Home-Start – Advent Appeal
This weekend, we welcome a speaker from Home-Start who will explain the work they do with families. This will be our Advent Appeal this year.

Directing Drama Workshop – led by Clare Goddard a trained, professional director
This practical workshop is for anyone who has ever had an interest in theatre and would like to know how to be a director. It is also suitable for those who would like to develop new skills in directing. It takes place at Park Place Pastoral Centre on Sunday 27th January from 10.00am till 4.00pm – cost £15.00. Please bring a packed lunch – tea/coffee provided.

Sacred Heart Messenger
Orders are now being taken for the following publications:

• The Sacred Heart Messenger 2008 -
  £9.60 annual subscription
• Living Prayer 2008
  (Apostleship of Prayer) £1.40
• Sacred Heart Calendar 2008
  £2.20 + p.p.

Please contact Anna Chandler 01329 234436 by Friday 30th November.

The Rowans Hospice
The Rowans Hospice is holding its annual ‘Light up a Life’ remembrance service in the Guildhall Square, Portsmouth from 4.00pm on Sunday 9th December 2007. Parishioners are invited to celebrate and remember those who have died by dedicating a light on the Christmas tree that stands in the Guildhall Square throughout the Christmas period. The lights will be illuminated following a short service led by the Hospice Chaplain, Lance Blake, and after the service refreshments will be served in the Guildhall Restaurant. Dedication forms are available in the church porch and may also be downloaded from www.rowanshospice.co.uk.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
“Do not be terrified.” Such comforting and encouraging words of Jesus! For a number of weeks we have been reading gospels which lead us to reflect on and prepare for the Second Coming. The readings for this Sunday are filled with hope, not doom or fear.

Times of adversity, whether now or in the future, are opportunities in which the wisdom of Jesus and his teachings embolden his followers to testify to him and strengthen them to persevere. The trials and tribulations we face now in our lives are preparation for the end times. As we grow in our readiness to be faithful to the Gospel in this life, we are already choosing our final destiny.

Before new life, there must be dying to the old self. We know that Christ is the victor, and those who persevere in their faithfulness will share in the glory of that victory. But the full victory is not yet revealed. We await. We hope.
From Living Liturgy

Thanks
On behalf of the Stroke Association, David Ryan would like to say thank you to everyone for their support. As a result of your generosity, £480.00 was raised.

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
There will be a celebration on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, Friday 7th December, at St John’s Cathedral, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth beginning at 7.30pm. This has been arranged by the Confraternity of the Rosary and will include Mass, Rosary, Candlelight Procession, Hymns and Benediction. Refreshments will be available afterwards and all are welcome.

Ring Out Christmas with Milton Glee Club
Join the Milton Glee Club, Band of HM Royal Marines and Havant Clarinet and Saxophone Choir on Saturday 8th December at 7.30pm or Sunday 9th December at 2.30pm in Portsmouth Guildhall. Tickets from £5.00; Kids-a-Quid on selected seats. Ring 023 9243 1198.

Catholic Singles
Catholic Singles is an organisation which helps single Catholics meet up, either one to one or through social events. For more information please telephone 0161 941 3498.

A Day with Mary
The RC and Anglican Cathedral parishes of Portsmouth are jointly celebrating “A Day with Mary” on Saturday 8th December as a response to the 2006 Anglican/RC Report “Mary: Grace and Hope in Christ.” The celebration will be held in St John’s RC Cathedral from 10.30am to 3.30pm and will include talks (by both Anglican and RC Speakers), prayer, discussion, music and meditation – a good way to remember what Advent is really about, perhaps? Bring your own lunch – no charge – donations to cover expenses on the day. To book, phone St John’s Cathedral on 023 9282 6170.

Date for your Diary….Epiphany Lunch and Concert
All parishioners are invited to an Epiphany Lunch and Concert at Our Lady of Walsingham Church on Sunday 6th January from 1.00 – 4.00pm. Tickets will be on sale in due course.

The Well Christian bookshop and coffee shop
There are vacancies for a part-time Assistant Manager working 13.75 hours per week with a salary of £76.00 per week and a part-time volunteer Book-Keeper to assist the Treasurer for about a half-day per week. If you are interested in either of these vacancies, please write with a full CV by Friday 30th November 2007 to: June Haye, General Manager, The Well, 116-118 West Street, Fareham, Hants. PO16 0EP or ring 01329 318731 for further details.

An Evening with members of the Al-Mahdi Mosque, Wickham
Following a well attended meeting with members of the Mosque earlier this year, a further meeting has been arranged for this Sunday 18th November at 7.30pm in the Large Hall at Holy Trinity Church, West Street, Fareham. The chosen subject for discussion will be ‘Prayer in the Islamic Tradition’.

St Jude's RC Primary School
Website here

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.

33rd Sunday of the Year 17/18 November 2007 The Year of St Luke

Blessing of Graves
Prayers will be said at Portchester Crematorium and Portchester Memorial Gardens on Sunday 18th November at 3.00pm. Graves and memorials will be blessed as requested.

Trip to France
A lady from Gosport Parish is arranging a trip to France departing Friday 2nd May 2008 from Portsmouth. Arrival in Caen is at 7.00am; travel to Paris; visit Rambouillet Castle en route – check into the Ibis Hotel, Montrouge. On Sunday you have a free day to visit Paris as you please and there is an evening city tour if required. Monday you head for Caen for the 5.00pm Ferry to Portsmouth, with hopefully, a stop in Honfleur if time permits. Arrival back in Portsmouth is at 9.45pm. The cost is £147.00 and includes coach travel, return ferry fare, shared cabin Friday night, 2 nights B&B hotel, shared double ensuite room; excursions; map of Paris. The single room supplement is £28.00; Holiday Insurance £17.50 (option) – deposit of £40.00 per person, cheques payable to M.C. Knipe. Please ring Marie-Claude on 01489 577422.

Holy Spirit Seminar
Due to numbers, it has been decided to postpone the Holy Spirit Seminar until after Easter. Any queries – please ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802.

The Compassionate Friends – support and friendship after the death of a child
The Compassionate Friends Candlelight Service takes place at St Mary the Virgin Church, Rowner Lane, Gosport on Sunday 2nd December 2007 at 3.30pm. You are invited to being an unframed photograph of your child which will be safely displayed during the service (max size 5” x 7”).

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1537.43

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