Easter Offering
It is our usual custom that the collection taken at the Easter Masses is a personal gift to Fr. Chris. At this time we can show him in a practical way how much we appreciate the help and guidance that he gives us throughout the year, so please do be generous.

Eucharistic Ministers Roster
The new Eucharistic Ministers Roster for Fareham is now available from the back of the church. Please ensure you collect your named copy.

Easter Reception into the Catholic Church
Following the Easter Vigil Mass this weekend, let us ensure that we extend the hand of friendship to those who have been received into the Catholic Church this Easter. Please continue to keep Lorraine Crusham, Paul Frampton, Danielle Perella, Lyn Gainey, Jayne Hollings, Nick How, Alyson Lindsay and Sarah Menzies in your prayers as they join our community in a new life of faith.

Welcome
Please pray for Ben Riggs and Oliver Morgan who will be baptised on Easter Sunday after the 11.00am Mass at St Philip Howard Church.

Farewell
Geoffrey, Louise, Callum, Alasdair and Finlay Vincent are emigrating to Perth in Australia on 13th April. They wish all their friends a fond farewell as they embark to new hunting grounds. Callum will be missed at St Jude’s School.

Date for the Diary - St Jude’s May Fayre
St Jude’s May Fayre will be held on Saturday 15th May from 10.30am – 2.30pm at St Jude’s School. All parishioners welcome. Side stalls, tombolas, BBQ, raffle and refreshments available. All proceeds to go towards the school. If anybody would like to help on the day, please contact the school on 01329 235131.

Faith and Light
The next meeting of our Parish Faith and Light group will take place on Sunday 18th April at 3.00pm in St Philip Howard Church.

Catholic Papers
Denis Hodgetts is pleased to say that he has paid £106.65 into parish funds, this being the extra money paid by several Universe subscribers, plus the discount allowed by the publishers over the last 12 months. Thank you, faithful readers! It would be good if some parishioners who, at present, obtain their Catholic papers through a newsagent would consider ordering through the parish instead, or alternatively arranging a quarterly or annual subscription direct from the publishers. Further details on subscription services may be found in all three papers. To order through the parish, please telephone Denis on 01329 288638.

Abseil!
Harry Webber, a member of our parish, will be undertaking an abseil down the Millbank Tower in aid of the Rowans Hospice and is looking for sponsors. Sponsorship forms are at the back of the church and your support would be 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
Thanks be to our God, the Invisible, the Holy, for sending His own Divine Son to be one of our human family and to die for our sins on Calvary. Thanks and Praise to that Holy One, the Father, for raising His Son from the grave of death and seating Him at His right hand in the glory of Heaven. Thanks, Praise and Glory be to the Blessed Trinity, the Lover of mankind, the Creator of a wonder-filled Universe and the Author of our human race, made by Him, for Himself, for our own final goal and happiness.

It is Easter, ALLELUIA. Let our prayers this Easter start – at least – (may they continue for as long as the Spirit moves us) with the selfless congratulations of the creature to His Saviour and God. May we stay with and often return to the first four thoughts of His own prayer:

“Our Father in Heaven,
May Your name be held holy.
May Your Kingdom come,
May Your Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”

Father Charles Aylward

Thank You
Thank you to the altar servers, choirs, musicians, flower arrangers, cleaners, sacristans, readers, administrative staff, Eucharistic Ministers, ushers, liturgists, RCIA catechists and all who have worked so hard to prepare for and to make this Holy Week and Triduum special to our parish. A particular thank you must go to Betty Davison for painting the Paschal Candle, and to all those who helped or contributed food towards the celebration after the Vigil Mass. We are extremely blessed to have such a talented, gifted and generous community.

Father Chris Whelan

Winifred Hamilton RIP
John and Joan Hamilton would like to thank their friends in the Parish for all the prayers and support they have received following Winnie’s death. All is very much appreciated.

