Joint Pastoral Letter on Catholic Schools
This weekend The Bishops’ Conference has issued a joint pastoral letter on Catholic Schools to coincide with the beginning of the new academic year. Copies of this letter are available in the church porch.

Back to School
The Catholic School is of inestimable value to the life of the Church. The School cannot be expected to do what of its very nature it cannot do alone – produce the fully-committed member of the Church. It cannot take the place of a Christian home. The support needed by the school is provided by the whole community. We thank God for our own school as we welcome staff and pupils back for the new term at St Jude’s.

Ministry to the Sick
Maryvale Institute is running a one year distance learning programme for home carers, hospital visitors and all who minister to the sick. Contact Nichola Hurley, Maryvale Institute, Maryvale House, Old Oscott Hill, Birmingham, B44 9AG for further details.

CAFOD Vacancy
A vacancy has arisen for a part-time Diocesan Officer for Portsmouth Diocese, based in Aldershot, working 21 hours per week. The post involves management and administration of the office, including supervision of volunteers and fostering excellent relationships with Catholic parishes and schools across the diocese. Application packs may be obtained by phoning 020 7095 5601 or by email. Please quote ref: CDOP2. Closing date: 3rd October 2007.

First Holy Communion Programme
Parents of those children of First Holy Communion age (born before 31st August 2000) who wish for their children to prepare for this Sacrament next year are invited to a meeting on Thursday 20th September at 7.30pm in St Jude’s School. This will be an information meeting for parents where the programme will be discussed. Registration forms are available in the church porch and completed forms should be taken to the information meeting.

Pastoral Prayer
Father John Cook has kindly agreed to lead the First Friday devotions for the Pastoral Area, continuing the work started by Father James Boyle. All are invited to a day of reflection on Friday 7th September at the Church of St Margaret Mary, Park Gate, Fareham starting at 9.00am. The day will start with Rosary at 9.00am followed by Mass at 9.15am. This will be followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Father John will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and spiritual direction. This will be followed by Bible Study and discussion. We will end with a shared lunch (bring a dish), tea and coffee. For further details or a lift ring 023 9238 1802. As of September, all First Fridays will be at Park Gate for 2007-8.

Thanks from the Sisters and Friends of Park Place
“The Sisters and the Friends of Park Place would like to thank most sincerely all those who came to our Garden Party on the 15th July, and also those who sent us donations and gave their support in other ways. Despite a very short thunderstorm just as the party was started, the Garden Party was a huge success. Nearly 250 people came along and a total of £5,551 was raised for the two projects in India. Included in the total was £2,200 in donations. Thank you once again for your tremendous support.”

Welcome
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.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Jesus is calling the disciples back to the authentic Jewish tradition of caring for the “widow, orphan and sojourner”. These three groups in Israelite society were symbolic of those who were in a position of needing others to look after their well-being. Israel’s care for them concretised God’s care for Israel. Jesus is calling us to authentic relationship with God by caring for those who cannot care for themselves. The surprise: total self-giving to the lowly and needy means reward in heaven – eternal glory with God!

The lowly are those who need food, clothing and shelter; our cities are full of these kinds of dispossessed people. The lowly are also the children in our midst; the physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually challenged; the elderly. We do not need to look very far to put Jesus’ teaching this week into practice!
From Living Liturgy

St John’s College Politics Society
The following have been arranged for the Autumn Term at the College in Grove Road South, Southsea. All are welcome – there is no admission charge and refreshments are available in the half hour before the start of the meeting. Parking is available in the school yard:-

Tuesday 18 September at 7.30pm – Chris Grayling, MP – a rising member of David Cameron’s Shadow Cabinet; recently promoted from Shadow Transport to Work and Pensions Secretary.

Thursday 27 September at 6.00pm – Lord Bingham the senior Law Lord, who was Lord Chief Justice from 1996-2000. At a time when issues of criminal justice, law and order and civil liberties are so prominent, this promises to be an interesting and relevant talk.

Wednesday 14 November at 7.30pm – an ‘Any Questions’ evening to mark the 30th anniversary of the Society. The panel will comprise Lord Walker of Worcester (former Conservative Cabinet Minister, Peter Walker), Baroness Williams of Crosby (Shirley Williams), Portsmouth’s own Lord Judd of Portsea and Bernard Black, the founder of the Society.

For further details, please contact Dr Graham Goodlad on 023 9281 5118. If you prefer you may email.

Mass of Thanksgiving for Clinicare
A Mass of Thanksgiving is to be celebrated on Saturday 8th September at 11.00am in St Edmund’s Church, The Avenue, Southampton. It is to commemorate over 30 years of work by Clinicare International, a Diocesan based charity. During this time over £1,200,000.00 of surplus medicines and medical equipment collected from surgeries, pharmacies and hospitals has been sent to the Archdiocese of Bamenda to be used in hospitals and health centres, and also to hospitals in Angola, Nigeria and Uganda. Sadly, this part of the work must now cease due to the EU and Government Regulations but it is hoped to continue sending medical supplies by using the money previously spent on postage, £5,000 to £6,000 per year to purchase medicines from a company who specialises in dealing with Third World hospitals. The Mass will have an African flavour with African drummers and Gospel choir. Refreshments after Mass – all are welcome.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Newsletter here

22nd Sunday of the Year 01/02 September 2007 The Year of St Luke

Youth Club
The Youth Club is re-starting this weekend.

Saturday Night Specials
Details of forthcoming Saturday Night Specials at Fareham Leisure Centre are on the notice board.

Concert at St Mary’s Church, Gosport
The City of Newport Male Choir will give a concert in St Mary’s Church, High Street, Gosport on Saturday 6th October at 7.30pm. This is in support of charitable fund raising for Mbetta Parish, Cameroon and St Edmund’s School, Portsmouth. Tickets - £8.50 adults; £4.00 children; are available from Gosport Parish Office – tel. 023 9258 0119.

Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
A reminder that Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament resumes at Our Lady of Walsingham Church and Sacred Heart Church this week.

Thanksgiving Mass and Party
Miss Lovatt, of St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Southampton, has retired from teaching after 33 years of dedicated service. She arrived as a newly qualified teacher in April 1974 and has never looked back. In this day and age it is very unusual for a teacher to stay in one school for their whole career but that is exactly what Miss Lovatt has done. To mark this auspicious occasion, Bishop Crispian will celebrate a Mass of Thanksgiving on Friday 14th September at 7.00pm in St Patrick’s Church, Woolston, Southampton followed by a reception in the school. It is hoped that any pupils, past and present, will be able to attend.

Human Tissue and Embryos Bill
If this Bill becomes law, it will permit the creation of cloned human-animal embryos and the genetic modification of human embryos for research. Leaflets are available in the church porch and you are urged to write to your MP asking that this Bill be opposed.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1467.68

SVP - £401.11

Forthcoming Collections
9th September – Racial Justice
16th September – Catholic Agency for Support of Evangelisation
20th September - Cathedral

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