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. Please remember all the Candidates in your prayers.
Gift Aid
If you contribute either by envelopes or standing order, please collect a letter after all Masses today.
Children’s Liturgy
Please note that there will be no Children’s Liturgy at the St Philip Howard Church this Sunday.
The continuing fight against Euthanasia – a message from The Right to Life
Peers who have led the fight against Euthanasia in the House of Lords have written to express their gratitude to all those who wrote during the recent campaign opposing the Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill introduced by Lord Joffe. This played a vital part in achieving a victory of 148 votes to 100 against the Bill – the first victory in the pro-life campaign for over thirty years. A copy of the division list is on the notice board and we are asked to write and thank those Peers to whom we wrote and who voted against the Bill. Lord Joffe has said he will re-introduce his Bill in the House of Lords this coming autumn. It is vital that we write to our MPs at the House of Commons, Westminster, London, SW1A0AA expressing concern about legalising euthanasia and assisted suicide. It is important to draw their attention to the fact that every disability rights group in the country has made clear their opposition to any such legislation on the grounds that it would totally undermine the basic rights of people with disability.
Concert by Paprsky – date for your diary
You may recall that this group of some 30 young singers and musicians from the Czech Republic visited our parish last year. This July they are making a welcome return to the UK and will be singing and playing at St Mary’s Church in Portchester Castle on Friday 21st July at 8.00pm. They are mostly Catholics and through their music provide a remarkable witness to their Christian faith. The name ‘Paprsky’ means ‘sunbeam’ and when you hear them you will see what an appropriate name this is: for they bring brightness, light and brilliance to their music. They have an imaginative line-up: the backbone is a rhythm section of keyboard, bass, drums with both rock guitar and acoustic guitar. The band is augmented by a string quartet and woodwind solos. The choir is made up of male and female voices. Come and hear them – there is no admission charge but any donations would be appreciated. So, come along to a wonderful evening of great music.
Plant Sale
The recent sale of plants has raised the magnificent sum of £246.00 for our Adopt Sri Lanka Appeal.
St Philip Howard Pre-School
There are vacancies at St Philip Howard Pre-School which takes children from 2 years 6 months to 5 years of age. For details please ring 07814 870561.
Parish Diary
All group co-ordinators within the Parish who have not yet done so, are asked to send details of the dates, times and venues of their activities for the period of September 2006 to August 2007.
A Message from PEG
Please note that plastic bottle tops are no longer required for Naomi House due to increased transport costs.
THE UNION
Thought for the Week
Pentecost has popularly and rightly been called the “Birthday of the Church.” We greatly reduce the mystery of God’s presence, however, if we understand this phrase to refer to the beginning of the institutional church. Pentecost is our birth into new life as a new creation. It is our celebration of being God’s redeemed people who now share in the mission of the divine Son through the Spirit and this is the great mystery we celebrate on this festival. This is one of the reasons why the Easter season is a privileged time for celebrating baptisms, for in our baptism we first receive the Spirit and the new life that is ours as those who bear Christ’s name and mission.
This Pentecost solemnity brings to a climax the fifty day celebration of Easter. But we must be careful not to put away our Easter joy too quickly. Pentecost may be the end of the Easter season, but it is also a celebration of the beginning of our new life in Christ. Rather than our Alleluias being over, they are just beginning! They bear fruit in the practical ways in our life that we “renew the face of the earth.”
From Living Liturgy
Open Air Mass
The Parish Open Air Mass this year takes place on Sunday 2nd July at 11.00am at St Jude’s School Playing Field. This will be combined with a Parish Open Day followed by a picnic. We will be providing transportation to make sure that everyone will have the opportunity to attend. However, we do realise that there are commitments that people have which would make this impossible .Because of this there will be a vigil Mass on Saturday 1st July at 6.00pm at Our Lady of Walsingham Church and Mass on Sunday at 6.00pm at Sacred Heart Church.
Calling all the Faithful to Our Lady of Walsingham Church
Come and share an American Lunch at Our Lady of Walsingham Church; be stimulated by our quiz master and enjoy music on Sunday 18th June at 1.00pm. Bring a savoury or sweet dish – cost £2.50 adult. Ring Rebecca to book a place – 023 9238 1802.
