Children’s Christmas Tree Service
Any children who would like to help to decorate the Christmas Tree at Our Lady of Walsingham Church and play and sing some carols, are invited to come to the church at 12.00noon on Monday 24th December.

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.

First Friday Day of Prayer
Our Intention is for the community of the Solent Pastoral Area. The First Friday Day of Prayer will be on Friday 11th January 2008 as Father John Cooke will be away and not available until this date. We will be honouring the Feast of the Epiphany: 8.45am Rosary; 9.15am Mass; 10.30 to 11.30am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Father John will be there for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and spiritual direction. The discussion group will follow. For further details or a lift, ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802.

First Holy Communion
The next First Holy Communion meeting takes place on Saturday 5th January at St Jude’s at 10.00am.

Naval Mass – Diary Date
To celebrate our Parish links to the Royal Navy and in particular to recognise the recent achievements and acknowledgement of Paul Docherty and Pat O’Brien, we will be having a celebration Mass on Sunday 13th January at 11.00am in St Philip Howard Church. Bishop Crispian, Bishop Tom Burns, Bishop to HM Forces, and Mgr Paul Donovan, Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain (Naval), will be present and the HMS Collingwood Voluntary Band will provide the music. It is hoped that any Naval personnel attending will wear uniform. Obviously, all are welcome to this Mass.

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.

Lay Ministers of Communion
There is a meeting for all Lay Ministers of Communion on Friday 11th January at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart Church.

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land
Park Place Sisters are organising a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land led by Fr Andrew, ofm from Monday 3rd to 10th November 2008. The cost is £1000.00 per person in twin shared rooms; half board; 3* accommodation. If you are interested, please contact Sister Juliette on 01329 833043.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Two names are given the One incarnated in Mary’s womb: Jesus, meaning “God saves the people from their sins” and Emmanuel, meaning “God is with us.” Simply put, the names reveal that the presence of God among us is experienced most profoundly in the forgiveness of sins. This is the deepest mystery that we celebrate as we look to the incarnation of the divine Son. This is how the joy of Christmas connects and points to the triumph of Easter – where God’s presence in Jesus saves us from sin, alienation and even death itself. Not even the compassionate, righteous Joseph could imagine such a merciful work of God. It is to dream the impossible: God with us (Emmanuel) not as a condemnation but as Saviour (Jesus).
From Living Liturgy

Shirley-Ann Pinto RIP
Shirley-Ann’s funeral Mass takes place on Monday 24th December at 9.00am at Our Lady of Walsingham Church. Shirley-Ann’s body will be received at Our Lady of Walsingham Church at 4.30pm on Sunday 23rd December when there will be Vigil Prayer for the Dead.

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 to 3.30pm. This will include a Christmas Fun Quiz, music and song. Tickets: £2.50 for adults; 50p for children under 12 years of age, are available from Rebecca on 023 9238 1802.

First Friday Day of Prayer
Our Intention is for the community of the Solent Pastoral Area. The First Friday Day of Prayer will be on Friday 11th January 2008 as Father John Cooke will be away and not available until this date. We will be honouring the Feast of the Epiphany: 8.45am Rosary; 9.15am Mass; 10.30 to 11.30am Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Father John will be there for the Sacrament of Reconciliation and spiritual direction. The discussion group will follow. For further details or a lift, ring Rebecca on 023 9238 1802.

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.

A Day with Mary Pilgrimages 2008
Fatima – 11th to 19th July (9 days) - £535 in twin room, £585 single, mainly full board, flight etc.
Rome and La Verna – 25th September to 4th October (10 days) £625 in twin room, £675 single, mainly full board, hotel by Vatican, flight etc. See the notice board for further details.

Young Saint
A six year old Italian girl who died from bone cancer, may become the youngest canonised non-martyr saint. Visit www.zenit.org. to find out more!

Oaklands Catholic School – Vacancies
Oaklands Catholic School in Waterlooville has a vacancy for a Temporary Cook – required for 1st January 2008 to 31st July 2008 – to cover maternity leave. For further information, please contact the Finance and Administration Manager, Mr G. Briggs, immediately on 023 9225 9214.
Required for February 2008 – a suitably qualified graduate teacher of English to teach Years 7 to 11 in a temporary capacity to cover maternity leave. This is a part-time post 0.6 (3 days). For further information, please contact Mr Matthew Quinn, Headteacher, at the School.
Required for January 2008 – a kitchen assistant/cleaner for the school kitchen for 4½ hours per day (1.30pm to 5.45pm). This is a temporary post to cover long term illness. For further information please contact Mr Geoff Briggs on the above number.

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.

4th Sunday of Advent 22/23 December 2007 The Year of St Matthew

Parish Office
The Parish Office will be closed for the Christmas and New Year period and will re-open on Friday 4th January 2008.

Attention all Altar Servers
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.

Non-residential Retreat with Fr John Edwards SJ
Re-charge your spiritual batteries by taking part in a non-residential retreat led by Fr John Edwards SJ, 22nd to 24th February (8.00pm Friday to 3.00pm Sunday). Programme includes inspiring talks, daily Mass, Morning and Evening Prayer of the Church, a reconciliation service and plenty of time for personal reflection. Cost, including all meals, is £53.00. The retreat will be held at the home of Yvette and Larry, who are parishioners living in North Boarhunt. For further details, contact Yvette on 01329 832781.

A Message from the Finance Committee
As is the usual custom, the collection on Christmas Day is our personal gift to Father Joe. He is always there for us so let us be generous to him in return. Don’t forget, if you contribute by way of Gift Aid (either by standing order or by envelopes) the Church can reclaim the tax paid on your gift. Simply use an envelope and mark it clearly with your number or your name and the words ‘Christmas Gift’.

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 resumes on 7th January at Our Lady of Walsingham Church and resumes on 2nd January at Sacred Heart Church.

Fareham and District Life Group
“On behalf of the Fareham and District Life Group, I would like to say a big thank you for the kind donation of £60.00. It will go towards the planned Regional open meeting which is going to be held in April 2008. Carol Lindsey”

Thank You
The chocolate tombola, cake stall and raffle held last weekend after all the Sunday Masses raised £375.00 for the Parish Advent Appeal. Thank you so much to everyone who kindly donated chocolates and cakes. Wishing you all the peace of Christmas. Pauline

CAFOD Live Simply Mass
A Mass for Live Simply is being held in St John’s Cathedral, Portsmouth by Bishop Crispian on 8th March 2008 at 3.00pm. The Mass will have a strong youth involvement. All are welcome and refreshments will be available after Mass. For further details please ring 01252 329385.

Pope Benedict’s Message
Pope Benedict’s Message for the celebration of the World Day of Peace, 1st January 2008 may be seen at www.vatican.va.

“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.

Quilt Group
You are invited to join a group of ladies who make quilts for sick and traumatised children and also quilts for St Mary’s neo natal unit. They meet weekly on Tuesday afternoons from 2.00pm to 4.00pm at 24 Crawford Drive, Fareham. Telephone Barbara McLachlan on 01329 239647 if you are interested.

Cleaner Required
Someone is needed to clean St Philip Howard Hall. If you are interested, please contact the Parish Office.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1741.93
Advent Appeal – Home Start - £2820.60 to date

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