Sick and Housebound Parishioners
Do you know of any Parishioner who is sick or housebound and would appreciate the opportunity to receive Holy Communion at home? If so, please notify Deacon Langford or the Parish Office in order that arrangements may be made.

To the sick, Pope Benedict has said that the Eucharist is their “support, light and consolation in trial and suffering.”

Greetings from Madrid
Father Manuel sends his good wishes to all his friends in Portchester and Fareham.

Quiz Lunch
The Quiz lunch on Sunday 18th June was fun for all who came. £60.00 was raised for the UCM. A big thank you to all who supported us.

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.

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.

Diocese of Portsmouth Youth News
Copies of the June issue of Youth News are available in the church porch.

God’s Gift @ Walsingham
A festival for young adults aged 16 – 35 years takes place from 24th – 28th August 2006 at Walsingham, Norfolk. Want to re-connect with Christ? Faith gone a bit wobbly? Just need a spiritual boost? This festival could be for you. Check the website on www.youth2000.org or ring 01937 582200 for details.

Park Place Garden Party
This takes place on Sunday 16th July from 3.00 to 5.30pm in aid of street children in Brazil. Tickets cost £5.00 and may be obtained from Park Place.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week

Today’s gospel is filled with symbolism. The storm is a metaphor for the difficulties that beset us at every stage of life. The boat is an image of the Church gathered – a suffering, persecuted, challenged Church. The gospel illustrates the care that we desire: that the storm be stilled, that we be delivered. The first reading illustrates what God offers us: that God is present at all times.

How do we read this story, we who already know who Jesus is? The gospel challenges us to move beyond an understanding of Jesus as the one who is there when we need him (even though that is true) to the beckoning Light who brings us home to eternal life.

From Living Liturgy

Open Air Mass (Full size poster here)
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.

Anyone needing a lift to/from the Open Air Mass or able to offer a lift, please contact Alison Ivison on 01329 230049.

Open Garden
Chris and Frankie Lane will once again be opening their garden in aid of the British Red Cross on Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th July from 2.00pm to 6.00pm. They live at 50 Hill Park Road, Fareham. Entrance will be £1.50, accompanied children free. Plants will be on sale and tea and home made cakes will be served. Both the front and back gardens have been prize winners in Fareham in Bloom for the last three years.

Developing Skills for Leadership
This two-term course for those serving the Church in positions of leadership takes place at St Edward the Confessor, Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford. It is aimed at those who are keen to respond to the challenges of the Pastoral Plan, Ministry group co-ordinators, PPC or Finance Committee members, Priests and Deacons. Details are on the notice board.

Thanks
Thank you to Commodore Paul Docherty for hosting an interesting and absorbing ‘talk’ last Tuesday in the Sacred Heart Hall. The most enjoyable evening raised a grand sum of £530.00 for the charity Adopt Sri Lanka. Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to making the evening such a success.

St Philip Howard and Sacred Heart Sunday coffee mornings have donated £80.00 and £50.00 respectively to Adopt Sri Lanka. Thank you for your kindness.

Adopt Sri Lanka acknowledge with enormous thanks and appreciation the donation recently received from our Lenten Appeal.

An update of our work in Sri Lanka will be on display at the Parish Open Air Mass on Sunday 2nd July.

Free Books for Toddlers!
If your child is aged between 18 months – 2 and a half years you can collect your free ‘Bookstart Plus’ bags in any Fareham Library. To collect one for your child, simply take their Health Record Book along to your local library. The pack contains two free books and is packaged in a brightly coloured school style book bag with Velcro fastening. It also contains some bookplates, wax crayons and paper and a number frieze.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

12th Sunday of the Year 24/25th June 2006   The Year of St Mark

Your community needs you!
Local groups will soon be taking their members out an about to enjoy local attractions. Can you help? These trips provide a day out for people who may not otherwise get one, but drivers are desperately needed for the Community Transport minibuses. Previous experience of driving larger vehicles and a MIDAS certificate would be an advantage, but training can be given. If you can help, please phone Jane Allison on 01329 310231.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"Jesus Christ is the only friend who never abandons anyone. He it is who in our last moments comes to visit us on our bed of pain. Let us, therefore, remain united with Him by prayer and Holy Communion" (St. Euphrasia Pelletier).

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

A Message from AnnetteWoolley
“I will soon be moving back to Yorkshire and sadly will be leaving amongst other friends those in Faith and Light. The Portsmouth and Fareham community would like some help with co-ordinating the meetings. For more information, please read the enclosed sheet. Thank you. Annette”

Oaklands Catholic School and Sixth Form College
If you are applying to Oaklands for your child for September 2007, you must obtain immediately a Supplementary Application Form from either the Headteacher (if your child is at a Catholic Primary School) or the Admissions Secretary at Oaklands. You should fill in this form and take it to your Parish Priest or Minister for the relevant section on the application form to be filled in and signed. This form should then be returned immediately either directly to the Admissions Secretary or via your Headteacher (if your child is in a Catholic Primary School). Please be aware that this form is in addition to the form which you will also be required to fill in for the LEA. That form will be given to you by your child’s Headteacher in the Autumn Term, and will then be returned to the LEA and will eventually come to the school to be placed with your supplementary application form. The earlier you submit your application, the more time we will have to process your application, and this will be helpful to the school.

Oaklands will be open to visitors on Wednesday 5th July from 11.30am to 1.00pm and all interested parents are invited to come and see the school in action.

Day for Life
This year, the Day for Life is celebrated in England and Wales on Sunday 2nd July. Among its goals are: to celebrate the life and presence of disabled people in the Church and in Society; to promote a more just and humane society and to defend the lives of the disabled often threatened before birth.

APF Annual Mission Mass
This takes place at St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth on Wednesday 12th July at 7.30pm. After Mass, there will be a short film presenting just one aspect of living the Good News of the Gospel through the missionary vocation of Sister “Joji” Fenix from the Philippines. Sister Joji works in Darien, Panama. All are welcome.

Cleaning of Our Lady of Walsingham Church
Help with the cleaning of Our Lady of Walsingham Church is required; it is a good way to make friends and feel that you are contributing to our community. The cleaning takes place on Fridays after Mass and coffee for 1 – 2 hours. Just come along, have a cup of coffee and help. Dusters, cleaning materials and chocolate biscuits provided!

Catholic Bible School Thought for the Week
Feed your Faith and your doubts will starve to death.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1640.44

Forthcoming Collection
25th June – Peter’s Pence

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