GIFT
Notice for all who have planned to attend the Course for 2006-7. This has been postponed for a year to 2007-8. This is partly for the formation of the new Pastoral Area and due to lack of manpower on the committee.

Thanks from Mary Knight
“Thank you to Father Joe and Father Charlie for your prayers and Masses offered for me during my illness. Also thanks to all the Parishioners for their cards, prayers and Mass Offerings. A Mass will be offered for all at Sacred Heart Church on 29th October at 9.00am. Thank you all again.”

Shoebox Appeal
“Hello Everyone!
Now that the children are about to go back to school, it is also time for me to remind you all about the shoeboxes for Romania appeal. We will need small gifts, pens and pencils for the schoolchildren, toiletries and socks, scarves, razors, toys, toothbrushes, etc. Please start collecting them NOW so that we will all be prepared by October, when we will begin to bring them in to church. I know I can rely on you all as usual.
Many thanks, Marian”

Charities Fayre
Come and start your Christmas shopping and find out more about the work of the charities at this Fayre which takes place on Monday 11th September at St John’s Church Hall, St Michael’s Grove, Fareham from 6.00 to 8.30pm. Entry is free, but if you would like to make a contribution of some canned or dried food to the Fareham and Gosport Basics Bank, that would be much appreciated.

Douai Abbey Programme
Friday 15th September 7.45pm – Grief and Spirituality
Saturday 16th September 10.00am – Spiritual Discernment
Sunday 17th September 3.00 – 4.30pm – Adventures of the God Detectives
Friday 6th October 6.00pm – Friday 13th October 10.00am – Touching God with my Fingertips Retreat
Friday 13th October – Sunday 15th October – To God Through Music
Saturday 14th October 10.00am to 5.00pm – Healing Families.
Details of the above are on the notice board.

Accommodation required
Two qualified teachers in Conductive Education who will be working at the Rainbow Centre in Fareham are looking for accommodation in Fareham or Portchester. If you are able to help, please contact Magdi Kovacs on 01329 221762.

Also, a lady aged 20 years, who is trying to improve her English would like accommodation in exchange for helping in the family. Once again, if you can help, please ring Magdi on the above number.

Some Forthcoming events at Park Place
17th September 10.00am – 4.00pm – Dance for Joy led by Joan Smith (Come and discover the joy of circle dancing) – cost £15.00 tea and coffee provided but please bring food to share. 5th – 8th October – Calligraphy and Prayer led by Sue Drew – cost £150.00 en suite residential full board; non-resident £87.00 with meals. 6th – 8th October – Sadhana Retreat led by Sister Frances fsma based on the D’mello spirituality of awareness prayer – cost £100.00 residential full board; non-resident £26.00 (tea and coffee provided by please bring a packed lunch on the Saturday. Please ring Park Place Pastoral Centre for further details and to book your place.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week

It’s relatively easy to change outward things about ourselves, for example, hair-style, clothes, facelift, etc. But to change a lifestyle requires a consistent, life-long effort. So, too, is conversion a life-long struggle to do the work of interior transformation so that our interior intentions and external actions match up.

In baptism we are plunged into the waters that destroy our old selves so we might rise in the new identity of the body of Christ. This baptismal identity and life in Christ defines our relationship with God. The real challenge is to surrender to God’s action deep within us and allow that interiorisation of our identity and relationship with God to be expressed in our observable actions. The dying and rising of the paschal mystery urge that our interior and exterior selves be the same. We wear no masks; we are not hypocrites.

We spend our whole lives learning how to conform our interior intention with our identity as members of the body of Christ. Conversion is not easy nor swiftly achieved. The process does ensure us life.
From Living Liturgy

Children’s Liturgy
Children’s Liturgy resumes this weekend.

Mass for the Sick
The next Mass for the sick will be on 30th September 2006 at 3.00pm at St Philip Howard Church. Will Lay Ministers of Communion make arrangements for transport of sick and elderly parishioners whom they visit, if appropriate. Tea will be provided after the service. Should anyone wish transport to the Service, please make contact with Mary Cadogan on 01329 235987 or Anne Lamb on 01329 289721.

UCM
Meetings start again on 11th September. New members are welcome – 7.30pm – 9.00pm in the Sacred Heart Hall.

