Mass for the Sick
The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick will be offered on Saturday 20th March at 3.00pm at St Philip Howard Church. Anyone whose health is seriously impaired by sickness or increasing years or who faces surgery should receive this Sacrament of healing. Ministers of the Eucharist who take Holy Communion to the sick and housebound members of our community are asked, if possible, to bring those in their care to this Mass. If anyone requires transport, please telephone Mary Cadogan on 01329 235987. The SVP group will provide afternoon tea in St Philip Howard Hall after the Mass – all are very welcome.

Lourdes Buffet Lunch
Thank you to everyone who kindly supported the Lourdes lunch and to those who helped organise the hall and prepared the buffet. A grand total of £469.00 was raised for the Lourdes Fund.

Fareham Good Neighbours
Fareham Good Neighbours would like to thank church members for their time and love of their fellow humans. We rely on your goodness and the volunteers who spare one hour per fortnight to visit a lonely person in Fareham town. More volunteers are always needed - you will be made very welcome! For more information ring Marian on 01329 231057.

Fareham Philharmonic Choir
Fareham Philharmonic Choir, together with Fareham Philharmonic Orchestra, presents Mendelssohn-St Paul on Saturday 24th April at Ferneham Hall, Fareham at 7.30pm. Tickets are available from FPC choir members, The Well, FPC Box Office on 01489 574750 or at the door on performance night (£10.50, £9.00 concessions, £2 for children). All are welcome.

Churches Together in Fareham Social
Want to sing? Play? Dance? Recite? Tell stories? The opportunity is here! The Churches Together Social is at 7.30pm on Saturday 24th April at the Kings Centre (opposite Holy Trinity Church). The entertainment will be totally amateur from within our Churches so, now is your chance. We are relying on Church members to volunteer; nothing has been scheduled in advance. If you would like to take part please contact Andy White on 01329 829264. Tickets are available from ‘The Well’.

Satsang Retreat – Park Place Pastoral Centre
Satsang is a Sanskrit word describing a fellowship of people seeking to discover the Universal Truth found in all traditions. A weekend retreat will take place from 16th – 18th April, led by Sister Ishpriya, to reflect on the Christian, Hindu and Buddhist traditions. For full details contact Park Place 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
In a welcoming and affirming gesture we turn to the special Scriptures of Year A for our thought for this week. We do this for ourselves who constantly review and renew our own relationship with Jesus, and for those who are becoming aware of that relationship as something they recognise from their own past and can now share with us.

Interwoven in today’s Scripture story of the woman at the well is the story of the disciples. The whole passage of John 4 v5:42 turns out to be a crafted catechesis on the origin and growth of Christian faith. She and they are intent on the practicalities of life (she on the well; they on buying food). The entire episode is centred on people who seem pre-occupied with such daily chores. Yet it is precisely among these people and through their human needs that God is working and that Revelation begins to be spoken.

We have heard of the sacredness of the secular. Is a Bountiful God who is constantly shown in Scripture as initiating all contacts with His people about to forsake them now because we fear the future?

Father Charles Aylward

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

Rite of Election – St John’s Cathedral
At the Rite of Election on Saturday 28th February in St John’s Cathedral there were 39 catechumens who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation at Easter, of whom 11 were under the age of 16. 118 candidates are preparing for the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or the Eucharist and 7 of these candidates are under the age of 16. Some candidates are also preparing for reception into the Full Communion of the Catholic Church. The catechumens and candidates are from 35 parishes throughout the Portsmouth Diocese and you are invited to pray for all the elect (catechumens) and the candidates as they continue their journey towards Easter.

SkyDive!
John-Paul Lyttle writes: “Just to let you all know, I did the jump and landed safely with no problems. It was the best experience I’ve ever had! I would recommend it to everyone. I felt so insignificant as I dived into the sea of clouds before me. As I was falling I was thanking God for such an amazing gift – the world! Totally crazy, totally amazing and a brilliant way of raising money. Thank you for all your support, generosity and encouragement!”

