Concert at Our Lady of Walsingham Church
On Friday 28th April there will be a concert at Our Lady of Walsingham Church at 7.30pm in aid of the Parish Lenten Appeal. Tickets are £3.00 for adults and £1.00 for children. Please come and give your support for this important appeal.
Gift Aid Envelopes
Please do not forget to collect your Gift Aid Envelopes which will be available after all Masses this weekend. If anyone has any queries regarding Gift Aid or would like to know more, please speak to Yvonne Byrne.
Stations of the Cross
During Lent there will be Stations of the Cross on Fridays at 7.30pm at the Sacred Heart Church which will be followed by Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. There will be Stations of the Cross at Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Sundays at 4.00pm.
Franciscan Stations of the Cross
Saturday 8th April after the 10.30am Mass at Sacred Heart Church. All are welcome.
Children’s Stations of the Cross take place at 11.00am on Good Friday at St Philip Howard Church followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.
Quilt Group
Anyone who would like to join the quilt group which resumes on Tuesday 25th April at 24 Crawford Drive, Fareham at 2.00pm, is asked to phone Barbara McLachlan on 01329 239647.
Youth Club News
Youth Club members will be having a party on 9th April to say farewell to Niall and Conor (our longest serving club members) together with their young brother who are all moving to Basingstoke. A big loss to us…but at least the party’s free.
MEANWHILE Youth Club members will be going by coach to Paultons on 20th May to check out the new Cobra 450 metre rollercoaster plus, of course, all the other rides. Those who want to go on the subsidised outing must let John know by 9th April (01489 583629). By the way, if you are aged 11-15 it’s easy to join the club…..just turn up at St Philip Howard Hall any Sunday at 7.00pm.
Easter Chocolate Tombola Stall
There will be a chocolate tombola stall after the Vigil Mass and all Sunday Masses on 8th and 9th April. All proceeds to the Parish Lenten Appeal in support of AdoptSri Lanka. Donations of anything ‘chocolate’ would be much appreciated and can be left in the Parish Office or Sacred Heart Hall. Thank you.
Portchester Voluntary Care
The Portchester Voluntary Care Group needs drivers to help with transport to health centres, hospitals etc. For more information please ring 023 9232 1788.Their AGM and buffet lunch takes place on Wednesday 10th May at Portchester Parish Hall, Castle Street beginning at 12.30pm. All are invited to go along and find out more about the Group. If you plan to attend you are asked to ring 023 9237 6475.
Larger Pastoral Areas
Those who wish to respond to the Larger Pastoral Areas discussion document are reminded that their comments should be sent to the Implementation Steering Group at Peterhouse, St Peter Street, Winchester, Hants SO23 8BW by Friday 7th April.
THE UNION
Thought
for the Week
Death is something that we try to avoid, prolonging arrival of the inevitable as much as possible. By contrast, Jesus embraces his death. He is the grain of wheat that dies. He loses his life in order to be lifted up to eternal life…
Was the prospect of suffering and dying easy for Jesus? Apparently not. “I am troubled now.” He is not swerved from the purpose for which he came (to reconcile us to his Father). As the second reading tells us, “he learned obedience from what he suffered.” The key image in John’s gospel is that of Jesus being “lifted up from the earth.” On the one hand, this means his being physically lifted up on the cross. It also means lifted up in exaltation for, in John, the cross is exaltation; cross and exaltation can never be separated……
Baptism is the sign of our being drawn to Jesus so that we, too, might be lifted up and glorified with him. Like Jesus, we must learn obedience through suffering, that is, by dying to self which often takes the form of following Jesus in service of others……
The door opening onto life is death to self. Our own glorification is the fruit of obedience learned through service. We must follow Jesus to the cross, and glory.
From Living Liturgy
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Where is God when we contemplate death? This was the theme of the fourth session in Portchester Churches Lent Discussions. The following is the closing meditation from the theme: “When Cardinal Hume was diagnosed with terminal cancer he rang to tell Timothy Wright, the Abbot of Ampleforth. The abbot said: ‘Congratulations! That’s brilliant news. I wish I was coming with you.’ The Cardinal replied, ‘Thank you, Timothy. Everyone else has burst into tears.’” Pray for your local hospice and anyone known to you to be terminally ill or struggling with bereavement. |
Sr Julia Flannery RIP
Please pray for Sr Julia, who has recently died. Sr Julia worked tirelessly in this Parish despite suffering ill health and was always cheerful, with a great sense of humour and fun. No details of the funeral arrangements are available yet.
Call to Prayer for Fareham Deanery Community
Do you feel the need for quiet and time for reflection? Do you wish for time away from the business of life? Do you wish for spiritual formation? Do you wish to answer the call of the Holy Spirit? If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, come and join us for the first Friday of every month in the church of St Margaret Mary in Park Gate. Our fourth day together on Friday 7th April, will focus on the third vision of Margaret Mary and the teaching she received about the Sacred Heart of Jesus. We will start at 10.00am with Mass. The day will finish at 3.00pm. Bring your own sandwiches. Tea, coffee and soup will be available. For further details, ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802.
Jesus, Laughing and Loving
Original paintings and drawings by artists from 16 countries are on show at St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth from Saturday 19th April to Saturday 13th May, Monday to Friday 10.00am to 5.00pm, Saturdays 10.00am to 4.00pm and Sundays 12.00 noon to 4.00pm.