First Holy Communion
Parents who have children preparing for their first Holy Communion are reminded that there is a parents meeting on Wednesday 5th May at St Jude’s School at 7.30pm. The next meeting for children preparing for their first Holy Communion will be on Saturday 8th May from 10.00 – 11.30am at St Jude’s School. The 11.00am Mass at St Philip Howard Church on Sunday 9th May will be a First Holy Communion Celebration Mass.

Confirmation
All those in our parish preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation are reminded that the next meeting will take place on Saturday 24th April from 10.00am – 12.00pm at St Jude’s School. Bishop Crispian will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation on Friday 4th June at 7.00pm at St Philip Howard Church.

Christian Aid Week 9th – 14th May
Last year volunteers from our parish collected £1,200 from house collections in the streets allocated to us in Fareham. The overall total from local churches was over £8,600. Please help to increase the total this year by helping with the distribution and/or collection of the envelopes. Your help is also needed on the morning of the 15th April with the counting of the money. If you are able to help in any way, please contact Alison on 01329 230049.

11th April 2004 Easter Sunday The Year of St Luke

Parish Newsletter – “The Union”
Please note that there will be no newsletter published for the weekend of 17th/18th April. The next edition of “The Union” will be printed for the weekend of 24th/25th April.

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 such course will take place on Tuesdays 11th & 18th May at the home of Jayne and Philip O’Riordan. If you would like to take part please contact Jayne or Philip on 01329 515991. Godparents are also very welcome to attend. Please arrange the date of baptism of your child with Father Chris.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“No other Sacrament so inflames souls with Divine Love as the Sacrament of the Eucharist, in which Jesus Christ gives us His whole self, so to unite us all to Him through holy love.” (St. Alphonsus Liguori).

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.

Adoration
Please note that Adoration will recommence on Monday 19th April.

Easter Chocolate Tombola Stall
Thank you to everyone who so very kindly donated ‘anything chocolate’ to the stall. A total of £175.00 was raised for our Parish Lenten Appeal for the Blind.

Parish Ecology Group
The next meeting of our Parish Ecology Group will be on Friday 30th April at 7.30pm in the Sacred Heart Hall. All are very welcome to attend.

Parish Day
Many thanks to all who attended or helped in any way with the organisation of the day. We feel that it was well worth the effort. Please return your summary sheets, with your votes, to the suggestion boxes as soon as possible (by the 24th /25th April at the latest). If you did not receive a copy at any of the masses, spare copies are available at the back of each church until the 25th April.

Biddings Writers
There will be a meeting for all Biddings Writers on Tuesday 11th May at 7.30pm in the Presbytery. This is an annual meeting which provides an opportunity for discussion about all aspects of this ministry. If you are a Biddings Writer, please do make a special effort to attend this important get-together.

Fareham Choir Up-date
Thank you for your forbearance and understanding over recent weeks as the choir has been alternating between 9.00am and 11.00am Masses. Diminishing numbers in the choir brought this about. We always knew that it would not be an ideal situation. It is apparent that this idea cannot work in the long term. We have, therefore, reviewed the situation and discussed it with Fr. Chris. After Easter the choir will help to lead the singing weekly at 11.00am Mass. Derek will continue to play the organ at 9.00am and there will be a cantor to lead the Psalm and Gospel acclamation but there will be no choir at the Sacred Heart Church. We hope that at some time in the future more people from the 9.00am congregation will feel able to join the choir and maintain the musical tradition that has been established. As ever, we would welcome new members for the choir. We meet for practice on Tuesday evenings at 7.45pm at St Philip Howard Church. Please call Chris Lane on 01329 310785 for more details.

Lourdes Cake Stall
The grand sum of £180.00 was raised from the cake sale, all proceeds to the Lourdes Fund. Thanks to all who baked cakes or who helped in any way. Your continued support is much appreciated.

Lenten Breakfasts
Thank you to Father Richard and to everyone who supported and donated towards the Thursday early morning breakfasts. A grand total of £388.00 was raised and this money will go towards our Parish Lenten Appeal.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1636.00

Lent Appeal to date - £1720.70

SVP - £268.65

Forthcoming Collections
2nd May – Clergy Training Fund

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