Blessing of Graves
Prayers will be said at Portchester Crematorium and Memorial Gardens on Sunday 19th November at 3.00pm.

Father Richard
At the 12.15pm Mass at St John’s Cathedral on Wednesday 22nd November, Father Richard Hind will be installed as Canon. We offer him our congratulations and good wishes.

Book of Remembrance
The Book of Remembrance will be open in our three churches during November to enable parishioners to enter the names of all the deceased for whom prayers are asked.

Carol Singing in Portsmouth Hospitals
On Christmas Eve between 800 and 1000 people from our local parishes will be patients in a bed in QA or St Mary’s Hospital. A few years ago, the Chaplaincy began Carol Singing around the wards on Christmas Eve and received many comments of appreciation. They urgently need more singers this year, especially as Christmas Eve is a Sunday! They meet in the Chapel (both hospitals) at 6.00pm and start around the wards at 6.30pm, aiming to finish between 8.00pm and 8.30pm. You need to be at least 16 years old and reasonably fit for the walking and stairs! If you can come, please ring St Mary’s Hospital on 023 9286 6080 or Queen Alexandra Hospital on 023 9228 6408.

Churches Together in Fareham
There will be an Advent Service at Sacred Heart Church on Sunday 3rd December beginning at 6.30pm.

Expressing the inner journey through picture and word
This Retreat takes place at Park Place Pastoral Centre on 1st and 2nd December and is led by Jackie Brookfield who is a Director of a Counselling Service at All Saints Church in Portsmouth. It will include reflection on Bible passages and listening to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. There would be time for painting the images that arise from the Word. Cost for residents is £50.00 full board: non-residents £15.00 – bring a packed lunch on Saturday). Contact Park Place to book – 01329 833043.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
At the end of times this world as we know it will pass and Christ will come to judge all people and the general resurrection will take place. For those of us immersed by baptism into the paschal mystery and who have surrendered ourselves in our everyday living of its rhythm, we can be assured that we are promised to be numbered among God’s elect. And, just as the paschal mystery constantly teaches us that when we surrender to the dying there is always new life beyond that dying, so will there be resurrection for the elect beyond the final judgement. There is no need to fear Christ’s Second Coming. All we need do is surrender ourselves to living the paschal mystery. This is a small price to pay in this life in order to share in eternal glory.
From Living Liturgy

Portsmouth Hospitals
Volunteers are needed to minister in Portsmouth Hospitals, QA and St Mary’s. They currently have a team of 40 ward visitors, Chaplain’s Assistants, and need some Ministers of Communion and Ward visitors. If you can help, training provided, please contact Fr Andrew Chandler on 023 9228 6408.

Our Lady of Walsingham Church
There will be a meeting for all who worship at and share concern for the future of Our Lady of Walsingham at Portchester. We will meet on Sunday 26th November at 2.30pm for fellowship and sharing over tea and cakes. For those unable to attend this meeting, another will take place on Friday 24th November following the 9.30am Mass. All are welcome.

Andrea Taggerty
Andrea Taggerty did the junior Great South Run recently which is two miles. She has raised about £180.00 and would like to raise some more for her charity, Cancer Research. She did the run for her gran (she died from cancer within a year). Andrea would like to raise as much money as possible and hopes you will be able to support her. Any contribution, little or large, is appreciated. Andrea says “thank you” to all of those who have sponsored her so far. Congratulations also go to Andrea. Her design has been chosen for the Churches Together in Portchester Christmas Card this year which will be delivered to every household in Portchester.

Amalthea
We also congratulate Helen Andrews (from Our Lady of Walsingham Choir) and Deborah Peake who have won the best Folk/Roots Band 2006 at “The Guide Award” ceremony at the New Theatre Royal in Portsmouth. They would like to thank all who voted for them.

Christmas Quiz
Copies of the Christmas Quiz will be sold at all Masses in aid of the Life Group.

