125th Anniversary of the Diocese
This year marks the 125th anniversary of our Diocese. On Monday 21st May at St John’s Cathedral there will be a Diocesan Mass at 6.00pm.

Make Aid Work – the world can’t wait!
Come to a vigil of prayer, reflection and interaction on Friday 1st June from 7.30pm to 10.00pm at St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth. Details are on the notice board.

Live Simply Pilgrimage
You are invited to join the Pilgrimage on Sunday 29th May starting from Our Lady and St Edmund of Abingdon, Radley Road, Abingdon walking to the Carmelite Priory at Boar’s Hill for a picnic lunch and prayers in the chapel, before returning to Abingdon for tea and refreshments at approximately 4.30pm. A mini bus is being arranged and if you are interested, contact Esme Percival on 01329 319301. See the poster on the notice board for further details.

Open Air Mass
The Parish Open Air Mass this year takes place on Sunday 10th June at 11.00am at St Jude’s School Field. We will be celebrating the Solemnity of Corpus Christi, the Body and Blood of Christ, and the children will be receiving their First Holy Communion at this Mass which will conclude with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. The Mass will be followed by a picnic – remember to bring picnic chairs and parasols! If anyone needs transport, please contact Alison Ivison on 01329 230049.

Open Garden for Charity
You are invited to attend an Open Garden for Charity on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd June at 27 Elms Road, Fareham (garden open between 10.00am and 4.00pm. The entrance fee is Adults £1.50 and children 50p which includes Fairtrade refreshments kindly donated by Fareham branch of Friends of the Earth. A selection of paintings and a raffle will be available and all proceeds will be donated to Kids which helps 600 local disabled children, young people and their families.

Park Place Pastoral Centre
The following will take place at Park Place Pastoral Centre, Wickham. Telephone 01329 833043 to book a place: Creative Journaling – 13th – 15th July – led by Ann Beazer. ‘A journal is not only a record of events that touch and transform us; it is a private space in which we can meet ourselves in relation to others and God.’ (Susan Annette Muto). Journaling is a wonderful way to acknowledge and explore life’s experiences and release one’s own unique creativity. Writing and artistic skills are not necessary. Residents: From Friday evening 4.30pm until Sunday after lunch – cost £105.00 residential full board. Non-residents: Friday 7.30pm to 9.00pm, Saturday 10.00am to 6.00pm (evening session optional), Sunday 10.00am to 1.00pm – cost £30.00 (tea/coffee provided, bring a packed lunch for Saturday, £40.00 with lunch on Saturday; £52.00 with lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
By our faithful witnessing we are the present day disciples who make Jesus’ presence and salvation known in the world. At the same time, we are reminded that there is more to our Christian life than what we are living now:

The two men dressed in white garments told the disciples that Jesus would return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven. The ascension challenges us to look beyond this time to the Christ of glory. Resurrection is fulfilled only on the last day. Thus, absence and presence refer to even more than Jesus’ ascension and sending of the Spirit to dwell within us. They also remind us that our suffering and rising, repenting and forgiving, preaching, witnessing and blessing all carry us forward to that final day of hope when we, too, share in Jesus’ glory. Hope itself is an act of discipleship!

The challenge which remains is to make all this practical in our daily living.
From Living Liturgy

Your prayers are requested
Please pray for Liliane Walters who died recently and also for Peter and all of Liliane’s family and friends.

CFH – The Caring Fellowship
The annual Mass for all people (able and disabled) and members of CFH Caring Fellowship is on Saturday 16th June at 2.30pm in St Bede’s Church, Popley, Basingstoke – a Memorial Mass for John Weaver, former Chairman of CFH Caring Fellowship. Tea in the hall after Mass. All welcome.

Date for your Diary – Storm of Hope
Come and join Christian Ecology Link on Saturday 7th July, 10.00am to 5.00pm at All Hallows-by-the-Tower Church, Byward Street, London EC3R 5BJ, for a day of action, reflection and renewal. Do you want to know what Christians are doing about climate change? Then come and hear Ann Pettifor, one of the architects of Jubilee 2000 and now campaign director of Operation Noah, the Churches climate justice campaign. Visit www.christian-ecology.org.uk/stormhope for more information and booking forms. All welcome.

Review of the Year 2006
Copies of the Review of 2006 are available in the church porch, free of charge. Please take one.

