St. Mary’s Lambs
The group for babies and toddlers, under 3’s meets at The New Room, St. Mary’s Church, Portchester Castle on Wednesdays at 10.30am. All welcome.

White Flower Appeal
The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC) will be holding its annual White Flower Appeal this weekend. In common with the Catholic Church SPUC defends and upholds the sanctity of human life from conception until natural death. SPUC is Britain’s leading pro-life campaigning and educational organization and is at the forefront of public campaigns to prevent legalized euthanasia and abortion-inducing morning-after pills in Britain and Northern Ireland. Please give generously to this very worthy cause.

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
In today’s feast of the Baptism of the Lord St Luke tells of Jesus being called forth by God the Father after His baptism while at prayer. Prayer, in Luke’s gospel is a significant theme. Jesus is seen to often call his disciples aside to rest and pray. Jesus too is seen much at prayer. It is in this attitude – prayer – that Luke tells us that God chooses to reveal His Son as His beloved, and the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus.

The place where God is met is in prayer. Prayer is a transforming event because it draws us into the love of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, that great Divine mystery of love. In our own baptism we were called into the life of the Church, a life through which we are called to be sons and daughters of Christ, sharing in His life with the Father. So, we too are loved by the Father and called to share in his favour: the gift of His Son.

St Luke, throughout his Gospel, calls us to participate fully in the life of Christ by following the example of Jesus, so that we may truly become members of His family sharing in the promise of salvation and everlasting life. Let us, therefore, seek through prayer to follow Christ wholeheartedly this year and so grow in love of God and neighbour.

Father Andrew Chandler

Dennis Gillen RIP
Mary and family would like to thank members of the Parish for all the prayers and support they have received following their recent loss. All is much appreciated.

The Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity
18th – 25th January
This year, the main Service for the week will be on Sunday 18th January at 6.30pm at Holy Trinity Church, Fareham. The Speaker will be Bishop Crispian and the theme for the week is “My Peace I Give to You.” Dancers (teenage only) are needed for this service. There will be a dance practice on Tuesday 13th January from 6.30pm - 8.00pm at Holy Trinity Church; please contact Richard Coghlan on 01329 282711 or 01329 283672 for more details.

During the weekdays do try to see when the church nearest to you is holding a Service and go along to another tradition. All our Churches will be celebrating the week and expecting (and hoping) to see some different faces.

On Sunday 25th January at 7.30pm there is a special youth service at the King’s Centre Community Church, Fareham where also everyone will be welcome.

On Sunday 1st February at 4.00pm Churches Together in Portchester. will be holding a Christian Unity Service at St Mary’s Church, Portchester Castle. The Preacher at this Service will be Father Chris. Once again, all are welcome.

Quiz Night
There will be a Quiz Night and American Supper at Our Lady of Walsingham Church, Portchester on Friday 30th January - time to be advised. Please telephone Tony Rose on 023 9261 3558 or Annette Woolley on 01329 310091 for further details.

Conservation at Portchester
Volunteers are needed to help clear chalk grassland at Portchester Common on Tuesday 13th January. Meet at 10.30am at the Skew Road entrance to the Common. Tel. 01329 824843 for details.

Cleaner Required
Cleaner required in north Fareham – three hours per week. Call 01329 310785 for details.

Lourdes Cake Stall
The Lourdes Cake Stall raised £141.00 for the Lourdes Fund. Thank you to everyone who generously donated cakes and for your continuous support.

Parish Ecology Group
As part of our environmental programme we have decided to encourage both the use and sale of Fair Trade goods in the Parish. We hope to do this in the New Year in conjunction with ‘The Well’ who will supply the goods. We urgently need volunteers from each Sunday Mass to take orders for the goods. If you can help, please contact John Vivian, Esme Percival or leave your name at the Parish Office.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

11th January 2004 Baptism of the Lord The Year of St Luke

Eucharistic Ministers
There will be a meeting for all Eucharistic Ministers on Friday 23rd January at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church Hall. This is an annual meeting which provides an opportunity for Eucharistic Ministers to pray together and discuss any questions or concerns that individuals may have about their work in this ministry. If you are a Eucharistic Minister, please do make a special effort to attend this important meeting.

Altar Servers
A meeting for Altar Servers will be held at the Sacred Heart Presbytery on Tuesday 13th January 2004 at 7.30pm. All Servers with one or more year’s experience should try to attend this meeting if possible. The meeting will be over by 9.00pm.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
If you are able to help with Adoration in Fareham please contact Lily Peach on 077 678 98885, or to help with Adoration at Portchester, please contact Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864 or Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494.

Due to so many Adorers suffering from the ‘flu virus, Adoration in Portchester will cease until further notice.

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 course will take place on Monday 12th and 19th January at the home of Ann and Kevin Tarling. If you wish to take part please contact Ann or Kevin on 01329 829549. Please arrange the date of the baptism with Father Chris.

Prayer Group
The Prayer Group resumes on Monday 12th January – please see the poster on the church notice board for further details.

Sponsored Skydive for Charity
John Paul Lyttle; in his second year of Seminary at Oscott, Birmingham, is planning to skydive strapped to an instructor. He is raising money for various charities. If you would like to sponsor John Paul please contact him at johnpaullyttle@hotmail.com or at Oscott College, Chester Road, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B73 5AA.

Thank you:
from St Christopher’s Hospital

“I am writing on behalf of the staff and patients at St. Christopher’s Hospital to thank you for your generosity in raising £2668.70 for the hospital. The money will be divided between the two Wards. Shannon Ward is considering purchasing new chairs and Briarwood electronic profiling beds. I can give you reassurance the money will be appropriately spent in the New Year. Once again, thank you all and we wish you a happy and peaceful New Year.

Jo Hutchings, Senior Nurse Co-ordinator”

from Oasis En-Gadi
"A brief note to say a massive thank you for the very generous gift that we received this morning. The money you have given will go straight towards the day to day running of the Oasis project with no UK admin. Costs being deducted.... If you would like to keep advised with what is happening at Oasis please go to the Web-site www.oasis.xtn.info. Very best wishes, Peter Jarvis"

The Christmas Tombola Stall
The Christmas Tombola Stall raised £174.30 for the Parish Advent Appeal in aid of the street children of Romania. Kind thanks and appreciation to those who donated chocolates and to everyone who supported the stall.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1441.50
Advent Appeal final figure for Romania - £2657.40
Christmas Offering - £3843.61

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