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 this Sunday 26th November at 2.30pm for fellowship and sharing over tea and cake. For those unable to attend this meeting another will take place following the 9.30am Mass on Friday 1st December. All are welcome.

Howard Brebner
“I would like to thank all my kind friends in the Parish for their prayers and kind thoughts. It has meant so much to me to know that there is so much support and it has done much to buoy me up during what has been a bit of a ‘sticky patch’ in my life. My treatment came to a rather abrupt end with the arrival of a deep vein thrombosis which resulted in a clot on the lung, for which I am receiving treatment, but happily my surgeon has agreed to my operation taking place. Thank you once again for your love and friendship.”

For Children and Parents………
Free children’s Bookstart Plus packs are available now at any local library for children who are 18 to 30 months old. Simply call into your local library with your child’s Health Record Book to pick up a lovely book bag containing information, books, crayons and an invitation to join the library.

Cubs
15th Fareham Cubs Packs have vacancies for boys and girls aged between 8 and 10 years. Please phone Christ Pearce on 01329 311339 for details.

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.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Fr John Edwards writes:
“It has been a joy for me to give the Parish Mission, ending (to my regret) this Sunday, the Feast of Christ the King.

I have been most impressed with the number of people who came – some twice in the day – to the long Mission Services. But also I am impressed by the amount of work done by so many people, so generously, in the three churches of this Parish.

And under the heading of ‘work’ one can include the hours of Adoration. Truly this is labour, joyful one hopes and rewarded, for the glory of God and the salvation of the world.

‘Salvation’ is to do with safety and health. The first weekend I preached on Confession; and the last weekend is on the Mass. We Catholics must never forget that our ‘safety’ and our ‘health’ depend on union with Our Lord. And these two Sacraments can be supreme moments of meeting Him: not a question of ‘feeling’ close, but of solid fact.”

Thanks from David Ryan
David Ryan would like to thank all of those who sponsored him to run the Great South Run last month, in aid of the Stroke Association. As a result of your wonderful generosity, he has been able to send off a cheque for £486.00 to assist them in their essential work. Thank you.

Bazaar
A big thank you to all who helped, contributed to and supported the Bazaar. The total amount raised was £1816.42.

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

House Group
The next meeting of the House Group will be on Wednesday 29th November, 7.45pm for 8.00pm at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. The lectio divina Bible topic is First Sunday of Advent. For more information ring 01329 847533.

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.

Oaklands Catholic School, Waterlooville Vacancy
Required 1st January 2007 two suitably qualified teachers to help with teaching of History and Maths in Years 7 – 11. These are temporary part-time posts for two terms to cover maternity leave. Please contact the Head, Mr Chris Whitfield, immediately at the school on 023 9224 8043.

Godspell
Oaklands School presents Godspell on 4th, 5th, 6th December at the school. Tickets are now on sale at the main school Office: Adults £4.00 – Concessions £3.00

Fareham’s Citizen of Honour Award 2007
Do you know a friend, relative or neighbour who lives in the Borough and deserves recognition for their contribution to the local community? Well, now you can say a public thank you by nominating them for the Citizen of Honour Award 2007. Nomination Forms are available at the back of the church.

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.

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

Advent Breakfast
Everyone most Welcome to enjoy a hearty breakfast in the Sacred Heart Hall following the 7.00am Mass each Thursday during Advent.

7th December, 2006
14th December 2006
21st December 2006

All proceeds to the Parish Advent Appeal.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

Christ the Universal King 25/26th November 2006 The Year of St Mark

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.

Music Matters
Music classes for carers and children aged 20 months to 4 years. Instruments, songs, dance, use of props and fun at St Columba Church Hall, Hillson Drive, Fareham on Wednesdays 2.00pm to 2.45pm and Thursdays 9.30am to 10.15am and 10.30am to 11.15am. Ring 01329 220518 for further details.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“Each time we contemplate with desire and devotion the Host in which is hidden Christ’s Eucharistic Body, we increase our merits in heaven and secure special joys to be ours later in the beatific vision of God” (St Gertrude the Great)

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

Recipes for Disaster…Relief and Development
Tearfund volunteers, Brenda and Gordon Wilkinson have compiled a book of delicious recipes from around the world to raise money for disaster relief and development. The recipes come from countries where Tearfund is supporting projects and a particular aspect of the charity’s work in that country is highlighted. Brenda and Gordon’s aim is to raise over £25,000 for Tearfund. At just £7.00 it’s a real bargain and since all the work was done by volunteers, at least £5.50 from each copy will go to Tearfund. Copies will be on sale at the back of church after all Masses on 2nd and 3rd December.

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.

Fareham’s Young Person of the Year Award 2007 (9-18 years)
This award celebrates an outstanding act of bravery, a regular selfless act for others or for overcoming and learning to adapt to a registered disability. Young people who are nominated may be making a positive endeavour to take part in community or voluntary activities or regularly providing care support to a relative or friend. Nomination Forms are available at the back of the church. Closing date for both applications is 26th January 2007.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1452.80

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