.

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 takes place today 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
During the First World War, there was no radar to guide artillery fire to its target, like the modern weapons that we see used today. Shells were simply lobbed over hills and trees, much as one heaves a rock at a target. Sometimes a soldier was sent up in a hot-air balloon to give directions to the gunners. He’d yell down to them, “A little to the left”, or “A little to the right.”. It must have been terribly frightening for the one in the balloon making himself a perfect target for enemy gunfire, and they normally didn’t last very long before they were killed. The courage that those soldiers had may be compared to that of Jesus when he made that journey into Jerusalem for His last Passover meal. He, too, was making Himself a perfect target for His enemies and knew that He was soon going to be arrested and killed.

However, Jesus wasn’t coming to bring war to the people of Jerusalem and drive the Romans out of Palestine and into the sea, as some thought, but He had come to bring peace. This was symbolised by His entering the city on a donkey, an animal of peace, as opposed to a horse, which was an animal of war ~ carrying soldiers into battle. Jesus hadn’t come to rally people behind Him for a violent battle against other people. He came in peace to do battle against poverty, hunger, hatred, oppression, racism, and all forms of injustice. He didn’t come to condemn people, but forgive them. He didn’t force people to follow Him, but invited them. He didn’t come to sit on a throne and be served by conquered peoples. He came to kneel on the floor and wash the feet of His subjects. This week, this Holy Week, we are invited to join Jesus on His journey, and celebrate His last meal on Thursday evening, recall His death on Friday afternoon and rejoice in His Resurrection on Saturday evening in the Easter Vigil at 8.30pm at St Philip Howard Church.

Denis Callanan RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Denis Callanan who died recently. Please also pray for Audrey, Howard, Gerry and Michael and their families. Denis’ funeral will take place on Tuesday 15th April at 11.00am at Our Lady of Walsingham Church, Portchester. Vigil Prayer for the dead will take place on Monday 14th April at 7.00pm, also at Our Lady of Walsingham Church.

Performing Arts Training in Fareham
Stagecoach Theatre Arts are opening a new centre in Fareham in May 2003. If you would like details please contact Stagecoach direct on 023 8046 5006.

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.

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

13th April 2003 Palm Sunday The Year of St Mark

Stations of the Cross for Children & Families
Stations of the Cross for children and families will be celebrated at 11.00am at St Philip Howard Church on Good Friday followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.

St Philip Howard Services
Please note that on Good Friday St Philip Howard Church will not be open until 2.00pm. On Holy Saturday St Philip Howard Church will not be open until 7.30pm for the Vigil Mass.

Walks of Witness – Good Friday
From Fareham Leisure Centre – 9.30am
From Portchester Precinct – 10.00am

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
"I adore Thee at every moment of my life, O Bread of Heaven, O Blessed Sacrament!...I give Thee, O sweetest Saviour, my soul forever". (Fr Frederick A Reuter, K.C.B.S.). If you are able to help with Adoration, please telephone Lily Peach on 077 678 98885. There will be a break for Adoration from this week and it will resume on Monday 28th April 2003.

Good News Travelling Library
The next visit of the Good News Van to Portchester takes place on Thursday 24th April. This travelling library has Christian books, cassettes, CD’s and videos for loan and greeting cards to buy and will be at 22 Castle Street, Portchester from 7.00 to 8.30pm. Refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

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.

St Edmund’s Catholic School, Arundel Street, Portsmouth
Teacher of Art and Design required for four weeks beginning 28th April – 19th May, Tuesdays only. There may be a possibility of additional work later in the year. If you can help with this short term cover please contact Mrs J. Jackson at St Edmund’s on 023 9289 2585.

Sponsor an Amazon Rainforest Trek
In September this year, Trudy Russell will spend ten days in the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador with the aim of raising £3000 for the National Deaf Children’s Association. Trudy will be speaking at all Masses on the weekend 26th/27th April about what she is doing and why and would appreciate help towards reaching her target.

New Readers and Eucharistic Ministers
Please ensure that you report to the respective co-ordinator at Masses when you are exercising your Ministry.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1633.78
Portchester - £165.01
Lent Appeal (to date) - £2049.96

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