Father David Yates
We welcome Father David, Naval Chaplain at HMS Sultan, who will be celebrating the 11.00am Mass this weekend.
Women’s World Day of Prayer
This takes place on Friday 3rd March. The Service at Portchester will be held at the Methodist Church in Castle Street beginning at 2.15pm and all are welcome. The Fareham Services take place at Fareham Community Church at 1.30pm and 7.30pm.
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.
Pope says Peace implies respect for religious symbols
In the midst of the Mohammed cartoon controversy, Pope Benedict XVI is insisting that understanding between peoples implies respect for their religious symbols. He added that this implies that “believers not be the object of provocations that wound their lives and religious sentiments.” He made it clear that “intolerance and violence can never be justified as response to offences, as they are not compatible responses with the sacred principles of religion.”
Church Parade
Please note that Church Parade will take place on Sunday 5th March at 11.00am at St Philip Howard Church and not on 12th March.
Blackbrook Birth Centre
A group of mothers is trying to fight the closure of Blackbrook Birth Centre in Fareham. They are holding a public meeting on 2nd March at Ferneham Hall at 8.00pm and would like as many people as possible to go along and ask the hospital trust and the Primary Care Trust what their intentions are for the future of Blackbrook. Mark Hoban, the MP for Fareham is chairing the evening and the Chief Executives of both Portsmouth Hospital and the Primary Care Trusts are attending. For more information please ring Mel Watson on 0870 421 4490.
Lourdes Buffet Lunch
The next Lourdes Lunch will take place in St Jude’s School Hall on Saturday 18th March at 12.30pm. The lunch is in aid of the fund to send young helpers to Lourdes. Tickets, £5.00 each, will be on sale next weekend from Ann Corr on 01329 235575 or Pauline Jackson on 01329 236275.
School Transport
From September 2007, the County Council is considering the following possible changes to existing policy, ceasing to assist with transport for new entrants to denominational schools, introducing a charge of around £1.00 per day or limiting assistance to pupils in receipt of free school meals. Any of these changes could have a differential impact on recruitment to individual schools. Obviously, this will have a disastrous affect on our Catholic Schools in that it will mean that many parents will not be able to afford to send their children to them. You are asked to write to the following address, objecting to the proposals, by 31st March 2006: Mr Terry Rath, Education Officer, Hampshire County Council, County Office, Children’s Services Department, The Castle, Winchester, Hants. SO23 8UG.
A Vacancy for the active Christian
RSR is a forward looking Christian Charity, supporting the Royal Naval Service and their families for over 125 years. The Charity is seeking to recruit a Deputy Director to support the work of the Executive Director. The Portsmouth based post is part-time with flexibility of hours worked and pattern by mutual agreement with the successful candidate. There may be scope for a full-time post for the right applicant. Salary (full time): £25,000 to £30,000 pro rata for part-time. A Christian vocation is required for this post and the candidate must be able to subscribe to the RSR Articles of Faith. A full job description and information are available at www.rsr.org.uk and the initial closing date for applications is 10th March 2006.
THE UNION
Thought
for the Week
The new cloth and the new wine in today’s Gospel draw our attention to what is new in the teaching of Jesus, namely, that Jesus is the Bridegroom. Such imagery suggests that the relationship between Jesus and his disciples is more than teacher/student or master/disciple, but a relationship of intimacy and mutuality.
The intimacy with Jesus that is the fruit of our baptism – we are the body of Christ – requires a whole new way of conceiving of God and being in relationship with others. The “old” revelation of God as bridegroom is deepened and re-“newed” in the revelation of Jesus: our Bridegroom is now God-made-incarnate-before us. The intimacy of God’s spousal relationship moves from transcendence to incarnational immanence. Such nearness to God has an impact on how we relate to each other: “….whatever you did for one of these least brothers (or sisters) of mine, you did for me.” (Matt. 25:40)
From Living Liturgy
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ASH WEDNESDAY Wednesday 1st March is Ash Wednesday – a day of Fasting and Abstinence. Mass times, at which there will be blessing and distribution of ashes, are as follows:-
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Tom McGarr RIP
Mary and Donald McGarr would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Fr Joe, Fr Charles, Deacon Langford and to all the people of the Parish, for their prayers, Mass intentions, cards and support, following the death of Tom.