Easter Newsletter
The Easter Sunday newsletter will be printed on Wednesday 12th April. Any items for publication should be sent to the Parish Office by 12 noon Tuesday 11th April. This also applies to Biddings for Holy Thursday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday and also for those of 23rd April.
News from The Vatican
Pope Benedict will join the rosary that will be prayed in St Peter’s Square this Sunday night to commemorate the last moments of Pope John Paul II’s life. The Polish Pontiff died at 9.37pm on 2nd April 2005 and some 60,000 people had gathered in the square that night to pray the rosary for the dying Pope. Memories of that night will be relived with the rosary, presided over by Cardinal Camillo Ruini, the Vicar for Rome. Beginning at 8.30pm the choir of the Diocese of Rome will accompany the prayer with Marian songs and the reading of texts of Karol Wojtyla. At 9.00pm Pope Benedict XVI will appear at the window of his study and the holy rosary will be prayed. Around the time of John Paul II’s death, Pope Benedict will address the faithful present and will conclude the prayer with the apostolic blessing.
On Monday, a Mass marking the first anniversary of John Paul II’s death will be celebrated in St Peter’s Square at 5.30pm and Pope Benedict will preside.
Parish Lenten Appeal
This year’s Lenten Appeal is in support of AdoptSri Lanka. During this season of Lent, let us look beyond ourselves and look forward to helping the poor. Please help in any way you can to support this Appeal. Buckets will be at the back of each church after the weekend Masses during Lent.
A wonderful donation
A beautiful hand-made quilted single bed-spread has been kindly donated to us. It will be raffled along with two other grand prizes over two weekends commencing 1st and 2nd April. All proceeds towards the Parish Lenten Appeal.
St Jude's
RC Primary School
Current newsletter here
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Fifth Sunday of Lent 01/02 April 2006
The Year of St Mark |
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Latin Mass
Experience the peace and prayerfulness of the Latin Mass at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth on 23rd April 2006 (Low Sunday) at 1.30pm – male voice schola supporting the use of Gregorian Chant. (Celebrant – our own Father Joe)!
Cake Stall in aid of the Lenten Appeal
This will take place on 8th and 9th April following the Parish weekend Masses. If you are able to bake a cake, make biscuits, scones, home-made jams……these can be left in the Sacred Heart Hall on Friday morning of 7th or Saturday 8th from 3.00pm.
The Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament
Contacts:
Contacts: Fareham - Lily Peach on 077 678 98885, Portchester
- Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864 or Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494.
Adoration at Our Lady of Walsingham Church resumes on Monday 24th April. At Sacred Heart Church Adoration resumes on Wednesday 19th April.
Lourdes
If you are 17 years plus and wish to join the Diocesan Pilgrimage as a helper, please telephone Jane Cadogan 01329 235987 for further details. The pilgrimage takes place from 25th August to 1st September 2006.
PEG Survey
Just a reminder that the survey forms should be completed and returned as soon as possible.
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PARTY AFTER THE EASTER VIGIL Following the Easter Vigil Mass on Saturday 15th April there will be a party to welcome Andrew Brown, Dawn Donnelly, Dawn Gilmore, Joan Horner, Desmond Quick, Grace Salter and Hilary Weller into the Church. As usual, you are invited to donate items of food for the finger buffet. In the entrance hall of each church is a list of food. Please sign your name against your contribution. Please bring your donations on that Saturday to St Philip Howard Hall between 2.00pm and 3.00pm or to Our Lady of Walsingham between 10.00am and 11.00am. |
Lenten Breakfasts
All are most welcome to share in the simple breakfasts which will be served each Thursday during Lent in the Sacred Heart Hall, following the 7.00am Mass. All proceeds from these breakfasts will go towards the Parish Lenten Appeal in support of AdoptSri Lanka.
Lent Lunches
The Portchester Churches will be holding Shoppers’ Services and Lent Lunches every Wednesday in Lent. The Services begin at 12.00 noon and take place at Portchester Methodist Church in Castle Street and are followed at 12.30pm by a simple lunch. Do support these lunches as all proceeds will be shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid.
Counsellors in the Diocese
The Diocese would like to compile a list of counsellors in the Diocese and perhaps meet occasionally to share ideas and good practice. If you are a qualified counsellor and interested in responding, please contact Patricia Cox and Angela Wills at The Department for Pastoral Formation on 01329 835583.
Thanks
Christine Petersen would like to offer her grateful thanks to Father Joe, Clergy and Parishioners for their kindness and prayers during her illness.
Pauline Skinner is delighted to be able to say that £300 was raised as a result of the appeal made at the funeral of her mother, Christina Greenfield. Half has been sent to the Catholic Children’s Society and the remainder has been shared between our three churches for Easter flowers.
Lena Meagher
Lena is now back home and recovering well following her recent stroke. She would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards and Masses offered
House Group
The next House Group meeting is on Wednesday 5th April at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. All are welcome. For more information ring 01329 847533.
Finance
Offertory Collection - £1507.00
Lent Appeal to date - £1803.70
Clergy Assistance Fund – £433.99
Forthcoming Collection –
14th April – Holy Places
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