Monastic Retreat
There is an opportunity for single Catholic men aged 18 to 40 years to experience Benedictine monastic life at Pluscarden Abbey from 4th to 8th June 2007. For more information or to book a place (there is no charge for the retreat) please contact: Fr Augustine OSB, Pluscarden Abbey, Elgin, Moray IV30 8UA, Scotland or email – travel: coach/train to Elgin plus cheap flights to Aberdeen/Inverness.

Plant Sales for Adopt Sri Lanka
Plants will be on sale after 11.00am Mass on Sundays 13th and 20th May. All proceeds will go to the Adopt Sri Lanka Appeal. Anyone not at those Masses who would like to buy plants is welcome to call Frankie Lane on 01329 310785 and arrangements can be made to buy the plants from home. If anyone wants to order specific plants – particularly tomatoes as these go very quickly – then contact Frankie as soon as possible.

Sri Lankan Bishop asks for Aid
Bishop Thomas Savundaranayagam is appealing for aid to bring peace to Sri Lanka. At a meeting with U.S. officials recently, the bishop said that negotiations could only start with the participation of the international community. He said “Arrangements should be made for the minority community to feel they are equal citizens and they have the right of self-determination.” Caritas is working with more than 500,000 people that are homeless due to war and the 2004 tsunami.

His Story – portraying the Gospel Story
Mustard Seed Songs present ‘The original Cast’ portraying the Gospel Story in a unique live musical and visual experience, at The New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth on Saturday 23rd June at 7.30pm – prices £7.50 with 50% reductions for concessions. Tickets available from the box office only 023 9264 9000.

A Time for Everything – time away for men
Quality time for men to relax, rest, meet with God at weekend retreats for men: 6th to 8th July at Mount St Mary’s College, near Sheffield, South Yorkshire and 13th to 15th July at Woldingham Park, near Caterham in Surrey. Details at www.harvesters.org.uk or call Mike on 07778 124270.

Parish Diary
All group co-ordinators within the Parish are asked to send details of the dates, times and venues of their activities for the period of September 2007 to August 2008. It would be appreciated if these could arrive at the Parish Office by the end of May.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

The Ascension of the Lord 19th/20th May 2007 The Year of St Luke

Parish Office
We recently advertised a position in the Parish Office and I am pleased to say that Michele Edwards has now been appointed as part-time Office Co-ordinator. Joan Hamilton will continue as Parish Administrator.

Hampshire Water Mills
The Parish Ecology Group meets in Sacred Heart Hall on Friday 25th May. John Silman, Co-ordinator of the Hampshire Mills Society, will talk about the history of Hampshire Mills and consider how local mills might provide renewable energy in the light of climate change and the need to reduce carbon emissions. The meeting begins at 7.30pm with prayers and an introduction and should finish at 9.15pm. Admission is free and open to all. Refreshments are Fairtrade.

G8 Rally – 2nd June
A 53 seater coach has been arranged to take people to the G8 rally in London on 2nd June. The price of tickets will be £12.00 per person, with a £2.00 refund for early bookings if the coach fills up. The coach will leave from St Edmund’s Church, Southampton at 8.30am. If you are interested, please ring Mike on 023 8034 2290.

SPUC Petition Day – 2nd June
Please help protect disabled babies: The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children is staging a nationwide Petition Day on Saturday 2nd June to protest the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ call for a debate on infanticide – i.e. the killing of newly born disabled babies. Please help raise awareness of this extremely serious attack on the right to life of babies who are, or may become, disabled. To find out how you can help gather names for this important petition, please contact the Society’s Tony Mullett on 01772 258580 or email

Job Vacancy
Cleaner required, 4 hours per week, at St Philip Howard Church Hall. For further details please contact the Parish Office.

African Children’s Choir
The African Children’s Choir will be performing at Fareham Community Church this Sunday at 7.30pm.

APF Annual Reunion Mass
All promoters, Members and families and friends are invited to the Annual Reunion Mass on Sunday 3rd June at 2.30pm in St Joseph’s Church, Maidenhead. Tea and refreshments will be served after Mass. Those from Portchester who intend going to this are asked to contact Joan Hamilton on 023 9238 5559 and those from Fareham should contact Ron Lewis on 01329 847533.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1470.70

Forthcoming Collections
20th May - World Communications
10th June - SVP

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