Visit by the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham
At the 9.00am Mass in Sacred Heart Church this Sunday, we are delighted to welcome the Mayor and Mayoress of Fareham, John and Pamela Bryant, who will meet parishioners in the hall after Mass.

Quilt Group
We have been a group for three years now, making small quilts for the Neo Natal Unit at St Mary’s Hospital, Portsmouth. We make slightly larger ones for small traumatised children, these go to the local women’s shelters in Fareham and Gosport. We have just changed our sewing day to Friday afternoons, 2.00pm till 4.00pm and would love to have more willing helpers. For more information, phone Barbara McLachlan on 01329 239647.

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.

Ushers and Welcomers at 9.00am Mass
Would all Ushers and Welcomers at the 9.00am Mass at Sacred Heart Church, please collect the new rotas from the church porch.

Hosts for Coeliacs
Gluten-free hosts which are suitable for coeliacs are available in the parish. If anyone requires these types of hosts please speak to Father Joe.

Calling all Young Parishioners!
The Parish Youth Club is open to all parishioners aged between 11 – 16yrs inclusive. We meet in the St. Philip Howard Hall between 7 – 9pm on Sunday evenings. There is a lot to do in a friendly atmosphere.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Really?

Experience tells us that words have incredible power and they can hurt – deeply and lastingly…..Negative gossip can cost adults their good reputation. Angry words can damage relationships. Cutting, sarcastic, smug words can demean another. Words can and do hurt. Words can also bring comfort and joy. They can heal and nourish spiritually and emotionally. Encouraging words can bring success to those faltering in a task…..Words of beauty couched in poetry or sublime prose immortalise our deepest sense of worth and reality…..Words can bring laughter and joy, lightness and humour, meaning and understanding. What would we do without words?

For all the positive and negative uses of human words, there is one word that stands out above all others. God’s word. This Word is never negative, though it is always challenging. It is always fruitful, though it is never crushing. The Word of God is given for the life of the community.

Jesus’ ministry is shaped by God’s word and it is a ministry that turns his society upside down. The poor become rich in God’s word and delight in it. The confined and oppressed go free. The sightless see. This is resurrection. This is salvation. This is the fruit of God’s word.
From Living Liturgy

St Anne’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College, Carlton Road, Southampton
Co-educational Sixth Form Open Evening – Wednesday 24th January 2007 for Y10 and Y11 students from 6.00pm to 8.00pm.

Help wanted!
Help with housework is required – one to two hours per week – good hourly rate. Ring 01329 235005.

Male-Voice Singers Needed
The Gregorian Chant Choir studies and practises in St John’s Room at the Cathedral every Friday from 6.00pm to 8.00pm and is in need of new male-voice choir members. No experience is necessary. Contact Neville on 023 9286 2384.

Catholic Bible School, Nutbourne
Saturday 27th January 10.00am to 3.30pm – “Walking in the Spirit” – Rev Jim Graham
Are you interested in coming to a deeper knowledge of Scripture? The Catholic Bible School offers a wide range of distance learning programmes suitable for both personal study and small groups. The programmes comprise a set of audio tapes and booklet together with either a workbook or Bible commentary.
Contact the Catholic Bible School on 01243 371766 to book a place or to obtain further information.
www.catholic-bible-school.org

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.

What hope for the Homeless?
There will be an ecumenical service at 6.30pm in Holy Trinity Church, West Street, Fareham on Sunday 28th January – Homelessness Sunday. Come and hear about homelessness in the Fareham and Gosport area and what is being done to try and help.

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.

Mothers and Toddlers
Our Mothers and Toddlers Group meet on Wednesday mornings in the Sacred Heart Hall from 10.00 until 11.30am.

Mission Fair 2007
This event is running in a similar way to a trade show, with over 15 organisations representing mission interests in both the UK and overseas exhibiting. It takes place on 26th and 27th January at Above Bar Church in Southampton. The Friday event runs from 12.00 noon to 5.00pm and is geared towards students and young people. Saturday runs between 9.30am and 4.00pm. On the Friday evening from 6.30pm there will be a service at Central Hall, Southampton. The overall aim of the event is to encourage people to pray in a more informed way, and understand the range of mission opportunities. www.abovebarchurch.org.uk/missionfair2007 provides further details.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

3rd Sunday of the Year 20/21 January 2007 The Year of St Luke

Iona Prayer Group
The Iona Justice and Peace Prayer Group meets every Thursday at 1.00pm at Holy Trinity Church, West Street, Fareham. All are welcome.

Parish Ecology Group
The next meeting takes place on Friday 26th January at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart Hall. Fairtrade coffee and tea will be available and all are welcome.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
“The Church exists so we can meet Christ there, Son of the living God. God has a face. God has a name. In Christ, God became flesh and gives Himself to us in the mystery of the Blessed Eucharist.” (Pope Benedict XVI, 10 December 2006)

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.

Circle Dancing
Discover the fun, joy and relaxation of Circle Dancing in a friendly relaxed atmosphere at St John the Baptist Church, Shedfield from 7.30pm to 10.00pm on 5th, 12th, 26th February and subsequent Mondays. Ring Joan Smith on 01329 832371 for further information.

Women of Hope
The first speaker for 2007 is Rachel Lloyd who is a member of Oasis, Portsmouth and works as a personal advisor to young people in schools. The meeting takes place on Monday 29th January at 7.30pm in Fareham Community Church, 171-173 West Street, Fareham. All are welcome.

Accommodation available for let
Accommodation is offered for let in Drayton. It comprises first floor large bedroom, plus large lounge/dining room, also kitchen and bathroom. The accommodation is currently unfurnished but there is a possibility of making arrangements to furnish it if necessary. Please ring 01329 832468 or 07879606515 if you are interested.

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 - £1734.20

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