Apostleship of the Sea – Sea Sunday
Today is Sea Sunday, when the Church remembers all those who live and work at sea. There is a retiring collection for the Apostleship of the Sea and the money given makes a very real difference to the lives of vulnerable, lonely and deprived seafarers. Special donation envelopes are provided.

Garden open for the British Red Cross
Chris and Frankie Lane are opening their garden in aid of the British Red Cross this weekend from 2.00pm to 6.00pm. Both the front and back gardens have won silver medals in the Fareham in Bloom competition in recent years. Home-made cakes and tea/coffee will be served and plants will be on sale. The garden is at 50 Hill Park Road, Fareham. An entrance fee of £1.50 is charged and accompanied children are free.

Welcome
A warm welcome to all visitors to Fareham and Portchester and welcome, also, to those who are newcomers to our parish. If you have recently moved to this area, please fill in one of our “Are you new” forms to be found at the entrance to the church and return this to the parish office. Alternatively complete our online form.

St Benedict’s High School and Day School
Patrick Pontet is currently researching the history of St Benedict’s High School and Day School, Fareham of the 1930’s. He would love to hear from anyone with any material they consider might be useful. If you know anything about the school he would be grateful if you would email him or let Joan know in the Parish Office.

Park Place Garden Party
The Friends of Park Place are holding a summer garden party to be held on Sunday 15th July 2007 at Park Place Pastoral Centre from 3.00pm until 5.30pm. Tickets are £5.00 for adults; 0.50p for children including afternoon tea. All proceeds will go towards Franciscan Projects in India providing medicines and medical care to rural communities in Rajistan and caring for disturbed and handicapped children in Mhow. Tickets and further information from Park Place Pastoral Centre – 01329 833043.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
In the first reading, Isaiah’s vision uses different images to describe the same reality presented in the gospel. The effects of the kingdom (peace, healing and subjecting demons) are here described as comfort, abundance and prosperity. Both readings envision a future of joy and rejoicing.

Many people live in fear of a future which is bent on destruction and chaos; they have abandoned hope. These readings invite us to imagine the future God has in store for us, one of blessing and joy.
From Living Liturgy

David Starbuck RIP
Anne, Mark, Tim and Brendan would like to thank their friends in Fareham and Portchester Parish for the kindness shown to them in their great sadness. The many cards and letters received have been an immense comfort to the family at this very sad time.

Parish Office Hours
Please note the Parish Office will be closed on Monday 9th July 2007.

Society of St Gregory
This national society works to assist priests and people to celebrate the Liturgy worthily. It encourages study and active participation by arranging study days and conferences for all concerned with music and worship. A magazine ‘Music and Liturgy’ is published regularly, meetings are arranged for composers and advice is available on the installation and care of organs. If this might be of interest to you, please contact Paul Moyniham on 020 8654 3379.

Pilgrimage to Medjurgorje
Two parishioners, Ann Broughton and Bernie Farrell (two mums) are going on a pilgrimage to Medjugorje in September. If anyone would like to join them on this trip or would like prayer intentions passed on to Our Lady, telephone Bernie on 01329 845578.

St John’s Cathedral Summer Fete
The Portsmouth Youth Justice and Peace Group are organising this Fete, to be held on Saturday 14th July from 11.00am to 3.00pm. All proceeds will support the work of CAFOD and Two Saints (who work with people dealing with addiction, mental health and homelessness in Portsmouth and Southampton.) Bishop Crispian will open the event at 11.00am. Stalls include bric-a-brac, books, toys and cakes and there will be live music, bouncy castles, face painting …..something for everyone. Donations for the stalls and tombola can be brought to the Discovery Centre or delivery can be arranged by calling Neil Galbraith on 023 9236 2971.

