Greetings
From Vera in Moscow. Vera Petrova, sends belated New Year greetings from a chilly Moscow to all her friends at Our Lady of Walsingham Church. She remembers you all in her prayers.

Lenten Appeal
This year’s Lenten Appeal is to “Build a School Classroom” in the Galle District of southern Sri Lanka, an area devastated by the recent Tsunami waves. Education is vital for all children and as a caring community we must ensure these children are given all the help they need. The ‘Red Collection Buckets’ will be used for this appeal and they can be found at the back of each church after all Sunday Masses during Lent. Please be as generous as you possibly can.

Stations of the Cross
During Lent there will be Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 7.00pm at the Sacred Heart Church and on Sundays at 5.00pm at Our Lady of Walsingham Church.

Lent Breakfasts
Every Thursday morning, during LENT, breakfast will be served in the Sacred Heart Hall following the 7.00am Mass. An ideal way to start the morning, so do something different during LENT and join us at the Sacred Heart Church. Everyone most welcome. All proceeds to the Lenten Appeal.

Lent Lunches
The Portchester Churches will be holding Shoppers’ Services and Lent Lunches every Wednesday in Lent, beginning on Ash Wednesday, 9th February. The Services begin at 12.00 noon and take place at Portchester Methodist Church in Castle Street. Do make a note to support these Lunches as all proceeds will be shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid.

Parish Scout Barn Dance
Saturday 5th March – dancing to the Turk Town Troopers. First dance at 8.00pm. Supper provided – licensed bar. Tickets are available from Graham Stanton on 01329 284057 at £5.00 per head. Come and join fun!

Journey into Easter with Steve Murray
A visit to Gosport of the international mime artist who uses his Art to portray the Gospel message in a refreshing and inspiring way – Saturday 12th March at 7.30pm at St Mary’s Hall, Minnitt Road (off Mumby Road), Gosport. Tickets £3.00 adults, £1.50 children – ring 023 9258 0119.

Child Protection
All voluntary helpers who work with young people, children and vulnerable adults must complete a CRB form and return it with the necessary documentation to a Child Protection Liaison Officer.

Many volunteers have already received these forms but have not yet returned them for initial checking and then forwarding then to the Diocesan Authorities. There will be two evening opportunities for completed forms to be checked on Monday 21st February and Monday 28th February from 7.00pm to 9.00pm both days, at St Jude’s School, or completed forms and documentation can be left at the school to be returned at a mutually convenient time. Volunteers who have not yet completed a form can collect a form on either of those two evening or from the office at St Jude’s School during school hours.

All volunteers working with young people, children or vulnerable adults must have a CRB clearance by December 2005 or they will not be able to continue with this important ministry.

House Group
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 16th February (7.45pm for 8.00pm) at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. All welcome. Telephone 01329 847533.

Park Place Pilgrimage to France
From 2nd to 8th October 2005 the Friends of Park Place Pilgrimage will visit Angers, in the Loire Valley, and Vezelay in Burgundy. In Angers the Transitus of St Francis will be celebrated in the Sisters’ Mother House. Mass will be celebrated daily. Travel will be by ferry and coach staying in 3 star hotels. The cost, £525.00 includes all travel and hotel costs, travel insurance, offerings and gratuities. Fr. Andrew McMahon is the Spiritual Director and all 7 Park Place Sisters will take part. There are a few places left for couples able to share a twin bedded room. More information from Derek Black on 01489 890933.

THE UNION
Thought for the Week
On Wednesday, Ash Wednesday, we began the season of Lent. Before Jesus started his ministry he went out into the desert to pray and fast for 40 days and 40 nights. During the 40 days of Lent we are asked to take the courageous steps of going out into the desert of our spiritual life to expose our sinfulness to ourselves and allow God to speak to us. If we allow the Spirit to lead us out into the desert, just as he led Jesus out into the wilderness, it will give us an opportunity to grow and open ourselves to God.

The Church has a simple but effective formula to enable this to happen. It consists of 3 things – prayer, fasting and almsgiving. We all know the effectiveness of prayer. Fasting does not mean just fasting from food but also includes fasting from violence, fasting from oppressing those around us and instead having a loving and forgiving attitude towards others. Almsgiving does not only relate to giving contributions to the poor but also in the giving of our time to help others around us who are in need. These little, but important, challenges will help us in our preparations for Easter.

Langford Vincent

Good News Van Portchester Visit
The next visit of the Good News travelling library takes place on Thursday 24th February at 22 Castle Street, Portchester from 7.00pm to 8.30pm. There is a wealth of religious cards, books, tapes and videos available.

Lenten Family Fast Day
“I have to see my children educated because those who aren’t educated have no future.” (Juliet Rukanga, mother of 13 year old Agnes Nandawule, Uganda). Thanks to CAFOD’s support Juliet can now afford to buy school uniforms and books so that her daughter can go to school. Please take an envelope home and help CAFOD to make poverty history, by sharing what you can with those in need. A volunteer from CAFOD will speak at all Masses next weekend, 19th/20th February and Fast Day envelopes will be collected after Mass.

