Family Mass Children’s Choir
It has been suggested that we form a children’s choir to sing at the Family Mass at St Philip Howard Church, once each month. The minimum number of children necessary would be 10, to come from Years 1 to 6. Rehearsals would take place on Mondays between 3.30 and 4.00pm at St Philip Howard Church – drinks and snacks would be provided. There would also need to be a short practice on the Saturday immediately preceding the Family Mass. The aim is to commence rehearsals on 1st October and it is essential that there is parental commitment both to the rehearsals and the Sunday attendance. This is a parish-wide activity and children in Years 1 to 6 from any schools, not just St Jude’s, would be welcome. Anyone interested in taking part is asked to ring John Bolwell on 01329 843833 or Joan at the Parish Office 01329 318869.

St Edmund’s Catholic School – Justice & Peace Day
On Wednesday 17th October, St Edmund’s Catholic School, Portsmouth will be celebrating the International day for the Eradication of Poverty with a Justice and Peace Day. They would like to invite parishioners to the evening event from 6.00pm to 8.00pm. There will be music and dance, plus Fairtrade wine tasting, smoothie tasting and chocolate tasting. There will be opportunities to purchase Fairtrade and Traidcraft products. Also, ‘Holy Socks’ will be on sale at £5.50 for adult sizes and £4.50 for children’s sizes. Holy Socks are great fun – they come packaged with a Biblical story and the design on the socks reflects that story. They will make great Christmas gifts. Pax Christi, CAFOD and Live Simply will all be represented.

Oaklands Catholic School & Sixth Form College
Oaklands are holding their annual Open Evening on Thursday 18th October 2007 from 6.00pm to 8.45pm. Applications are being considered for 11+ entry in September 2008 and all parents are invited to come and visit the school. Please contact Mrs Linda White, Admissions Secretary immediately. Closing date for 2008 applications is 19th October 2007.

Sponsorship for the Great South Run
David Ryan is running the forthcoming Great South Run on behalf of the Stroke Association and is looking for people to sponsor him. He will be outside church after every Mass next weekend, so if you feel you can sponsor him, he will be delighted to take your pledge. You can also sponsor him online, if you prefer, by going to www.Justgiving.com/DavidRyan

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
We often hear parents reminding their children to say thank you when they have received a gift. What does this teach the children? First of all, it helps them understand that gifts are just that – freely given and undeserved. The thank you acknowledges that the giver has gone beyond expectations. Secondly, it helps them understand that giving and receiving a gift establishes a unique relationship between two persons. The thank you acknowledges that the receiver has accepted the gift and by so doing enters into a relationship with the giver.

The gospel this Sunday is the familiar one about ten lepers being healed but only one returning to give thanks to Jesus. The parable reminds us that it is not enough to cry to God for help (as did the lepers); it is not even enough to experience God’s healing action. We are meant to acknowledge God’s gracious activity on our behalf by giving God thanks and worship. Gratitude was not necessary for the healing (all ten were healed). God’s saving activity does not depend on us. The gratitude was necessary, however, for God’s gracious deed to be acknowledged and proclaimed, announcing that God has acted. Gratitude helps make known God’s mighty deeds.
From Living Liturgy

Parish Office Vacancy
There is a vacancy for an Administrator and/or Bookkeeper at St Margaret Mary Church, Park Gate. If you have sound administrative skills, accounting experience, infinite patience and a sense of humour (!!) then please send your CV to Fr John Cooke, The Catholic Presbytery, Middle Road, Park Gate, Southampton, SO31 7GH. Hours and salary to be discussed.

Holy Spirit Seminar
We are running a six week Holy Spirit Seminar at Yvette Harrington’s in North Boarhunt from 14th November, every Wednesday evening at 7.30pm. The final session will be on 19th December. It is called “This Promise is for You” and features Charles Whitehead and Sheila Moran. Please ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802 if you are interested as places are limited.

Garden of Remembrance
On the 1st November, we will be opening yet again the Book of Remembrance. It is, of course, a sad time for many but also a time to reflect on the ‘happy times’ spent with our loved ones now departed. The book is not designed to be sad – many people have, over the last few months, sent me photos of their loved ones and also flowers and scenes together with pictures that are favourites of theirs – all making, I hope, a book for you to look through and enjoy. I do hope you will sit and spend time reading through them all.

This year the book will be placed on a table at the foot of the ‘reredos of the Sacred Heart’ where you will be able to sit and sign. Also there will be a place set aside for you to light candles in remembrance of your loved ones. Let us pray then, that all our friends and family have found tranquillity and peace.
Janet Rooney

Help in Bereavement
Do you know what it’s like to lose someone close? HIB are a local charity that offer practical and emotional support to those in need of help in bereavement. They are looking for more volunteers to train as visitors who need to maintain confidentiality, have good listening skills and empathy. Full training will be given. If interested, please contact 023 9266 8884 or by post to PO Box 617, Portsmouth. PO6 2ZR.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Website here

28th Sunday of the Year 13/14 October 2007 The Year of St Luke

Readers’ Meeting
The annual meeting for Readers will take place this Thursday 18th October at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart Hall.

Thanks from Olive Jerram
“I would like to thank everyone for their prayers, cards and support during my recent operation. I am doing well and am so grateful your love and kindness.” Olive

*Retiring Collection next weekend for World Mission Sunday – please take an envelope for your offering and return it for collection next weekend*

Dates for your Diary
1st November – All Saints – Holyday of Obligation – Mass at 9.30am and 7.00pm at Sacred Heart Church.

2nd November – All Souls – Mass 9.30am at Our Lady of Walsingham Church – Bereavement Mass at 7.30pm at Sacred Heart Church.

4th November – Blessing of Graves at Fareham Cemetery and Roman Grove Cemetery – 3.00pm.

18th November – Blessing of Graves at Portchester Crematorium – 3.00pm.

24th November – Parish Bazaar – St Jude’s School beginning at 11.00am.

1st December - Parish Christmas Dinner, at 7.30pm in St Jude’s School Hall, in aid of the Advent Appeal.

APF (Red Boxes)
It is the end of the APF financial year, so Promoters should have emptied or be in the process of emptying your Red Box. If yours has not been emptied for over a year, please ring 01329 847533 for Fareham members or 023 9238 5559 for Portchester members.

Haslar Detention Centre
A volunteer is needed to prepare bail applications on behalf of asylum seekers and immigrants. This is organised by Bid South. The role involves interviewing detainees by phone and liaising with courts/solicitors and the immigration service. Some legal or linguistic skills might help, French and Spanish particularly. Hours about 4 per week from Tuesday to Friday. Please ring 023 9258 8347 between 9.30am and 1.30pm or email for further details.

National Youth Sunday
National Youth Sunday falls on the Feast of Christ the King, 25th November and young people are asked to focus on solidarity. Two training sessions have been arranged to give youth leaders, catechists and young people an opportunity to find out more about this year’s theme. These are to be held at the following venues: Thursday 18th October at St Francis de Sales, Warren Road, Wash Common, RG14 6NH and Tuesday 30th October at St Peters, Jewry Street, Winchester, SO23 8BW. The meetings will start at 7.45pm and end at 9.30pm. Refreshments will be provided. For further information, please contact David Hill on 01329 835583 or by email.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1546.58
CAFOD - £812.28

Forthcoming Collections
21st October – Foreign Missions

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