There will be a coach from Waltham Chase to London for the Wake up to Trade Justice all night event, 15th/16th April. The coach will leave at approximately 7.00pm (or a bit later) on Friday evening. The following morning it will depart between 8.00 and 9.00am (after the dawn walk to Downing Street). The cost is £10.00. (Cars may be left at Waltham Chase Methodist Church). Anyone wishing to book seats can either contact Sue Brown at Fareham URC or e-mail the organiser – Jane Baldock on jane@baldock57.freeserve.co.uk.

Solving the NHS jigsaw puzzle
Do you understand how the various bits of the NHS fit together to provide healthcare for our area? Come and find out at the AGM of Fareham and Gosport Patients’ Forum which will take place on Thursday 28th April 205 in the Malt Room, Titchfield Community Centre, Mill Street, Titchfield from 7.00 – 9.00pm. The Forum will be reporting on their work of the past year and their plans for the future.

House Group
The next meeting of the House Group will be on Wednesday 6th April (7.45pm for 8.00pm) at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. All are welcome. For more information ring 01329 847533

Tombola and Cake Stall
Grateful thanks to everyone who kindly donated chocolates and cakes to the Tombola and Cake Stall and to all who supported this fund raising event. Special appreciation to Jo Guy for making so many delightful Easter cakes. The ‘Easter Bonnet’ cake was won by Mrs. Bernadette Russell. A sum of £417.90 was raised for our ‘Build a school Classroom’ Lenten Appeal. Thank you so much.

Party after Easter Vigil Mass at St Philip Howard Church Hall
Following the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday 26th March, there will be a party to welcome Zina, Paul, John and Brian into the Church. Let us ensure that we extend the hand of friendship to them as they join our community in a new life of faith. 

Opportunity for a qualified cook
“A vacancy has arisen for a part-time cook to provide attractive and wholesome lunches for the Bishop and Clergy at Bishop’s House, Portsmouth. We are looking for someone with imagination to work 16 hours a week, over four weekdays in this relaxed household. For further information please telephone Canon David Hopgood on 023 9282 6170 and for an Application Form and full Job description contact:- Mary Swaffield on 023 9282 5430 or e-mail: mswaffield@prcdtr-finance.org”

Park Place Pastoral Centre
“My God is me, nor do I recognise any other me except my God, God Self” (St Catherine of Genoa) – led by Fr. G. Hughes, SJ on 29th April to 1st May 2005. Fr Hughes is one of the finest contemporary writers and during the retreat will explore the above quotation through reflection and prayer. Residents: Time, from Friday 6.00pm (supper at 6.30pm) until Sunday 2.00pm (after lunch) – cost £100.00 residential full board (ensuite single) or £90.00 standard single. Non-residents: Time, Friday 7.30pm to 9.00pm registration and introduction, Saturday 10.00am to 4.00pm, Sunday 10.30am to 1.00pm – cost £25.00 (tea/coffee provided but please bring a packed lunch on Saturday.

THE UNION
Thought for the Week
We might get so used to hearing that Jesus is risen from the dead that we think, ‘Oh yea…we know all about it’, but think about it, Jesus rose from the dead! Death is not the end. It is only the door to beyond. Let us not allow the resurrection of Jesus to have to fight for room in our lives, let Jesus’ death and resurrection be the centre of our lives. We had been waiting for this moment for thousands of years. The Old Testament shows us that history was working out God’s plan but the highpoint in God’s plan for us is the resurrection. Easter is the greatest celebration of the Church. Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that there is life beyond the grave. Jesus’ resurrection reminds us that there is more to each of us than meets the eye, that we have an immortal soul. Although our body will return to dust, our soul will live forever with God.

What is the purpose or the meaning of life? While on earth, life has only one purpose or meaning ~ to prepare for the next life, and if we are not preparing for our own resurrection, then we are like a train that has become derailed. What happens to a train that gets derailed? It goes nowhere. Can we take our possessions to heaven with us? Then why make such a commotion about our possessions? Are we so busy that we have no time to pray to God every day? It is God we want to meet in the next life, isn’t it? I cannot understand anyone who says they believe in God but does not pray every day.

When we were baptised we were adopted by God as his very own sons and daughters. Think of the glorious future that awaits each of us. Paul wrote to the Philippians, “For us, our homeland is in heaven, and from heaven comes the Saviour we are waiting for, the Lord Jesus Christ, and he will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours into copies of his glorious body.” (Phil 3:20) Just think of it, we will be transformed to become glorious like Jesus. Do we live like people who believe in such a glorious future? If we do, surely everything in this world takes on a new perspective, so we do not need to make a commotion about our possessions. And since we will be transfigured, will be glorious like the risen Jesus, why not pray every day?

Have a very Happy Easter.

