 Chinese
New Year
We wish our local Chinese Community a very happy new year!
Thanks from Portchester Stroke Club
“On behalf of all the members of Portchester Stroke Club, I am writing
to acknowledge the most generous donation of £121.20 made to our
funds by Churches Together in Portchester. Will you please convey our
very grateful thanks to all concerned with raising the money and for supporting
our Club.”
Parish
Day – 27th March 2004
9.45am – 4.00pm
Venue -
St Jude’s School and
St Philip Howard Church
Theme –
Our Parish – 20/20 Vision
Join us to discuss the future of the Parish
In the light of the expected reduction in the number of priests
nationally by 2020
Bring a packed lunch – drinks provided
– crèche
|
Marriage,
Life and Love
The Dept. of Evangelisation and Catechesis has arranged two courses on
the subject of marriage and sexuality at Park Place Pastoral Centre, Wickham.
‘Preparation
for Marriage’-Wednesday 18th February from 7.45pm – 9.30pm,
cost £5.
‘A
Communion of life and love: an exploration of marriage and sexuality’-Thursday
19th February from 10.30am – 4.00pm. Cost £10 (bring packed
lunch) or £32 (including lunch). Both courses will be led by Dr
Jack Dominian. To book, tel. 01329 835583.
|
Confirmation
Bishop Crispian will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation in our
parish on
Friday 4th June 2004
at 7.00pm in St Philip Howard Church.
The
first programme session for Confirmation Candidates will be held
on Saturday 31st January from 10.00am – 12.00noon at
St Jude’s School. Session 2 will be held on Saturday 7th
February and this will be followed on Sunday 8th February
by the Enrolment Mass at St. Philip Howard Church at 11.00am.
Candidates
should be at least in their second year of secondary education (Year
8/9 & above).
Other
young people – or not so young – who, for one reason
or another, might have ‘missed out’ are also invited
to consider preparing for this important Sacrament. |
Recycling
with the Parish Ecology Group
Fareham Borough Council is providing us with bins to collect aluminium
foil. There will be one in all three churches – please save your
clean foil and leave it at whichever church is most convenient –
another easy way for you to do your bit for God’s creation! Please
don’t forget the PEG meeting at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Hall
on Friday 30th January.
GIFT
– Growing in Faith Together
The next talk in the 2004 programme will take place on Wednesday 11th
February at St Jude’s School Hall, Bishopsfield Rd in Fareham at
7.30pm (Coffee/Tea 7.00pm). The theme is “The Eucharist –
the Real Presence, a Witness” and the speaker will be Father
James Boyle. All are very 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
‘The Spirit of the Lord has been given to me, He has sent me to
bring good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the
blind new sight, to set the down trodden free.’ In the gospel reading,
Jesus simply states that he is the fulfilment of that prophecy from Isaiah
and that it is happening today. In a similar manner we can make a resolve
today, right now, to fulfil our own ministry to proclaim the good news,
to release, to heal, to free, to find favour with God. We can make a declaration
in our hearts to continue ministering in the myriad of ways that we do
already and also to seek new ways to move into new options and new avenues
to do God’s will. Supposing, composing and proposing are all wonderful
human activities but living, doing, going out are activities that are
more difficult. What we actually do is not whom we are but is a reflection
of a part of our hearts and spirit.
We are called
too and every one of us is in ministry in more ways, shapes and forms
than we realise. We have only to hear God’s voice in the stillness
of our hearts and respond to follow where he is leading us. Don’t
let us be just a face in the congregation, a face that blends in and looks
the same as all the others. Instead let us take the next step, risk more,
give more and we will certainly receive more of God’s blessing to
help us. Yes, the Spirit of the Lord is upon each one of us so let us
resolve to stand up, stand out and be more involved today in the ministry
that God is calling us to do.
Langford Vincent
|
Prayer
for Christian Unity
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. All are welcome.
|
Catholic
Bible School
www.catholic-bible-school.org
Saturday 31st January – The Goal of Discipleship – to become
truly human. Telephone 01243 371766 to book a place.
Quiz
Night
All members of our parish are invited to a Quiz Night and American Supper
at Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Friday 30th January 7.00-9.30pm. 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 all masses priced at £2 adults, 50p children
and £1.50 for the retired or unwaged. Enquiries to Rebecca Goodlad
023 9238 1802
Fareham
Victim Support
Victim Support has been re-organised and is seeking someone with an interest
to represent the Fareham area on the Hampshire-wide committee. The first
stage would be a meeting to discuss the aims and organisation of Victim
Support. For further information, contact the Secretary: John.sherwin@ukonline.co.uk.
