Thanks from the Comboni Missionaries
“I would be most obliged if you could pass on my sincere thanks to your Parishioners for their generosity (£1310.46). The strength of support on the part of the faithful in helping their more unfortunate sisters and brothers world-wide never fails to impress me and in your parish this is true in a very particular way. Please assure your parishioners that the entire collection will go directly to our Missionaries working with some of the poorest and most abandoned people in Africa, Asia and the Americas. We would ask you and all in the Fareham area to remember our Missions and Missionaries in your thoughts and prayers, and we in turn assure you of a continuing remembrance in ours. Fr Paul Felix MCCJ.”

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.

Congratulations to Langford Vincent on the occasion of the anniversary of his ordination to the Diaconate.

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.

Fareham’s Italian Market
The first authentic Italian Market is to take place in Fareham Town Centre from 9.00am to 5.00pm on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd June 2007. On offer will be a wide range of cheeses and cured meats, a selection of the classic Torrone (nougat) from Cremona, biscuits and pastries, cakes and sweets, olive oils and balsamic vinegars, a selection of olives, pasta and speciality breads. There will also be hot pizza to enjoy while you browse.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
The Spirit is not a gift like other gifts we might receive – open them, appreciate and use them, wear them out or discard them. The Spirit is received in Baptism and the Spirit’s presence is strengthened in Confirmation so that we might carry on Jesus’ saving mission. Sometimes in our lives we might witness to a powerful presence of the Spirit. Perhaps we must confront another who has done wrong and refuses to change, stand up to injustice, or challenge another to more ethical and generous living. Sometimes in our lives we might witness to a gentler, relational, Spirit. Perhaps we spend extra quality time with the children, or visit an elderly relative and bring them some cheer, or help someone pick up the pile of oranges which has come tumbling down in the grocery store. In these great and simple acts the Spirit works through us and makes Jesus’ saving mission present.
From Living Liturgy

125th Anniversary of Portsmouth Diocese
On Friday 15th June 2007 at Winchester Cathedral, 7.00pm, there will be a Service in thanksgiving for 125 years of Catholic presence in this part of the South of England. Bishop Crispian and Bishop Michael Scott-Joynt, Bishop of Winchester, will be present together with representatives of all 24 pastoral areas, ecumenical guests and Catholic Clergy and laypeople from across the diocese. Please come to this unique celebration and to the reception afterwards. If you do plan to attend, please sign the list which is on the notice board as we need to know numbers. If enough people sign, we may be able to arrange a coach.

Oaklands Catholic School, Waterlooville
Present and former students and their parents are warmly invited to attend a special Mass celebrated by Bishop Crispian at Oaklands Catholic School on Friday 6th July 2007 at 6.15pm to mark the retirement of Chris Whitfield as Headteacher. Mass will be followed by refreshments. Those wishing to attend are asked to telephone the school office on 023 9225 9214 to indicate numbers for seating and catering purposes.

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.

Loud and Clear 2007 – Exeter University 16-19th July
This is for everyone who wants to deepen their faith and understanding and has been organised by Clifton, Portsmouth and Plymouth Dioceses. It will be informal and stimulating with the participation of Bishop Crispian, Bishop Declan Lang and Bishop Christopher Budd. If you wish to book or need more information, please ring Nicky Stevens on 01329 835583. The cost is £295.00 fully residential but if this would prevent you coming, please discuss with Nicky.

First Friday Devotions
The Intention on Friday 1st June is for the community of the Solent Pastoral Area. Do you feel anxious about the proposed changes to the churches in our Pastoral Area? Do you wish for time away from the business of life? Do you wish for spiritual formation? Do you wish to answer the call of the Holy Spirit? If the answer to any of the above is ‘yes’, come for the first Friday of June to Our Lady of Walsingham Church, White Hart Lane, Portchester. We begin at 9.30am with Mass and Fr Joe will be available for Confession after Mass. Details of the programme are on the poster in the porch. If you need a lift, please ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802.

Plant Sales for Adopt Sri Lanka
Thank you to all those who supported the recent plant sales after the 11.00am Mass. £170.00 was raised for Adopt Sri Lanka Rainbow Appeal.

House Group
The House Group will not meet until 6th June.

Snowdon Challenge
“The Multiple Sclerosis Snowdon Challenge has crept up on me so I have started dieting to try and lose a few pounds before 7th July, when a group of hopefully strong people will be carrying me in a wheelchair around Capel Curig in Snowdon (including through rivers!) to raise much needed funds to help continue supporting the people affected by Multiple Sclerosis in YOUR AREA. I will be at all the Masses on the weekend of 1st and 2nd June to encourage you to sponsor us for this worthy event.”

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

Pentecost Sunday 26th/27th May 2007 The Year of St Luke

A Message from Father Charlie
“Please tell the readers of your newsletter how grateful and moved I have been by their happy welcome. I thank God for the good influence of seven years in such company. Thanks again for everything. Praying for you all, Fr Charlie.”

Thanks from Dilly Hoare
“I would like to thank Fr Joe for his kindness and thoughtfulness and the many parishioners for their cards and good wishes in celebration of my 90th birthday. Dilly.”

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

RCIA – Challenges and Opportunities
All involved in RCIA: catechists, sponsors, welcomers, clergy, musicians, liturgists and anyone interested in finding out more about RCIA are invited to an evening organised by the Department of Pastoral Formation. The local meeting is on 14th June at St Margaret Mary, Park Gate from 7.30pm to 9.30pm with coffee from 7.00pm. Ring the Department on 01329 835583 for further details.

Underground Chinese Priest Released
Father Shao Zhoumin, an underground priest of the Catholic Church in China, was released from prison due to ill health. Father Shao, Vicar General of Wenzhou Diocese, is suffering from an illness that has left him deaf, likely contracted during his detention. He was accused of having falsified his passport and was arrested last year after returning from a pilgrimage to Rome. The 43 year old priest, who is now in hospital, was released one month before the end of his sentence.

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 - £1653.00
World Communications - £402.68

Forthcoming Collections
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