Father Chris

Peter Woolley RIP
Paul and Annette Woolley thank everyone for their prayers and condolences in respect of Paul’s father, Peter.

Kate Miller RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Kate Miller who died recently. Please also remember Dusty and all Kate’s family and friends in your prayers.

Eileen Ribbans RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Eileen Ribbans who died recently. Eileen’s funeral will take place at 9.30am on Tuesday 29th March at Sacred Heart Church. Please pray for Eileen’s family and friends.

Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Waterlooville
Required for September 2005: Learning Support Co-ordinator (SENCO)(MPS+3) and Teachers of History, French and English (MPS) – to teach all levels of ability up to GCSE and A level. NQT’s are welcome to apply. If interested please contact immediately Chris Whitfield, Headteacher on 023 9224 8043 or fax immediately CV and references on 023 9224 8061.

St Edmund’s Catholic School
Required for September 2005 – Assistant Headteacher – Salary range: Leadership L10-14.
The Governors of St Edmund’s School wish to appoint an enthusiastic and innovative leader to join a strong Senior Management Team at an exciting period in the school’s development. St Edmund’s is an oversubscribed Group 6, 11-16 Catholic School, situated near St John’s RC Cathedral, close to the M27 and to the railway station. The successful candidate will play a key role in the strategic development of the school and be responsible for Key Stage 4 co-ordination, the development of partnerships, Line management to a few departments (according to the strengths of the successful candidate). To arrange a visit or request an application pack, please contact Jacqui Jackson, the Headteacher’s PA on 023 9289 2585 – closing date 28th April 2005.

Also required: Resources Technician – Scale 2/3
Following re-organisation St Edmund’s is looking for a proactive computer literate applicant familiar with the Microsoft Office and desk publishing packages. The successful applicant will be responsible for the ordering and maintenance of school stationery and equipment, printing and photocopying, producing School brochures/literature and receiving parcels and delivering them to departments. Please ring 023 9282 3766 for an information pack – closing date for return of completed applications is 1st April 2005.

26/27th March 2005 Easter Sunday The Year of St Matthew

Thank You
“Thank you to the altar servers, choirs, musicians, flower arrangers, cleaners, sacristans, readers, administrative staff, Eucharistic Ministers, ushers, liturgists, RCIA catechists and all who have worked hard to prepare for and to make this Holy Week and Triduum special to our Parish. A particular thank you must go to Betty Davison for painting the Paschal Candle, and to all those who helped or contributed food towards the celebration after the Vigil Mass. We are extremely blessed to have such a talented, gifted and generous community.”

Father Chris

Adoration
Please note that Adoration resumes on Monday 11th April.

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

Parish Youth Club - Free Disco
The Parish Youth Club will be taking a short break and will re-open on Sunday 24th April with a Grand Disco. Club members are inviting all young parishioners 11 years old and over to join them for the disco. Entrance will be free and so will refreshments!!!

Youth Website
There is a new Website for young people in our Diocese. It can be found at www.portsmouth-dio.org.uk/youth. If you have any comments regarding the Website or if you would like information to be included, please contact: David Hill, Advisor for Youth Ministry, Department for Pastoral Formation, Park Place Pastoral Centre, Wickham, Hants. PO17 5HA.

Fareham Faith Festival
T shirt and badge making day – Saturday 9th April from 10.00am to 1.00pm at Fareham United Reformed Church. Bring a cotton T shirt and they will iron on a logo for £1.00 or make you a badge for 30p.

Choir Loft at Sacred Heart Church
The choir loft at Sacred Heart Church has been identified as a hazard (High Risk area) and professional advice is that it should not be used by the public for Health and Safety reasons. We apologise for the inconvenience but cannot ignore the issue or take the risk.

Easter Flowers at Sacred Heart Church
The potted plants on the window sills can be taken away after the Easter Mass. Please make a £1.00 donation per pot to the Lenten Appeal. Thank you.

Date for your Diary
There will be a lunchtime Quiz at Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Trinity Sunday, 22nd May, 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.

Easter Quiz
Test your knowledge and have fun with family and friends! The Easter Quiz will be on sale this weekend after all Masses, priced at only £1.00. If you are unable to collect a copy this weekend, please contact Rebecca Goodlad on 023 9238 1802. Closing date for entries is Monday 25th April 2005.

Churches Together
Churches Together in Fareham and Churches Together in Portchester will be holding a joint Pentecost service on Sunday 15th May at 6.30pm at Holy Trinity Church in Fareham. The preacher will be the Anglican Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt. Reverend Kenneth Stevenson. All are welcome.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1708.30
Lenten Appeal to date - £5465.87

GIFT AID
The remainder of the Gift Aid envelopes will be available on the weekend of 2nd/3rd April. Members of the Finance Committee will be available for inquiries and new Gift Aid pledges.

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