House Group
The next meeting of the House Group will be on Wednesday 20th July - (7.45pm for 8.00pm) at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. It will be the last one before the summer break. We hope to restart in September. For more information ring 01329 847533.

Musical Evening in aid of three year old Ben
There will be a musical evening on Friday 2nd September at 7.30pm at Our Lady of Walsingham Church, Portchester in aid of three year old Ben, who two years ago was electrocuted in a tragic accident and died for fifty minutes before being brought back to life. Doctors thought he would be unable to do anything but, thank God, with prayers and help from the Rainbow Centre and, of course, dedicated parents, he is communicating and is a wonderful little character. Please come and support them. Ben’s father plays piano beautifully and will be playing at the concert.

Mass at Netley Abbey
This year’s Concelebrated Mass in the ruins of Netley Abbey takes place on Sunday 14th August at 4.00pm. You are invited to bring a picnic to enjoy after Mass.

August Newsletter
As in past years, there will be one newsletter published for the month of August, rather than one each week. This will be published on the weekend 30th/31st July. If you have an item for inclusion in that newsletter, please ensure that it is given to the Parish Office by noon on Wednesday 27th July.

Date for your Diary
Race Night – 15th October – More information to follow.

THE UNION
Thought for the Week
Jesus continues to teach using the parables of the Kingdom. This set of parables in St Matthew is based around the sowing of seed and the reaping of a harvest. Let us pause today, or sometime in this week, to think of the seed of our faith, and the harvest that we are reaping.

May the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ enlighten the eyes of our mind, so that we can see what hope his call holds for us (the Gospel acclamation).

Father Charlie

APF – a message from Fr. Frank Thompson
“This is the time of year when I always invite you to our Annual Mission Mass and film. Sadly it will not be possible this year as I have just had major surgery to replace my arthritic hip and I feel it would be unwise to resume such journeys at this stage. My recovery progress is good and, by next year, I hope to be fitter than I have been for some time. Please pass on my greetings to all Promoters and members and thank them for all they do. I would particularly like to share with you all my gratitude to God for 40 years of priesthood this year. You have played no small part in this as our Mill Hill Society sustains its missionaries through your support and the Red Mission Boxes. May God bless you always in your missionary work. Frank Thompson MHM”

Lourdes Cake Stall
The next Lourdes Cake Stall will be held after all Masses this weekend. All proceeds raised go towards helping young parishioners journey to Lourdes, where they assist and care for the sick pilgrims during the Diocesan Pilgrimage, 26th August to 2nd September 2005.

‘Mini’ Sale
This will be held this weekend. Marie and Barbara are organising a sale. All proceeds from this sale will go to the Tsunami Sri Lanka Project.

Women of Hope
Monday 25th July 2005 at Fareham Community Church 7.15pm for 7.30pm. The speaker this month will be Genny Ginete Callaghan from the Philippines. Come and hear how she encountered Jesus whilst living in Saudi Arabia.

Coffee after 9.30am Mass – Tuesday 19 July
There will be no coffee served after the 9.30am Mass at the Sacred Heart Church on Tuesday this week, 19th July. This is in the interest of Health and Safety while gas engineers are working in the Hall and the Presbytery.

September at the Catholic Bible School
Saturday 10th September – Dynamics of Reconciliation – Rev. Russ Parker 10.00am – 3.30pm.

Wednesday 14th & 28th September – Midweek Bible Study – 9.30am - 11.30am.

Wednesday 21st September – Healing Service at Nutbourne Chapel – 7.30pm.

Saturday 24th September – The Da Vinci Code – Gospel Truth? – Fr. Michael Gwinnell – 10.00am to 3.30pm.

Contact the Bible School at Nutbourne House, Farm Lane, Nutbourne, Chichester, West Sussex - telephone: 01243 371766 for further details. www.catholic-bible-school.org

16th/17th July 2005 16th Sunday of the Year The Year of St Matthew

Farewell to Father Chris and Father Andrew
On Friday 9th September there will be an opportunity for all the Parish to say farewell to Father Chris and Father Andrew and to wish them both well in their new Parishes. There will be a short Liturgy at 7.30pm at St Philip Howard Church followed by a reception at St Jude’s School and ALL ARE WELCOME.

School Term
The school term ends on Friday 22nd July. We say a big thank you to Christine McGrew, the Staff, Governors and all who work at St Jude’s, our parish school. We hope all pupils and staff will enjoy the welcome break.

Diocesan Youth Website
This has recently been updated and is hopefully, more user friendly:
www.portsmouth-dio.org.uk/youth/

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Encouraging a personal relationship with Jesus, Pope John Paul II said: “May it become in everyday life the source of grace from which your actions derive, and the apex of perfection to which you constantly tend.”

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

Adoration ceases at Our Lady of Walsingham on 18th July and at the Sacred Heart on 22nd July. It resumes on Monday 5th September.

Applications to Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College for September 2006
If you are applying to Oaklands for your child for September 2006, you must obtain immediately a Supplementary Application Form from either the Headteacher (if your child is in a Catholic Primary School) or the Admissions Secretary at Oaklands. This should be completed and taken to your Parish Priest for the relevant section to be filled in and signed. The form should be returned to the Admissions Secretary or via your Headteacher (if your child is in a Catholic Primary School.) This form is in addition to the form which you will be required to fill in for the LEA, which will be given to you by your child’s Headteacher in the Autumn Term and will then be returned to the LEA and eventually to the school to be placed with your Supplementary Application Form.

St Edmund’s Catholic School Uniform Shop
The Uniform Shop at the School is the only official provider of St. Edmund’s School Uniform and is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm and during the Summer Holidays. Please place your orders as early as possible to ensure that you have the correct uniform for September. For any uniform queries please contact 02392 892585 or 02392 823766 ext. 2618.

Toronto Mass Choir
Come and enjoy an evening of vibrant black gospel music on Saturday 27th August at 7.30pm in St Jude’s Church, Southsea. Tickets cost just £2.00 from the church office on 023 9275 0442.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1762.14
Apostleship of the Sea – £572.28

Forthcoming Collections
31st July - LIFE

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