Lent Penitential Service
A Lenten Penitential Service, with the opportunity for individual confession, will take place on Thursday 25th March at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Church. The Clergy of the Deanery will be attending. Additional Penitential Services will be held at 7.30pm on Monday 29th March at St Joseph’s, Gosport; 7.30pm on Tuesday 30th March at St Margaret Mary, Park Gate; 2.00pm on Wednesday 31st March at St John the Evangelist, Lee-on-Solent and 7.30pm on Thursday 1st April at Immaculate Conception, Stubbington.

Women of Hope
Women of Hope invite you to a Ladies evening at Fareham Community Church, West Street, Fareham on Monday 29th March at 7.15 for 7.30pm. Tea and cakes free, all welcome.

14th March 2004 3rd Sunday of Lent The Year of St Luke

Stations of the Cross
There will be Stations of the Cross every Friday during Lent at the Sacred Heart Church at 7.00pm. Stations of the Cross will also take place every Sunday during Lent at Our Lady of Walsingham Church in Portchester at 4.45pm. (Please note the revised time at Our Lady of Walsingham)

Thanks
Maureen and Father Charles thank all parishioners and friends for their kind and powerful prayers. Thanks also for visits from clergy and parishioners and for all the cards, presents and transport so generously offered, as well as used. We do appreciate receiving Holy Communion from our Eucharistic Ministers.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
In the Eucharist the Church is as it were at the foot of the cross with Mary, united with the offering and intercession of Christ”. (Catechism of the Catholic Church, #1370).

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.

Lourdes Pilgrimage
The annual Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from the 27th August – 3rd September 2004. Any person aged 17 years or over who would like to assist the sick at Lourdes please contact Jane Cadogan on 01329 235987.

House Group
The next House Group meeting will be on Wednesday 17th March (7.45pm for 8.00pm) at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. All welcome. For more information, please telephone 01329 847533.

Making a Difference with Music - Kintbury
Are you between 15– 21 and have a passion for music? Would you like to experience music and people of different cultures? Then come and join us at St Cassian’s Pastoral Centre, Kintbury (nr. Newbury) for the weekend on 26th /27th June. Anyone who enjoys music (no need to be an “expert”) and is willing to meet others with an openness to faith is welcome, not just Catholics or Christians. Cost £40, this includes meals from Saturday to Sunday lunchtime. Booking forms, which need to be signed by a parent/guardian, are available from the back of the church and should be returned by 29th March to the address on the form. For further details please contact Marjorie Cumpsty on 01252 683606.

Parish Lenten Appeal 2004
Please support our 2004 Parish Lenten Appeal ‘Looking forward – with your help’. All proceeds generated from the Appeal will help two charities working for the blind:
‘Fareham & Gosport Active Groups for the Blind’ are recently formed local groups helping to give confidence and independence to blind and partially sighted people. They provide necessary and special equipment plus a range of social activities, home visiting, advice and financial support.
‘Eye Contact’ is a special project for Central Asia, serving firstly the blind children of Uzbekistan. A Fareham couple, Mr & Mrs Stannard, organise ‘Eye Contact’ and their aim is to provide every blind child in Uzbekistan with a Brailler and to equip the children with ‘feely’ watches, simple jigsaws and adapted tools. A bucket collection will be taken at the end of Sunday Masses during Lent for this appeal.

Catholic Newspapers
Denis Hodgetts will not be available on 17th /18th April and would like a volunteer to organise distribution of the Catholic papers for that weekend. Please telephone Denis on 01329 288638 if you can help.

Pastoral Retreats – Douai Abbey
A ‘Lectio Divina’ Retreat will run from Friday 30th April – Monday 3rd May at Douai Abbey, led by Gervase Holdaway OSB. Experience a way of praying with Scripture, an ancient art, at one time practiced by all Christians. Suggested donation for waged - £120.

A Retreat for the Third Age will run from Tuesday 4th – Thursday 6th May, led by Nicholas Broadbridge OSB. This Retreat is designed for Senior Citizens, who upon retirement find they have more time available, and will endeavour to discover how this time might be used for growth in the Lord and love of one another. Suggested donation - £60.

Please contact the Programme Director to book either of the above via email: pastoral@douaiabbey.org.uk or write to: Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Berks RG7 5TQ

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1549.35

Lent Appeal to date - £186.90

Family Fast Day - £847.30

Forthcoming Collections
21st March - Clergy Assistance Fund

2nd April - SVP

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