Rite of Welcome and Acceptance
At the 9.00am Mass at the Sacred Heart Church this Sunday we formally welcome the group of people who are journeying towards coming into full membership of the Catholic Church at Easter. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

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

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

Thanks from CAFOD
“Thank you very much for your kind Fast Day donation. Your support is vital for CAFOD to continue to work with local partner organisations in more than 60 countries worldwide. This Harvest Fast Day we focused on a community living in the Democratic Republic of Congo in an area near the Rwandan border. Caritas Goma, with CAFOD’s support has helped replace this dairy farming community’s herd of cows that was lost during the war………..Your prayers and donations are enabling us to support local organisations working to improve life for people in poor communities all over the world. Thank you, once again, for your generous support on Harvest Fast Day. Michelle Oakford, Team Leader Supporter Response Centre.”

Park Place Advent Celebration
Music, carols and the first crib and nativity scene in Park Place Pastoral Centre Chapel on Sunday 10th December at 4.00pm, followed by light refreshments. A retiring collection will be taken in aid of the Franciscan Project in Brazil for street children.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
This time of year is filled with anticipation and waiting! The important questions for us are, “What do we anticipate?” and “How do we await?” Stores are filled with Christmas things and Christmas music is on the radio – harbingers of the day for which we wait. Our work of preparation is busied with card-sending, party planning and attending and gift shopping. Such is society’s way.

During Advent we Christians wait for more than a day; we await a person – Jesus Christ who reigns in glory. Christ’s coming becomes a time of judgement of our relationship with him. The way we live now makes all the difference in the world. The paschal mystery is about our entering into Jesus’ dying and rising. During Advent, the paschal mystery is the great way we live into our waiting! This Sunday challenges us to die to “carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of life” so that we may live in hope and be “blameless in holiness before our God.”
From Living Liturgy

Christmas Chocolate, Tombola and Cake Stall
This takes place on Saturday 16th December and Sunday 17th December following the weekend Masses. Donations of ‘chocolates’ in any form and cakes in any shape or size would be very much appreciated. Items can be left in the Sacred Heart Hall or Parish Office. Thank you for your kind support. All Proceeds to the Parish Advent Appeal supporting Aid to the Church in Need.

International Tea and Coffee Day
Our Parish Ecology Group is supporting International Tea and Coffee Day which highlights the rights of the plantation workers. This takes place on Friday 15th December at The Well in Fareham, Sacred Heart Church after Morning Prayer and after Mass at Our Lady of Walsingham Church from 10.00am to 12.00 noon.

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

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.

Where Mary is believed to have lived
On his visit to Turkey, Pope Benedict XVI celebrated Mass, which was attended by part of the small Turkish Catholic Community, at the house where, according to tradition, the Blessed Virgin Mary once lived. From the first centuries, many Christian authors from the East and West mentioned St John’s and Mary’s stay in Ephesus, in which were located the headquarters of the first of the seven Churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation. How was it determined that this was the house of Jesus’ Mother? The finding took place at the end of the 19th Century. Two Vincentian priests set out to look for Mary’s house, having as their compass the vision of German mystic Blessed Anna Katharina Emmerick. From her bed where she spent the last 12 years of her life, the mystic received visions of the life of Jesus and Mary and these were recorded and published after her death. The two priests climbed the Bulbul Dag (nightingale’s hill) which rises above the Ephesus plain. They found the ruins of a house near a fountain a few kilometres from Ephesus. The house seemed to have been used as a chapel – which fitted perfectly with Blessed Anna’s description. Archaeological studies brought to light among the ruins the remains of a first century house. Pope Leo XII (1878-1903) was positive about these findings. Mary’s house was visited by Pope Paul VI in 1967 and Pope John Paul II in 1979.

Vacancy at The Well, West Street, Fareham
Relief Food and Beverage Manager. This is a paid position requiring approximately six hours per week to be worked each Friday plus one Saturday (full day) per month. The salary for this post is £5.35 per hour. The Relief Manager is responsible for the coffee shop on a day to day basis. A qualification in food management is desirable, but not essential. If you are interested please write with a full CV by Friday 5th January 2007 to June Haye, General Manager, The Well, 116-118 West Street, Fareham, Hants. PO16 0EP or ring 01329 318731 if you need further details.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

First Sunday of Advent 02/03 December 2006 The Year of St Luke

Advent
This weekend we begin the season of Advent. The Lectionary Cycle for Sundays and Feasts will be Year C. During Advent the sanctuaries in our church are quire bare. Purple vestments and a complete lack of flowers speak to us of final judgement. The Advent Wreath provides the only decoration. It represents the spiritual darkness of our world waiting for the coming of our Messiah who is the light of the world.

Aid to the Church in Need
We welcome Mark, who will speak on behalf of Aid to the Church in Need this weekend. There will be Aid to the Church in Need booklets for sale after the Masses. These are an ideal way to discover more about ACN projects and how donations support the Church against adversities around the world. Our Advent Appeal this year is in support of Aid to the Church in Need.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“You will feel often His loving presence when you visit Him (in the Blessed Sacrament).” (St John Vianney)

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.

Pastoral Area Property Administrator
This post is to manage the properties attached to the four parishes within the new Pastoral Area in Southampton. The person appointed will be expected to monitor the maintenance and development of all properties, ensure compliance with all legislation and guidance and report to the Pastoral Area Property Group. Salary £16,500 to £18,600, 4½ days per week. – closing date for applications is 18th December. For application form and job description please phone 023 8033 3589.

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.

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.

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 - £1604.50

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