A Message from Father Tony Day
“Since coming to Portchester, I have had an excellent welcome from the Clergy and Parishioners of Fareham and especially Portchester, the Deanery, Portsmouth, Havant and Emsworth.

I was brought up in London, Dorset and Hampshire so I know this area well; ordained for this Diocese in 1980, since then been in various parishes as Assistant and P.P. e.g. Portsmouth with Father Charlie, Reading, Southampton and have recently returned from mission lands (perhaps more of that later).

I am now supplying throughout the Diocese but look forward very much to working with you and increasing the presence of Christ amongst us all.”

Parish Office
The Parish Office will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period from lunchtime on Wednesday 22nd December and will re-open on Tuesday 4th January 2005. Joan and Michele would like to thank all the volunteers who help in the office with a variety of tasks throughout the year. Biddings writers who are due to write Biddings for Christmas and New Year are asked to send them in by 17th December.

Parish Youth Club News
The Parish Youth Club is going Ten-pin bowling next Saturday afternoon, 11th December. The price will be subsidised from funds and the cost to members will be only £5.00. So, if any club members who have not been able to come to the Sunday night sessions during the past few weeks want to come bowling, would they please let John know this Sunday or ring him on 01489 583629. If anyone has an old television they could donate or sell cheaply to the Youth Club, it would be much appreciated. It is needed for use as a monitor for Playstation games.

Fareham Shopping Centre Nativity
When you pass and admire the Crib, say a prayer for Churches Together and remember to thank Peter Chandler who made it. This lovely representation of a stable will be stored for many Christmases to come. (Father Chris)

Christmas Chocolate Tombola Stall
There will be a Chocolate Tombola Stall after all Sunday Masses on 11th and 12th December. All proceeds to the Caritas ‘Unite’ Project in aid of Romanian Children in Need. Donations of anything ‘Chocolate’ would be gratefully accepted and can be left in the Parish Office or Sacred Heart Hall. Thank you.

Christmas Quiz Night – 18th December
This will commence directly after the Saturday evening Mass at Our Lady of Walsingham Church. Tickets will be on sale this weekend at the Saturday evening Mass at Our Lady of Walsingham – children under 12 years – 50p, Adults £2.50. American Supper – please bring a dish, savoury/sweet. All queries please ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802.

Lourdes Cake Stall
The next Lourdes Cake Stall will take place on Saturday 11th December and Sunday 12th December following the three Parish weekend Masses. We would really appreciate any donations of cakes, biscuits, scones, mince pies…….these can be left in the Sacred Heart Hall Friday morning of 10th or Saturday 11th from 4.00pm. All proceeds to the Lourdes Fund. Thank you for your continuous support.

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
John the Baptist turned heads by his strange appearance, but most of all by his message – Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. John understood that to receive the blessing and fruit of God we need to have depth of repentance. God alone created us but he needs our co-operation in order that we might be saved. To do so we need to examine our lives, turn away from sin, repent and express sorrow. Jesus baptises us with fire and the Holy Spirit to enable us to live our lives more fully with integrity and truth. By our example we can and will be instrumental to move others to commit their lives to being followers of Christ. This Advent may our challenge be to discover a way to make this our concern and effort an individual, everyday effort.

Langford Vincent

Maria Conti RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Maria Conti RIP. Maria’s funeral took place on Friday 3rd December at the Sacred Heart Church. Please also remember Maria’s family and friends in your prayers.

Father Edmund O’Shea RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Father Edmund who died recently. Father Ed’s last appointment was as a much loved and valued member of the staff at St. John’s Seminary. He preached at Father Chris’ first Mass.

Advent Appeal 2004
Our Advent Appeal this year is in aid of the Rainbow Centre, in Fareham, which exists primarily to help children with motor impairment learn to overcome their difficulties using a system of learning called Conductive Education. Motor impairment means difficulty with movements controlled by the central nervous system and the most common cause of this is cerebral palsy, which is a condition caused through lack of oxygen to the brain during pregnancy, during the delivery, or after the birth. The Rainbow Centre was established in 1990 and since then has helped over 300 children from seven of the southern counties.

Parish Christmas Dinner
Thank you so much to everyone who helped in so many ways resulting in a happy, successful Parish Dinner. Special thanks go to Father Chris, Father Andrew and Deacon Langford for their kind support and merriment, also grateful appreciation to Olive Jerram, Sue McMullan, Ann Corr and Peter and Anna Chandler for selling the dinner tickets. All proceeds from the dinner to Caritas ‘Unite’ – Romanian children in need – to date a total profit of £1843.00 has been raised.

Donation to Caritas ‘Unite’
Many thanks to St Philip Howard ‘Sunday coffee’ and Sacred Heart Coffee mornings for their donation of £100.00 to the ‘Unite’ project. Thank you to all who volunteer their help in providing tea and coffee after the Masses.