Lourdes Buffet Lunch
The next Lourdes Lunch will take place on Saturday 21st July 2007 at St Jude’s School Hall – 12.30pm. Tickets at £6.00 each, are on sale from this weekend and available from:

Anna Chandler – 01329 234436
Pauline Jackson – 01329 236275
Olive Jerram – 023 9238 8012

The lunch is in aid of the Parish Lourdes Fund, which assists young people to travel to Lourdes where they give their time to care and help the sick pilgrims during the Diocesan Pilgrimage – 26th August to 1st September.

If you are interested and would like further information, please speak to Fr Joe or to one of the above mentioned names.
Everyone is most welcome to the Lunch, especially newcomers to the Parish.

Wickham Festival
This takes place from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th August on a green field site near Wickham. Day and weekend tickets are on sale at Ferneham Hall, Fareham. Further information is available on the Festival website: www.wickhamfestival.co.uk.

Fatima Pilgrimages
Regular pilgrimages take place from May to October. For further information, please contact Fr John Doran, St John’s Convent, Kiln Green, Reading, Berks. RG10 9XP, telephone 0118 940 6766.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

14th Sunday of the Year 7/8th July 2007 The Year of St Luke

World Youth Day 2008
With just over a year to go to World Youth Day the excitement is starting to grow. Over 20 people from the Diocese have signed up to go to Melbourne and Sydney to meet with Pope Benedict and participate in World Youth Day. Due to the high demands for flights to Australia and for accommodation in Sydney, the final date for registration to attend is 13th July. If you would like to be part of the pilgrimage “down under” it is important that you contact David Hill, Adviser for Youth Ministry, who co-ordinating the trip, as soon as possible.

The itinerary will include spending time in Melbourne, experiencing Aussie Culture and sharing with the local Church. Key speakers have been lined up to speak about being a young Catholic today. Then you travel to Sydney for the World Youth Day celebrations. Events include an opening Mass at the Olympic Stadium, cultural festivals, music, catechesis, reconciliation and Eucharistic adoration as well as visiting key landmarks. The trip culminates with a vigil at Randwick Racecourse and Mass celebrated by Pope Benedict. It is expected that over half a million young adults will take part. The cost will be in the region of £1800.00 and there is hope that support can be given through fundraising and donations.

If you would like more information contact David Hill at the Department for Pastoral Formation, Park Place Pastoral Centre, Wickham, Hants. PO17 5HA or telephone 01329 835583. You may also email

Living Simply Picnic
The Living Simply Picnic has been arranged for 29th July at Manor Farm Country Park from 12.00pm to whenever weather permitting. Any offers of help would be appreciated. Please contact John Vivian on 01329 310301.

Mission Guatemala
Portchester Free Church welcome back some members of the Mission Guatemala Team who will be giving a presentation update on the work in Santiago amongst the indigenous people. This will take place on Saturday 14th July at 7.00pm in Portchester Parish Hall off Castle Street. For further details contact 01329 239225.

Portchester Promenade
On Wednesday 11th July, take a walk through a variety of habitats found in this area from shore to meadows to woodland. Meet and park at Portchester Castle car park at 2.00pm – Cost £2.00. This has been organised by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust. For more details contact Peter Adams on 01329 287653.

Mass Intentions
Envelopes are available at the entrance to the church to enable you to arrange for a Mass to be celebrated for a particular intention. These envelopes allow you to write the intention as well as the date and time when you would prefer the Mass to be offered. The usual offering is £5.00. Please return completed envelopes to the parish office. Please note that Masses often are requested weeks in advance and so some notice is needed.

APF Annual Mission Mass
All APF Promoters, red-box holders, members and anyone interested in “Mission” are invited to celebrate the Annual Mission Mass which takes place on Wednesday 11th July at St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth beginning at 7.30pm. After Mass there will be a 20 minute film depicting Catholic Social Services in Jinger Diocese, Uganda, helping to rehabilitate women and children victims of the civil war.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1675.80
Day for Life - £225.85

Forthcoming Collections
8th July – Apostleship of the Sea
26th August – SVP

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