Lenten Meditation
The first in the series of reflections for Lent takes place on Friday 4th March at 7.45pm at Sacred Heart Church. The reflection will be centred on the parable of the Woman at the Well and will last for about one hour. All are welcome.

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.

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

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 an opportunity for completed forms to be checked on Monday 28th February from 7.00pm to 9.00pm 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 that 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.

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
One theme runs through all three of these weekend readings. It is a very important and comforting theme. You could say that it is the heart of the Good News. It is that we are loved in our sins and un-loveliness.

We see this in the First Reading: in spite of the ingratitude and grumblings of the people, God does not write off His people, but shows His love for them by providing water in the desert. The message is explicitly stated in the Second Reading: Paul says, “What proves that God loves us is that Christ died for us while we were still sinners.” And we see the message in action in one of the most marvellous stories of the woman at the well. That story will be treated more fully on Friday 4th March at 7.45pm in the Sacred Heart Church (after the Stations of the Cross).

Like the deer that yearns for running streams so our souls long for You, O Lord. Near restful waters You lead us to revive our drooping spirits. Only Christ alone can cause a spring to well up inside us and sustain us on our journey of faith.

Father Charlie

House Group
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 2nd March (7.45pm for 8.00pm) at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. All are welcome. For more information ring 01329 847533.

Women’s World Day of Prayer
This year’s Ecumenical Women’s World Day of Prayer, prepared by women from Poland, takes place on Friday 4th March – details as follows:-

Portchester
St. Mary’s Church, Portchester Castle at 2.15pm. The Speaker will be Mrs. Lesley Cooper. Tea and coffee will be served after the Service. All are welcome.

Fareham
St John’s Church, St Michael’s Grove at 1.30pm – Speaker Maureen Homer and 7.30pm – Speaker Jill Rattle. Creche available at the 1.30pm session.

Gospel Choir Concert
The London Community Gospel Choir will be in concert at Ferneham Hall, Fareham on Friday 27th May at 7.30pm Tickers: £10.00 or £8.00 for concessions. For ticket information please contact The Kings Centre on 01329 829121.

From the Parish Ecology Group
How do you compost yours?
An evening of talks and displays including practical advice on composting presented by Gosport and Fareham Friends of the Earth, will take place at St Vincent College, Gosport on Monday 14th March. This will begin at 7.00pm and end around 9.00pm.

Contaminated foil
Please think before you put your foil in the bin. Jordans have told us they will not take contaminated foil e.g. sweet papers or plastic looking foil. Remember to do the scrunch test – if it bounces back it is not foil. This saves having to go through the collected foil, so your co-operation would be much appreciated. Many thanks from the Parish Ecology Group.

Quiz Afternoon – this weekend
There will be 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. but bring your own wine.

Do you like poetry?
Booklets of poems written by Brian Wright are on sale at £1.00 in the Repository. All proceeds will go to Parish funds.

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!

26/27th February 2005 3rd Sunday of Lent The Year of St Matthew

Growing Together in Christ
The remaining date for the Second Session of Part 2 of Growing Together in Christ is:- St Jude’s School – Thursday 3rd March at 7.30pm

Mass of Healing
A Mass of Healing will be celebrated in St Philip Howard Church at 3.00pm on Saturday 12th March. The SVP will provide light refreshments in the church hall following the Mass. Eucharistic Ministers are requested to arrange transport for those who need such a facility. In case of difficulty with transport please contact Mary Cadogan on 01329 235987 or Peter Aspin on 01329 665240.

Adoration
“Jesus is ‘a man who knows suffering’. In this year consecrated to the Eucharist, I invite you to unite yourselves in your thoughts and in your heart to the sacrifice of the Mass, an endless source of hope for all of life’s trials.” (Pope John Paul II, 12th February 2005).

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

Volunteers required!
Hampshire Association for the Blind have 22 branches across Hampshire. The Havant Branch runs a social club for visually impaired members and meets at the Emsworth Centre, South Street, Emsworth on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month. The Branch needs volunteer drivers, living in or near the Havant area, to transport members to and from the local Club meetings on a regular basis. They also need volunteers to serve on the Branch Committee and help at the Club meetings. If you feel able to help please contact Jackie Lait on 023 8064 1244.

Hosanna House are looking to recruit up to a maximum of 50 Helpers and Guests from the Joint Services for their annual pilgrimage from 27th May to 3rd June 2005. Hosanna House is affiliated to The Pilgrimage Trust and primarily enables ex-Service personnel with special needs and their families to enjoy a week of fun, sightseeing and reflection in and around the home of St. Bernadette. For more information, contact David Cunningham on 023 9258 1062.

Lourdes Buffet Lunch
The next Lourdes Lunch will take place on Saturday 5th March 2005 in St Jude’s School Hall at 12.30pm Tickets are priced at £5.00 per person. All proceeds raised from the lunch go to the Lourdes Fund. This Fund enables young people to care for the sick pilgrims during the Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes from 26th August to 2nd September. Tickets on sale now from Ann Corr on 01329 236575 or Pauline Jackson on 01329 236275. Everyone most welcome and if you are new to the Parish, a chance to make new friends.

Catholic Bible School
www.catholic-bible-school.org
Forthcoming events at the Catholic Bible School at Nutbourne House, Farm Lane, Nutbourne, Chichester.

Fridays 4th March, 11th March, 18th March from 10.00am to 11.30am – The Lenten Challenge (preparing for Easter in a new way)

Saturday 5th March from 10.00am to 3.30pm –The God of the Covenant (Fr. Michael Gwinnell)

Monday 21st March at 7.30pm in Nutbourne Chapel – The Passion and Cross of Jesus (Fr. Bob Faricy SJ)
Contact the Bible School on 01243 371766 to book a place or for further details.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1678.10
Lenten Appeal to date - £724.60
Family Fast Day - £1038.50

Forthcoming Collections
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