Christian Ecology Link
Come and hear Edward Echlin, author of Christian Ecology books, at 7.30pm on Friday 27th May at Sacred Heart Church. Edward will be in The Well at 2.00pm to sign copies of his most recent book the ‘Cosmic Circle’.

Parish Ecology Group
Why not design a poster to help us think of ways to help our Parish to cut pollution and save waste? See the poster in the porch for details.

Churches Together....
Churches Together in Portchester Lent Lunches raised £425.82 which will be shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid. Thanks to all who supported these lunches.

Churches Together in Portchester Praise and Worship on 1st May 2005 in Portchester Parish Hall Castle Street, beginning at 6.30pm. This ecumenical service will be followed by refreshments. Deacon Langford will be preaching. All are welcome.

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.

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.

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.
Creative Meditation and the Revelation of Silence – 7th - 8th May “Come to me all who labour and our overburdened and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28 – 29.) This will be led by Sister Frances,. 10.00am for 10.30am start until 4.00pm on Saturday, 10.15am for 10.30am start until 1.00pm on Sunday. Tea and coffee provided but please bring a packed lunch on Saturday. The cost is £20.00.

THE UNION
Thought for the Week
Lent and Eastertide belong together. They should not be separated as different and separate seasons. We fasted for Lent we should feast for Eastertide. 40 days for one, 50 for the other.

The late Dominican theologian, Herbert McCabe, in his book ‘God, Christ and Us’ makes this perception insight: “Easter is not a cancellation of the cross. It does not, in any important sense, celebrate anything different from the cross. It is the meaning of the Cross.” Of course there were two events: a crucifixion and, later, a rising from the dead. But these two events are part of a single story with a single meaning. The resurrection is as inseparable from the crucifixion as the punch line from the rest of the story. Easter and its long celebration is how to look at the cross. It is how faith looks at the cross.

Father Charlie

Prayer for Pope Benedict XVI God our Father, shepherd and guide, look with love on Pope Benedict XVI, your servant, the pastor of your Church. May his word and example, inspire and guide the Church, and may he, and all those entrusted to his care, come to the joy of everlasting life. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen

Major W. L. Davison RIP
Please pray for Bill Davison who died recently. Please also remember Betty and all Bill’s family in your prayers. Bill’s Requiem Mass will take place on Wednesday 27th April at 1.45pm at Sacred Heart Church followed by Cremation at 2.45pm at Portchester Crematorium.

Mydrim Howell RIP
Please pray for Mydrim Howell who died recently. Please also remember Maureen and all Mydrim’s family in your prayers. Mydrim’s Funeral took place on Friday 22nd April.

Eucharistic Ministers
The new Fareham rotas are available this weekend.

A Liturgy for the Unborn
On 1st June at 7.30pm at Sacred Heart Church there will be a Liturgy for the Unborn, a time to reflect on motherhood and name children who have not lived – a Taize style service of readings, music and candle light. All inquiries to Rebecca on 023 9238 1802.

Diocese of Portsmouth vacancy
A vacancy has arisen for a part-time Parish Administrative Secretary to work for Rev. Simon Thomson, Parish priest at Corpus Christi with St Joseph, Portsmouth. The successful applicant will be located in the Parish Office. Hours of work 16-20 per week, hours each day to be agreed; experienced in all areas of administration with excellent secretarial skills, time management and prioritisation skills; computer literate; sympathetic to the Ministry and Mission of the Catholic Church; able to work on own initiative; diplomatic, discreet with a sympathetic nature. For an application form, job description and salary details, please contact:- Mrs Mary Swaffield, Personnel Administrator, St Edmund House, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth, P01 3QA, telephone 023 9282 3567. Closing Date is Monday 16th May.

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.

Catholic Bible School – Nutbourne House, Farm Lane, Nutbourne, Chichester
www.catholic-bible-school.org
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 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.

24th April 2005 5th Sunday of Easter The Year of St Matthew

Mission Appeal
Next weekend Fr John Dugdale SCJ will be making a Missions Appeal and will be celebrating the Masses in our three churches.

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.

Faith + Football
“2000 Minutes of Praise” a Pentecost Praise Celebration, to be held in Springfield School, Central Road, Drayton, from 9.00am Saturday 14th May to 6.30pm on Sunday 15th May 2005. This is a supporting challenge to the forthcoming Great Wall of China Challenge www.chinachallenge.org.uk and is an amazing opportunity for witness and celebration. Churches and fellowship groups from all around the Portsmouth area will offer Praise and Worship in sessions to fill the entire 2000 minutes between the start and end times. Money raised through sponsorship will go towards the “Faith and Football” activities to rescue and empower the poorest and most vulnerable children in Ibaden, Nigeria, taking them away from Child Labour Prostitution and Begging. Linvoy Primus, Portsmouth Football Club’s Player of the Year 2003 will play the first note at the end of the 2000 minutes and give insight from his recent visit to India. Contact John Morley on 023 9232 7783 or Mick Mellows on 023 9238 2789 for details.

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

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1786.46
Clergy Training Fund - £460.53

Forthcoming Collections
1st May - Combined Missionary Societies
8th May – World Communications

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