Mothering Sunday
The fourth Sunday of Lent is Mothering Sunday, a day when children give presents, flowers and cards to their mothers. The history of Mothering Sunday has a much deeper origin. Centuries ago, it was considered important for people to return to their home or “mother” church once a year and this used to take place in the middle of Lent. Everyone would visit their “mother” church or the main church or cathedral of the area and this became an occasion for family reunions when children who were working away returned home and domestic servants or apprentices were given the day off to visit their mother.

Internet Petition
If you are on the Internet, Right to Life have asked if you would support Catholic adoption agencies in their fight to resist Government pressures under the proposed Sexual Orientation Regulations which reject the right of conscience and will force the agencies to accept adoption by homosexual couples. Go to: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Adoptionprotest/ and sign the following internet petition “We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to exempt the Roman Catholic Church and all Faith adoption agencies from the requirements of the Government’s proposed new Gay Rights laws.” The deadline is 26th April 2007.

Fareport Talking News
Volunteers with computing skills are required to be responsible for the recording studio and to occasionally act as a recording technician. If you could give up some time to help this service for the visually impaired please ring 023 9261 3642.

Day Retreat
On Saturday 24th March at St Joseph’s, Ann’s Hill, Gosport there will be a Retreat led by Fr Danilo Castello, a Verona Father. The theme for the day is “The Meals of Jesus”. Tea and coffee are served at 10.00am, the Retreat begins at 10.30am and ends with Mass at 3.00pm. There is no charge but you would need to bring a packed lunch, although tea and coffee will be available. All are welcome.

Farewell Day of Prayer
On Wednesday 4th April at Park Gate church, there will be a farewell day of Prayer for all who have participated in the First Friday Days of Prayer over the last year. The Day will start with Mass at 10.00am with the customary devotions. There will be an ‘agape’ (love feast) meal at mid-day. Please bring a dish to share. At this meal there will be a presentation to Fr James. If you wish to make a donation to the gift, please ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802. All are invited.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Last week, repent or perish, this week, repent and feast. In this parable of the Prodigal Son we have an example of someone who does repent and enjoys the fruits of repentance: a welcome home, a loving embrace of the father, and a feast. Both sons hurt their father: the younger son take his inheritance and leaves the family; the elder son refuses to celebrate when his brother returns. Toward each, the father shows compassion by inviting both to the feast. Neither the self-centredness of the one nor the self-righteousness of the other diminishes the father’s love for them. Entering the feast depends on their choice to repent.

Every day in countless ways we are faced with a choice to repent and make stronger our relationships with others. Only by choosing to repent can we feast. Ultimately, our Lenten and life journey is one of reconciliation which brings healing and restored relationship. Reconciliation implies a letting go of whatever binds us or hinders us or turns us in on ourselves and a “passing over” to receiving the compassion and mercy which can only be celebrated in the abundance of a feast. Lent tends to pass all too quickly. We cannot let it go by and be satisfied only with giving up something. Lent also offers us a positive opportunity to reflect on our many relationships. Repentance challenges us to look deeply into our own selves and root out whatever self-centredness keeps us from receiving God’s mercy and compassion and from offering forgiveness to or seeking it from others.
From Living Liturgy

Traditional Rite Ceremonies of Holy Week and Easter at the Church of Christ the King, Northumberland Avenue, Reading
All liturgies are in Latin and Sung according to the classical Roman Rite. Details of both are on the notice board.

Rotas
Readers and Lay Ministers of Communion at Sacred Heart Church and St Philip Howard Church are asked to collect the new rotas from the church porch.

House Group
Please note the next House Group will not be until Wednesday 28th March.

Thank You
The Lenten Buffet Lunch held last weekend raised £702.00 for the Parish Lenten Appeal, supporting the Rainbow Centre in Sri Lanka. Thank you so much to everyone who kindly helped, gave donations and especially to those who attended the enjoyable occasion.

