Open Air Mass – Thank you
Thank you to everyone who helped to make last Sunday’s Open Air Mass such a wonderful occasion. Your support was much appreciated. Father Joe

Faith and Light
The next meeting for Faith and Light has been re-scheduled from Sunday 9th July to Sunday 16th July. As usual, the meeting will take place at St Philip Howard Hall from 3.00pm to 5.00pm. The group would appreciate help with transport and the meetings. If you are able to help, please contact Annette Woolley on 01329 310091.

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.

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.

Hospital Stay
Should you or a member of your family be taken into hospital for a routine operation or rest care, please let us know at the Parish Office. Although you may register your details at the hospital and include your religion as Catholic, this information is not automatically relayed to the Parish. The same applies if you are taken into hospital as an emergency. A relative or friend needs to let us know. If you are moved to another ward, this is not automatically conveyed to us, and even upon inquiry at your original ward, they will not necessarily tell us to where you have been moved. If the hospital authorities fail to offer you the opportunity of spiritual support, they are contravening the NHS guidelines for the spiritual needs of patients and staff. Please also let us know when you have returned home. Visits can be arranged and Holy Communion brought to you at home, but only if we know you have been released from hospital.

Welcome
A warm welcome to all visitors to Fareham and Portchester this summer and welcome, also, to those who are newcomers to our parish. If you have recently moved to this area, please fill in one of our “Are you new” forms to be found at the entrance to the church and return this to the parish office.

Can You Help in the Church?
Our three churches are cared for in many ways by different people. Each of our three churches has a small group of people who meet once a week to clean that particular church. Similarly, a small number of people take a turn to help to arrange the flowers in the Sacred Heart Church, St Philip Howard Church or the Church of Our Lady of Walsingham. More helpers are needed. If you could spare a little time to help to clean one of our churches or to take a turn in arranging the flower displays, please speak to Father Joe. More details of these activities are available in our Parish Handbook which has recently been up-dated.

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

How many of us, at one time or another, have caught ourselves thinking, “If only I had lived when Jesus lived, seen those miracles, heard his powerful preaching. I would be able to believe more deeply in him. It would be easier. He would be right there?” This Sunday’s gospel tells us otherwise. Contemporaries of Jesus did see his mighty deeds, did hear him teach and preach, and yet they “took offence at him.” Even Jesus “was amazed at their lack of faith.”………….

Some who heard Jesus could not get beyond the familiar details such as his occupation and his relatives to believe that he was more than this. Their questions reveal that they still did not understand who Jesus was, still were not able to accept him as someone from God. They saw but they didn’t believe. The challenge of this Sunday’s gospel is to look beyond our own knowledge of others preconditioned by what we think we know about them and listen to them, allow them to teach us about God and how to be faith-filled disciples.

God does not very often visit us in the unusual and spectacular, hitting us over the head so that we don’t miss God’s message of salvation. Most often, God visits us in the ordinary circumstances of our own lives through the ordinary people we meet who are faithful as Jesus was to their own mission to make known the gospel.

From Living Liturgy

Open Garden
This weekend, Chris and Frankie Lane will once again be opening their garden in aid of the British Red Cross 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.

NEWS FROM PEG
PEG will be collecting plastic milk bottle tops again, for the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

On Friday 21st July at Sacred Heart Hall at 7.30pm Peg will have a guest speaker, Andrea Smith, who will talk about ‘Car Share Clubs’. This is our last meeting before the summer break and all are welcome.

Save God’s Beautiful World
With Mary Grey from Wells for India takes place on Saturday 7th October at St Jude’s School – further information to follow.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

14th Sunday of the Year SEA SUNDAY 08/09 July 2006   The Year of St Mark

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.

Oasis en Gadi
This 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.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
"Precious Blood, ocean of divine mercy: Flow upon us!
Precious Blood, most pure offering: Procure us every grace!
Precious Blood, hope and refuge of sinners: Atone for us!
Precious Blood, delight of holy souls: Draw us! Amen” (Prayer of St. Catherine of Sienna)

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.

Portchester Voluntary Care
This group has co-ordinators who receive requests by telephone for help with transport. They then find a suitable volunteer who will provide transport and if necessary, an escort, to Health Centres, Hospitals, Dentists etc. Donations are appreciated and can be placed in an envelope provided by the driver who will return it to the treasurer. Volunteer drivers can, if they wish, claim expenses. If you feel this service might be of help to you or if you would like to volunteer to be a driver or escort, please telephone 023 9232 1788.

Calling all Young Parishioners!
The Parish Youth Club is open to all parishioners aged between 11 – 16yrs inclusive. We meet in the St. Philip Howard Hall between 7 – 9pm on Sunday evenings. There is a lot to do in a friendly atmosphere.

Family Fun Day at St Edmund’s School, Portsmouth
This is to be held on Saturday 15th July from 11.00am to 3.00pm and has been organised by the Youth Justice and Peace Group from St John’s Cathedral. It will be a good day out for all the family with various stalls, games and attractions. Matt Edmondson, CBBC presenter and former pupil of St Edmund’s will make a guest appearance. Donations of prizes for the event would be warmly welcomed – please contact Neil Galbraith on 023 9236 2971.

Catholic Bible School Thought for the Week
Christianity is a battle, not a dream

Naomi House T@10
“A big thank you to everyone who attended, baked cakes or donated prizes for the Naomi House Children’s Hospice, fund raising tea morning on Wednesday 28th June. £125.00 was raised – many thanks to everyone! Diolch yn fawr! Elizabeth Evans.”

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1422.33

Peter Pence - £225.75

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