Solemn High Mass
Mass according to the traditional Catholic Liturgy will take place at St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth on Sunday 2nd October at 3.00pm. Celebrate Latin Mass using the classical, centuries old “Tridentine” liturgy. Refreshments will be available afterwards in the hall. Information from: Dr. David Joyce, 17 Loundyes Close, Thatcham RG18 3EA – tel: 01635 874101.

St John’s College Politics Society
The Politics Society at St John’s College was established in 1977 and attracts nationally known speakers as well as prominent local figures, of all parties and none. All are invited to the meetings arranged for the Autumn Term at St John’s College in Grove Road, Southsea:

Monday 3rd October: David Laws, Lib Dem MP for Yeovil and party spokesman on Work and Pensions:Friday 14th October: Crispin Blunt, Conservative MP for Reigate and Sir Malcolm Rifkind’s campaign manager in the party leadership contest:

Tuesday 18th October: Lord Tebbit, formerly Norman Tebbit, Cabinet Minister and Conservative Party Chairman under Margaret Thatcher, who will be speaking on Europe.

All events begin at 7.30pm and refreshments are served during the half hour before the start of the meeting. No charge is made for admission. For details, please contact Dr. Graham Goodlad on 023 9281 5118 or by email at grahg@stjohnscollege.co.uk.

House Group
The next meeting of the House Group will be on Wednesday 21st September (7.45pm for 8.00pm) at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. All are welcome. For more information please ring 01329 847533.

Roy Crowl
Roy is pleased to be able to say that he has passed the Certificate of Higher Education in Theology and Religious Studies at Plater College. He will be receiving his certificate on 17th of this month.

Building Bridges for Peace
Eliyahu McLean and Ghassan Manasra, internationally renowned peacemakers from the Holy Land, will be speaking about their inspiring initiatives that reclaim religion as a source for peace building, at The Theatre, 3rd Floor of Portsmouth Central Library on Monday 19th September from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Ghassan Manasra, a teacher of Sufism, directs the Muslim peace centre, Anwar il Salaam in Nazareth and Jerusalem. Eliyahu Mclean directs the Jerusalem Peacemakers and is inter-religious advisor for the Sulha Peace Project. Further information may be obtained from Susan Malpass – tel. 01329 663743.

SVP
Members are reminded that the next meeting of the Society takes place on Monday 19th September in the Sacred Heart Hall, beginning at 7.45pm.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week As most of you already know, this is my last weekend at Fareham and Portchester before I begin my new appointment at St. John Bosco’s Parish in Woodley, nr. Reading. Oh, the adventure of it all! I have always believed that a priest's own spirituality is directly related to the people he serves at any given time. Though everyone may not always realise it, the people of a parish always help to form their priest. How privileged I feel to have had the opportunity to be a priest in the Parish of Fareham and Portchester for the past 5 years. What a great foundation for my priesthood and what a wonderful time it has been, a time that I have shared with so many generous and gracious people. I know that you will warmly welcome Fr. Joe McNerney to take over from me and pray that his ministry here may bring him as much joy and fulfilment as mine has to me. From the moment I was newly-ordained in St. Philip Howard’s, in February 2000, I felt the love of you all as you reached out to me in your joys and hopes, and in your griefs and anguishes. What supportive people we are as Catholics! We are open to people of all races, cultures, genders and ways of life because we find ourselves as God's own people to be of precisely this same diverse mix of saints and sinners down through the ages and up into our wonderful future together. We are Church, and each one of us has a part in showing how we share in that reality. As a priest I've had numerous opportunities to meet the happy and the sad among us, the rich, the poor, and the in-between, the greatly-talented and those who are challenged much by life's demands. I have seen children grow and mature into adulthood and take up their spiritual responsibilities. I have been blessed by many adults seeking the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist and a faith lifestyle that makes sense to them. Reconciling penitents and anointing the sick, both individually and at liturgy, has always been a joy to me. I have always received a hundred times over from the very people I was ministering to. Since my youth I have always had a sense about all the Christian Churches, not only that they are related to each other, but that they need to actively seek greater unity because it is the command of our Saviour "that they may be one..." My ministry has always taken this into consideration, and I am glad to say that over the years I have experienced the fruits of good ecumenical cooperation within this parish. Though there are many difficulties that we must face, we know that the grace of God and our human giftedness are enough to see us through to a good future. More than ever, our world needs a united witness to our Christian beliefs. Each one of us has our part to play. Being Catholic in Fareham and Portchester in 2005 gives us a wonderful opportunity to witness to the reality of a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, multi-lingual, multi-faith-faceted Church. We have a lot to offer to the world. We should be proud of this and we celebrate this on this Racial Justice Sunday. Father Chris

