Wildfire
Fareham United Reformed Church choir and drama group present Roger Jones’ musical “Wildfire” – the story of Stephen – at the church in Osborn Road South, Fareham. This takes place on Saturday 5th November beginning at 7.30pm. There will be a retiring offering in aid of “The Well”.

Health Concerns in Fareham and Gosport
The Patients’ Forum for Fareham and Gosport will be holding their next Meeting in public on Wednesday 9th November 2005 at 11.30am at Thorngate Halls, Bury Road, Gosport.

Race Night
A big thank you to everyone who supported the Race Night. It was a great success and £250.00 was raised for Scouting. Date for your Diary: 3rd December – Parish Social at St Philip Howard.

A Taste of India
This takes place at Park Placed Pastoral Centre on Sunday 18th December at 12.30pm. Come with family and friends and enjoy a Christmas Meal – cost £12.00 (£6.00 for children). The proceeds will be donated to the Franciscan Projects for Street Children in Brazil. Please contact Sr Judith, fsma. Park Place Pastoral Centre – tel: 01329 833043 if you wish to go.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
The gospel this weekend is apparently the inspiration for the saying “practise what you preach.” Our own human experience and culture is the inspiration for the saying, “do as I say, not as I do.” In 2000 years it doesn’t look like we have come very far, have we? We are right where the scribes and Pharisees are in this gospel!

At the time of Jesus, Pharisees were a sect that made practise of the Law central in their lives. Considering that the Law was a means for proving one’s fidelity to the covenant, keeping Law in itself wasn’t bad. The problem is the Pharisees had gone to extremes. They focused on even minor points of the Law and failed to differentiate; thus their works became their god. The scribes weren’t faring much better. They were the scholars of the Scriptures at Jesus’ time. They were teaching the Law in such a heavy-handed way that it shackled instead of freed. The Law had become a burden rather than something the people should love.

There is a contrast between what the Lord is saying through the prophet Malachi in the first reading and the scribes and Pharisees of the gospel. At least the scribes and Pharisees were teaching the right instruction even though it was too heavy a burden for the people to carry. The priests at the time of Malachi weren’t even giving the right instruction. Both groups had a divided focus. The scribes and Pharisees, instead of looking to the Law, were concerned with how they looked in keeping it. The priests, instead of keeping the covenant of Levi, had disrupted the covenantal community by showing partiality in their decisions.

God is saying through the prophet Malachi and through the divine Son Jesus that there is only one God (one Father, one teacher, one master) and all our direction comes from keeping God central. When our focus is right, then our relationships are right. God as centre leaves us servants – both of God and of one another. Keeping our focus on God doesn’t allow us to seek honours and recognition. It allows us to serve God in one another. The surprise and good news is that when we keep our focus on God and serve one another, God exalts us!

From Living Liturgy

House Group
The House Group will not meet on 2nd November. The next meeting will be on Wednesday 16th November.

From PEG
“Thank you for supporting the recycling in our parish. We need to have the right kind of foil. This means no medical tablet packs as these contain plastic. Remember the scrunch test – if it doesn’t crush, it’s not foil! Thanks again for all your help. John Vivian”

Tree Dressing Day
Do you have the artistic talent to design and construct a piece of art for display in Fareham’s Sensory Garden?

Originating from China, tree dressing is a national event that aims to develop an awareness of trees within our environment. It allows people of all ages and abilities to show their artistic talents, whilst drawing our attention to trees by using them as a gallery for public art. To celebrate this, Fareham Borough is looking for groups, schools and organisations who would like to take part, with this year’s Tropical Theme. The day will start at 11.00am on Saturday 26th November when you can come along with your piece of art which will be hung in one of the trees around the garden. Please do not use glass or any sharp objects, protruding nails and fixings, anything over 2kg in weight or materials that may perish in the rain. Tea and home baked cakes will be provided! If you would like to take part contact the Parks Department, Fareham Borough Council, Civic Offices, Civic Way, Fareham, PO16 7BR.

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. 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

31st Sunday of the Year 29/30 October 2005   The Year of St Matthew

Book of Remembrance
The Book of Remembrance will be open in our three churches during November to enable parishioners to enter the names of all the deceased for whom prayers are asked.

Blessing of Graves
Prayers will be said at both Fareham and Roman Grove Cemeteries at 3.00pm on Sunday 6th November and at Portchester Crematorium at 3.00pm on Sunday 20th November. Graves and memorial stones will be blessed as requested.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“Adoration means saying: ‘Jesus, I am yours. I will follow you in my life, I never want to lose this friendship, this communion with you.’ I could also say that adoration is essentially an embrace with Jesus in which I say to him: ‘I am yours, and I ask you, please stay with me always.’” (Pope Benedict XVI, 16th October 2005)

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

To all adorers of the Blessed Sacrament in Fareham and in Portchester
Fr. Joe would like to meet you on Tuesday 15th November at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart Church to reflect on the present state of our Eucharistic Adoration and to discuss any concerns you may have. Please don’t miss it!

Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
This Sunday 30th October at Sacred Heart Church at 5.00pm, there will be Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament to mark the end of the Year of the Eucharist and the month of the Rosary.

Monastic Vocations
A Monastic Retreat, Benedict’s Way, is being held at St. Peter’s Grange, Prinknash Abbey, Gloucester, between Tuesday 8th and Friday 11th November 2005 for practising Catholic men and women aged 18 – 35, who wish to explore the idea of a monastic vocation. Interested men should write to Father Stephen, Prinknash Abbey, Cranham, Gloucester, GL4 8EX (Email: paxprinknash@waitrose.com); interested women should write to Sister Benedict, Priory of St. Mildred, Minster Abbey, Ramsgate, Kent CT12 4HF.

Fairtrade
The Fareham Borough Fairtrade working group invites you to a Public Meeting on Tuesday 22nd November at 7.30pm at Fareham United Reformed Church, Osborn Road South. The speaker will be Simeon Greene from Windward Bananas. For more information or to register your interest, please contact Rachel Hicks on 01329 312895.

2005 Parish Advent Appeal – with children in mind
This year the Advent Appeal will support two local charities: The Rainbow Centre, Fareham “helping children with cerebral palsy learn to help themselves” and Catholic Children’s Society Portsmouth Diocese “making tomorrow a brighter day” for the many children under their tender care.

Presbytery
Now that the boundary wall at Sacred Heart Church has been rebuilt, it would be appreciated if all visitors to the Presbytery and Parish Office, including anyone who has a key, could once again use the front door.

Finance
Offertory Collection - figures unavailable

Forthcoming Collections
Bamenda – 6th November 2005

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 fill in the form and return it to Father Joe, or complete the online form