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.

Used Postage Stamps
Thank you to everyone who has contributed used postage stamps. These have been sent to the Scout Association to raise funds for the Trust that provides holiday homes for handicapped Scouts (boys and girls). Please do continue to put the stamps in the tin in the porch.

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 this weekend. All proceeds to the Caritas ‘Unite’ Project in aid of Romanian Children in Need.

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.

Christmas Services
Cards giving details of all the Christmas Services are available in the church porch. There is also a poster on the notice board.

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
“What was he like?” “Was it good?”
Expressions like this come so often from friends/work colleagues who wished they had gone to places where you have gone and seen what you have seen. There is so often a great air of expectancy in and around the place when people know that you have been waiting to go to a concert or see a show, and at last the day after the event has come and an eager longing awaits your return.

On this third week of Advent we pick up the feeling of expectancy. What will happen at the Lord’s coming? In the Lord’s coming the least in the kingdom of heaven will be made great.

Let us light the rose candle and be filled with expectant joy.

Father Andrew Chandler

Betty Bills RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Betty Bills who died recently. Please also remember Betty’s family and friends in your prayers. Betty’s funeral has already taken place.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
There will be, as usual, a break in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament during the Christmas holiday period. At Our Lady of Walsingham Church, Adoration will end on Monday 13th December and resume of Monday 10th January. At Sacred Heart Church, Adoration will end on Friday 17th December and resume on Tuesday 4th January.

Thanks
“Thank you for all the love and kindness and prayers on behalf of Wally Arnold’s family. Thanks to everybody who contributed to the Rocky Appeal - £600.00 was collected.”

Caritas – a message from John Whelan
“Dear parishioners of Fareham and Portchester,
We all at Caritas Bucharest Association wish to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation, particularly to you good people for providing us with the amount of £3000.00 to spend on the orphaned and abandoned street children who now live at St John’s home. Established in 1992, the home aims at providing shelter and education for homeless young boys until full social re-integration is achieved. Together with the children the staff at St. John’s strives to recuperate their lost time and help them to recover from past traumas. We all especially try to look to the future with optimism and hope. These children need encouragement, support and safety; they need warmth and love. Thanks to the charitable fundraising events that the parish organised, these truly grateful young boys will enjoy their best Christmas ever. God bless, John Whelan, Unite Project Co-ordinator.”

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.

Sacred Heart Church Flower Arrangers
The flower arrangers will be meeting in the hall on Tuesday 23rd December at 11.00am. They would welcome anyone who would like to help in the happy activity of making garlands and arrangements to decorate the Sacred Heart Church for Christmas. Please bring your secateurs and greenery if you have some to spare. No experience necessary.

Deanery Advent Penitential Services
Penitential Services in our Deanery will take place on Tuesday 14th December – St Joseph’s, Gosport – 7.30pm and Wednesday 15th December – St. John’s Lee-on-the-Solent 2.00pm.

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

Lourdes Cake Stall
The next Lourdes Cake Stall will take place this weekend following the three Parish weekend Masses. All proceeds to the Lourdes Fund. Thank you for your continuous support.

Celebration
Music, carols, readings and a nativity play – this 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 this Sunday 12th December in St Philip Howard Church at 4.00pm. Refreshments will be available afterwards.

12th December 2004 Third 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.

Churches Together in Portchester
The Portchester Churches have produced a Christmas card giving details of their Christmas services. The cards are to be delivered to every household in Portchester. If you are able to help with delivery in your own road or one nearby, please speak to Joan Hamilton or Yvonne Hart.

The Churches in Portchester are making arrangements for a five session course for Lent 2005. If you would like to take part please fill in your name and telephone number on the list in the porch and indicate which day of the week you would prefer.

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 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.

Portchester in Living Memory
Portchester Civic Society are running an Oral History Project to record the memories of Portchester people.. Do YOU have a story to tell about living in Portchester? If so, contact the staff at Portchester Library who will put you in touch with Civic Society members.

Youth Extravaganza for ages 16-30
A dynamic and free Christian youth event is taking place in the heart of London, 21st to 23rd January 2005, and is open to all young people between the ages of 16-30. The theme for the three evenings of led events is “Jesus Christ the Fullness of Life.” The event is being led by a young and vibrant monastic community called the Fraternity of Jesus. Catholic, Anglican, Methodist and URC leaders as well as a number of Christian organisations are supporting the initiative. For more details please email: info@jesusthefullnessoflife.org or visit the website: www.jesusthefullnessoflife.org.

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.

The Mystery of Mary
In his new book, The Mystery of Mary, Father Paul Haffner – a priest of our diocese – offers a clear and structured overview of theology and doctrine concerning Mary set in a historical perspective. He outlines the basic scheme of what constitutes Mariology set in the context of other forms of theological inquiry, and working through the contribution of Holy Scripture, he proceeds to examine each of the fundamental doctrines that the Church teaches about Our Lady. The book is available from Gracewing publishers (www.gracewing.co.uk) or through most bookshops.

LIFE Seasonal Christmas Quiz
Thank you to all who have bought a copy of the Life Quiz. If you have not yet bought a copy and would like to take part, please contact Rebecca Goodlad on 023 9238 1802. Entries to be submitted by 5th January 2005.

A Message from the Finance Committee
Christmas is a time of giving thanks for the blessing of Jesus’ birth. Let us show this by remembering the wonderful work carried out by Father Chris and other priests who help in our parish. It is our usual custom that the collection on Christmas Day is our personal gift to them. They do so much for us so let us be generous in return. Don’t forget, if you contribute by way of Gift Aid, (either by standing order or envelopes), the Church can reclaim the tax paid on your gift. Simply use one of your envelopes and mark it clearly with your number or your name and the words “Christmas Gift”.

St. Edmund’s School Carols and Readings for Christmas – St. John’s Cathedral
“We would like to invite you most warmly to our traditional celebration of Advent and Christmas led by St Edmund’s School Choir. This takes place on Tuesday 14th December at 7.30pm at St. John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth. There will be carols from the Choir, the Flute Choir and soloists, readings of the Christmas story, seasonal poetry and carols for everyone to sing. At the end of the celebrations, at around 8.45pm, we invite you to join us for coffee and mince pies in the Cathedral Centre. There is no charge for admission and everyone is welcome. Mr. G. D. Nobes, Director of Music”

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1688.90
Advent Appeal (Rainbow Centre) - £336.65 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