A Message from John Chandler - the Parish Dinner
“Just a quick note of thanks for last night; I really enjoyed the evening. Please pass on my appreciation to the Parish and to Fr Joe for the very warm welcome I received. Congratulations also to the kitchen staff who provided a first-class meal! Thank you for the card and gift you surprised me with; I am very grateful. I hope to pop across to the Parish during the Christmas holidays, so I will look forward to seeing you again then. With every best wish (please pray for me).” John Chandler

Advent Reconciliation Services 2007
Sunday 16th December – St Margaret Mary, Park Gate 3.00pm

Monday 17th December – St Joseph’s, Gosport 7.00pm

Tuesday 18th December – St John’s, Lee-on-Solent 2.00pm

Thursday 20th December – St Philip Howard, Fareham 7.30pm

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!

The First Crib and St Francis
Come and join in a meditation in Franciscan style on Friday 14th December at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart Hall, celebrating the story of the first crib at Greccio. All are welcome, especially children.

Catholic Bible School
www.catholic-bible-school.org
Forthcoming events at the Catholic Bible School, Nutbourne House, Farm Lane, Nutbourne, Chichester:
Saturday 12th January 2008 Discovering God’s Will a study day led by Charles Whitehead – 10.30am to 3.30pm:

Wednesday 16th January 2008 Healing Service at 7.45pm:

Saturday 26th January 2008 The Road to Maturity a study day led by Mary Pytches and Prue Bedwell – 10.00am to 3.30pm:

Saturday 16th February 2008 Israel is Relevant a study day led by Roy Hendy 10.30am to 3.30pm:

To book, please ring 01243 371766.

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
At the Ascension, Jesus promised to return again. This “second coming” is an overriding motif during the last weeks of Ordinary Time and the first weeks of Advent. It reminds us that we Christians must live justly now if we wish to be gathered into eternal glory. For those of us who are totally taken up with the present moment – simply getting up, getting the kids fed and off to school, doing our own work etc. – it may seem strange to live in light of a future event. The beginning of Advent is a time when the Church reminds us that how we do these everyday things is how we bear fruit and receive everlasting life.
From Living Liturgy

William Beattie, Nancy Dinsdale, Fil Tucker RIP
Please pray for the repose of the souls of William Beattie, Nancy Dinsdale and Fil Tucker, who died recently. William’s Funeral Mass takes place on Tuesday 11th December at 9.30am at Sacred Heart Church. Nancy’s Funeral Mass will take place on Wednesday 12th December at 2.00pm in Sacred Heart Church. Fil’s Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday 20th December at 11.00am at Sacred Heart Church. May they rest in peace.

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.

Parish Christmas Dinner
Enormous thanks and gratitude to everyone who helped in so many ways to ensure the success of the Christmas Dinner and to all who supported it. A welcome surprise was the special appearance of John Chandler, with bagpipes and clad in tartan. John piped all arriving guests into St Jude’s School and played Amazing Grace before dinner was served. John is studying for the Priesthood at Wonersh. We thank him for his time, wish him well and look forward to his next visit to the Parish. A special mention to the staff at St Jude’s School and the kitchen staff, to thank them for their co-operation and friendliness, enabling all preparations to run smoothly. The Dinner was in aid of the Parish Advent Appeal and raised £2041.00. Thank you to all those who were unable to come to the Dinner but gave kind and generous donations.

Diocesan Year Book 2008
The Diocesan Year Books for next year are on sale from the Repository – price £3.50.

Parish Diaries
Parish Diaries will be available shortly.

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

St Jude’s Christmas Productions
Tuesday 11th December KS1 9.30am; KS2 2.00pm – Wednesday 12th December KS1 9.30am; KS2 2.00pm – Thursday 13th December KS1 9.30am; KS2 2.00pm.

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.

2nd Sunday of Advent 08/09 December 2007 The Year of St Matthew

Justice and Peace Day – The Good Steward
Next year’s Justice and Peace Day takes place on Saturday 16th February beginning at 10.00am at St Anne’s Catholic School, Rockstone Place, Southampton. This venue is only a fifteen minute walk from Southampton Railway Station. To book a place please ring 01329 835583.

A Message from Janet Rooney
“November has flown and the Book of Remembrance has been closed for another year. My daughter and I hope that you have all found a little comfort when reading through the many pages and maybe the words and pictures have brought you closer to your loved ones, now departed. Eternal rest give unto them O Lord. May they rest in peace.” Janet

The Well
The Well will be open on the evening of Thursday 13th December from 6.30pm to 8.30pm for late night shopping. On this evening all Christmas stock will be reduced up to 50%. Call in for a cup of tea.

Scouts Christmas Social
Friday 14th December at St Philip Howard Church Hall from 7.30pm until late. American Supper, licensed bar, disco, raffle and Father Christmas. Tickets: Family £5.00, Adult £2.50, Child £1.50 – available from Lynn Nixon (0795 4137289). Santa hopes you can make it – Ho ho ho!

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament
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 that Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament ceases on 18th December at Our Lady of Walsingham Church and resumes on 7th January and ceases on 21st December at Sacred Heart Church and resumes on 2nd January.

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. All proceeds to the Parish Advent Appeal in aid of a local charity ‘Home-Start’ Fareham and Gosport.

Churches Together in Portchester Christmas Cards
The Portchester Churches have produced cards giving details of Christmas Services to be delivered to every house in Portchester. If you can help with delivery, please speak to Joan Hamilton or Yvonne Hart.

Parish Office
The Parish Office will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period from lunchtime on Friday 21st December and will re-open on Friday 4th January 2008.
Joan would like to thank all the volunteers who help in the office with a variety of tasks throughout the year. Biddings Writers who are due to write Biddings for Christmas and New Year are asked to send them in by Tuesday 18th December.

“Portchester Was Here First” – an exciting new community play
Before Portsmouth, Fareham and Southampton, Portchester, with its magnificent Roman Fort, was the place in this area to settle. This fact has been one of the driving forces behind the Extended Services Group. This group are hoping to help the Portchester community to produce a play in the grounds of the Castle in July 2009. The main theme will be based on living memories and oral recordings made by the Portchester Civic Society. If you would like to become involved in this play, please contact Mr Roberts at Portchester Community School via email.

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.

Equipe Notre Dame
Teams of Our Lady Fareham 1 will meet on Monday 10th December. Teams of Our Lady Fareham 2 will meet on Friday 14th December.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1655.52
Advent Appeal – Home Start - £334.20

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