Christian Aid Week –
11th – 17th May 2003
This week is Christian Aid Week. Every year during Christian Aid Week over 300,000 volunteers across the UK and Ireland collect money to help the world’s poorest communities. But as well as filling the red envelope that comes through your door, there are plenty of other ways to get involved. For more information why not take a look at the website: www.christian-aid.org.uk

First Holy Communion
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.

Welcome
We welcome to our parish family Megan Bennett, Luke Arnold, James Whiting and Emily Boorman who will be baptised this weekend. Please keep Megan, Luke, James, Emily and their families in your prayers.

Donations
Good home needed for two solid wood wardrobes (170cmsH x 110cmW x 59cmD) plus 2 Top Boxes (60cmsH x 110cmsW x 57cmD). Please telephone 01329 239105 for further details.

Churches Together in Fareham
There will be a Churches Together Prayer Meeting on Wednesday 21st May at 7.30pm at Holy Trinity Church. All are very welcome to attend.

Churches Together in Portchester
The Portchester Churches meet for Praise in the Precinct at Portchester on the third Saturday of every month from 10.30am to 11.30am. The next Service takes place on Saturday 17th May. All are welcome.

Have your say on Stubbington Village Bypass
Christian Ecology Link Ramblers are walking on Tuesday 6th May – meeting at Collingwood at 10.00am to walk the area from Peel Common to Titchfield Road. Hampshire County Council and Fareham Borough Council are asking for views and comments on the proposed Stubbington by-pass. For further information and a questionnaire, please contact Tiago Oliveira on 01962 858600 or e-mail tiago.oliveiraatkinsglobal.com. All responses must be returned by 25th May.

Thank You – Easter Vigil
Roy Crowl writes: I would like to thank everyone who gave cards and gifts for my admittance to the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil. My deep appreciation for the most warm welcome. God bless you all.

Quiz Night – Our Lady of Walsingham
All members of our parish are invited to a Quiz Night and an American Supper at Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Saturday 31st May from 6pm – 9pm. You are invited to donate items of food for the supper. There is a list in Our Lady of Walsingham church where you can sign your name against the items you are able to contribute. Please bring your own wine. Tickets will be on sale after the 5.30pm Mass from this weekend onwards priced at £2 adults, 50p children and £1.50 for the retired or unwaged.

Scouts AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the 15th Fareham Scout Group will take place on Wednesday 14th May at the St Philip Howard Hall at 7.15pm. Tea and coffee will be provided. A representative from each family with a child in the uniformed groups is requested to attend.

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
Some time ago, I came across an article about a US navy helicopter pilot called Mike. One day he returned home and was having lunch with his mum and dad when the subject of Mike’s helicopter came up. “You know, Dad,” he said, “as complicated as that helicopter is, its whirling rotor is held in place by a single nut.” Then turning to his mother, he said, “and Mom, do you know what they call that nut?” His mother shrugged. She had no idea what they called the nut which holds the helicopter together. Mike smiled and said, “They call it the ‘Jesus nut’. Just as Jesus, by His death and resurrection, holds the human race together, that nut holds my helicopter together.”

The idea of Jesus as being the one who holds everything together is also the theme of today’s readings. The first reading describes Jesus as being like the cornerstone of a building. In ancient buildings a cornerstone was very important. It supported a building or archway and held it together and stopped it from collapsing. To remove a cornerstone from a building was to doom it to destruction. In a similar way, Jesus holds a Christian family together. Remove Jesus and it is doomed to destruction.

The Gospel reading repeats the same idea. It describes Jesus as being like the shepherd of a flock. A shepherd’s role is to hold the flock together and protect it from anything that may harm it. Again, that’s the same role that Jesus plays in a family. He holds it together and protects it from anything that would harm it. Today’s readings are an invitation for us to make sure that Jesus is given the most prominent position that He deserves in our homes, our families and in our lives, for He is the one who holds everything together. One way to help ensure this is to place His image on a picture or crucifix in a prominent place in the home and pray as a family regularly, perhaps at meal times.

Richard Thomas Gill RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Richard Gill who died recently. Please also pray for Richard’s family and friends and all who mourn his loss. Richard’s funeral will take place on Wednesday 14th May at 1.00pm at St Philip Howard Church. Vigil Prayer for the Dead will take place on Tuesday 13th May at the Sacred Heart Church at 7.00pm.

50+ Fareham Festival
A lively calendar of events of interest to Fareham people aged 50 and over is to take place between 10th and 18th May this year. Events take place throughout the Borough – Fareham, Portchester, Sarisbury Green and include computing for the more mature, activities at Fareham Leisure Centre, ghost walk, art, music, a trip for those with mobility difficulties, spiritual healing, bridge, a tour of Wickham Vineyard, rambling and nature conservation, butterfly scramble and much more. At Sacred Heart Hall, there is an opportunity to meet members of the Widows and Friends in Retirement Group. Full details are on the notice board. Programmes available at Tourist Information.

St. Edmund’s Catholic School
40th Anniversary Pupil and Teacher Reunion – 17th May from 6.00 – 9.00pm at the school – cost £5 in aid of the school building fund. Please bring any old photos or school memorabilia.

Teaching at Oaklands Catholic School
The following posts are required for September:
2nd in Maths Department – main scale + 2 management points. There are also vacancies for teachers or newly qualified teachers of Maths, History and Music. Also required is a part-time teacher of Music (1 day a week).
If you are interested in any of the above, please contact Chris Whitfield, Headteacher or Martin Lewis, Deputy Head on 023 9225 9214.

Retreat Dates - Douai Abbey
Retreat for the 3rd age – Monday 19th – Wednesday 21st May, led by Nicholas Broadbridge OSB. This retreat is designed for Senior Citizens, who upon retirement find they have more time available. We shall endeavour to discover how this time might be used for growth in the Lord and love of one another. Suggested donation £60.
Holy Spirit Retreat – Friday 6th – Sunday 8th June, led by Oliver Holt OSB. An opportunity to celebrate the feast of Pentecost with the monastic liturgy, and to look more closely at the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Suggested donation £85.
To book for either retreat please send a £30 deposit and a SAE to: Pastoral Programme Director, Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berks RG7 5TQ or for further information email pastoral@douaiabbey.org.uk

Wanted
A young expectant mother is in urgent need of donations of baby items such as a cot, sterilizer, new baby bottles, clothing etc. If you are able to help in any way please contact the Parish Office asap.

Vacancy – St. Jude’s School
Applications are invited for the post of Deputy Manager of ‘Kool Dudes’ after school and holiday club. Interested parties must hold the relevant qualification of MVQ3 in Childcare, or a commitment to train towards qualification. You must be able to support the manager to provide 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 2.45pm – 6.15pm. Holiday and school inset day hours are 7.45am – 6.15pm. For further details and/or an application form, please contact Morag Parkins on 01329 235131, or email kool-dudes@st-judes.org.uk

St Jude's RC Primary School
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