Carol Singing
Members of the Fareham Churches will be singing carols in the Shopping Centre on Saturday 18th December at 10.30am outside Boots.

House Group
The House Group will meet on Wednesday 8th December (7.45pm for 8.00pm) at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. All welcome. For more information ring 01329 847533.

Fareham Ecology Link Meeting
The next Fareham Christian Ecology Link Meeting will be held on Thursday 9th December at 7.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, Fareham. All welcome.

Calligraphy
Would anybody be prepared to do an occasional bit of calligraphy? If so, please contact the Parish Office.

Celebration
Music, carols, readings and a nativity play – Sunday 12th December from 4.00pm in Park Place Centre Chapel – followed by light refreshments. There will be a retiring collection for the Franciscan Medical Care Project in North India. Further details from Sister Judith – 01329 833043.

Christmas Carol Service
There will be a Christmas Carol Service at Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Sunday 19th December at 6.00pm. All are welcome – please bring a friend. This could be a great way of introducing someone to our wonderful Catholic Community! Refreshments will be available after the Service.

Children’s Christmas Tree Service
Any children who would like to come to decorate the Christmas Tree at Our Lady of Walsingham Church and sing and play some carols, are invited to come to the Church at 10.00am on Christmas Eve. Refreshments will be provided.

Christingle Service
The children of St. Jude’s school would like to invite you to the Christingle Service which will be held on Sunday 12th December in St Philip Howard Church at 4.00pm. Refreshments will be available afterwards.

5th December 2004 Second Sunday of Advent The Year of St Matthew

The Advent Wreath
During Advent the sanctuaries in our Church are quite bare. Purple vestments and a complete lack of flowers speak to us of final judgement. The Advent Wreath provides the only decoration. It represents the spiritual darkness of our world waiting for the coming of our Messiah who is the light of the world.

A Message of thanks from Christina Greenfield
“Thank you to everyone who has shown such thought and kindness, by writing, visiting, inquiring or praying for me following my accident and subsequent slow recovery. There are so many that I am unable to write to you individually, so please accept this message that I hope God may bless you and your families, particularly at this extra special time of the year. I intend making a donation to the Advent Appeal.”

Advent Breakfasts
Everyone is welcome to share in the Advent Breakfasts which will be served every Thursday morning during Advent in the Sacred Heart Hall, following 7.00am Mass. Proceeds will go towards the Parish Advent Appeal in aid of a local charity ‘The Rainbow Centre’. The first breakfast is Thursday 2nd December 2004. See you there!

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Contacts: Lily Peach on 077 678 98885, Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864 or Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494.

Our Lady of Walsingham Concert
A big “thank you” to all who took part in and all who supported the concert at Our Lady of Walsingham on 19th November. The £220.35 raised will go to the ‘Unite’ Project for Romanian schoolchildren. A video of the concert may be available for loan in the next few weeks. If so, maybe a small donation could be given to ‘Unite’. See this space for more details of when it will be available.

Remember the Seafarers this Christmas
Seafarers are typically away from home and family for nine months of the year, often over the Christmas and New Year period, bringing the goods we need into our ports. Ninety per cent of seafarers are Catholics and rarely will they receive a Christmas present. Local Apostleship of the Sea volunteers will be visiting the ships in local ports over the Christmas period, offering small gifts to help make their Christmas a happy one. Woolly hats, gloves, scarves and jumpers are much appreciated gifts, as are toiletries, toothbrushes, flannels, soap, writing materials, CDs and Videos. If you can donate such articles please contact: Mary and Len Edwards on 023 9273 5790 who will gladly collect any gifts that you can offer.

Lift to Mass
Can anyone please give a lift to a lady in Paxton Road, Fareham to 9.00am Mass on Sundays. If so, please contact the Parish Office.

Vacancies at The Well
The Well is a Christian Ecumenical outreach centre in West Street Fareham. There is a vacancy for an Assistant General Manager, a paid position which requires 16 hours per week at the rate of £5.00 per hour. Working hours will involve two days per week and one Saturday in four. An understanding of the Christian environment is desirable. Knowledge of retail trading is desirable but not essential. Please write with a full CV by Friday 10th December 2004 to: Mrs. June Haye, 7 Malvern Avenue, Fareham, PO14 1QF. If you need more information please ring The Well on 01329 318731.

A Volunteer Bookkeeper is also needed for 2 – 3 hours per week. Please contact The Well if interested.

LIFE Seasonal Christmas Quiz
The next LIFE quiz will be on sale at all Masses this weekend, price £1.00. If you would like to enter but are unable to collect a copy this weekend, please contact Rebecca Goodlad on 023 9238 1802. Entries to be submitted by 5th January 2005.

GIFT
The GIFT session planned for Thursday 9th December has been cancelled.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £2080.20
Advent Appeal (Rainbow Centre) - £176.75 to date

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