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

APF
Fr Peter Codd, APF Diocesan Director sends his best wishes to all Members and their families in both Fareham and Portchester. He will offer Mass on 6th January for you all and for all who work for the Missions.

Question Time with Mark Hoban, MP
With many policy changes taking place, and more to come, this is an opportunity to discuss the impact on voluntary organisations, carers and the shape of our community. Enjoy a simple lunch and ‘network’ with people in Community Organisations on 26th January 2007 from 12.00noon to 2.00pm in the Octagon Lounge, Ferneham Hall, Fareham – lunch £2.50 per person – pay on the day.

Holidays for Children
Do you know 12 children in real need of a break? Harvest Trust is a charity which provides free seaside holidays for groups of 12 disadvantaged children between the ages of 8 and 11 years. All accommodation and transport is free of charge but organizations would need to buy food and provide 3 adult workers to accompany the children. Applications forms are available NOW by ringing 01559 371190.

Volunteers – our greatest asset
A one-day training event for organisations who use volunteers, looking at aspects of best practice in attracting, supporting and valuing volunteers takes place at Fareham Community Action on Wednesday 28th February 2007 from 9.30am to 3.30pm (including lunch). Book early, as there are limited places, on 01329 231899. The cost of this has been paid by LPSA2 development and so is free.

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.

May we remind parents that the next meeting for Holy Communion children will be on 6th January 2007 in St Jude’s School.

A Message from PEG
PEG have been invited to lead a workshop at the Diocesan day. As it is such an important day for all of us and there are many things to interest us as individuals we are investigating the possibilities of a coach party from our pastoral area for the event. We will be collecting names of interested people on the weekend of 7th January after all Masses to gauge interest and will ask for a £10.00 non returnable deposit. Fairtrade Sales will also take place in the Parish on the 7th January. The next PEG meeting is a planning meeting on the last Friday of January 2007. Don’t forget to recycle all your Christmas waste.

The Future’s not Bright if you’re Orange!
A talk on the plight of the Orang-utan and the threat to the people of the rainforests from Palm Oil Tree Plantations – Speaker Ed Matthew of Friends of the Earth. The venue is St Vincent College, Forton Road, Gosport – Monday 8th January 2007 at 7.30pm. This has been organised by Gosport and Fareham Friends of the Earth and all are welcome.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Our very struggle to hear and respond to God’s word in our lives is one way we live the paschal mystery. This Sunday we are confronted with the reality that we are not always going to like what we hear in God’s word. God’s word always takes us beyond where we are (or where we want to go). It is the very word that questions our status quo and asks us to give up our own wills and embrace God’s will. It is the very word that nudges us to surrender ourselves and our own small world to encompass the larger vision of a world in which God assures that all are met with dignity and love. To whom is God’s word sent? Jesus announced to his hearers that exactly where we don’t expect to find God’s loving actions on our behalf is exactly where we can find them. No wonder they drove him out! Do we do the same to those who speak God’s dynamic, inclusive, prophetic word?
From Living Liturgy

Masses for Christmas 2006

here

SOS Prayerline – Catholic Bible School
01243 377331 is a number that is answered every evening between 7.30pm and midnight by a co-worker who is in prayer in front of the Blessed Sacrament. This ministry is now in its eighteenth year and has received over 90,000 calls. Although most calls come from the UK, the Prayerline also receives a number of calls from abroad, including Australia.

A Message from the Finance Committee
Christmas is a time of giving thanks for the blessing of Jesus’ birth. Let us show this by remembering the wonderful work carried out by Father Joe. It is our custom that the collection on Christmas Day is our personal gift to him. He does so much for us so let us be generous in return. Don’t forget, if you contribute by way of Gift Aid (either by standing order or envelopes) the Church can reclaim the tax paid on your gift. Simply use an envelope and mark it clearly with your number or your name and the words “Christmas Gift.”

Local Disabled Ramblers Group
If you have mobility problems but would still love to get out and about in the countryside, Shopmobility would like to hear from you. Shopmobility in Fareham want to start a local disabled ramblers group in the New Year. The aim is to begin in April or May with an easy ‘ramble’ with a pub visit for refreshments and/or lunch. If you would like to know more about this please contact Barrie Hill on 01329 282929.

Pope Benedict Concerned for Sri Lanka
Pope Benedict is alarmed by the many violations of human and civil rights in Sri Lanka, says the country’s Papal Nuncio. Archbishop Mario Zenari confirmed that view on his return from a visit to Jaffna, one of the areas suffering from ongoing violence. The Archbishop said that he believes the country will regain peace and serenity after the tsunami, the murder of a Catholic politician in the Batticaloa Cathedral and the resumption of civil war in the north east. Wenceslaus Vimalathas, a father of five, disappeared in August as did a Catholic priest, Fr Jim Brown. Pope Benedict expressed alarm at the news and is urging the government to shed light on Fr Brown’s case.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

Fourth Sunday of Advent 23/24 December 2006 The Year of St Luke

Parish Office
The Parish Office will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period and will re-open on Friday 5th January 2007.

Deacon Leslie Adams
Please pray for Leslie Adams who will be ordained priest on 10th February 2007 at St Bede’s Church in Basingstoke. During his training for the Priesthood, Leslie worked for a while in this Parish.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“In the grotto of Bethlehem we adore the same Lord who wanted to make himself our spiritual nourishment in the Eucharistic sacrament, in order to transform the world from within beginning from the human heart.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 14 December 2006, Meeting with Roman University Students).

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament resumes on Wednesday 3rd January at Sacred Heart Church and Monday 8th January at Our Lady of Walsingham Church.

Contacts: Fareham (and Tuesday evenings) - Lily Peach on 077 678 98885 Portchester – Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864 (Monday Adoration at Our Lady of Walsingham Church only).

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.

Christmas Tombola and Cake Stall
Thank you to everyone who kindly donated cakes and chocolates and to the many people who supported the event. A total of £326.00 was raised for the Parish Advent Appeal. Happy Christmas!

Call to Prayer for our Pastoral Area
Do you feel anxious about the proposed changes to the churches of our Pastoral area? Do you wish for time away from the business of life? Do you wish for spiritual formation? Do you wish to answer the call of the Holy Spirit? If the answer to any of these questions is “yes”, come for the First Friday of January to St Margaret Mary Church in Park Gate. We begin at 10.00am with Mass. Father James will be available for confession and spiritual direction during the Holy Hour. We will focus on the Epiphany. After a shared lunch, we will have Bible Study and reflection. The day will finish at 3.00pm. Bring your own sandwiches but tea, coffee and soup will be available. For further details or a lift, ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802.

Diocesan Day for Justice and Peace – Becoming Stewards of God’s Creation
Saturday 17th February at Bishop Challoner School, Basingstoke from 10.00am to 4.30pm. Registration and coffee from 9.30am. If you wish to attend, please complete a booking form. These are available in the church porch.

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.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1610.89

Advent Appeal – Aid to the Church in Need - £934.32

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