Thanks
Thank you to Denis Hodgetts for the donation he gave the Parish from the sale of newspapers.

Douai Abbey Pastoral Programme
Lectio Divina – Gervase Holdaway OSB – Friday 29th April – Monday 2nd May. Experience a way of praying with Scripture, an ancient art, at one time practised by all Christians. It is a slow contemplative prayer which enables one to listen to God’s word and to make a prayerful response. There will be time for sharing, silence, solitude and reflection. Fee for the waged £130.00 (premium for a single room in the guest house £30.00), deposit of £30.00 please. To book a place contact Pastoral Programme Director, Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Berks. RG7 5TQ.

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.

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.

Sadhana Meditation Evenings on Wednesdays at 6.00pm followed by Yoga and Relaxation 7.00pm to 8.00pm starting on Wednesday 13th April 2005. All are welcome. Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a Yoga mat/blanket to lie on. Please telephone Sr. Imma at Park Place if you will be attending. Tel: 01329 833043.

THE UNION
Thought for the Week
‘I have come so that they may have life and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10)

Twenty years ago the doctors had advised a termination; John and Mary gripped each other’s hand as they remembered how their damaged little daughter had grown to her fullness. That growth had been wrenched out of heartbreaking hard work, but it had become a fullness for her and for them, beyond anything they could have imagined.

“We have to respect love and serve life, every human life. In doing so we will find justice, peace and happiness.”
(John Paul II)

Langford Vincent

Prayer for the Conclave Following the funeral and burial of the late Holy Father, we now look forward to the Conclave and the election by the Cardinals of a successor to Pope John Paul. The Conclave begins on Monday 18th April so let us all pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit on the Church.

Greetings.....
From Father Manuel
“Dear Friends of Fareham and Portchester, may God’s love surround you this Easter and always. Father Manuel.”

From Roy Crowl
“Just a quick line to let you all know how I am progressing here at Plater College. At this moment, I am concentrating on my long essay about ‘The Life of King Henry VIII and the Suppression of the Monasteries’. We are all asked to do up to a 10,000 word essay on a subject that we are keen about. I chose to do King Henry VIII and the Reformation……My regards to all the clergy and the congregations of our three churches. Roy Crowl”

Peter Aspin
“Peter is still in hospital but there has been a marked improvement. Thanks to everyone for their concern and prayers for both of us. Peter and Carole”

First Holy Communion Celebration Mass
The 11.00am Mass this weekend will be a First Holy Communion Celebration Mass. Please continue to pray for all those preparing to receive Holy Communion for the first time.

Fareham Faith Festival
There will be an opportunity to meet together to pray for the Festival on Wednesday 27th April at 7.00pm at St John’s Church. This will precede the Churches Together in Fareham Executive Meeting which starts at 7.30pm. Anyone who is coming to the later meeting or, indeed, anyone who is not, is very welcome to come along to pray.

Churches Together in Portchester – Charity Lunches
Have you any time to spare on Wednesdays between 11.30am and 1.15pm? As a follow up to the Lent Lunches, it has been suggested that a shoppers’ lunch, preceded by a short service, be organised on a more regular basis. This would take place at Portchester Methodist Church in Castle Street and would encourage Wednesday shoppers to come along to an informal act of worship, followed by a lunch consisting of soup/butter/roll/cheese and, of course, a nice cup of tea. The cost would be £1.50 which would go to a charity. Initially these services and lunches could run from May to July to ascertain interest and, at this stage, it would be helpful to know what support there might be for helping with such a venture. Would you be willing to join a team of three to carry out this valuable service for your fellow ‘church family’ friends? It would involve buying the food, cooking it, serving it and clearing away afterwards. If you feel able to help, please contact Joan Hamilton on 023 9238 5559 or Yvonne Hart on 023 9237 5553.

Catholic Bible School – Nutbourne House, Farm Lane, Nutbourne, Chichester
www.catholic-bible-school.org
Saturday 23rd April from 10.00am to 3.30pm “The Word and the Spirit in the Prophets” led by Father Adrian Graffy. Prior booking is helpful – telephone 01243 371766

Thursday 28th April and 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th May from 10.30am to 1.00pm “Learning to Listen” – a Christian Listening Course which is ideal for anyone in pastoral ministry, counselling, home visiting bereavement etc. Contact the Bible School at the number given above to book a place.

Friday 6th May for nine Fridays from 10.00am to 12.00noon - Open Door Retreat, a time for personal spiritual growth. Contact the Bible School for a booking form as places are limited on this course.

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.

16/17th April 2005 4th Sunday of Easter The Year of St Matthew

Pope John Paul II
A 64-page ‘glossy’ magazine, on the life of our late Pope, will be on sale after Mass. It will be a souvenir edition, well worth keeping.

General Election Forum
Churches Together in Fareham invites everyone to a General Election Forum at Holy Trinity Church, Fareham on Sunday 1st May at 7.30pm. All the candidates for the Fareham constituency have been invited to participate, so this is a great opportunity to come along and put the questions you want to ask them. Questions need to be submitted in advance; so if you have a question you want to put please send it to Jeremy Hicks, by post at 5 Odell Close, Fareham, PO16 7RL or via e-mail at jeremy.hicks@fish.co.uk.

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

Aged 11 to 14……
…..then you are invited to a grand disco party! It’s in St Philip Howard Hall on Sunday 24th April between 7.00 and 9.00pm. FREE entry… FREE eats and drink. Just turn up – on your own or with a friend – and have fun!

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.

Challenging Church
Portsmouth Social Responsibility Network and The Shaftesbury Society present “Challenging Church” –

• What difference are we making in our communities?
• How can the Church’s resource be used to create more change?
• How can we avoid duplication?

This takes place on Thursday 28th April at 7.30pm at The Haven (Salvation Army), Lake Road, Portsmouth. To book call: 023 9282 1137.

Biddings Writers
The meeting for those people who write the Biddings will take place on Tuesday 10th May at 7.30pm in the Presbytery.

Last Night of the Portchester Proms
This year’s Portchester Castle Classical Fireworks Proms takes place on Saturday 9th July at 8.00pm – gates open from 6.00pm. The show finishes with fireworks and ends at approximately 10.25pm. Tickets cost £17.00 before 8th June, £19.00 from 8th June to 8th July and £23.00 on the day. To book, telephone 01329 231942.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection- £1826.82

Forthcoming Collections
17th April – Clergy Training 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