Walk with us in the New Forest
On Saturday 10th June there will be a 7.5 mile walk open to anyone who wishes to join us. The walk will start at 11.00am from Shatterford Car Park which is about a 45 minutes to an hour car journey from Fareham. The car park is near to Beaulieu Road Station and Hotel about 3 or 4 miles ESE of Lyndhurst (OS198 or OL22 GR348064). The walk is a relatively easy one with no big ups and downs. Trainers are perfectly adequate but walking shoes are desirable if it has rained a lot in the days before. Bring your own drink and picnic which will be eaten by a small stream. If you wish to come, please let us know, Paul and Simone Tomlinson 01329 282453.
Life Quiz
Thank you to those who supported the Life Quiz. The amount raised was £228.00. The next one will be at Christmas.
GIFT – The Bible Course for 2006
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 14th June at St Jude’s School, Fareham from 7.45 to 9.15pm. Refreshments will be served from 7.30pm. The subject for this evening will be: Who are we in times of change: the Exile. Nicky Stevens and Angela Wills will lead us in study of this interesting topic, which is very appropriate at this time of change in our own diocese. If you need a lift, ring 023 9238 1802.
Fairtrade
This is Fairtrade weekend and goods will be on sale after all Masses.
News from Rome
The president of Italy’s Rabbis stated on Vatican Radio that the Pope’s visit to Auschwitz was “a warning to humanity and a word of hope and consolation for all those who suffered.” At the site of the concentration camp, the Pope asked why God kept silent during the Holocaust. The president of Italy’s Rabbis commented that “before asking about God’s silence, it is necessary to ask why man was silent; that is, where was man in Auschwitz?” “In the end man is a creature that bears the imprint of the image of God,” he said, “He is a creature gifted with freedom……..” He continued by saying that the memory of Auschwitz must lead to an “awareness of what happened and to a commitment to say ‘never again.’” The Pope himself wished to underline that, as a German, he could not fail to come to Auschwitz.
Catholic Bible School
The Catholic Bible School Open Day takes place on Saturday 17th June from 2.00 to 4.30pm – lots to do and lots of fun! Please see the notice board for full details.
St Jude's
RC Primary School
Current newsletter here
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Pentecost Sunday 03/04th June 2006
The Year of St Mark |
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Pentecost Praise and Worship
Today, Pentecost Sunday, the Portchester Churches will celebrate with a Praise and Worship Service at Portchester Parish Hall in Castle Street, 6.30pm for 7.00pm. All are welcome.
First Holy Communion
Please pray for the young people from the Parish who will be receiving their First Holy Communion on Saturday 10th June or Saturday 17th June.
The Adoration
of the Blessed Sacrament
“In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light particularly to those who are suffering” (Pope Benedict XVI, 25 May 2006, Warsaw)
Contacts:
Fareham - Lily Peach on 077 678 98885, Portchester - Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864 or Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494.
Apostleship of the Sea
The Apostleship of the Sea is the Catholic Church’s outreach to international seafarers. Ninety-five percent of the goods we use or consume come to us by sea; sixty percent of all seafarers are Catholic; each year 100,000 merchant ships come to our shores. Contact Laura Jenner on 020 7012 8602 to find our more about the work of the AOS.
Have you ever been to Walsingham?
Here is your opportunity be you male or female to join our UCM for their annual pilgrimage (one of the largest). Leaves Fareham and Portchester 4.00am arrives back before 11.00pm – cost £30.00. Further details and bookings phone 01329 311911.
An Evening with Commodore Paul Docherty – a member of our Parish
Please join us on a journey…….. "from Gibraltar to Georgia – 35 years of Naval service as seen through my telescope”.
Paul’s presentation will describe some experiences of his time in the Royal Navy, including active service in the Falklands War, commanding a Type 42 destroyer and addressing ethical, moral and social dilemmas facing servicemen and women today.
Tuesday 13th June 2006
Sacred Heart Hall – 7.30pm
Cheese and Wine
All proceeds to Adopt Sri Lanka
Tickets £3.50 on sale after the weekend Masses or book your ticket by phone Anna 01329 234436 Pauline 01329 236275
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WANTED! |
Finance
Offertory Collection - £1441.80
World Communications - £272.39
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
