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.

Help Urgently Needed
Since the retirement of Dorothy Campkin, our cleaning team at the Sacred Heart has shrunk. Please could anyone spare one hour of their time, after Mass on Tuesday mornings, for some light cleaning and polishing. Please contact Carol on 01329 310879.

Plant Sale
Thanks to all who supported the plant sale at St Philip Howard Church. A total of £70.00 was raised for CAFOD.

RCIA
It is now over 30 years since the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was first published, and as a church, we are still uncovering the riches of this Rite and exploring its vision. All clergy and members of RCIA teams are invited to come together to reflect on their parish experience of RCIA and share ideas and challenges. Meetings are to take place on:
Wednesday 18th June – St Thomas More, Bournemouth
Monday 23rd June – Christ the King, Reading
Tuesday 24th June – St Peter’s, Winchester
Wednesday 2nd July – Cathedral Discovery Centre
All times from 7.30 to 9.00pm.

Oaklands Catholic School
There are vacancies for the following positions:
Temporary Part-time Teachers of History & Maths
Required September 2003 a part-time teacher of History to teach mainly in the lower school. This is a temporary appointment for two terms (approx 0.5) to cover maternity leave.
Required also for September 2003 a temporary part-time teacher of Maths (0.5) to teach up to GCSE level. This is a temporary part-time appointment for one year pending departmental re-organization.
Clerical Assistant
Required September 2003 a Clerical Assistant to work (term time only) in our busy school office to join an Admin Support Team of enthusiastic and dedicated colleagues. The successful candidate will have good interpersonal skills, enjoy working with children and their parents and possess a high level of keyboard skills.
For further details of these positions and an application form please write to the Headteacher, Mr. C. Whitfield, enclosing an A5 SAE at Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Stakes Hill Road, Waterlooville, Hants. PO7 7BW

“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.

Praying with Francis
The Secular Franciscan Order Service planned for Saturday 7th June has been cancelled.

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 hundred and twenty-five years ago, the building of the parish church of Fareham, dedicated to the Sacred Heart was completed in the autumn and solemnly opened on 4th September 1878 by Dr. James Danell, Bishop of Southwark. In the centenary year it was solemnly consecrated by the Right Reverend Anthony Emery, Bishop of Portsmouth on 4th September 1978. This church, founded by Fr. Thomas Foran and designed by John Crawley of Bloomsbury, marks the beginning of our parish of Fareham and Portchester. Therefore, as part of our 125th Anniversary celebrations, there are several events which will be taking place this year, to which all are invited. Please make a note of these dates in your diary and enjoy the celebrations.

There will be a celebratory Mass on the Feast of the Sacred Heart at the Sacred Heart Church on Friday 27th June at 7.30pm. Rev. Mgr. Canon Jeremy Garratt has been invited to come and concelebrate Mass and will be preaching that evening. There will be refreshments afterwards in the Sacred Heart Hall, kindly prepared and provided by the UCM.

An Open Air Mass combined with a Parish Open Day will take place on Saturday 5th July, at 12.00pm on the St. Jude’s school playing fields, followed by a picnic and various exhibits in St Philip Howard Church Hall, representing the different groups within the parish. First Holy Communion certificates and certificates for those recently Confirmed will be handed out on that day.

The major celebration of our parish Anniversary will take place on Friday 5th September at 7.30pm at St Philip Howard Church, where I will be officially inducted as Parish Priest of Fareham and Portchester by Rev. Mgr. Canon Jeremy Garratt. There will be refreshments in St. Jude’s school hall afterwards.

Finally to mark the end of our celebrations, a Parish Pilgrimage to London will take place on 4th October 2003. A coach will be leaving around 8.00am, Mass will take place at Westminster Cathedral at 10.30am, followed by a trip to Allen Hall and a tour of the seminary, then, after a packed lunch, it’s off to Tyburn for a tour of the convent and arriving back around 7.30pm.

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.

Mary's Lambs
Children (0 years and over) and their parents are invited to join Mary’s Lambs for songs with actions, stories, tea and biscuits on Wednesday mornings at 10.30am. The afternoon group, (3 years plus) follows Christian festivals and special days and takes place on Tuesdays from 1.30 to 2.30pm. Both groups are held at the New Room, St Mary’s Church, Portchester Castle.

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.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

1st June 2003 7th Sunday of Easter The Year of St Mark

Sacristans
There will be a meeting for our Sacristans on Saturday 7th June at 9.00am at the Presbytery.

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.

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 in Fareham please telephone Lily Peach on 077 678 98885.

If you are able to help with Adoration at Portchester, please contact Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864 or Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494.

There will be Benediction with Rosary and Holy Hour Prayers on Friday 13th June at 7.30pm at the Sacred Heart Church.

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.

House Group
There will be a House Group meeting at 101 The Avenue, Fareham on Wednesday 4th June, 7.45pm for 8.00pm. For more information ring 01329 847533.

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

Christian Aid
Thanks to all the collectors and counters at this year’s Christian Aid Appeal. £1197.88 was collected.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Fareham - £1340.50
Portchester - £139.70

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