Christmas Services
Cards giving details of all the Christmas Services are available in the church porch.

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.

Christmas Chocolate Tombola Stall
Much appreciation and thanks to all who generously contributed so many chocolates for the success of the tombola stall. A sum of £190.00 was raised and this amount goes to Caritas ‘Unite’ in support of Romanian children.

Growing Together in Christ – The Pastoral Assembly Working Group reports:
“The responses from parishes and schools, with few exceptions, have been very positive. Many groups have written to say how much they enjoyed being together and reflecting on their faith. Section One re-awakened a sense of who and what we are all called to be: phrases such as ‘I must take more responsibility’ and ‘thinking about how I am called to a life of holiness has encouraged me to follow Jesus more closely’ occur again and again. Session Two invited reflection on how we engage with the world in which we live, and also brought with it a recognition that, in order to be effective, we need to be aware of the needs of those around us and be responsive to the Holy Spirit working in us and through us. A number of people noted that the ‘diocese’ seems distant. Session Three revealed that many of us are afraid of using our God-given gifts in case we are not seen as being ‘humble’, but that the body of Christ is diminished and weakened when gifts and talents are not used. Session Four enabled people to consider the centrality of the Mass in our lives as Catholics ‘Our hope is to grow in faith and make our lives reflect the fact that we have received the Lord and he is always with us – so we must be rooted in prayer’. Phase 2: February Sessions: Monday 17 January 2005 at the Discovery Centre, Portsmouth 7.30-9.15pm: Session for young people Saturday 5th February 2005 10.00am to 4.00pm at St Colman’s Church, Cosham.”

Oaklands Teaching Vacancy
Required as soon as possible an enthusiastic and dedicated Singing Teacher to teach students in all years up to GCSE and A level in this extremely popular and successful Catholic School. One day per week - teaching groups of no more than 4 students. Contact: Maggie Child, Deputy Head on 023 9225 9214.

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
The Worst Christmas
C is for Credit Cards that make buying a breeze.
H is for your Headache when your cards are seized.
R is for Remembering everyone on your list.
I is for feeling Insulted when your gifts are ditched.
S is for feeling Stressed when you’re on the fly.
T is for the Truckloads of presents that you buy.
M is for your Massive debt that soars into the sky.
A is for the Awful feeling that you’ve gone astray.
S is for your Sorrow and the tears you’ll shed today.

The Best Christmas
C is for the Christ child lying in a manger.
H is for the Holy One who saved us all from danger.
R is to Remember Him who died that we may live.
I is to Inspire us that we may always give.
S is for joyful Songs and sacred hymns that praise.
T is to Thank the Lord for showing us the way.
M is for the Miracles that bless us every day.
A is for the Almighty who always puts us first.
S is for the Shepherd who guides us here on earth.
(Both poems by Jim Smith)

Christmas can be the worst of times for some and the best of times for others. Often the type of Christmas we have depends on ourselves. May you be blessed by having the best type of Christmas this year.

Father Chris Whelan

Theresa Clooney RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Theresa Clooney who died recently. Please also remember her family and friends in your prayers. The funeral service takes place at Portchester Crematorium on Thursday 23rd December at 12.15pm

New Year’s Eve Celebration
Everyone is welcome to the New Year’s Eve Celebration at St Philip Howard Hall at 8.00pm.

New Nuncio
The new Nuncio is Archbishop Faustino Sainz Munoz. He comes to us from Brussels where he has been Nuncio to the European Communities since 1999. He has worked in Senegal, in the Vatican Secretariat of State, in Cuba and in Zaire.

Archbishop Paul
Archbishop Paul of Bamenda now has a Coadjutor Archbishop who is Bishop Cornelius, who until now has been Bishop of the neighbouring diocese of Kumbo.

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.

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
Thank you to everyone who supported the cake stall, to those who kindly donated cakes and a special thank you to Josephine Guy for her delicious selection of home-made cakes. The amount raised for the Lourdes Fund was £164.00. Once again with thanks for your continued support.

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.

18th/19th December 2004 Fourth Sunday of Advent The Year of St Matthew

Children's Liturgy
There will be no Children's Liturgy on Sunday 26th December.

Christmas Greetings
Sister Julia sends greetings and best wishes to all in Fareham and Portchester:

Jim and Tricia Gilroy in Devon, wish all their friends in the Parish a very happy Christmas and good wishes for the New Year:

Geoff, Louise and the boys from Australia wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year. "We are very touched at the frequent inquiries of our progress down under. We have settled in very well and almost adjusted to the Australian way of life, slow! We have joined an exciting parish and Geoff is now the youth co-ordinator. God bless. The Vincent family"

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.

SVP
Thanks to the SVP for arranging the wonderful Christmas Party recently. Everyone had a very enjoyable time and were sorry when it came to an end!

A Message from CAFOD
“Thank you so much for your generous donation this Harvest Fast Day. Your support is so important for families like that of Jalal Uddin, who lives in the rural south west of Bangladesh. With the help of a CAFOD-funded organisation called Prodipan – which means ‘Enlightenment’ – Jalal has been able to take out a loan to expand his fishing business and can now afford to send his oldest daughter, Ruma, to school. Nine year old Ruma hopes to become a doctor one day. ……….Without the support of parishes such as yours, CAFOD’s vital work in more than 60 countries around the world would not be possible………….Thank you for your generous support of CAFOD’s Harvest Fast Day. With very best wishes, Steve Sheath, Head of Supporter Services.”

Homelessness Sunday
30th January 2005 is Homelessness Sunday. Would you be interested in planning an event? There is a sleep-out in Aberdeen, bed hopping in Telford, a special service at Durham Cathedral and a whole week of activities in Bournemouth. The more activities planned, the better chance of national as well as local publicity to raise the profile of homelessness. Don't forget - the first Homelessness Sunday poetry competition - closing date 10th January - open to anyone aged 11-16 years. For more information see www.homelessness-sunday.org.uk - if you need any resources contact 020 7723 7273 extension 235.

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”.

Catholic Bible School Courses and Talks
www.catholic-bible-school.org
Saturday 8th January 2005 - Putting Flesh on the Word - Living out the Christian Faith in Feasts and Seasons led by Joanna Bogle 10.00am to 3.30pm. Are we nourished by the Word or fed by Soaps? Thursdays 6 and 20 January, 3 and 24 February, 10 March - 10.00am - 3.30pm bring a packed lunch - tea and coffee provided. This course will provide the opportunity to reflect on our Christian beliefs and reflect critically on our culture. Telephone 01243 371766 for more details or to book a place.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1610.00
Advent Appeal to date - £500.55

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