A Message from Bishop Crispian
“My brother (Anglican) Bishop in Portsmouth has been diagnosed with acute leukaemia. He will be out of action for at least six months. I know that he and his wife, Sarah, would be very grateful for your prayers.”

Mass in Malayalam
On Friday 23rd September Father Thomas Joseph Therakam will be celebrating the Sacrament of Reconciliation at 6.30pm in Sacred Heart Church. This will be followed by Mass at 7.30pm in the Malayalam language. This Mass will also be in celebration of our Parish Ecology Group. All are welcome

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.

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.

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.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Jesus was the first to speak the Parable in today’s Gospel. What did He mean? St Matthew – many years later and with specific groups in his readers and audience – used it for his specialised missionary outreach. We are emboldened to ask: “What was uppermost in Jesus’ mind?” After all, there is more than a hint from our first reading and the following responsorial psalm:. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, my ways are not your ways etc.” The psalm has: “for I am generous…..and full of compassion.” So is this Gospel really a portrait by Jesus of His Father? It could be a companion piece to St Luke’s Prodigal Father with two selfish sons. Furthermore, St Luke had first introduced his “revelation” of the Father by the twin parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin.

Anyway, we remain workers and so must respond to the loving and compassionate nature of the Lord of the Vineyard. Self-awareness followed by faithful prayer will help to guarantee that coin of the Realm – Eternal Life.

Father Charlie

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.”

St Anne’s Sixth Form College, Southampton
There will be an Open Evening on 17th October from 6.30pm to 9.30pm – A level pass rate 2005 98% Grade A and B passes 54%. It is open to male and female students from October 2006. Go along and view the courses on offer.

Parish Race Night
Saturday 15th October at St Jude’s School – come and join the fun – tickets £3.00 per head, includes supper, licensed bar – bring your money; bring your kids; bring a friend. The first race takes place at 8.00pm. Tickets are available from Graham Stanton on 01329 284057. Please book early so we can cater for everyone.

MacMillan Cancer Relief – World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
Be part of the fun and fund raising on 30th September 2005 at 22 Magpie Close, Fareham 10.00am to 12.00 noon. *home made cakes* *raffle* *bring ‘n’ buy*. Everyone welcome! Kettle’s on already!......do you take sugar? Further information from Elizabeth Evans on 01329 231448.

Jesus, Light of the World
This is a Borough-wide celebration at Hallowe’en and takes place at Ferneham Hall, Fareham on Monday 31st October at 7.30pm. It features ‘Bright Lights’ a special event for children aged 7-13 years. There will be a candlelit procession from the bandstand at 6.45pm when youngsters are parading dressed as representations of the darkest force in the universe. This is for all Christians, especially children, especially this night. No charge, no tickets – just come.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

25th Sunday of the Year 17/18th September 2005 Home Mission Sunday The Year of St Matthew

Pastoral Letter
This weekend we have a Pastoral Letter from Bishop Crispian concerning the Pastoral Plan for the Diocese. The Plan, entitled Go Out and Bear Fruit, was celebrated at the Diocesan Assembly at Reading. With this newsletter you will find a summary leaflet of the Plan and booklets giving full details are available in the church porch.

Helen Tarling RIP
Please pray for the repose of Helen Tarling who died recently. Please also pray for William and all of Helen’s family and friends. Helen’s funeral service takes place at Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Tuesday 20th September at 2.30pm, followed by burial at Roman Grove Cemetery at 3.00pm.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“During those memorable (World Youth) days, in some churches of Cologne, Bonn and Düsseldorf, there was continuous adoration, day and night, with the attendance of many young people, which in this way were able to discover together the beauty of contemplative prayer. I trust that, thanks to the commitment of pastors and faithful, participation in the Eucharist will be ever more assiduous and fervent in every community.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 4th September 2005).

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.

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.

Congratulations!
Our congratulations go to Sophie Taylor who has won second prize in the 2005 Schools’ Bible Project. Sophie will receive a commemorative Bible and personal prize, together with a certificate, and her school, Oaklands Catholic School, will receive a cash prize of £250. Congratulation also go to Laura Gainey who was awarded a certificate for Highly Commended Work. Well done Sophie and Laura!

Portchester Voluntary Care
This group has co-ordinators who receive requests by telephone for help with transport. They then find a suitable volunteer who will provide transport and if necessary, an escort, to Health Centres, Hospitals, Dentists etc. Donations are appreciated and can be placed in an envelope provided by the driver who will return it to the treasurer. Volunteer drivers can, if they wish, claim expenses. If you feel this service might be of help to you or if you would like to volunteer to be a driver or escort, please telephone 023 9232 1788.

Finance
Thank you for your generosity in giving.
Offertory Collection - £2162.66
Racial Justice - £288.96

Forthcoming Collections
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