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).

First Holy Communion
Parents who have children preparing for their first Holy Communion are reminded that there is a parents meeting on Wednesday 30th April at St Jude’s School at 7.30pm. The next meeting for children preparing for their first Holy Communion will be on Saturday 17th May from 10.00am-11.30am at St. Jude’s School. The 11.00am Mass at St Philip Howard Church on Sunday 18th May will be a First Holy Communion Celebration Mass.

Confirmation
All those in our parish preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation are reminded that the next meeting will take place on Saturday 3rd May from 10.15 – 12noon at St. Jude’s School. If you haven’t already done so don’t forget to put the ‘Retreat Day’ in your diary for Saturday 7th June from 10.30am – 4.00pm at Park Place. Bishop Crispian will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on Friday 20th June at 7.00pm at St Philip Howard Church.

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.

Lenten Breakfast and Raffle
Thank you to everyone who supported the Lenten Breakfasts and to Father Richard and Father Chris for the celebration of Holy Mass at 7.00am every Thursday during Lent. A total of £275.00 was raised for the Parish Lenten Appeal to help the poor Children with AIDS in Africa.

“The Union” Parish Newsletter
Please note there will not be a newsletter published for the weekend of 26th/27th April. The next edition of “The Union” will be printed for the 3rd Sunday of Easter on 3rd/4th May.

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.

Wanted Urgently – Greenhouse space!
Is there anyone, preferably living in the north Fareham area, who would be willing to give up greenhouse space to house some plants until the time of the May Fayre? If you can help please contact Frankie Lane asap on 01329 310785.

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
One hot summer’s afternoon, a man drifting along in a canoe on a lake noticed some water beetles dancing about on the surface of the water. He watched as one of the beetles crawled up the side of the canoe and stopped about halfway up. He watched for a minute, then he turned to his book. A few hours later, he looked down at the beetle again and it was still in the same place. The beetle had died, its shell had dried up and its back was starting to crack open. As he watched, something began to emerge from the opening, first a moist head and then wings. It was a beautiful dragonfly. The man sat there in awe. The dragonfly began to move its wings. As it hovered over the water where the other beetles were still at play, the man wondered if they recognised that this was the same beetle they had been playing with earlier. The man nudged the dried out shell of the beetle, it was like an empty tomb.

There is an obvious parallel between that story of the water beetle’s transformation and the Easter story. For the body of Jesus that rose on Easter morning was totally different from the body of Jesus that was buried on Good Friday afternoon. It was not a resuscitated body, but a glorified body which had taken a leap forward into an infinitely higher life. By believing this, we too will one day be given glorified bodies when we die. However, we don’t have to wait until we get our glorified bodies before sharing in the risen life and power of Jesus. We can share in it right now. Each time we love again after our love is rejected, each time we trust again after our trust is betrayed and each time we try again after we fail, we share in the power of the resurrection. Jesus Christ has conquered all, even death itself, and we too can do the same if we put our faith in Him and His resurrection. Have a peaceful and joyful Easter.

John Osborn RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of John Osborn who died recently. Please also pray for John’s family and friends and all who mourn his loss. John’s funeral will take place on Tuesday 22nd April at 10.30am at the Sacred Heart Church. There will be no 9.30am Mass on that day at the Sacred Heart Church.

Easter Tombola
This Easter ‘chocolate’ stall was a great success and raised £185.00 for the Parish Lenten Appeal. Thank you so much to all who very kindly donated the prizes and to those who supported the stall.

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. Price £10. Please contact Fareham Community Church office on 01329 829121, email office@fareham-cc.org.uk to book

Hosts for Coeliacs
Gluten-free hosts which are suitable for coeliacs are available in the parish. If anyone requires these types of hosts please speak to Father Chris.

Lectio Divina Retreat
Experience a way of praying with Scripture, an ancient art, at one time practiced by all Christians. It is a slow contemplative prayer which enables one to listen to God’s word and to make a prayerful response. There will be time for sharing, silence, solitude and reflection. The Retreat will be held at Douai Abbey from Friday 2nd May – Monday 5th May and will be run by Gervase Holdaway OSB. Suggested donation £120 for waged, to book please contact the Programme Director, Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berks RG7 5TQ or Email: pastoral@douaiabbey.org.uk

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.