Women’s World Day of Prayer
This year’s Ecumenical Women’s World Day of Prayer takes place at St. Mary’s Church, Portchester Castle on Friday 4th March at 2.15pm (Rehearsal on 25th February at 10.00am). The Speaker will be Mrs. Lesley Cooper. The Service has been prepared by women from Poland. Tea and coffee will be served after the Service. All are welcome.

Books
Do you have an old, loved and cherished book? Would you like to learn how to repair it? Perhaps it was a special present; a Bible, a Missal or a story book that is showing signs of its age. Contact Denis in church or at home by ‘phone – 01329 288638.

Quiz Afternoon – date for your diary
It is planned to have a lunchtime Quiz at Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Sunday 27th February beginning at 12 noon – children under 12 years of age, 50p, Adults £2.50. There will be an American Lunch – please bring a dish, savoury/sweet. Please ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802 with regard to numbers and catering. Bring your own wine.

School Vacancies
Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College
Required for September 2005:
Assistant Headteacher (L12-L16):
Teacher of Religious Education (MPS) (must be practising Catholics):
Learning Support Co-ordinator (SENCO)(MPS+3):
Head of Science (MPS+4)
To teach all levels of ability up to GCSE and A level. NQT’s are welcome to apply for the post of Teacher of Religious Education. If interested in any of the above please contact immediately, Chris Whitfield, Headteacher on 023 9224 8043 or fax CV and references on 023 9224 8061. If you are interested in changing schools and going to Oaklands to teach, vacancies arise across the curriculum every year and they would like to meet you.

St Edmund’s Catholic School, Portsmouth
The Governors are seeking the following staff:
Administration Assistant – Scale ½ required for 41 weeks per year. The post involves reception/telephonist/data inputting and first aid duties. Experience of SIMS and of a school environment would be an advantage.

Resources Technician – Scale 2/3 – a proactive computer literate applicant familiar with Microsoft Office and desk top publishing packages will be responsible for the school printing, photocopying and producing school brochures/literature.
Head of Religious Education – TMS +3/4 Mgmt points depending on experience required from September.
Closing date for all applications is 12 noon on Friday 25th February. Contact the school for information pack on 023 9282 3766.

Tsunami Big Band Concert
There will be an evening of Big Band Music at Holy Trinity Church Fareham on Thursday 17th February to raise funds for the victims of the Tsunami. Tony Linford’s Fe Big Band will play the music of Glen Miller, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and other big bands. Tickets are £5.00 each (children £3.00). Please telephone 01329 232688 to book.

A Green tip of the Month from PEG
“Turn the tap off while you clean your teeth and save water.”

12th/13th February 2005 1st Sunday of Lent The Year of St Matthew

Rite of Election
Please pray for the members of our Parish who attended the Rite of Election at St John’s Cathedral. Zina Hanijikova, John Waldren, Brian Smith and Paul Hayward will be presented to our community this weekend at the 11.00am Mass at St Philip Howard Church. Please do make yourself known to them after this Mass.

Adoration
Contacts: Fareham - Lily Peach on 077 678 98885, Portchester - Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864 or Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494.

Cathedral Day of Prayer for Lent
Bishop Crispian will be leading a Day of Prayer at the Cathedral Discovery Centre on Saturday 19th February, 10.30am for 11.00am to 3.00pm.

From Roy Crowl at Plater College
“I am enjoying myself immensely at Plater and the Theology Group is really good - people of all ages, some have never had the chance of a formal education, but are doing very well. This term I am studying the Early Church Fathers from 100-350AD and I find it very interesting! My first essay, that I have handed in, is about Justin, Martyr and Trypho the Jew - the Dialogue that Justin had with him. Several books were read and a certain amount of work on the Internet. My second essay is about Saint Irenaeus and his writings. I am quickly getting as much information as I can, yet another challenge? I am so grateful to be given this opportunity to learn as a mature student and consider myself very lucky to be given the chance. Thank you all so much for the support I have been given by our three churches. It is very deeply appreciated! God bless you all. Your brother in Christ, Roy Crowl.”

Day of Reflection
The Day of Reflection planned for Saturday 19th February at St Philip Howard Church has been postponed.

Diocesan Year Books 2005
Portsmouth Diocesan Year Books are on sale from the church Repositories price £3.50.

Lent Reflection
You are invited to make a reflective journey to the cross using Scripture and the inspired artwork of Sieger Koder, on Friday 25th February, 7.00pm at the Sacred Heart Church. Seiger Koder’s work, though seeming harsh at first, is rich with symbolism. The series of paintings used for this meditation cause us to be challenged by the mystery of the cross and the unconditional love of God, who spares nothing, not even his only Son, to save us from sin.

Stations of the Cross Meditations
During his sabbatical, Bishop Crispian wrote some meditations based on the Stations of the Cross that are in the Cathedral. They can be obtained from the Cathedral Discovery Centre.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1546.30
Catholic Children’s Society - £1546.30

Forthcoming Collections
Friday 18th February is Lenten Family Fast Day
6th March – Clergy Assistance Fund

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.

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