Advent
This weekend we begin the season of Advent. The Lectionary Cycle for Sundays and Feasts will be Year A. During Advent the sanctuaries in our church are quite bare. Purple vestments and a complete lack of flowers speak to us of final judgement. The Advent Wreath provides the only decoration. It represents the spiritual darkness of our world waiting for the coming of our Messiah who is the light of the world.

A Fond Farewell
Chris and Frankie Lane have been leading the choir at the 11.00am Mass at St Philip Howard Church for many years now. They are moving on to pastures new and from the whole Parish of Fareham and Portchester we give many, many thanks for the years of faithful service to the music ministry. Our thoughts and our prayers are with you both.

Over the next few weeks we will be looking to see how we can take the music forward at the 11.00am Mass at St Philip Howard. Anyone interested in singing or playing should contact Fr Joe.

Carol Singing in Portsmouth Hospitals
On Christmas Eve, whilst many will be putting finishing touches to family Christmas arrangements or preparing for Midnight Mass, between 800 and 1,000 people from local parishes will be patients in a bed in Queen Alexandra or St Mary’s Hospital. A few years ago, the Chaplaincy began Carol Singing around the wards on Christmas Eve. Chaplains receive so many comments of appreciation that there is no doubt that this meant a great deal both to patients and staff. Last year 120 people turned up to sing and it would be good to have even more singers this year. Meet in the chapel at both hospitals at 6.00pm and start around the wards at 6.30pm; finishing between 8.00pm and 8.30pm. If you are over 16 years of age, are able to walk and climb stairs and can take part, please ring St Mary’s Hospital, Milton Road, Portsmouth on 023 9286 6080 or Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham on 023 9228 6408.

Carol Singing in Portchester Precinct
Churches Together in Portchester will be singing carols in Portchester precinct on Saturday 15th December from 10.30am to 11.30am. Mince Pies will be available, so come along and join in!

Return to ROMANCE (ROMe for ANne and CharitiEs)
Nigel Hearnden, a parishioner of Gosport, will be walking 1,250 miles from Gosport to Rome January to May 2008, to raise funds for the charities that his late wife, Anne, supported and help them carry on the great work they do. They are: ActionAid, Harbour Cancer Support Centre, Friends of Oncology and Radiotherapy Cancer Charity (FORT) and the Catholic Church in Gosport, twinned with the parish of Mbetta in Cameroon. Sponsorship forms are on the notice board if you feel you would like to help.

Christmas Chocolate Tombola Stall
There will be a Chocolate Tombola Stall, Cake Stall and Raffle after all weekend Masses on the 15th and 16th December. All proceeds to the Parish Advent Appeal supporting ‘Home-Start’.
Donations of cakes and anything ‘chocolate’ – chocolate bars, chocolate sweets, chocolate cakes…would be very much appreciated. Items can be left in the Parish Office, in the Sacred Heart Hall or to arrange your delivery, please phone 01329 236275. Thank you kindly for your continued support.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Some people are just naturally good at thinking ahead, like taking an umbrella on a cloudy day even though it may not be raining yet. The preparedness to which the gospel invites us is far more than thinking ahead to carry an umbrella. The Christian’s “be prepared” is spelled out in living the paschal mystery – dying and rising every day with Christ. The second reading uses two images that help us grasp paschal mystery living. We must die to “works of darkness” and put on the “armour of light.” Darkness and light. Dying and rising. At this time of year when “night is advanced,” we ourselves must be the light of Christ that dispels darkness. We are that light when we “stay awake” and welcome Christ by living upright lives.
That’s how we think ahead!
From Living Liturgy

Women of Hope
Christmas Celebration on Monday 10th December 2007 at 7.30pm in Fareham Community Church. You are invited to a music and dance presentation of ‘Nativity: The Saviour Has Been Born’. Tea, coffee, cakes and mince pies will be served. £3.00 per person A gift will be given to Jesus is Lord Church Kingisepp, Russia.

