Charity Concert
On Friday 28th April there will be a concert at Our Lady of Walsingham Church, Portchester (charity to be announced later). If anyone would like to join in or would like to help in any way, please ring Rose Andrews on 023 9238 8494.

Caerphilly Male Voice Choir
The Caerphilly Male Voice Choir will be singing Songs from the Shows on Saturday 11th March at St Mary’s, Gosport at 7.30pm. This is in aid of re- building a pre-school in Sri Lanka, which was destroyed in the tsunami. Tickets cost £7.00 and are available from Gosport Parish Office.

Best wishes and Congratulations!
Best wishes are sent from Ali Riza Ipek, one of the tour guides from the Turkey Pilgrimage who wishes to announce the birth of his son, Osman Demir Ipek, born on 19th January and weighing 4.3 kilos.

Calling all Lay Ministers of Communion and Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament
You may remember that Father Joe promised that there would be a Day of Retreat for all Ministers of Communion and Adorers of the Blessed Sacrament. This has now been arranged and Father John Edwards SJ will be leading a Day of Reflection at Park Place on Saturday 11th March from 10.00am to 4.00pm (Mass will be celebrated at 3.00pm). There will be coffee/tea at 10.00am and a packed lunch at 12.00 noon. We need to know numbers, so would you please complete the tear-off slip below and return it to the Parish Office if you wish to attend. This notice will be in the newsletter for the next two weeks.

Catholic Bible School
www.catholic-bible-school.org
The next Saturday Study Day takes place on 18th February from 10.00am to 3.30pm and is entitled ‘Marriage Matters’. This will consider Marriage from a biblical perspective.

The next Healing Service will be held at Nutbourne Chapel on Wednesday 15th March at 7.45pm

Further details may be obtained from the Catholic Bible School, Nutbourne House, Farm Lane, Nutbourne, Chichester, W. Sussex PO18 8SD – telephone 01243 371766.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Job, in the first reading for this Sunday, speaks accurately of the human condition as all too many of us experience it: “Is not life on earth a drudgery?” Illness, pain, suffering, weakness, forces of evil. Each of us has a sense that these realities – in spite of modern advances – are part of our everyday existence and are really beyond our control. We often seek divine intervention through prayer of intercession. Sometimes we even seek miracles when things seem utterly out of control. This Sunday’s gospel may bring to mind all our good desires to overcome the evils of life.

Since we are all in need of healing in some form or another, we can easily place ourselves in this gospel……which leads us to believe that Jesus’ reputation as a miracle worker was spreading…..The whole town was gathered at the door of Simon and Andrew’s house. We can imagine they were gathered there with heightened expectation, and with a great sense of hope and awe and wonder. Nor were they disappointed, for Jesus “cured many.” Jesus has the power to heal; but even more importantly, these specific healing accounts are instances of the far-reaching power of Jesus to save.

The ministry and preaching of Jesus, like the gospel itself, cannot be contained. The healing that begins with one woman expands to “all who were ill; what begins at home reaches out to the “whole town” and, indeed, to “the whole of Galilee.” The ministry and preaching of Jesus continues to expand through the proclamation of the gospel, the ministry of the disciples and the work of the Church. As members of Christ’s body (the Church), it is also our work to preach the gospel and reach out to all those who need healing.

From Living Liturgy

Peter Palmer RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Peter Palmer who died recently. Please also pray for his family and friends.

Robert White RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Robert White who died recently. Please also remember his family and friends in your prayers.

Paul Roberts RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Paul Roberts who died recently. Please also pray for Veronica and all of Paul’s family and friends. Paul’s funeral service takes place on Wednesday 8th February at 2.00pm at Portchester Crematorium.

Tom McGarr RIP
Your prayers are also requested for Tom McGarr, who has recently died. Please also keep Mary and all Tom’s family and friends in your prayers.

