Gunpowder, Treason and Plot
Would you like to know the truth about Guy Fawkes and the plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605? Get a copy of Catholic Life, on sale in the Sacred Heart Repository. There is also an illuminating article on Cardinal Newman’s progress to sainthood. There are many other interesting articles too. A good buy for only £2.50.

Thanks
Dave Ryan would like to say a word of gratitude to all those who sponsored him for the Great South Run. Thanks to the marvellous generosity, the sum of £388.00 has been donated to the Life Fertility Programme.

Ushers/Welcomers
Meeting on Thursday 17th November at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart Hall.

Christmas is coming, the choir’s getting thin!
As you are probably aware, our parish choir, Fareham Section, has reduced in size during recent years. Unfortunately, a number of members have left for a variety of reasons. For some time now we have been unable to provide a choir to lead the music at 9.00am Mass. A major impact of this was felt last Christmas when there was no choir available for the midnight Mass – although an organist was able to provide music for the congregation. What a shame to have one of the two major events in the Church year with no choir to help lead the music!

We would dearly love to avoid the same situation this year. As we are about to start practising carols and Christmas music, we would like to invite you to consider joining us at choir practice. Even if you only want to be involved in the preparations for Christmas and make no commitment to Sunday services, we would be delighted to see you. No previous musical training or expertise is required (you don’t even have to read music) but an enthusiasm for singing and praising God is essential! We meet at St Philip Howard Church on Tuesdays for a 7.45pm start – ring Chris Lane on 01329 310785 for more information.

‘Mini’ Sale
Once again, thank you so much to the dedicated helpers and to everyone who kindly gave items and donations towards the sale in aid of Adopt Sri Lanka. A total of £452.00 was raised. This money, through Adopt Sri Lanka, will help rebuild a Catholic chapel in Galle which was destroyed during the December tsunami. Your compassion and generosity is very much appreciated.

The Well
The Well is now taking bookings for Christmas parties on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning Tuesday 29th November at a cost of £12.95 per person. All meals are freshly prepared and include the usual seasonal trimmings. There is a total capacity of 20 people per day, so please book early.

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
We easily construe the master in today’s parable as hard of heart, stingy, overbearing. Yet even the servant given just one talent was, in fact, greatly gifted by the master. Each one of us is so significant that God constantly lavishes generously on us so we enjoy the “master’s joy.” All we need do is be “faithful in small matters.” This is another parable about what we are to do as we await the master’s return.

The wealth of God has no limits; neither are there limits to what God shares with us. What a remarkable God! What kind of master entrusts his slaves with this kind of wealth? What kind of God shares divine life with adopted children? Ultimately this is what Jesus has been trying to tell us all these Sundays in these parables about the kingdom. God lavishes on us divine Life. God’s Life isn’t a quantity to be measured, however, like talents. God’s Life is a relationship that can never be exhausted. We can never have “sufficient” talents. The curious thing about God’s generosity with God’s Life is that the richer in it we become, the more likely we are to be faithful in the small matters so we can grow in what we already have.

No, the number of talents we have really doesn’t matter in the face of God’s reward that is incalculable. The real surprise of the gospel is that the talent taken away from the “wicked, lazy servant” was given to the servant who already had ten talents. This incomprehensible generosity and seeming favouritism adds to God’s generosity – when we are faithful we are given even more. We are reminded that God’s generosity is most unbelievably given at the end of our life when we are invited to share in the “master’s joy” – the Messianic banquet.

From Living Liturgy

Father Paul Townsend
Father Paul is to be installed as a Canon on Tuesday 22nd November at St John’s Cathedral Portsmouth at the 12.15pm Mass.

House Group
The House Group meeting will be on Wednesday 16th November. This takes place at 101 The Avenue, Fareham and all are welcome. For more information please ring 01329 847533.

Fred Hill RIP
Fred Hill (aged 91) who lived in Serpentine Road, Fareham for some 25 years in the 1950s and 1960s and was a Sacred Heart parishioner, sadly passed peacefully away, aged 91 on Friday 4th November 2005. Unmarried, he lived with his sister, Gwen, in Somerset for the last 35 years of his life. He will be sadly missed.

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.

Christian Ecology Link
The annual meeting of Fareham CEL will take place at Sacred Heart Church Hall on Friday 2nd December at 7.30pm.

Concert at Our Lady of Walsingham
On Friday 2nd December at 7.30pm there will be a concert in aid of Caritas Romania – Street children. Anyone interested in taking part or helping in any way, please telephone Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

33rd Sunday of the Year 12/13 November 2005 REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY The Year of St Matthew

Confirmation
Bishop Crispian will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation in our Parish on Friday 9th June 2006 at 7.00pm in St Philip Howard Church. Prospective Candidates and parents are invited to learn more about this important Sacrament at the following Information Evening:

Wednesday 11th January 2006 at 7.00pm in St Philip Howard Church

Candidates should be at least in their third year of secondary education (Year 9 and above). Other young people – or not so young – who, for one reason or another, might have ‘missed out’ are also invited to consider preparing for this important Sacrament. Volunteers are also still required to help with the delivery of this course. If you are interested in becoming a helper please contact Ric Burch on 01329 319825.

Blessing of Graves
Prayers will be said at Portchester Crematorium and Portchester Memorial Gardens at 3.00pm on Sunday 20th November.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“Jesus is the only source of true peace. There cannot be hope of real peace in the world apart from Christ…How does Christ bring about this peace? He earned it by His Sacrifice. He gave His life to bring reconciliation between God and man…This sacrifice which draws the human family to unity is made present in the Eucharist. Thus, each Eucharistic celebration is the source of a new gift of peace…The gift that Christ made of Himself is more powerful than all the force of division that oppresses the world” (Pope John Paul II, Eucharistic Congress, 11th March 1988.)

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!

Advent People in their world turned upside down
This takes place at Park Place Pastoral Centre on Sunday 4th December from 10.00am to 4.00pm and is led by Dr. Anand Chitnis. Dr. Chitnis is trained as a Spiritual Director at the Ignatian Spirituality Centre at St. Beuno’s in North Wales. During the Retreat, he will reflect on people who figure in the Church’s Liturgical Readings for Advent. All are welcome. The cost is £15.00 – coffee/tea are provided but please bring a packed lunch.

Life Quiz
Christmas Quizzes will be on sale this weekend after Mass. Proceeds in aid of LIFE.

St Swithun’s Catholic Primary School, Southsea
Required for April/September 2006 a suitably qualified, experienced, committed practising Catholic to the Headship of this school. Application forms and job details are available from Education Human Resources Team, Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth PO1 2EA. Closing date – noon on Friday 25th November for interviews on 10th and 11th January 2006.

Parish Social
3rd December – 8.00pm at St Philip Howard Hall – disco, licensed bar, children’s bar, Father Christmas, whisky roll, American Supper. Come and join the fun and bring a friend. Tickets £2.00 a head, £5.00 per family, are available from Graham Stanton on 01329 284057, Sarah Smith and Janet Saliba.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1593.80

Bamenda – £524.05

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