St Jude’s Catholic Primary School – Vacancy for a Parent Foundation Governor
Bishop Crispian, who has absolute discretion in the appointment of Foundation Governors, is seeking applications from committed baptised Catholics who are parents of children currently registered at the school. The governors of a Catholic school work as a team, in close co-operation with the headteacher and all staff. In addition to the legal responsibilities of the Governing Body, the Foundation Governors have a responsibility for preserving the religious character of the school, sustaining and developing the school as a Catholic educating community in accordance with Canon (Church) Law and the teaching of the Catholic Church and giving clear witness, as individuals, and as a team, to the Gospel message and to the Church’s teaching. Appropriate training is available during the period of service. Lack of experience in education in a Catholic school should not deter anyone from applying if there is a genuine desire to serve the mission of the Church. Application packs are available from the Parish Priest, the School Office, or the Department for Schools Governance, Park Place Pastoral Centre, Winchester Road, Wickham. PO17 5HA. Closing date for receipt of applications is 7th December 2007.

First Friday Day of Prayer
All are invited to a day of prayer for our pastoral area on Friday 7th December at St Margaret Mary Church in Park Gate. We begin with Rosary at 8.45am, Mass at 9.15am which will be followed by coffee. There will be Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and Scripture Study. Fr John will be available for Confession and Spiritual Direction.

Teams of Our Lady celebrating their patronal feast
Fr Michael Peters has kindly agreed to celebrate Mass for the members of the Teams of Our Lady in Fareham and Portchester and anyone else who wishes to come. After Mass there will be wine and mince pies in the hall.

Christingle
This year’s Christingle Service takes place next Sunday, 9th December, at 4.00pm in St Philip Howard Church. All are welcome.

St Jude's Catholic 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.

1st Sunday of Advent 01/02 December 2007 The Year of St Matthew

Rite of Welcome and Acceptance
At the 9.00am Mass at Sacred Heart Church this Sunday we formally welcome the people who are journeying towards coming into full membership of the Catholic Church at Easter. Please keep them and their families in your prayers.

Stewardship
This Sunday, 2nd December at 4.00pm all are invited to come to an information afternoon in St Jude’s School to find out more about Stewardship. Please do come along.

Malayalam Mass
This Sunday, 2nd December, there will be Catechism at 4.00pm and Malayalam Mass at 5.00pm at Our Lady of Walsingham Church.

Parish Bazaar
We raised £1,800 which is to go towards the Sacred Heart Church redecoration. Many thanks to the school and all those who helped in any way. One Grand Draw prize is unclaimed – “A. Radford”.

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
“Could you not spend one hour with Me?” – Jesus asked His Apostles. Can we not take even a little time from our busy lives to visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament? Contact Lily Peach on 0796 4167 384 (Fareham) or Veronica Reeves on 023 9237 2864 (Portchester).
Please note there will be no Adoration at the Sacred Heart Church on Friday 7th December after 7pm.

Advent Breakfasts
Everyone is most welcome to share in the Advent Breakfasts which will be served every Thursday morning during Advent in the Sacred Heart Hall, following the 7.00am Mass. The first hearty breakfast will be served by candlelight, on Thursday 6th December. All proceeds to the Parish Advent Appeal in aid of a local charity ‘Home-Start’ Fareham and Gosport.

Department for Pastoral Formation
Details of forthcoming courses and events organised by the Department for Pastoral Formation are on the notice board. A message to Catechists from Cardinal Hummes, is available in the church porch.

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament
To observe the Feast of the Immaculate Conception there will be exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Saturday 8th December from 12.00noon to 3.00pm in the Sacred Heart Church. All are welcome.

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.

Calling all Altar Servers - Date for your Diary
The Annual Pastoral Area Altar Servers’ Mass will take place on Wednesday 26th December at 11.00am in St Mary’s Church, High Street, Gosport.

Advent Penitential Service
The Advent Penitential Service will take place on Thursday 20th December at 7.30pm in St Philip Howard Church. Details of other Services in our Pastoral Area will be available shortly.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1889.50
Advent Appeal – Home Start

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