Welcome
We welcome to our parish family Thomas Finn who will be baptised this weekend at the Sacred Heart Church. Please keep Thomas and his family in your prayers.

First Communion Masses
A reminder that the two First Holy Communion masses this year will be held at St Philip Howard Church at 11.30am on the 14th and 21st June. If you are still in possession of a red sash from a previous year, please return this now to the school or telephone Sheelagh Pickard on 01329 318442.

Church Notice Boards
A reminder that all notices for proposed display on church notice boards must go through the Parish Office first.

Fareham LIFE Group - AGM
The Annual General Meeting of Fareham LIFE group will take place on Thursday 12th June at the Avenue House Hotel from 7.30pm – 9.30pm. There will be a talk by the Education Officer for LIFE and light refreshments will be available.

Celebration of LIFE Rally – London
There is the possibility of a coach being organised to attend the Celebration of LIFE rally in London on Sunday 29th June. There will be Mass, a march and several speakers. For further information please contact Rebecca Goodlad on 02392 381802.

“Popetown”
“Popetown” is the proposed new satirical animated “comedy” series, which the BBC is planning to show later this year. According to current news accounts, its proposed depiction of the Pope and the Catholic faith in general is seriously disrespectful and unworthy of the network. Next weekend, 31st May/1st June, more information will be supplied at all masses on “Popetown” and the proposed public petition to the BBC.

Retreat Date - Douai Abbey
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 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

Praying with Francis
The Secular Franciscan Order has organised an afternoon of prayer, reading and meditation at the Sacred Heart Church Hall on Saturday 7th June at 2.30pm. This will be followed by tea and coffee. All welcome.

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 political dignitary from abroad attended the coronation of King Edward VII in 1901 and witnessed the historic moment when the crown had been placed on the king’s head. He had danced at the coronation ball and had mingled with royalty and chatted with celebrities. When he returned home someone asked him if there was one moment or event in his historic visit to England that stood out above all others. “Yes”, he said, “there was such a moment”. He went on to say that it took place one night when he was returning to his hotel suite. It was bitter cold outside, and as he passed an empty building he saw two street children huddled together in a doorway.

One of the children was a boy of about twelve; the other was a girl of about four, obviously his sister. The boy had taken off his coat and put it around his little sister’s shoulders. He also had taken off his woollen hat and wrapped it around her feet. The dignitary said that the picture of those two children, huddled together in the doorway, stood out above all the others. It completely eclipsed the ceremony of the coronation, the excitement of the ball, and his conversation with the celebrities. It was a picture, he said, that he would never forget as long as he would live. That story dramatises the kind of self-giving love that is described so beautifully in today’s Gospel reading, when Jesus says, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Eating in Church
It has been brought to my attention that once again there is a problem with people eating in church, and also general litter. Our church cleaners have recently had to dispose of items such as sweet wrappers, partly-eaten biscuits, used tissues and even nail clippings! This is clearly unacceptable, and I would ask you all to treat our churches with due reverence and respect. Please do not bring or consume food or drink on the premises.

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.

Parish Pastoral Council
The next meeting of our Parish Pastoral Council will take place on Wednesday 4th June at 7.30pm at Our Lady of Walsingham Church.

UCM Charities
Many thanks to all those who helped and supported the UCM Charities stall so generously last weekend. The total raised was £216.00.

Parish Barbecue
A parish barbecue will be held on Saturday 7th June in St Jude’s School field. Cooking starts at 5pm – barbecues provided - please bring your own food and cutlery. Music, children’s bar and licensed bar. Tickets (advance) 50p per person or £2 for family. Tickets (on night) 75p per person or £2.50 for family. All welcome, for more information please contact Graham Stanton on 01329 284057.

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 be on Sunday 8th June at 3.00pm in St Philip Howard Hall.

Green Group
The idea of this group is to look at the parish to see how environmentally friendly we are! If anyone would be interested in joining the group please email the Parish Office with your name, address, telephone number and email address. If you would like further information please contact John Vivian on 023 9242 2129.

Degree of Bachelor of Theology
St John’s Seminary at Wonersh offers the facility to study for a degree of Bachelor of Theology. This can be either on a full-time or part-time basis. Details for September 2003 entry may be obtained from Fr. John Sherrington, Director of Studies, St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, Guildford, Surrey GU5 0QX (email: studies.wonersh@dial.pipex.com or telephone 01483 892217)

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

25th May 2003 6th Sunday of Easter The Year of St Mark

The Ascension of the Lord
Ascension Day, which falls on Thursday 29th May, is a holy day of obligation. The Ascension celebrates the final act of Christ on earth as he returns to his Father to send the Spirit upon the world.
On Ascension Day, Masses will be said at the following times:

Wednesday 28 May
7.00pm St Philip Howard

Thursday 29 May
7.00am Sacred Heart
9.30am Sacred Heart
7.00pm Our Lady of Walsingham

Confirmation
All candidates for the Sacrament of Confirmation are reminded that their Day of Retreat is being held on Saturday 7th June from 10.30am – 4.00pm at Park Place Pastoral Centre, Winchester Rd, Wickham. On Thursday 12th June there will be an information and rehearsal evening for parents and candidates at 7.30pm at St Philip Howard Church.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“After Holy Communion, close your eyes and recollect yourself. Then usher Jesus into the heart of Mary; you are giving him to his Mother who will receive him with great love and give him the place of honour, adore him profoundly, show him perfect love, embrace him intimately in spirit and in truth, and perform many offices for him of which we, in our ignorance, would know nothing." (Excerpts from St. Louis de Montfort's "True Devotion to the Blessed Virgin at Holy Communion")

If you are able to help with Adoration please contact Lily Peach on 077 678 98885 (for Fareham), or Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864 or Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494 (for Portchester). There will be Benediction with Rosary and Holy Hour Prayers on Friday 13th June at 7.30pm at the Sacred Heart Church. Please note there will be no Adoration on Bank Holiday Monday 26th May.

First Friday Reflective Services Dates for your Diary 6th June 4th July Both at Our Lady of Walsingham Church at 7.30pm. These Services offer an opportunity for quiet reflection and prayer. All are welcome to this parish event.

Churches Together in Fareham & Portchester
Celebration for Pentecost
Sunday 8th June
The Celebration will take the form of a walk, a picnic and a Service of Evensong.

Walk - 3.15pm - from Holy Trinity Church
(the walk will encompass prominent places within Fareham such as the Magistrates Court, Civic Offices and the Leisure Centre)
Picnic - 5.15pm - in the grounds of Holy Trinity
Service of Evensong - 6.30pm - Holy Trinity.
All are very welcome to attend.

Diary Dates – Parents Pray for St. Anne’s
Please note the following dates:
Monday 2nd June and Monday 30th June
8.00pm at 78 St James Rd, Shirley
All are welcome to join us and pray for the well-being of the school and the community. Please telephone 023 8077 8378 for more details.

Reconciliation
Please note there will be no confessions heard at the Sacred Heart Church on Saturday 31st May 2003.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1382.54
Portchester - £203.96

Forthcoming Special Collections
1st June - World Communications
29th June - Peters Pence

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