Diocesan Year Book 2007
The Diocesan Year Books for next year are on sale from the Repository – price £3.50.

Pastoral Area Altar Servers’ Mass Tuesday 26th December 2006 at 10.00am
It has not yet been decided whether this will take place at Sacred Heart Church or St Philip Howard Church

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.

URGENT – HELP REQUIRED!
St Philip Howard Church
“Due to ill health, my husband and I can no longer clean St Philip Howard Church – that just leaves two to clean. If you can help, please come to the church on 20th December by 10.00am. I do hope someone can help. Thank you, Anna.”

First Holy Communion
Helpers are still needed for the First Holy Communion Programme. Please ring Jackie on 01329 833758 if you feel able to join the team.

Household Help Required
Required for three hours per week, for a family in Cams Hill area. Vacuuming, dusting and ironing – good rate of pay. Further information: Elizabeth Evans 01329 231448.

Vocations increasing in Mexico
Mexico is seeing a boom in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, says an official of Aid to the Church in Need. “There are about 12,000 young men preparing for the Priesthood in Mexican major seminaries, while 15,000 active priests are serving the faithful,” said Xavier Legorreta, head of Aid to the Church in Need’s Latin America section. “One of the fundamental reasons for the Church being lively and rich in vocations is the persecution it suffered during the 1930’s which helped Catholics to defend their faith. Mexico is – together with Colombia – one of the countries that send out most missionaries to the world and especially to Europe.”

Churches Together in Portchester Christmas Cards
The Portchester Churches have produced cards giving details of Christmas Services to be delivered to every house in Portchester. If you can help with delivery, please speak to Joan Hamilton or Yvonne Hart.

Accommodation required
A young professional female urgently needs accommodation in the Fareham area. If you can help, please ring Jim or Pat Gilhooley on 01329 845307.

St Jude's Carol Singing
The school choirs will be singing carols on the KS1 playground on Monday 18th December from 2.30 – 3.00pm, as parents come to collect their children from school. Mince pies will be served in the reception conservatory. Money raised will go to SHELTER and any donations will be gratefully received.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Once again, like last Sunday, we turn our attention to the Christ of glory who will come at the end of time. Advent, then, is a “preparation time” for more than Christmas day: the season itself is a time for us to judge how well we prepare for the second coming of the Lord by examining how well we live Jesus’ gospel teaching and preaching.

The first and second readings fully support keeping the focus this Sunday on the second coming of Christ. The prophet Baruch invites his audience to “look to the east,” the direction of the rising sun, of a new day, the direction from which the remnant returns to the land of promise. Baruch’s is a message of hope, for the exiles are “remembered by God” and “advance secure in the glory of God.” Finally, Israel returns home! Paul also brings a word of hope when he speaks of the “glory and praise of God” that is given when the faithful disciples of Jesus are “pure and blameless” on the “day of Christ.” What Isaiah (in the gospel) is only yearning to be fulfilled, Baruch and Paul announce is already happening: “all flesh shall see the salvation of God.” Advent is really a time to prepare our lives so that we can meet our Lord with confidence and hope in the day to come.
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.

Thanks
“We are writing to acknowledge, with many thanks, the safe receipt of your cheque for £15.00 on behalf of the Parish Ecology Group, in support of our missionary work for which we are most grateful. We thank you for your generous support of our mission work and take this opportunity to assure you and your parishioners of a special remembrance in the Masses and prayers of the Columban Fathers.

May the Lord bless you and your work now and always.” Fr Denis Carter, Director.

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.

Catholic Singles
Single, separated, widowed or divorced? Catholic Singles helps practising Catholics meet other Catholics. Details are on the poster on the notice board.

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.

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

Second Sunday of Advent 09/10 December 2006 The Year of St Luke

Sacred Heart Flower Arrangers
Sacred Heart Flower Arrangers will be meeting on Friday 22nd December at 2.00pm in Sacred Heart Hall to prepare the garlands and arrangements for decorating the church for Christmas. They would like to invite anyone who would like to help in this happy activity. Please bring your own secateurs and greenery if you have any. Refreshments will be provided. Any inquiries to Chris Watts on 01329 826785.

Prayer Cards
Veronica Lee has some prayer cards in memory of Hazel Larkin. If anyone would like one, please ring Veronica on 01329 843651.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“The Divine Eucharist forms the principal substance of the Christian’s life; it is the inexhaustible source of consolations and supernatural comforts which soothes the sorrows and sufferings of poor mankind better than any human remedy. Jesus in the Holy Eucharist is the clement and peaceful King who still lives amongst us under the Sacramental veils” (Pope Pius XI).

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ceases on Tuesday 19th December at Our Lady of Walsingham Church and Wednesday 20th December at Sacred Heart Church.

Contacts: Fareham - Lily Peach on 077 678 98885 Portchester – Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864

Day with Mary Pilgrimages 2007
Details of the following pilgrimages are on the notice board:

Fatima – 12 – 20 July including a 3 day conference on Our Lady;

Rome – 8 – 16 September visiting Subiaco and Manoppello; For full details and booking forms, contact Trevor Downs, 15 Carlton Crescent, North Cheam, Surrey. SM3 9TS.

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 - £1880.95

Advent Appeal – Aid to the Church in Need - £205.41

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