Gregorian Chant Workshop
A Gregorian Chant Workshop will be held at Farnborough Abbey on 21st & 22nd February from 10.00 – 4.30pm each day, by courtesy of the Prior.

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.

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.

Lent/Easter at Park Place Pastoral Centre
A Lenten Retreat entitled ‘Holy Words’ will be led by Stephen Weaver on Saturday 3rd April from 10.00am-4.00pm. Cost: £15.00 Please bring a packed lunch (Coffee/Tea provided). B&B available £25. Stephen Weaver is a psycho-therapist and Spiritual Director. He is well known for his retreats in helping people discover themselves in the light of the Gospel. During the Retreat he will explore the themes of Faith, Hope and Love in the work of the Poets such as Emily Dickinson and T.S. Eliot.

Holy Week Experience led by Father Andrew McMahon from Wednesday 7th – Sunday 11th April. to gather and reflect on the central mystery of the Christian faith, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. £184.00 Residential full board.

Holy Week Sadhana – Residential retreat from 7th – 11th April led by Bernard Kilroy, Pam Lee and Caroline McKenzie. (This is a Residential Retreat alongside the Easter Stay - Cost £212.00 full board.)

To make a booking or for further details on any of the above, please telephone Park Place Pastoral Centre on 01329 833043.

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
Laurence J. Peter once wrote a book about inefficiency in the business world. The book was called: The Peter Principle: Why Things Always Go Wrong. He sent the manuscript to McGraw-Hill Publications who rejected it, saying: “I can forsee no commercial possibilities for such a book and consequently can offer no encouragement.” Peter sent his manuscript to 29 more publishers, and 29 more publishers rejected it. They all agreed that its market value was limited. Not giving up, Peter sent it out one more time – this time to William Morrow and Company who accepted it. And how did the book do marketwise? It sold over 9 million copies. Not bad for a book that 30 publishers rejected as having limited commercial value.

Laurence Peter’s experience of rejection has been repeated over and over throughout history. Abraham Lincoln, regarded by many as the greatest president in American history, was defeated seven times for elective offices before winning the greatest elective of all. Vincent van Gogh, regarded by many as the greatest painter in history, earned about £40 from his paintings in his lifetime. A century later, just one painting alone, Dr Bachet, sold for over £40 million. It is not surprising then that Jesus Christ, regarded even by non-Christian historians as the greatest person who ever lived, was rejected in his own life-time, as we hear in today’s Gospel reading.

There’s an important message in this for all of us. Jesus warned us about this when he said: “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first…’No slave is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.” (John 15:18, 20). If we, as followers of Christ, hope to make a change in the world and try to do what is right, then we should not let rejection by others keep us from doing it. In fact, we should be prepared for rejection, so that we can persevere when it comes.

Doreen Harrison RIP
Your prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Doreen Harrison who died recently. Please also remember Doreen’s family and friends in your prayers.

Catholic Bible School
www.catholic-bible-school.org
‘Walking with God – from Noah to Jesus’ - Come and share in a unique journey of Worship and Word led by Bob Finch on Saturday 14th February from 10.00am – 3.30pm at the Catholic Bible School, Nutbourne House, Farm Lane, Chichester. Prior booking is helpful to determine numbers, please telephone 01243 371766.

‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ with the B.S.O.
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s and Tim Rice’s legendary ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’ comes to the magnificent setting of Portchester Castle on Sunday 11th July 2004 at 7.00pm (Gates open at 5.00pm). West End stars, including Steve Balsamo as Jesus and Chris Holland as Judas, will be joined by the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra for a spectacular concert performance of the whole show. Advance purchase tickets are £24.00 (Under 16/Students £21.00). The show is likely to sell out very quickly so buy your tickets early to avoid disappointment. You may book via ‘Ticket South’ (tel. 023 8071 1818), via the website at www.ticket-south.co.uk or in person at West Quay or the Mayflower Theatre, Southampton.

Barn Dance – St Jude’s School
By popular demand there will be a Barn Dance at St. Jude’s School on Saturday 13th March from 7.30pm – 11.00pm (1st Dance at 8.00pm). Music from the ‘Turk Town Troopers’. Tickets are £5 each including supper and licensed bar, please contact Graham Stanton on 01329 284057. Admittance will be by advance ticket only, so please book early to avoid disappointment!

Faith and Light
The meeting of our Parish Faith and Light group scheduled for Sunday 8th February has now been cancelled. An alternative date will be advised shortly.

1st February 2004 4th Sunday of Ordinary Time The Year of St Luke

Benediction
There will be a Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament on Friday 20th February at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church. All are very welcome.

House Group
The next meeting of the House Group will be on Wednesday 4th February at 101 The Avenue, Fareham (7.30pm for 8.00pm). For more information please telephone 01329 847533.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“There is no benediction from earth or sky which falls upon us like that which comes to us from the Blessed Sacrament, which is (God) Himself.” (Ven. John Henry Newman)

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 current Baptism course continues on Monday 2nd February at the home of Anne and Kevin Tarling. Future courses will take place on 10th & 17th March and 11th & 18th May. Please arrange the date of the baptism with Father Chris.

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. Session 2 in the Confirmation Programme will be held on Saturday 7th February from 10.00am – 12.00noon at St Jude’s School. This will be followed on Sunday 8th February by the Enrolment Mass at St. Philip Howard Church at 11.00am.

Cleaners Wanted – St Philip Howard Church
If there is anyone who is able to help with the cleaning of St Philip Howard Church once a week for about one hour, please contact Anna on 01329 312985.

Help Wanted – Craft Club
The Craft Club at St Jude’s School needs help between 12-1pm on Wednesdays. Binca or Aida embroidery material is also required. If you are able to lend a hand please telephone Jean Blanchard on 01329 282187.

Union of Catholic Mothers AGM
The UCM Mass and AGM will be held on Monday 16th February. The 7.00pm Mass in the Sacred Heart Church will be celebrated by Father Chris Whelan for the deceased members of the UCM. The AGM will take place in the Sacred Heart Hall following the Mass - new members are very welcome.

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.

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 - £1584.00
St Francis Leprosy Guild - £225.53

Forthcoming Collections
8th February - Catholic Education Service

15th February - Salesian Sisters Missionary Appeal

22nd February - Catholic Children’s Society

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