A Message from the Mayor of Fareham
“Pam and I were delighted to join you and the members of your congregation for your Morning Mass on Sunday. It was a most enjoyable service on such a cold January morning.

Please thank your members for making us so welcome, and also for the interesting conversations that we had with them in the Church Hall after the service.
With thanks and all good wishes,
John Bryant, Mayor”

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 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

Healing Prayer at St John’s Cathedral
This Sunday, 28th January, from 5.00pm to 5.45pm in St John’s Chapel, there is an opportunity to receive prayer and anointing with the Oil of Gladness for anything for which one feels a need.

Fareham and Gosport Young Carers
Young Carers are people under 18 who are caring for dependents, usually a parent, brother or sister, who are mentally ill, have a physical disability or suffer from drug or alcohol abuse. They very often find it a relief to talk to someone outside their immediate situation and to meet others who are sharing the same experience. In Fareham and Gosport there are three Young Carers’ groups: Group 1, aged 7 – 10; Group 2, aged 11-13 and Group 3, 13+. They all meet on a Tuesday evening at KIDS South East, Delta House, Salterns Lane, Fareham. Groups 1 and 2 between 6.30pm and 8.00pm and Group 3 between 7.00pm and 8.30pm. A Young Carers’ Forum and an 18+ group are also held at different times during the month. Volunteers, who could give support to the groups and who could help with off-site activities are urgently needed. An Enhanced Disclosure (Police Check) and two references would be necessary. Expenses would be reimbursed. If you can help, please ring 023 9258 8347 or 023 9258 3836.

Park Place Pastoral Centre
10th February 10.00am to 4.00pm – Looking at Our Shadow 2 – using painting and drama we shall be introduced to the Jungian concept of the shadow – cost £15.00 coffee/tea provided but please bring a packed lunch. 24th February 10.00am to 4.00pm – Sadhana Lenten Retreat Watch and Pray – based on the Awareness prayer of Fr A. D’mello – cost £15.00 coffee/tea provided but please bring a packed lunch.

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 love and dignity.

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

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.

A Call to Prayer
Come to St Margaret Mary Church in Park Gate, for a time of reflection and spiritual formation for the Community of the New Pastoral Area of Fareham and Gosport. Meet on Friday 2nd February 10.00am – 3.00pm (Mass at 10.00am). Bring your own sandwiches. Soup, tea and coffee will be available. For further details or a lift, ring 023 9238 1802.

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

The Rowans Hospice, Purbrook – Helping people with cancer
If you are caring, empathetic and calm and can turn your hand to one of the many tasks that need doing to keep the Rowans the tranquil, comfortable and inspirational place it is, please consider ringing to find out more from their Volunteer Co-ordinator, Pauline Wallace on 023 9223 8538. She is always looking for drivers to use their own cars, volunteers to serve meals at weekends in particular and for receptionists who are able to meet and greet. People who enjoy tending a beautiful garden are also in demand! Support and training are offered but as the Rowans has to raise all its own income, it is only able to offer expenses to drivers.

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.

Healing Service – 7.45pm in Nutbourne Chapel on Wednesday 28th March, led by Rev. Elizabeth Brazell. Contact the Catholic Bible School on 01243 371766 to book a place or to obtain further information.
Contact the Catholic Bible School on 01243 371766 to book a place or to obtain further information.
www.catholic-bible-school.org

Confraternity of the Rosary Pilgrimage
The Confraternity of the Rosary have arranged a pilgrimage to Lisieux following the life of St Therese. It will take place from Monday 9th July to Friday 13th July 2007 staying full board at the Grand Hotel de l’Esperance. There will be Mass each day, a visit to the Basilica in Lisieux and two coach excursions – one to Alencon where St Therese spent her first years and a visit to Les Buissonet, her childhood home.

They will be sailing from Portsmouth to Cherbourg and continue by coach to the hotel, returning on the Friday sailing from Caen to Portsmouth. The coach will pick up from a Parish near you and you will be returned to your pick-up point. Included in the pilgrimage cost of £415.00 – all coach travel and excursions, accommodation full-board, travel insurance, sailing by Brittany Ferries. Fr John Dunne and Fr David Quarmby will be the spiritual leaders. A deposit is required as soon as possible to confirm sailing by Brittany Ferries - £80.00 - which includes the travel insurance. This will, of course, be deducted from the cost of the pilgrimage. Cheques to be made payable to (Pilgrimage Account). If you need further information, please ring Janet or Max on 023 9282 0744.

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

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

4th Sunday of the Year 27/28 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.

Society for the Protection of Unborn Children
There will be a retiring collection this weekend for the SPUC White Flower Appeal.

SPUC offers a number of pro-life support services for those in need: Patients First Network is a free helpline service for relatives of patients facing the prospect of dying through dehydration and starvation – call 0800 169 1719. Safe at School is an advice line for parents and teachers concerned about anti-life sex education at their school – call 020 7222 5845, while No Less Human provides support to disabled people and their carers – call 020 7222 5845.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
St Elizabeth of the Trinity writes of Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament: “Who could describe the sweetness of this heart-to-heart encounter in which one feels no longer on earth, and no longer sees nor hears anything but God! God who speaks to the soul; God who communicates to it such sweet things; God who asks it to suffer! In short, Jesus, who desires a little love.”

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).

House Group
The next House Group will be re-starting on Wednesday 31st January, 7.45pm for 8.00pm, at 101 The Avenue, Fareham. The meeting consists of both prayer and Bible Study. For more information, ring 01329 847533.

Hosts Needed – Contact the Elderly
Patient, caring volunteers are needed to help relieve the loneliness of frail older people. Tea parties are arranged on a Sunday once a month at a volunteer’s home. Could you host a tea party once or twice a year? Contact Suzan Hyland: 0800 716543.

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.

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.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1618.36

Forthcoming Collections
28th January – White Flower Appeal (Society for Protection of Unborn Children)
4th February – Catholic Education Service
18th 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