Visit by the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham
At the 9.00am Mass in Sacred Heart Church next Sunday, we will be welcoming the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham who will meet parishioners in the hall after Mass.

House Group
The next House Group will be re-starting on Wednesday 17th January, 7.45pm for 8.00pm, at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. The meeting is made up of both prayer and Bible Study. Why don’t you give it a try? For more information, ring 01329 847533.

Douai Abbey Pastoral Programme
Friday – Sunday 26 - 28 Jan – Silent Retreat
Friday – Sunday 02 – 04 Feb – Reading weekend
Saturday 10 Feb – 10.00am – Healing Workshop
Nicholas Broadbridge OSB
Saturday 24 Feb – 10.00am – Day of Recollection
Hugh Somerville-Knapman OSB
Friday – Sunday 02 – 04 March – Lent Retreat
John Bolton OSB
Monday – Friday 12 – 16 March – Quo Vadis?
Christopher Greener OSB & Gervase Holdaway OSB
Saturday – 17 March – Christian Art and Poetry
Oliver Holt OSB & Myra Cottingham
Friday – Sunday 23 – 25 March – Managing conflict the Benedictine Way
Fodhla McGrane & Gervase Holdaway OSB
For full information, contact Pastoral Programme Office, Douai Abbey, Upper Woolhampton, Reading, Berks. RG7 5TQ

Lost Property
A small cross and chain were found at Sacred Heart Church recently. If you think this might belong to you, please call at the Parish Office.

A Chance to Meet NHS Direct
The next Meeting in public of the Fareham and Gosport Patients’ Network will be held on Wednesday 14th February from 2.00pm to 3.00pm at Crofton Community Centre, Stubbington. A notable presentation is planned for this meeting. For the first time senior members of NHS Direct will be speaking on the work of this ever-available and fast-growing provider of health care. With the reorganisation of out-of-hours medical care, NHS Direct is at the forefront of 24 hour health services, delivering information and advice direct to the public day and night, by telephone or on it website (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk). Here is a unique opportunity to put your queries to them in person.

Can You Help in the Church?
Our three churches are cared for in many ways by different people. Each of our three churches has a small group of people who meet once a week to clean that particular church. Similarly, a small number of people take a turn to help to arrange the flowers in the Sacred Heart Church, St Philip Howard Church or the Church of Our Lady of Walsingham. More helpers are needed. If you could spare a little time to help to clean one of our churches or to take a turn in arranging the flower displays, please speak to Father Joe. More details of these activities are available in our Parish Handbook.

Portchester Extended Services Workshop 4
The next meeting of the above is to be held on 23rd January from 9.00am to 11.30am in Portchester Community School, White Hart Lane. Refreshments will be available from 9.00am. This meeting will include an update on the planning for the children’s centre. Further details from Sally Townsend, Deputy Head Teacher, Northern Infant School, Portchester – tel. 023 9237 0693.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Most couples at least enter into the marriage covenant with a sense that they are making a commitment that lasts until “death do us part”. Especially when the couple is fairly young are they filled with bright hopes for the future: growing together in love, having children, advancing in status in the community and work force, maintaining reasonably good health, reaching a mature age with a sense of well-being and fulfilment. Everyone wants their wedding day to be perfect in every way. We might imagine that these were some of the thoughts and wishes of the bride and groom in this Sunday’s gospel. We can imagine their consternation at the wine running out. We can also imagine the relief, gratitude, astonishment and wonder that they might have felt toward Jesus when they were told it was he who changed the water into a vast amount of wine. The perfect wedding had been saved!

All of this leads up to the critical last sentence of the gospel: “Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs at Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.” John is thus marking the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. But as beginning, it also contains a preview of the end and purpose of his ministry. The abundance and worth of the water made into wine announce the age of the Messiah when messianic abundance will be evident. This abundance reveals the glory of God and leads us to believe in Jesus and become his disciples.
From Living Liturgy

Youth Club
Will Youth Club members going to ten pin bowling on Saturday 20th January, please meet at the bowling centre, Newgate Lane at 1.45pm. Any members who want to go need to see me, John Monfort.

Saturday Night Special
The next Saturday Night Special is on Saturday 20th January from 7.30pm – 10.00pm at Fareham Leisure Centre – cost £3.00 – age 11 – 17 years.

