UCM Family Quiz Day
Sunday 4th March is the UCM Quiz Day in aid of the Hampshire Air Ambulance, which is the UCM charity for this year. Bring a plate to share and everyone have an enjoyable time from 12.00noon to 3.00pm at Sacred Heart Hall.

Pilgrimages:
to Medjugorje - 20th to 27th September 2007, flying from Bournemouth. Cost £429.00 per person, shared room basis: £70.00 supplement for single room. Full services of Medjugorje Peace Tours. Direct flight to Split, coach transfer to Medjugorje. Seven nights’ accommodation, half board, travel insurance. To reserve a place, please give £60.00 deposit payable to “Medjugorje Peace Tours”, to Barry or Jo Henwood tel. 01202 398216. More details are available from them.

to Fatima - 90th anniversary of the apparitions – by air from London 11th to 15th May (£350) – 5 days; 11th to 18th May £395) – 8 days. Other dates are available. Contact Fr. John Doran on 0118 940 6766 for more information.

to Rome, Assisi and Palazzola - 10th to 19th September – inclusive of flights (Gatwick), taxes, transfers, twin bed accommodation, most meals, excursions, entry charges, full programme throughout cost £875. Contact Fr Tom Grufferty, 134 West Street, Havant, Hants. PO9 1LP or ring 023 9248 4520 for further details.

Park Place Pastoral Centre
Walking with Jesus – A Lenten Retreat 30th to 31st March 2007 led by Joyce Huggett. See the poster in the porch for full details.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
The gospel today offers something of a blueprint for dying to self so that we might rise to new life in Christ. In baptism we were anointed as God’s own and became “priests,” “prophets” and “kings.” We are to live with the same self-sacrificing attitude as Christ: love our enemies, go beyond the expected or needed. Jesus tells us that we are to “be merciful, just as (our) Father is merciful.” God sent the only Son to teach, suffer and die for us. Christ’s living example is the measure of our own self-sacrificing for others.
From Living Liturgy

Diocesan Day for Catholic Counsellors
Exploring the link between Faith and Counselling – Saturday 17th March at St Edward the Confessor Church, Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford – 10.00am coffee – tea at 4.00pm Cost £25.00 – lunch will be provided. To book, a place, please contact Eileen Stephenson on 01329 835583 or email. Attendees will be awarded an attendance certificate for continuing professional development (5 hours).

Sixties Sensation!
There will be a Sixties Sensation event in Fareham Town Centre on Saturday 10th March. From 9.00am to 3.00pm West Street’s pedestrianised precinct will host a collection of pre-1972 scooters from around 7 different local scooter clubs, plus there will be some classic cars on display. In the podium, local group Hi Watts will provide live music from the sixties from around 11.30am to 1.00pm.

Sheer Gift!
A day to celebrate and explore Catholic stewardship in the Diocese of Portsmouth. Come and hear how the principles of stewardship are beginning to transform communities from across the diocese. Saturday 28th April 2007 at St Swithun Wells Catholic Primary School, Hillcrest Avenue, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire – 10.00am coffee – 10.30am to 4.00pm – please bring a packed lunch. Space is limited, so booking is essential. To book your place please contact Eileen Stephenson, Department of Pastoral Formation on 01329 835583 or email.

Malayalam
On 19th and 20th February there will be a Malayalam Retreat at St Philip Howard Church from 1.30pm – 8.30pm. For further information, please ring Jaison on 07737 133646.

Called to be Peacemakers
The 29th annual Justice and Peace Conference takes place at Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick, Derbyshire from 20th to 22nd July 2007. Please see details on the booking forms in the church porch.

Thanks from Howard Brebner
“I would like to say an enormous thank you for all the support and prayers I have received from Fareham and Portchester Parish. You have been truly remarkable….Life is starting to take on a much rosier glow!” Howard Brebner

Can you develop Youth Ministry?
The City of Portsmouth Catholic Parishes wish to increase support for younger members and intend to employ a person to develop youth ministry. They are seeking a committed member of the Church with experience of working with young people and an understanding of their personal faith journey within the Catholic Community. This two year contract will be for 25 hours per week, mostly in the evenings and at weekends. JNC points 4-9 £14,538-£17,379 pro rata) according to experience. Enhanced CRB disclosure is a condition of employment. Contact Mary Swaffield for details and an application form – tel. 023 9282 5430 or email – applications to arrive by 30th March 2007.

Worth Abbey
The Open Cloister invites you to seek God within the tranquillity and beauty of Worth Abbey in West Sussex, a Roman Catholic Benedictine Monastery as seen in BBC TV’s “The Monastery”. The Open Cloister offers you the opportunity to experience the rhythm of monastic life; retreat and engagement, contemplation and challenge, solitude and companionship. Events are open to men and women of any faith or none. Ring 01342 710318. www.worthabbey.net

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

7th Sunday of the Year 17/18 February 2007 The Year of St Luke

Rite of Election - RCIA
Bishop Crispian will be presiding at this important celebration at the Cathedral at 11.00am on Saturday 24th February. All catechumens and candidates are encouraged to come, hopefully supported by some of their fellow parishioners.

Day of Prayer
Bishop Crispian will be leading a day of prayer in the Cathedral on Saturday 3rd March from 10.30am to 3.00pm. There will be Mass and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. There is no charge but please bring a packed lunch – refreshments will be available.

The Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament

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).

World Youth Day 2008
The countdown to the next international gathering has begun. The dates are 15th to 20th July 2008 with days in a host diocese the preceding week. Plans are under way to take pilgrims from the diocese to Sydney. If you would like to find out more, please email David – the cost will probably be about £2,000.

Loud and Clear 2007
Three years ago Bishop Crispian, Bishop Christopher Budd and Bishop Declan Lang together with 450 clergy and lay people came together for the first ‘Loud and Clear’ Conference. Formation teams have been working together to prepare for ‘Living God’s Word: Loud and Clear 2007’ which will take place at Exeter University from 16th to 19th July. Bishop Crispian and the two other bishops will be there and wish to encourage people to go there as well. The conference is for everyone who seeks to deepen their faith and understanding. Posters are on the notice board and booking forms are available from the church porch. The cost per person is £295 fully residential and it is hoped that parishes might provide some financial support for clergy and lay people wanting to take part. If you would like to attend, please speak to Fr Joe.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1820.88

Forthcoming Collections
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