Parish
Office
The Parish Office will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period
from lunchtime on Wednesday 21st December and will re-open on Friday 6th
January 2006. Joan would like to thank all the volunteers who help in
the office with a variety of tasks throughout the year. Biddings Writers
who are due to write Biddings for Christmas and New Year are asked to
send them in by 16th December.
Christmas
Greetings
Father Peters sends Christmas wishes to everyone in the Parish
and apologizes for not sending cards this year.
Sister Julia sends greetings and best wishes to all in Fareham and Portchester.
Youth Club
“Hello splendid people…..a letter for you: On December 18th
there will be free (yes FREE) food and drink for you all at the club and
entrance will also be FREE!!! This is because the following Sunday is
Christmas Day and the next one is New Year’s Day, so as all of you
will no doubt be doing other things on those two days, the club will be
closed. Meanwhile I am trying to organise for us to celebrate the New
Year at the ‘Go Bowling’ rinks in Fareham. The club will subsidise
the bowling as usual and will throw in food and drink from the bar there.
So the total cost to you for both bowling and refreshments will be just
£5.00. hope you will be able to come…please let me know (if
possible next week) as soon as possible so that I can make the bookings.
You would have to be at the Go Bowling centre (by Homebase) by 2.00pm
and the games should last until approximately 4.00pm. If you want to let
me know by phone, my number is 01489 583629. John”
Thanks
Thanks to the SVP for arranging the wonderful Christmas Party recently.
Everyone had a very enjoyable time.
| A
Call to Prayer for the community of the Solent Pastoral Area If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, come and join us for the first Friday of every month at the Church of St Margaret Mary in Park Gate. Come for a day of prayer, reflection and spiritual formation. Our first day together will focus on the Feast of the Epiphany. We will start at 10.30am with Mass. This will be followed by adoration. Time will be given to intercession. Father James will be available for Confession and spiritual direction. We will end with devotions to the Sacred Heart and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. After a time of sharing over lunch, we will have Bible Study, reflection and sharing on the Scriptures. We will end with prayer and a time for tea. For further details, ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802. |
Catholic
Life and other publications
The December issue of Catholic Life is on sale in the Repository in
the Sacred Heart Hall. It contains some very interesting articles and
is priced at only £2.50. Also available is another magazine, a Guide
to Pilgrimages 2006, price £3.00.
THE UNION
Thought
for the Week
This weekend we will be offering a commentary at Mass to deepen our love
of what should be the most important thing in our lives, because at the
heart of the Mass is Jesus himself.
|
Open
House at the Presbytery |
Christmas
Services
24th December
Decoration of Christmas Tree - 10.00am - Our Lady of Walsingham
Vigil Mass
– 5.00pm - St Philip Howard
Midnight Mass – 11.30pm - Sacred Heart
25th December
Mass – 8.00am - Our Lady of Walsingham
Mass – 9.30am - Sacred Heart
Mass – 11.00am - St Philip Howard
Cards giving details of the Christmas Services are available in the church porch. Details here and also on the notice boards.
Patricia
Hemple RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Patricia who died recently.
Please also pray for Patricia’s family. Her funeral took place on
Tuesday 13th December at Portchester Crematorium. May she rest in peace.
Churches
Together in Portchester Christmas Card
The Portchester Churches have once again produced a Christmas Card
giving details of their Christmas Services. The cards are to be delivered
to every household in Portchester. If you are able to help with delivery
in your own road or one nearby, please speak to Joan Hamilton or Yvonne
Hart.
|
Epiphany Vigil Mass 7.00pm at Our Lady of Walsingham Mass 7.00am at Sacred Heart Mass 9.00am at Sacred Heart Mass 11.00am at St Philip Howard |
Confirmation
Bishop Crispian will confer the Sacrament of Confirmation in our Parish
on Friday 9th June 2006 in St Philip Howard Church. Prospective candidates
and parents are invited to come to an information evening on 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). Others who might have missed out are also invited to consider
preparing for this important Sacrament. Volunteers are required to help
with the delivery of this course – if you can help please contact
Ric Burch on 01329 319825.