Parish Lenten Appeal
This year’s Lenten Appeal is in support of AdoptSri Lanka. With so many families still living in temporary shelter fourteen months after the tsunami, it is hoped through our Appeal, to fund the building of a simple house for a most needy family in southern Sri Lanka. During this season of Lent, let us look beyond ourselves and look forward to helping the poor. Please help in any way you can to support this Appeal. Buckets will be at the back of each church after the weekend Masses during Lent.
Lent Breakfasts
All are most welcome to share in the simple breakfasts which will be served each Thursday during Lent in the Sacred Heart Hall, following the 7.00am Mass. All proceeds from these breakfasts will go towards the Parish Lenten Appeal in support of AdoptSri Lanka.
Lent Lunches
The Portchester Churches will be holding Shoppers’ Services and Lent Lunches every Wednesday in Lent beginning on Ash Wednesday, 1st March. The Services begin at 12.00 noon and take place at Portchester Methodist Church in Castle Street and are followed at 12.30pm by a simple lunch. Do support these lunches as all proceeds will be shared between CAFOD and Christian Aid. Catholics will be responsible for the lunch and service on 15th March.
A Call to Prayer for the Community of Fareham Deanery
Come for a time of quiet, prayer and spiritual formation – Mass * Confession * Teaching to the church of St Margaret Mary, Park Gate on Friday 3rd March 2006 10.00am (Mass) – 3.00pm. There will be a reflection on the second vision of Margaret Mary revealing the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Bring your own sandwiches. Tea, coffee and soup will be available.
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 and their topic is Where is God? There is a list in the porch for the Portchester Groups – please sign and indicate which day of the week you would prefer.
St Jude's
RC Primary School
Current newsletter here
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8th Sunday of the Year 25th/26th February 2006
The Year of St Mark |
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Catholic Children’s Society
A retiring collection will be taken this weekend for the Catholic Children’s Society. Envelopes are available in the church porch in case you wish to Gift Aid your donation.
Welcome!!
Making people feel welcome at Mass, distributing hymn books and finding seats all help in preparation for the celebration of the Eucharist. We would be very pleased to hear from anyone who would be willing to join our team of welcomes either as ushers or greeters at 9.00am Mass.
If you are interested in assisting with this important ministry would you please contact Terry and Theresa Phillips either at Mass or by telephoning 01489 880619.
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.
Vacancy at Oaklands Catholic School
Required as soon as possible a suitably qualified and experienced graduate to be Head of Design Technology TLR Level 1 to lead a successful team of six highly committed and enthusiastic colleagues who teach students in all years up to GCSE and A Level in this extremely popular and successful Catholic School, described by Ofsted as “a very good school with some excellent features” and categorised by the LEA for the third year running as “highly effective”. Please contact the Head, Mr. Chris Whitfield, BA., M.Ed enclosing CV and the names of two referees. For further details and application form please send an A5 stamped addressed envelope to Oaklands Catholic School, Stakes Hill Road, Waterlooville, Hants. PO7 7BW. The telephone number is 023 9225 9214.
‘Eye Contact’ – serving the blind children of Uzbekistan
All are invited to the Open Day on Saturday 4th March 2006 at Portchester Parish Hall, Castle Street, Portchester from 2.00pm to 4.00pm. Entrance is free and there will be a demonstration of braillers and an opportunity to meet some special guests from Uzbekistan.
GIFT Bible Course
The meeting for March will take place on Wednesday 15th entitled, ‘Making sense of the Scriptures of Lent and Easter’ led by Nicky Stevens and Angela Wills. Coffee and tea will be served from 7.30pm onwards. This is an opportunity to make time for study in Lent if you are unable to make the Lenten courses on offer.
St John’s College Politics Society, Southsea
Two meetings are scheduled for the second half of the Spring Term, both at 7.30pm with refreshments from 7.00pm.
- Friday 24 February: David Willetts MP – Conservative MP for Havant and Shadow Education Secretary
- Friday 17th March: Roger Knapman MEP – Leader of the UK Independence Party.
Entry is free and all are welcome. For further details please contact Dr Graham Goodlad on 023 9281 5118 or at grahg@stjohnscollege.co.uk.
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??? QUIZ ??? Sunday 26th February 2006 at Sacred Heart Hall 12.30pm for a 1.00pm start Bring a plate of food to share
Adults £3.00 Children 50p |
Finance
Offertory Collection - £1394.45
Forthcoming Collection –
26th February – Catholic Children’s Society
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
