Children’s Liturgy
Children’s Liturgy will take a break after this coming weekend in all three churches and re-commence in September. If anyone would like to offer any assistance for the autumn, please contact Yvonne Hart on 023 9237 5553.

Lions Ambassador of the 21st Century
Are you over 15 but under 19 years of age and active in your local community? Would £1500 help YOU in YOUR community welfare activities? Then enter the LIONS Young Ambassador of the 21st Century. Say what you do or tell the Lions about someone you know who could be a winner. Contact the Youth Officer at swanwicklions@aol.com and forward your name, address, date of birth and tell them something about yourself and what you do in helping the local community. Or tell them about someone you know who is within the age limits and is active within your community. Suitable candidates will be sent an application in September and on return of the form, will be called to a meeting in November.

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.

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.

Creative Journaling
This takes place at Park Place Pastoral Centre from Friday 28th July to after lunch on Sunday 30th and costs £100.00 residential full board, or £26.00 for non residents (tea/coffee provided but bring a packed lunch on Saturday.) It is led by Ann Beazer who is a trainer having considerable experience in Creative Journaling, designing engaging learning experiences, and is well known for her enthusiasm and ability to encourage people to explore fresh approaches to self-awareness.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week

If we stop and think about it, being taught occupies a large portion of our lives. We spend time in a school situation and many add four or more years of higher education to that. Almost always a new job requires on-the-job training. Openness to learning new things is a sign of growth and progress. We never get too old to learn. Indeed, one of the gifts of the elderly to us is the kind of wisdom that only comes through years of learning. This Sunday’s gospel points to the importance of hearing and receiving Jesus’ teaching as a first step and essential ongoing aspect of our journey to salvation.

Would that all of us hunger for Jesus’ teaching as much as we desire our physical, spiritual, and emotional needs to be met! One way to assure that we are always able to hear and receive Jesus’ teaching is to depart, like he apostles, to a deserted place to rest. Part of living the rhythm of the paschal mystery is to discern when to care for others and when to care for ourselves. This is not always such an easy balance to achieve. So we look to the Good Shepherd to learn when to teach and do good deeds and when to rest.

From Living Liturgy

House Group
The next meeting of the House Group will be on Wednesday 26th July 7.45pm for 8.00pm at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. This will be the last meeting until September. For more information ring 01329 847533. All are welcome.

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.

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.

Can you Sew?
Are you at a loose end in August? If so and you can sew, (even just being able to sew a hem/button on will be ok), would you like to join me in making small quilts for sick and traumatised children? My small group meets on a Tuesday afternoon 2.00pm to 4.00pm. We meet at 24 Crawford Drive, Fareham, off Miller Drive near top end. Phone Barbara McLachlan on 01329 239647 for further details.

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.

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.

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.

Catholic Youth Services
An exciting event is due to take place in Birmingham during the weekend of 14th – 15th October 2006. Oct.06 is an event for young adults (18 – 30s) planned by young adults with the support of Catholic Youth Services. 24 hours, 4000 young adults, workshops, speakers, gigs, discussion, Mass celebrated by Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor,, Vigil, networking, fun, time out and even Catholic speed dating - if you wish to go you need to book a place. For bookings visit www.oct06.org.uk

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

16th Sunday of the Year 22/23 July 2006   The Year of St Mark

Missionary Appeal
This 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
“Precious Blood, life and love of the Heart of Jesus, from which You gushed as the supreme expression of His tenderness for humankind; Blood shed in suffering and ignominy, with inexpressible charity; Blood flowing into thousands of hearts for the purification and sanctification of souls; blessed Blood of Christ, I love You, I praise You, and I adore You with the most profound gratitude!” (Bishop Francis Xavier Cloutier).

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

Teaching Vacancy
St George’s Catholic School for Boys require a part-time teacher of Religious Education for September 2006. For further information please contact the Headteacher on 023 8032 2603 or by email at: ros.letherby@btinternet.com

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.

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.

The Band of the Royal Marines
On Thursday 27th July at 2.00pm, the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines School of Music will be performing an Open Day Concert in the surroundings of the City of Portsmouth’s Guildhall. Featuring the Royal Marines School of Music Concert Band, Big Band, Ceilidh Band, Choir and Orchestra this event offers a rich variety of the very best contemporary and classical concert performances. Standard tickets of £10.00 and concessionary tickets of £8.00 are available now from the Guildhall Box Office on 023 9282 4355.

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

Conserving Creation
Pope Benedict XVI has sent a message to the 6th symposium on Religion, Science and the Environment, encouraging Christians to collaborate in the protection of the environment. The Conference is being held in the northern Amazon region of Manaus, Brazil on “The Amazon, Source of Life.”

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.

Race Equality Scheme Consultation
Fareham Borough Council is in the process of revising its Race Equality Scheme as required by the Race Discrimination Act. As part of this they would like to hear from local organisations and individuals concerned with the needs of people from black and minority ethnic groups who live or work in Fareham. If you would like to help visit www.fareham.gov.uk where you can obtain further information.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1701.00

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