Faith and Light
The next meeting for Faith and Light takes place this weekend, 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.

August Newsletter
As in past years, there will be one newsletter published for the month of August, rather than one each week. This will be published on the weekend 29th/30th July. If you have an item for inclusion in that newsletter, please ensure that it is given to the Parish Office by noon on Wednesday 26th July.

Concert by Paprsky
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. 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.

A Chance to Get Qualified!
The National Open College Network is a major awarding body, providing a national framework of credit units and national qualifications. A course will be held at The Well, 116-118 West Street, Fareham and the United Reformed Church, Osborne Road, Fareham aimed at all volunteers who wish to gain nationally recognised qualifications and recognition for their skills and knowledge as a stepping stone to regular employment. The course consists of four units which can be taken singly or as a whole package – Work Experience (Saturday 2nd September 2.30pm at The Well) – Health and Safety Awareness in a Working Environment (Saturday 9th September 9.30am at the United Reformed Church) – Using cooking in a domestic kitchen (Saturday 16 September 9.30am at the United Reformed Church) - Developing custom service skill (Saturday 23 September 9.30am at the United Reformed Church) All courses will last approximately three hours and refreshments will be provided. Contact June Haye on 01329 318731 for further information.

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

In our society we tend to live and work as if everything depends upon us. While we need to be practical about life, we cannot lose sight of the One on whom we ultimately depend – Jesus. The mission of Jesus continues through the work of his disciples: what Jesus did, they do; how Jesus was received, they are received. Like Jesus, disciples meet both success and rejection. If we only look to ourselves we could be paralyzed by discouragement. But we do not act on our own; we act in Jesus’ name and on his authority. The mission is his.

Everything that happened to Jesus is happening in us; we are given the authority to witness to the good news of the coming of God’s kingdom and in our witness we meet both acceptance and rejection. Our success is not measured by our acceptance/rejection ratio, but by the integrity of our words and deeds. Our authority is most fruitful when it is borne out by living as Jesus lived. Disciples of Jesus strip themselves of everything except the one thing that counts most: witnessing to the good news of God’s reign.

From Living Liturgy

Beatrice Lernoux RIP
Please pray for Beatrice Lernoux, who died recently. Please also pray for Beatrice’s family and friends.

Colin Hampton RIP
Please pray for Colin Hampton, who died recently. Please also remember Colin’s family and friends in your prayers.

Franciscan Community in Jordan
A Franciscan community will be canonically established on Jordan’s Mount Nebo. The decision was confirmed by Franciscan Father Pierbattista Pizzaballa, Custos of the Holy Land. He said “For a long time the custody has wished to do something in that very beautiful centre. The arrival of new missionaries in the Holy Land has enabled us to reinforce our presence in Jordan, in our only shrine connected to a memory of the Old Testament, which has already become a constant object of pilgrimage.” From the summit of Mount Nebo, Moses saw the Holy Land without being able to enter it. The community is made up of three brothers from Australia, Syria and Italy. They will revive contemplative life and prayer, combined with hospitality for pilgrims. In future, it is hoped to make the site suitable for retreats and hospitality, especially for the local Church.

‘Raffle’ Prize Winners
The Raffle held during the Open Air Mass and continued last weekend, was drawn after the 11.00am Mass on the 9th July. The lucky winners are as follows:

1st prize fruit cake Terry Phillips
2nd whiskey Bill Dunn
3rd Wimbledon towel Dorothy Owen
4th ‘England’ chair pink ticket 34
5th wine Mrs Wilkie
6th chocolates Kathy Gale
7th planted flower container Jayne Hollings
8th wine pink ticket 193
9th biscuits Marie Woodhall

Pink tickets 34 and 193 – please claim your prize by phoning 01329 234436 or 01329 236275.

A total of £217.00 was raised for Adopt Sri Lanka. Thank you so much to everyone who contributed and kindly donated raffle prizes.

Equality and Inclusion
Fareham Borough Council is committed to promoting inclusive communities and equality for all – find out what this means in practice and how you can help. Ian Barrett will explain the Council’s approach and planned consultations on race and disability equality and you can enjoy a simple lunch and ‘network’ with people in community organisations – 21st July noon to 2.00-ish in the Octagon Lounge, Ferneham Hall – lunch £2.50 per person. If you wish to attend please ring Fareham Community Action on 01329 231899.

Gardener Available
Christopher New is available for gardening at £8.50 per hour in the Fareham and Portchester and surrounding areas. For more details ring 01329 221739. Christopher is the son of Mary who has recently joined the cleaners at Our Lady of Walsingham Church.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

15th Sunday of the Year 15/16 July 2006   The Year of St Mark

Missionary Appeal
Next weekend there will be an Appeal by the Columban Missionaries at all Masses.

Women of Hope
John and Valerie Bond will be at Fareham Community Church, West Street, Fareham on Monday 31st July at 7.30pm to share their testimony of how knowing God has transformed their lives.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“The least portion of His body, the tiniest drop of His blood is deserving of the adoration of heaven and earth” (St Peter Julian Eymard).

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

CAFOD
CAFOD is the main Catholic agency working in the field of overseas development. They need volunteers to help reach more of their supporters by speaking at Mass, assisting with press releases and campaigning for the rights of the poor. There are also many other volunteering opportunities. Experience is not essential as excellent training is given, continuing support and office back up. Further information is available from CAFOD’s Portsmouth Diocesan Office, St John’s Seminary, Wonersh, Surrey, GU5 0QX on 01483 894064.

Used Postage Stamps
Please bring your used postage stamps to church. These are sent to the Scout Association to raise funds for the Trust that provides holiday homes for handicapped scouts (boys and girls). The box is in the entrance hall.

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.

Thanks
Thank you to those who attended the recent garden opening held by Chris and Frankie Lane. £220.00 was raised for the British Red Cross.

Catholic Bible School, Nutbourne House, Farm Lane, Nutbourne, West Sussex
www.catholic-bible-school.org
“The Transforming Power of God’s Word – Saturday 16th September 2006 10.00am to 3.30pm

Thanksgiving Mass – Wednesday 18th October – Nutbourne Chapel at 7.45pm.

School Term
The school term ends on 24th July. We say a big thank you to Christine McGrew, the Staff, Governors and all who work at St Jude’s, our parish school. We hope all pupils and staff will enjoy the welcome break.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1606.37

Apostleship of the Sea - £411.93

Forthcoming Collection
23rd July –Columban Fathers Appeal

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