Annual Naval Mass
The annual Naval Mass takes place next Sunday, 9th July, at St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth at 10.00am. Refreshments will follow in the Cathedral Discovery Centre. Rig – 1b (with medals) – all are welcome.

Your prayers are requested
Prayers are requested for Bernard and Sarah Davis and family. Bernard’s father died suddenly in Fareham on Monday 26th June while on a family visit.

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.

Sunday Readings
Translations of the Sunday Readings in 12 European languages are available for the whole liturgical year from www.virc.at

Association of the Separated and Divorced
A Group has recently been established in the Portsmouth area. For further information, please contact Louise Connolly on 023 9287 0556.

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.

Heythrop College, University of London
A new degree begins in September at Heythrop: the MA in Christian Theology is designed to be of value to those engaged in Christian Ministry. It is a part-time evening degree, taught over two years, and brings together Christian doctrine, Church history and interfaith relations. It focuses on the central doctrinal teachings at the heart of Christianity, the legacy of St Augustine in Western Christianity and the relation of Christianity and Judaism. There is a special low fee for this MA in Christian Theology: £600.00 for the whole degree. Contact John McDade SJ (Principal) on 020 7795 6600 for full details.

Eucharist – the centrality of the Mass
During the Autumn, there will be an evening, held at various venues in the Diocese, for anyone who would like to deepen their understanding of the Eucharist and to discover what really happens at Mass. The local venue will be at The Discovery Centre at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth on Tuesday 14th November – the time will be advised.

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

We avoid the reality of death as much as we can. The funeral industry helps us to gloss over death’s stark reality. Yet, death is part of our human lives which we cannot avoid. It is good news, indeed, that Jesus’ inauguration of God’s kingdom vanquishes death and restores life. Like Jairus and the woman with the haemorrhage, all we need do to overcome the harsh reality of death and our fear of it is to reach out and touch the nearness of Jesus.

Death, however, not only means the cessation of physical life but also all those everyday “dyings to self” that call us to surrender our wills to God’s will. In the Christian mystery, death is the doorway to life. Just as Jairus and the woman forgot their own stations in life and overcame their fears in order to receive life from Jesus, so must we surrender our own wills in order to encounter Jesus and receive life. God’s reign of life is not established by avoiding death, but by embracing it.

From Living Liturgy

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.

Everybody’s Welcome Conference
Do you think your Catholic community is welcoming? Does it welcome ALL comers? Do YOU always feel welcomed? The ‘Everybody’s Welcome’ Conference is a day of celebration, opportunity and challenge and will include keynote talks, workshops and finish with Mass. There will be opportunities to share good practice, to explore resources and formation through a variety of resources and workshops. Bishop Crispian will be present at the day which begins at 10.30am and ends at 4.30pm on Saturday 7th October, at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Olivers Battery Road North, Winchester. The cost for the day is £6.00 per person to include lunch or £5.00 per person when two or more people from the same Pastoral Area book together. Please make cheques payable to PRCDTR – Department for Pastoral Formation and send to The Secretary, Department for Pastoral Formation, Park Place, Winchester Road, Wickham, Hants. PO17 5HA by Thursday 28th September 2006.

The Leaflet “Making Everybody Welcome”, tips for becoming a more welcoming parish, is available from the Department.

Oaklands Nearly New School Uniform Sale
The last sale of Nearly New Uniform this academic year will take place on Thursday 6th July from 6.00pm in the school dining room. Anyone wishing to sell good condition “Trutex” school uniform can do so by labelling each item with their child’s name, form, telephone number and price (25% commission to school funds) and handing it in to the school office. Please make it clear if you are donating items to the OPA and, in addition, indicate to whom cheques should be made payable when the item is sold. Please also enclose a stamped addressed envelope. This is an ideal opportunity for parents of Year 11 students to sell the uniform they no longer have any need for!

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

13th Sunday of the Year 01/02 July 2006   The Year of St Mark

Oasis en Gadi
Next Sunday, 9th July, following the 11.00am Mass at St Philip Howard, there will be a short presentation regarding the work of Oasis en Gadi for the street children in Mexico.

House Group
The next meeting of the House Group will be on Wednesday 5th July, 7.45pm for 8.00pm at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. For more information, please ring 01329 847533. All are welcome.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"He who receives the Most Holy Communion receives the living Jesus Christ, whose body, soul and divinity are in this divine Sacrament….Let us clearly see in spirit the holy angels who surround the Most Holy Sacrament to adore it.” (St Francis de Sales)

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

GIFT
Growing in Faith Together: The Bible Course – The Book of Revelation through Art is to be presented by Father Gerard Flynn with Nicky Stevens and Angela Wills on Wednesday 12th July. This is your chance to come and learn to appreciate the most mysterious Book of the New Testament. Come to St Jude’s School in Fareham. Refreshments will be served from 7.30pm onwards and the talk will begin at 7.45pm. Any queries, please ring 023 9238 1802.

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.

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.

An Evening with Bob Hurd
There will be an evening of music and prayer, song and story, led by a musician and composer whose work has enriched many celebrations and whose approach to his craft is always pastoral. This takes place on Tuesday 18th July at 7.30pm at St Stephen’s Church, Oliver’s Battery Road North, Winchester. All parish musicians and parishioners are most welcome to come and meet this well-known composer of ‘As the deer longs’ and other pieces of liturgical music. Contact Paul Inwood at Park Place Pastoral Centre, Winchester Road, Wickham, Hants. PO17 5HA, telephone 01329 835521 to book. Cost £7.00, concessions £4.00.

Catholic Bible School Thought for the Week
Character may be manifested in great moments but it is made in small ones.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1526.00

Forthcoming Collection
9th July – Apostleship of the Sea

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