Welcome
We welcome to our parish family Evan and Isla Crockford who were baptised on Wednesday 14th May at St Philip Howard Church. Please keep Evan and Isla and their families in your prayers.

Biddings Writers
There will be a meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 20th May at Sacred Heart Presbytery for all those who write the Biddings.

First Holy Communion
The 11.00am Mass at St Philip Howard Church, today, Sunday 18th May will be a First Holy Communion Celebration Mass.

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 Ecumenical Lent Lunches raised a total of £359.43 which will be shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid. Thanks to all who supported these lunches.

Have your say on Stubbington Village Bypass
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.

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

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.

Parish House Groups
A House Group meeting will take place on Wednesday 21st May (7.45pm for 8.00pm) at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. For more information please telephone 01329 847533

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
The lunar module Eagle, carrying astronauts Aldrin and Armstrong, landed on the moon on July 20 1969. While Armstrong prepared for his moon walk, literally, Aldrin unpacked bread and wine and put them on the abort guidance system computer. He later described what he did next: “I poured the wine into the chalice. In the one-sixth gravity of the moon the wine curled slowly and gracefully up the side of the cup. The very first liquid ever poured on the moon and the very first food eaten there were the communion elements.” Just before eating and drinking the elements, Aldrin read the same passage we hear in today’s Gospel according to John: “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Whoever remains in me, and I in him, will bear fruit in plenty; for cut off from me you can do nothing.” After eating the bread and drinking the wine, Aldrin said, “I sense strongly my unity with our church back home and the Church everywhere.”

That story not only gives special meaning to today’s Gospel, but also underscores the way we, the branches, remain united with Jesus, the vine. When we gather each Sunday to celebrate Mass together we remain united to Jesus by three ways in particular: by gathering in His name, by listening to His Word, and by sharing His Body and Blood. For, unlike the bread and wine that Aldrin consumed on the moon, even more miraculously, we can consume the Body and Blood of Christ here on earth. Concerning gathering in His name, Jesus said, “Where two or three gather in my name, I am there in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20). Concerning preaching His Word, Jesus said, “Whoever listens to you listens to me.” (Luke 10:16). Concerning eating and drinking His Body and Blood, Jesus said, “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I in him.” (John 6:56) These are three special ways by which we remain united to Jesus, the true vine and each other, the branches.

Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes
The annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place this year from 22nd – 29th August. If you are sick, disabled or housebound and would like to go on this pilgrimage, please speak to Pauline Jackson. Any young person who would like to assist the sick pilgrims during the pilgrimage please call Jane Cadogan 01329 235987.

Men Wanted Urgently
An elderly lonely gentleman would appreciate a visit for one hour’s chat per fortnight in Fareham Town. Phone Roger Chadwick 01489 584250 – Fareham Good Neighbours if you can help.

Women of Hope
A Ladies Evening is to take place at Fareham Community Church, West Street, Fareham on Monday 26th May 7.15pm for 7.30pm. The Speakers will be Roy and Jassica Castillo-Burley. Further details are on the notice board.

UCM Charities Stall
There will be stalls set up in aid of the UCM Charities after all masses on the weekend of 16th/17th May. Cakes, bric-a-brac, plants etc. Your generous support would be much appreciated.

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.

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
Current newsletter here

18th May 2003 5th Sunday of Easter The Year of St Mark

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 Tuesday 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.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“The change that takes place in this Sacrament is not like any natural change but is, rather, completely supernatural, effected by God's power alone. Therefore Ambrose says: 'It is clear that the Virgin gave birth to Christ beyond the order of nature. And that which we consecrate is the Body born from the Virgin'.” (St Thomas Aquinas)
If you are able to help with Adoration please telephone Lily Peach on 077 678 98885.

A Blessing
If, for whatever reason, you are unable to receive Communion at Mass, please feel free to come forward for a Blessing. Simply cross your arms across your chest and ask the priest for a Blessing at the time for receiving Holy Communion.

Plant Sale
Plants will be on sale in aid of CAFOD after the 11.00am Mass at St Philip Howard Church TODAY. If anyone wants to buy plants but will not be at that Mass there are plenty of tomato plants, annuals, perennials and shrubs available. Call Frankie Lane on 01329 310785 for more details.

Fareham Deanery Adult Formation (Growing In Faith Together – GIFT) Further 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

Portchester Free Church
Once again, Portchester Free Church will be holding a tent mission from Friday 27th June to Sunday 29th June. The event will consist of a traditional fete; youth night with Christian Sports personalities; seminar; Good News Gospel; big picnic and dance workshop and a concert. Please contact Steve Holmar-Stewart on 01329 239225 for further details.

Annual UCM Pilgrimage to Walsingham
The UCM annual pilgrimage to Walsingham will be on Tuesday 1st July. Departure time will be 4.00am! Cost - £30. For more details please contact Yvonne Byrne on 01329 311911.

Date for the Diary
Day for New Catholics – Saturday 12th July, 10.30am-3.00pm Cathedral Discovery Centre, Portsmouth. Bishop Crispian will lead this day of prayer and reflection for all new Catholics. The day will include a celebration of Mass and opportunities to share experiences with others. A buffet lunch will be provided.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1408.40
Portchester - £204.10
Clergy Training Fund - £552.82

Forthcoming Special Collections
1st June - World Communications

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