Parish Ecology Group
The Greener Living Advent Party – Friday 24th November at 7.30pm at Sacred Heart Hall, Fareham. The Greener Living Company will be talking about green ecological products and there will be mince pies and mulled Fairtrade wines, coffees and teas plus displays. All are welcome.

Christmas Concert at Our Lady of Walsingham
There will be a Christmas Concert at Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Sunday 10th December in aid of the Advent Appeal, beginning at 3.00pm. If you would like to take part in this please ring Rose or Helen on 023 9238 8494. Tickets, available nearer the time, will be £3.00 adults, £1.00 children.

The Compassionate Friends Candlelight Service
This Service, for bereaved parents, takes place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Rowner Lane, Gosport on Sunday 3rd December at 3.00pm. The Compassionate Friends offer support and friendship after the death of a child.

Hampshire & IOW Air Ambulance
The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance needs the support of volunteers to put up posters in their local area, help out at stalls at local shows, assist with collections at local supermarkets, become speakers and give talks to local clubs and help to promote the Hants & IOW Flight for Life Lottery. For more information contact Andrew Hawkins on 01962 892626.

Mobility Scooter
A second hand Celebrity Mobility Scooter is offered for sale at a price of £299 or near offer. If you are interested, please ring 01489 880619.

Fr Peters’ Fun Day 70th
All welcome to Fr Peters’ Fun Day 70th at St Mary’s College, Southampton on 25th November 11.00am to 4.00pm. Something for all ages. Main recipients “Children in Need”. Full details are on the website: www.stmaryscollege.co.uk then click on chaplain’s page or phone 023 8055 8497.

Churches Together in Fareham
There will be an Advent Service at Sacred Heart Church on Sunday 3rd December beginning at 6.30pm.

Vacancy at The Well, West Street, Fareham
Relief Food and Beverage Manager: This is a paid position requiring approximately 6 hours per week to be worked each Friday plus 1 Saturday (full day) per month. The Relief Manager will also be expected to cover for holidays. The salary for this post is £5.35 per hour. Please write with a full CV by Friday 24th November to June Haye, General Manager, The Well, 116-118 West Street, Fareham, Hants. PO16 0EP or ring for more information on 01329 318731.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

33rd Sunday of the Year 18/19 November 2006 The Year of St Mark

Parish Mission
We welcome Fr John Edwards SJ who will be directing a Mission lasting from 18th to 26th November 2006. Fr John is an excellent speaker and many have heard him speak at our Masses during a weekend some time ago. We hope this will be a time of real growth for the Parish. Although, ideally, we would want people to come to the whole thing, we have arranged it so that there is a Morning and Evening Service and Mass. Please do make every effort to come along and be involved as much as you can. Even if you can only come to one or two, that is better than not coming at all.
More information HERE

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“The Parish rediscovers itself in the encounter with Christ, especially in the Eucharist.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 22 September 2006)

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

Wessex Appropriate Adult Service
Could you help a young person when they are being questioned about an alleged offence in a police custody centre in Gosport or Fareham? The law requires any young person being questioned in this way to be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other appropriate adult. Where in some cases, a parent, guardian or person known to the young person is not able to be present, the responsibility to provide an appropriate adult falls to the Youth Offending Team. The Wessex Appropriate Adult Service trains people to support and advise the detainee, explain police procedure and ensure that the detainee understands their rights and the caution. Volunteers work on a rota basis. More information can be obtained on 023 9275 6431.

Call to prayer for our New Pastoral Area
Come to St Margaret Mary, Park Gate on Friday 1st December from 9.30am to 3.00pm. Bring your own sandwiches but soup, tea, coffee will be available. For details or a lift ring 023 9238 1802.

World Youth Day - 2008
Pope Benedict has invited young people to travel to Sydney to celebrate World Youth Day. The Diocese is hoping to organise a group to take part. Participants would have to be 18 by 1st July 2008. If you need more information please contact Dave Hill at the Department for Pastoral Formation on 01329 835583.

Finance
Offertory Collection - two weeks - £3257.44
Bamenda - £534.77

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