May Fayre - St Jude’s School
St. Jude’s May Fayre will be held on Saturday 10th May from 10.30am – 2.30pm at St Jude’s School. Free entry - all parishioners welcome. Side stalls, tombolas, arena events, tea tent, beer tent, BBQ, candyfloss etc. Raffle tickets to win a helicopter ride for 2 (plus lots of other prizes) will be available on the day. All proceeds will go towards the school. If anybody would like to help run a stall on the day or help set up please contact Ged Donnelly on g.donnelly1@ntlworld.com or tel. 01489 602323.

Vacancy – St Jude’s School
Applications are invited for the post of Deputy Manager of ‘Kool Dudes of St Jude’s’ After School and Holiday Club. NVQ3 in Childcare required or commitment to training towards qualification. You will assist the Manager in providing a safe, stimulating environment for the children with creative and appropriate play opportunities. Knowledge of computing and managing incoming finances would also be desirable. Term time hours are 2.45 – 6.15pm, Holiday hours are 7.45am – 6.15pm, School Inset Days are 7.45am – 6.15pm. The hourly rate of pay is £7.00. For further details and/or an application form, please contact Morag Perkins on 01329 235131.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

20th April 2003 Easter Sunday The Year of St Mark

Thank You
Thank you to the altar servers, choirs, musicians, flower arrangers, cleaners, sacristans, readers, administrative staff, eucharistic ministers, ushers, liturgists, RCIA catechists, and all who have worked so hard to prepare for and to make this Holy Week and Triduum special to our parish. A particular thank you must go to Betty Davison for painting the Paschal Candle, and also to the UCM for preparing the party after the Vigil Mass and to all who contributed food towards the celebration. We are very fortunate to have such talented, gifted and generous people in our community.

Easter Offering
The collection at the Easter celebrations is a personal gift to Father Chris. It is at Easter and Christmas when we can show him in a practical way how much we appreciate the help and guidance that he gives us, so please be generous.

Easter Reception into the Catholic Church
Following the Easter Vigil Mass this weekend let us ensure that we extend the hand of friendship to those who have been received into the Catholic Church this Easter. Please continue to keep Lorraine Crusham, Alexi Donadoni and Roy Crowl in your prayers as they join our community in a new life of faith.

The Sacrament of Baptism
Those who ask for the Sacrament of Baptism for their child are invited to take part in a short course of preparation. The next such course will be taking place on Tuesdays, 13th & 20th May at the home of Jayne and Philip O’Riordan. If you would like to take part please contact Jayne or Philip on 01329 515991. Godparents are also very welcome to attend. Please arrange the date of baptism of your child with Father Chris.

Welcome
Please pray for Abigail Rose Jefferies who will be baptised this weekend at the 11.00am Mass at St Philip Howard Church.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"The cross is the proof that He loved us and the Tabernacle is the proof that He loves us now with tender compassion". (Mother Teresa of Calcutta). If you are able to help with Adoration, please telephone Lily Peach on 077 678 98885. There is now a break in Adoration for the holiday period. Adoration will resume on Monday 28th April 2003.

Hospitals and the Data Protection Act
The Patients Charter requires Hospital authorities to care for the religious and spiritual needs of their patients, while the Data Protection Act forbids those authorities to pass sensitive personal data, like religious affiliation of patients, to chaplains unless the individual patient has expressly requested this. Therefore, when parishioners are admitted to hospital they should make sure that they tell the hospital staff taking their details that they are Catholics, and express their wish that this information be passed to the Roman Catholic Chaplain. Those responsible for children or for those who are unconscious when admitted should do likewise.

First Friday Reflective Service at Our Lady of Walsingham, 7.30pm 2nd May – ‘Rosary’ This is open to all members of the parish who would like to spend some quiet time in reflection on the Rosary

Fareham Deanery Adult Formation
The next speaker in the 2003 series of Adult Formation talks will be Bishop Crispian Hollis. He will be talking on the subject of ‘Ecumenism and the dialogue, in particular with the Church of England’ on Wednesday 7th May at St. Jude’s School Hall from 7.30pm. (Tea/Coffee at 7.00pm). All are very welcome to attend.

Additional dates for your diary
Wednesday 28th May
Pentecost and the Trinity
Speaker - Mgr. Canon Jeremy Garratt

Wednesday 25th June
St Peter and St Paul – Mission
Speaker – Father Mark Hogan

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1422.44
Portchester - £171.66
Lent Appeal (to date) - £2489.90

Forthcoming Special Collections
27th April – SVP Collection
11th May - Clergy Training Fund

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