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 take place on Sunday 8th February at 3.00pm in St
Philip Howard Church Hall.
Mothers’
Prayers
An ecumenical Prayer Group meets weekly on Monday mornings at 11.00am.
For information please contact Rebecca Goodlad on 023 9238 1802.
Hospitals
and the Data Protection Act
The Patients Charter requires Hospital authorities to care for the religious
and spiritual needs of their patients, while the Data Protection Act
forbids those authorities to pass sensitive personal data, like religious
affiliation of patients, to chaplains unless the individual patient
has expressly requested this. Therefore, when parishioners are admitted
to hospital they should make sure that they tell the hospital staff
taking their details that they are Catholics, and express their wish
that this information be passed to the Roman Catholic Chaplain. Those
responsible for children or for those who are unconscious when admitted
should do likewise.
LIFE
- Christmas Quiz
Thank you to all who entered the Christmas Quiz. The Quiz was won by
Mrs. Sue Jones from Derby. £105 was raised and this will be used
towards the LIFE Education Programme in schools. Thanks also to Graham
Goodlad for compiling the quiz. Look out for the next one coming at
Easter!
A Day
with Mary Pilgrimages 2004 s
Details are on the notice board of these pilgrimages which will be led
by a Catholic priest and include a spiritual retreat.
Women
of Hope
Ladies evening – Fareham Community Church, West Street on Monday
26th January 7.15 for 7.30pm.
St Jude's
RC Primary School
Current newsletter here
|
Reflective
Service
7.30pm – Our Lady of Walsingham Church
Friday 6th February
‘Rosary Reflection’
This will offer an opportunity for quiet reflection and prayer
All are very welcome to this parish event.
|
|
| 25th
January 2004
3nd Sunday of Ordinary Time
The
Year of St Luke |
 |
 Today
is Homelessness Sunday
The theme this year is “Building Justice – Yes we can”.
It is based on Jesus’ dramatic announcement that he had come to
restore society as well as save individuals. Homelessness Sunday is an
opportunity to recommit ourselves to His vision.
Loop
System
Our Lady of Walsingham Church now has a loop system, thanks to a very
generous bequest.
 The
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“He [Jesus] is pleased to show us that it is He Who is in the
Most Holy Sacrament. But He will not reveal Himself openly and communicate
His glories and bestow His treasures save on those whom He knows greatly
desire Him, for these are His true friends.” (St. Teresa of
Avila)
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 January course has
been re-scheduled to Monday 26th January and Monday 2nd February at the
home of Anne and Kevin Tarling. If you wish to take part please contact
Anne or Kevin on 01329 829549. Future courses will take place on 10th
& 17th March and 11th & 18th May. Please arrange the date of the
baptism with Father Chris.
First
Holy Communion Programme
The next meeting for children preparing for their First Holy Communion
will take place on Saturday 31st January from 10.00am at St Jude’s
School. The 11.00am Mass on Sunday 1st February at St Philip Howard Church
will be a First Holy Communion Celebration Mass.
Postage
Stamps
Please bring your used postage stamps to the church. These are sent
to the Scout Association to raise funds for the Trust that provides holiday
homes for handicapped scouts (boys and girls). The box is in the church
porch.
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.
Lent
2004 – “Face to Face”
Christmas is over and Lent is fast approaching. This year, for five consecutive
weeks during Lent, home-based ecumenical groups will be discussing the
Lent course “Face to Face”. Catholic participation
in these groups has been growing, but more people taking part would enable
Catholics to be amongst all the participating groups. The course has been
prepared jointly by Churches Together in Britain & Ireland and the
Bible Society and promises to be stimulating and thought provoking, exploring
how we can grow into the image and likeness of God. Application forms
are available at the back of the church and these may be returned to either
the named people on the forms or to the Parish Office. Please do take
a form and fill it in as soon as possible.
Lent
2004 – Lent Lunches
The Portchester Churches will be holding Shoppers’ Services
and Lent lunches every Wednesday in Lent beginning at 12 noon. Catholics
will be organising the lunches on the 10th March and the 7th April. Do
make a note in your diary and support these ecumenical lunches. All proceeds
are shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid.
Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1547.95
White Flower Appeal - £121.83
Pax Christi - £149.47
Forthcoming
Collections
25th January - St Francis Leprosy Guild
8th February
- Catholic Education Service
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
|