Easter Chocolate, Tombola & Cake Stall
Saturday 31st March at Our Lady of Walsingham Church following the 6.00pm Mass; Sunday 1st April Sacred Heart Hall following the 9.00am Mass and St Philip Howard Hall following the 11.00am Mass. WANTED – chocolates and cakes – donations very much appreciated and can be left in the Parish Office or Sacred Heart Hall. All proceeds to the Lenten Appeal.

Mobility Scooter
Do you have your own scooter? Shopmobility invites you to their roadshow to become a SUPA (scooter user, proficient and aware) driver. The first roadshow will be held on Thursday 12th April from 10.00am to 3.00pm at The Podium in Fareham Town Centre. This event will provide you with full instruction on the safe use of a mobility scooter and a sticker to show off. As well as good tuition there will be many other goodies to be had. Free entry into a raffle to win a new scooter, Free equipment check, Free fun driving course and lots more! To book a place, ring 01329 282929 or email.

Music, Dance and Local Fayre!
From 9.00am to 3.30pm on Saturday 7th April, West Street, Fareham precinct will host a Farmers’ Market, where around forty local producers will sell the best of their produce directly to customers. There will also be a host of colourful Morris sides from around the region who will perform lively traditional dance and the Stourvale Mummers from Dorset will stage a traditional pace-egging play. Finally, local seven piece street band, Pipe Dreams, will add to the fun with their impressive sound that varies from African beat to improvisation. All welcome.

Adopt Sri Lanka
Sharron Ward, General Manager of Adopt Sri Lanka, will speak at: Our Lady of Walsingham 6.00pm Mass on Saturday 24th March; Sacred Heart Church 9.00am Mass on Sunday 25th March and St Philip Howard Church 11.00am Mass on Sunday 25th March. Sharron will talk about the work of ASL past and present.

A Future for Haslar?
The next public meeting of the Fareham & Gosport Patients’ Network is on Wednesday 18th April, 8.00pm – 9.00pm at Thorngate Halls, Bury Road, Gosport – subject: “Haslar Site – the way forward.”

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

Fourth Sunday of Lent 17/18 March 2007 The Year of St Luke

125th Anniversary of the Diocese
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the establishment of our Diocese. Two major diocesan events are being planned and further details will follow after Easter.

Chrism Mass
The Chrism Mass will be celebrated at the Cathedral on Tuesday of Holy Week, 3rd April, at 11.00am

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).

From the Latin Mass Society
Lenten Day of Recollection at St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth on the theme of Preparing for Holy Week and Easter, led by the Priests of the Fraternity of St Peter – Fr Benjamin Durham and Fr Nicholas du Chaxel – Saturday 31st March from 11.00am.

Mass for the Sick
This will take place on Saturday 24th March 2007 at 3.00pm at St Philip Howard Church. Could Lay Ministers of Communion make arrangements for transport for sick and elderly parishioners whom they visit, if appropriate. Tea will be provided after the Service by the SVP. Should anyone wish transport to the Service, please make contact with Mary Cadogan on 01329 235987 or Anne Lamb on 01329 289721.

Women’s World Day of Prayer
“The Service held at Our Lady of Walsingham on 2nd March was a very happy and holy occasion. Sixty-nine people attended the Service and the collection raised £119.95. The donated home made cakes were a big hit with everyone – even though it’s Lent! Many thanks for all who helped make the day a success, even if you were not able to attend, you were remembered!” Elizabeth Evans

The Spirit of Diana Walk
Follow the footsteps of Diana, Princess of Wales, and help MAG (Mines Advisory Group) to stamp out landmines! Take part in a 10km sponsored walk through London on Saturday 28th April 2007 and help unexploded bomb clearance operations to help people affected by conflict. For a fundraising pack, call Harriett Christie on 0161 236 4311 or email. A registration fee and sponsorship target do apply and all proceeds will be used to support landmine clearance operations worldwide.

Life Quiz
Life Quizzes will be on sale at Sacred Heart Church and St Philip Howard Church this weekend at the 9.00am and 11.00am Masses.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1664.20
Lenten Appeal – Sri Lanka Rainbow Centre - £1571.83

Forthcoming Collections
18th March – Clergy Assistance Fund

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