Diocesan
Fairtrade Day – Date for your Diary
On Saturday 4th February 2006 from 10.00am to 4.00pm there will be a Diocesan
Fairtrade Day which will take place at Blessed Hugh Faringdon School,
Fawley Road, Reading. Bishop Crispian will celebrate Mass at 3.00pm to
conclude the day.
Howard
Brebner
Mr Brebner was the first Headmaster of St Jude’s and retired to
live in Cornwall. He has been diagnosed with bowel cancer and is to undergo
a very serious operation some time in January. Many of you will remember
him and he needs our prayers. We will try to keep you posted on his progress.
Used
Postage Stamps
Thank you to everyone who has contributed used postage stamps. These have
been sent to the Scout Association to raise funds for the Trust that provides
holiday homes for handicapped Scouts (boys and girls). Please do continue
to put the stamps in the tin in the porch.
| Deanery
Altar Servers’ Mass All Altar Servers are invited. There will be no Mass at Sacred Heart Church that day. |
St Jude's
RC Primary School
Current newsletter here
| Fourth Sunday of Advent 17/18th November 2005 The Year of St Mark |
 |
A Message from the Finance Committee
Christmas is a time of giving thanks for the blessing of Jesus’
birth. Let us show this by remembering the wonderful work carried out
by Father Joe and other priests who help in our parish. It is our usual
custom that the collection on Christmas Day is our personal gift to them.
They do so much for us so let us be generous in return. Don’t forget,
if you contribute by way of Gift Aid, (either by standing order or envelopes),
the Church can reclaim the tax paid on your gift. Simply use one of your
envelopes and mark it clearly with your number or your name and the words
“Christmas Gift”.
The Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament
As usual there will be a break in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
during the Christmas holiday period. At Our Lady of Walsingham Church,
Adoration will resume on Monday 9th January. At Sacred Heart Church, Adoration
will resume on Wednesday 4th January.
Contacts:
Fareham - Lily Peach on 077 678 98885, Portchester - Veronica
Reeves on 023 9237 2864 or Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494.
Children’s
Christmas Tree Service
Any children who would like to come to decorate the Christmas Tree
at Our Lady of Walsingham Church and sing and play some carols, are invited
to come to the Church at 10.00am on Christmas Eve. Refreshments will be
provided.
Flower
Arranging at St Philip Howard Church
Someone is needed to take over the flower arranging at St Philip Howard
in the New Year, preferably from the weekend of 7th/8th January. If you
feel able to help, please contact Mary Wrightson on 01329 312706.
Flowers
for Christmas
Sacred Heart Flower Arrangers will be in the church hall on Friday
23rd December at 1.00pm making the garlands and arrangements to decorate
the church for Christmas. We would welcome any help with this happy activity.
Please bring your own secateurs and any evergreen foliage to spare from
your garden.
|
2005
Parish Advent Appeal – with children in mind 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. |
Carol
Singing at Portchester
There is a group of parishioners from the Churches in Portchester
going Carol Singing on Tuesday 20th December. Anyone interested is welcome
to join in. Ring Rebecca for details on 023 9238 1802.
Carols
by Candlelight
There will be a family Christmas Carol Service at St Philip Howard Church
on Sunday 18th December at 4.00pm. It will be followed by refreshments
in the church hall. All are welcome to this Service to prepare for the
great celebration of Christmas.
Apostleship
of the Sea
“On behalf of Seafarers, Trustees, Staff and volunteers, I extend
grateful thanks to your parishioners for their support throughout 2005.
Without the help of your parish, we would not be in a position to carry
out our ministry.” Commodore Chris York, National Director.
Extraordinary
(Lay) Ministers of Communion
Anyone who was unable to attend the recent meeting of Lay Ministers
of Communion is asked to collect an important leaflet concerning this
Ministry from either Margaret Proctor or Joan Hamilton.
Advent
Appeal Sale
There will be a Christmas chocolate tombola stall, cake stall and a raffle
after all Sunday Masses this weekend.
Finance
Offertory Collection - £1504.86
Advent Appeal to date - £2705.75
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