Diocesan Adviser for Justice and Peace
In the context of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan, ‘Go Out and Bear Fruit’, Portsmouth Diocese is looking to appoint a part-time paid Adviser for Justice and Peace. Are you an enthusiastic person with a strong commitment to issues of justice and peace? Could you work across the Portsmouth Diocese to encourage and support existing initiatives at all levels and promote the development of new ones? Could you act as a focal point and provide co-ordination and support through developing and leading networks of volunteers involved in these issues? If you have appropriate leadership and organisational skills and would like to join the friendly team in the Department for Pastoral Formation, please contact Nicky Stevens, Head of Department and discuss the opportunity with her. This role calls for a car driver with access to a car who is prepared to travel around the Diocese. Salary: £15,000 per annum for 21 hours per week, to include some evening and weekend work. Closing date for applications is Friday 24th February. For further details call Nicky Stevens on 01329 835583. For application forms contact Eileen Stephenson on 01329 835583.

Volunteer Vacancies......
The West End Centre in Fareham needs caring and enthusiastic people with some basic computer skills to help support learners of all ages and abilities on their Information Technology courses. If you have a patient approach which is sympathetic to the needs of learners from under 5s to over 50s, they would love to hear from you. All volunteers will receive training and guidance from tutors. Commitment 2+ hours per week – Morning, Afternoon and Evening sessions, Monday to Friday. Phone 023 9258 8347.

Friends of the Homeless in Fareham and Gosport
Can you spare a few hours to help make up food parcels and make people feel welcome? The Friends of the Homeless are looking for help in their work to provide support to people in crisis. Commitment flexible on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. Phone 023 9258 8347.

Coffee Shop Helper
The Rowans Hospice at Purbrook needs volunteers to help run the coffee shop, serving drinks and snacks. Smart appearance and a pleasant manner are all you need to help support the Rowans. Commitment flexible as available – contact Pauline Wallace, the Volunteer Co-ordinator, on 023 9223 8538.

Positive Parenting
Positive Parenting is running a series of events for Dads across the country. These events are being run in churches, either as an evening event or a Saturday workshop. The one in our area takes place on Monday 13th February at Kings Church, 37 Elm Grove, Portsmouth – ring 023 9252 8787 to check the time of the event and to book a place. The event is FREE.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Current newsletter here

5th Sunday of the Year 4th/5th February 2006   The Year of St Mark

Deacon Tony Strike
This weekend we welcome Deacon Tony Strike, from Park Gate Parish, who will be speaking about the Diaconate.

Go Out and Bear Fruit – Larger Pastoral Areas
Copies of the Larger Pastoral Areas Discussion Document are available in the church porch. Responses to this document are welcome from individuals, groups and parishes and must be received by the Steering Group by Friday 7th April.

Diocesan Year Books
These are now available from the Repository and cost £3.50. The Year Book contains details of Mass times throughout the Diocese, some interesting photos and much more. Get your copy today!

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

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

The Well
Copies of the latest newsletter are available in the church porch.

Claude Rees celebrates his 90th Birthday
In thanksgiving he has donated £50.00 to decorate the Sacred Heart Church with flowers.

Happy Birthday Claude

and thank you from all in the Parish of Fareham and Portchester.

Franciscan Group
Would you like to learn more about the Franciscan family? On Saturday 11th February, the Franciscan Group will be meeting in Sacred Heart Hall following the 10.30am Mass. Why not come along to pray, talk and find out about Franciscans.

Lenten Discussion Groups
Witnessing Christ in the Conflict of Life is the topic for Fareham Lenten Ecumenical Discussion Groups. Portchester Ecumenical Groups will also be having Lenten Discussions but the topic has yet to be decided. Applications for the Fareham Groups are available at the back of the church and need to be returned by Tuesday 7th March at the latest. The Groups are small and these discussions are lively and home based in comfortable surroundings.

School Uniform Shop
St Edmund’s Catholic School has a selection of second hand school uniform in the Uniform Shop, for sale at much reduced prices. Do you have an old school uniform that is in good condition? Do not throw it out, it can be added to the second hand uniform rail. Please take it, clean and washed, to the school reception. The Uniform Shop is open from Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm (term time).

Mass in Malayalam
This Sunday, 5th February, Mass will be celebrated in Malayalam at Sacred Heart Church at 4.00pm. This will be followed by refreshments in the hall. All are welcome.

Help Wanted
Would you like to arrange the flowers at St Philip Howard Church? Someone is urgently needed to take on this important role. If you feel able to help, please contact the Parish Office as soon as possible.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1526.66

Forthcoming Collection –
12th February – Catholic Education Service

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

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