Calling all Singers!!!!
If you are a singer in a church choir or just enjoy singing, then this might be the opportunity you have been waiting for! A ‘new choir’ is being set up this month based at Oaklands Catholic School, Stakes Hill Road, Waterlooville. The idea is to offer the opportunity for all singers in the Diocese to sing in a concert at St. John’s Cathedral next April or May. The concert will be for charity – yet to be decided upon. Rehearsals will start on Tuesday 20th September in the main hall of the school at 7.30pm. In order to cover costs such as music hire, there will be a joining fee of £15.00 per person. Singers outside the immediate area of Waterlooville might find it difficult to attend rehearsals, so if numbers are sufficient, two Saturday workshops will be put on to allow all singers to work on the chosen music – Faure’s Requiem and The Mass for the Dead: Mass of Peace by Karl Jenkins. If you would like to take part, contact Terry Stevens on 023 9234 9332. Full details are on the notice board.

Shoeboxes
“The time has come for us to begin planning for shoeboxes for Romanian families again. Each year the regulations change and become a little more complex but despite this, it is well worth our effort, reading the stories of their affect on the children who receive them. Along with the leaflet, there is an instruction sheet on exactly what to do and how to do it. Please follow the instructions! If you pay tax, please make sure you sign the gift-aid part of the form, and make sure you tape 2 x £1 coins on to the form. The organisers say they cannot accept boxes without their £2 contribution towards transport costs. If you cannot manage a box but would like to make a donation, please put money into an envelope marked SHOEBOX APPEAL, and fill in the gift-aid section on the form (if you pay tax). This is most important. For every £2 given, 56p is added by the Government. Craciun Fericit is Romanian for Happy Christmas – I am sure you will all do your best as always, Many, many thanks, Marian.”

September at the Catholic Bible School
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

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

24th Sunday of the Year 10/11th September 2005 Racial Justice Sunday The Year of St Matthew

Father Andrew Chandler
Our good wishes and thanks go to Father Andrew as he takes on his new responsibilities at Hayling Island.

Summer Quiz
We congratulate Mr and Mrs C. Kebby on winning with 98%!!! Thank you to all who took part and supported the Fareham Life Group. Keep an eye on the newsletter for the next one at Christmas!

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.

First Holy Communion Programme
Parents of those children of First Holy Communion age (born before the 31st August 1998) who wish for their children to prepare for this sacrament next year are invited to a meeting on Thursday 22nd September at St Jude’s School at 7.30pm. This will be an information meeting for parents where the programme will be discussed. If you wish your child to take part in the First Holy Communion Programme please complete one of the forms to be found at the entrance to the church and return this to the Parish Office.

Youth Café
Are you between the ages of 11 and 16? Do you wish to explore your faith? Park Gate Parish is running a course starting this month. Ring 01489 583602 for details.

Healing Service/Mass for the Sick
The above will be held on Saturday 1st October at 3.00pm in St Philip Howard Church. Could Eucharistic Ministers please arrange to advise the sick or housebound of this Service and organise transport wherever possible. Tea will be provided in St Philip Howard Hall after the Service. Should anyone be in need of transport, please contact Mary Cadogan tel. 01329 235987 or Anne Lamb tel. 01329 289721.

Good News Travelling Library
This will be visiting 22 Castle Street, Portchester from 7.00pm – 8.30pm on Thursday 29th September, with a wealth of religious cards together with books, tapes and videos to borrow.

Concert for Ben
Thank you to everyone who supported the concert at Our Lady of Walsingham last Friday in aid of Ben. A total of £381.00 was raised. Well done to all!

St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School, Southsea
A Headteacher is required for January 2006. Application forms and job details are available from: Education Human Resources Team, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2EA – tel: 023 9284 1246. Closing date is noon on Friday 16th September 2005 for interviews on 27-28th September 2005. If you would like to visit the school, please ring 023 9282 9339.

Churches Together in Portchester
Praise and worship takes place at Portchester Parish Hall, Castle Street, Portchester on Sunday 2nd October at 6.30pm. All are welcome.

A Beacon Prayer Meeting
Alpha Advisers for Hampshire and many other partnerships are teaming up to host A Beacon Prayer Meeting on Thursday 15th September from 7.30 – 9.30pm at Winchester Cathedral.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £1529.40

Forthcoming Collections
11th September – Racial Justice
18th September – Evangelisation and Mission
25th September – The Cathedral

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 Joe 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 Joe, or complete the online form