Apostleship of the Sea
“On behalf of AOS Ship Visitors and Seafarers, we wish to thank you for the Christmas Appeal for gifts and prayers. God bless. Cariton Pinto”

Catholic Bible School, Nutbourne, Study Days
Saturday 27th January 10.00am to 3.30pm – “Walking in the Spirit” – Rev Jim Graham Contact the Catholic Bible School on 01243 371766 to book a place or to obtain further information.

Used Postage Stamps
Please bring your used postage stamps to church. These are sent to the Scout Association to raise funds for the Trust that provides holiday homes for handicapped scouts (boys and girls). The box is in the entrance hall.

Palms
You are invited to bring any palms you may have from last year to each of our churches so that they may be used to make ashes for Ash Wednesday this year, which takes place on 21st February. A box is available at the back of the churches for your use.

Order of Malta Seeks Statute to protect Jerusalem
The leader of the Order of Malta is asking for an international statute that would allow pilgrims from all over the world to enter Jerusalem. Grand Master Fra’ Andrew Bertie made that request in Rome in his annual address to the 96 countries accredited to the Order. He mentioned “the different reflections that have taken place over many years on the problem of the holy sites, reminding in particular of the Holy See’s position on Jerusalem: city of the three religions, which at the same time is the homeland of two peoples, Israeli and Palestinian….. It is appropriate, therefore, to give it special status, guaranteed at the international level,” he noted. “Jerusalem must be a permanent site of search for peace and reconciliation between religions, peoples and cultures.”

Octave of Prayer for Christian Unity
The Octave of prayer for Christian Unity begins on Thursday 18th January. Churches Together in Fareham will hold a United Service on Sunday 21st January at 6.30pm at the Church of St John the Evangelist, Upper St Michael’s Grove, Fareham.
Churches Together in Portchester will be holding their Service at Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Sunday 21st January at 6.30pm. All are welcome.

Missing Priest in Philippines feared kidnapped
Father Lucio Bola, missing in the Philippines since 31st December, is feared to be kidnapped. Father Bola disappeared from the island of Mindanao where he was home for the Christmas holiday. The priest of the Congregation of the Missionaries of St Charles, worked in their seminary in Cebu.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

2nd Sunday of the Year 13/14 January 2007 The Year of St Luke

Peace Sunday
This weekend, we celebrate Peace Sunday. Pope Benedict has invited us to reflect on the theme: “The Human Person: the Heart of Peace.” At first sight the theme might seem a little odd, almost missing the point somehow. For when we think of peace and peace-making we usually think on a global level. Yet the Pope is surely right to follow up on his predecessor’s insistence on “The Gospel of Life” and to underline that the human person is the measure of all things. No one is ever expendable. No one is ever unimportant. All are children of God, infinitely loved. All have God-given gifts that are needed for the flourishing of God’s world…….As Pope Benedict reminds us, the human person – everyone we meet and everyone who lives beyond our limited horizons – is truly “the heart of peace.” For respect of our brothers and sisters, known and unknown, is the only possible path to the peace that our world craves.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“You were not nearer to the Blessed Virgin during the nine months she carried You in her womb than you are to me when You rest on my tongue at Holy Communion. You were not closer to the Blessed Virgin and St Joseph in the cave at Bethlehem or in the house at Nazareth or during the flight into Egypt, or at any moment of that divine family life than You are to me at this moment and so many others – in the tabernacle.” (Bl. Charles de Foucauld).

The annual meeting for those who take part in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament takes place on Thursday 25th January at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart 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.

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
Temporary accommodation is required for a teacher who is working for the Rainbow Centre for three months. If you can help, please ring Magdi Kovacs on 01329 221762.

A Blessing
If, for whatever reason, you are unable to receive Communion at Mass, please feel free to come forward for a Blessing. Simply cross your arms across your chest and ask the priest for a Blessing at the time for receiving Holy Communion.

Diocesan Year Books
There are still some copies of the Diocesan Year Books available from the Repository – price £3.50. These are very useful and give details of Mass times throughout the Diocese, contact details of priests and parishes, information regarding Catholic Societies and Organisations, Retreat Centres and include photographs of both parish and diocesan events.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1870.37

Forthcoming Collections
28th January – White Flower Appeal (Society for Protection of Unborn Children)
4th 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