Extract from the Statement from the President of the Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor regarding Holy Days of Obligation
“For some time the Bishops have been considering the celebration of Holy Days of Obligation in England and Wales. We have responded to requests from Diocesan Councils of Priests and many others, deeply concerned at the diminishing observance of these days. In order to foster the celebration of the rhythm of the liturgical year and to celebrate more profoundly the mysteries of the life and mission of the Lord, the Bishops have decided to transfer to Sunday those Holy Days of Obligation which are Solemnities of the Lord (other than Christmas Day). This means that the Epiphany, the Ascension of the Lord and Corpus Christi will now be celebrated on Sunday. The current practice is retained with regard to other Holy Days of Obligation. The changes take effect on 3rd December 2006, the First Sunday of Advent.”

NEWS FROM PEG
Save God’s Beautiful World with Mary Grey from Wells for India on Saturday 7th October at St Jude’s School from 10.00am to 4.00pm. Admission is free but by ticket obtainable via John Vivian on 023 9242 2129.

First Holy Communion Programme
Parents of those children of First Holy Communion Age (born before 31st August 1999) who wish for their children to prepare for this Sacrament next year are invited to a meeting on Thursday 21st September at 7.30pm in St Jude’s School. This will be an information meeting for parents where the programme will be discussed.

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.

Everybody’s Welcome
A day to help us build more welcoming communities takes place on Saturday 7th October at St Peter’s Catholic Primary School, Oliver’s Battery Road North, Winchester, SO22 4JB, from 10.30am to 4.30pm (coffee from 10.00am). Bishop Crispian and Elizabeth Davies will be present and the cost for the day is £6.00 per person to include lunch - £5.00 per person when two or more people from the same Pastoral Area book together. Please notify Father Joe as soon as possible if you would like to attend as bookings must be made by 28th September.

Niall Tuttiett
Niall, one of our parishioners, is planning to visit Kenya next year to teach English, Maths and coach sport for four months and needs to raise between £4,000 and £5,000. Visit his website www.tuttiett.uwclub.net to find out more.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

22nd Sunday of the Year 2/3 September 2006 The Year of St Mark

Malta Day
On 9th September the Malta High Commission is celebrating Malta Day with a get-together in London and Holy Mass in Westminster Cathedral for the Maltese Community in the United Kingdom. A Maltese Fair takes place at Westminster Cathedral Hall from 10.00am to 2.00pm and includes Maltese food, groceries, crafts, lace, jewellery, literature and art. Concelebrated Mass at Westminster Cathedral begins at 2.30pm and concludes with a street procession and fireworks salute in the Cathedral square.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
Contacts: Fareham - Lily Peach on 077 678 98885 Portchester – Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864 or Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament resumes at Sacred Heart Church and Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Monday 4th September.

More adorers are needed for adoration at Our Lady of Walsingham. If you can spare one hour between 1.00pm and 4.00pm please let Rose Andrews or Veronica Reeves know.

Adopt Sri Lanka
Thank you to everyone who supported and helped with the recent ‘mini sale’ held in aid of Adopt Sri Lanka. A total of £707.20 was raised, a tremendous result and will be spent on aiding Nugagahahena Village, Mirissa. This is a new development of 104 new homes, community centre, pre-school and temple, not only built by ASL but continued care and encouragement has been given to the villagers who came from shattered communities. “It has been a long hard road for the villagers of Mirissa to come to terms with their past and to move on into an uncertain future. Over the past 20 months, Adopt Sri Lanka has, hopefully, helped to change the hearts and minds of the people. This work would never have been possible without the generous donations and enormous faith that was entrusted to the entire Adopt Sri Lanka team. There are no words to describe how grateful we are for being given the opportunity and on behalf of the residents of Mirissa and their immediate families; we thank you from the bottom of our heart.” Sharron Ward, General Manager, ASL.

Age Concern Hampshire
A full programme of ideas which will assist in planning activities and exercise for older people will take place at Hilldene Centre, West End, Southampton on Tuesday 10th October and Crosfield Hall, Romsey on Wednesday 14th November. Coffee is served on arrival at 9.15am and the day ends at 4.00pm. The workshop leaders are fully trained in giving “hands on” experience at organizing and leading games, music to movement, crafts etc. The cost is £42.00 per head with reductions for groups of 3 or more from the same organization. This cost includes refreshments, lunch and handbooks. Ring Frances Strange on 01962 868545 for further information.

Finance
Thank you for the Offertory Collection - £1613.29

Forthcoming Collections
17th September – Catholic Agency for Support of Evangelisation
24th September - Cathedral

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