Stewardship – Ministry Fayre
The Stewardship Steering group would like to invite all ministry groups in our Parish to prepare an information table for a Ministry Fayre, to be held as part of the joint Parish/School Summer Fayre, to be held on 7th June from 12.00 noon to 4.00pm.

The Ministry Fayre will be held in St Philip Howard Church Hall and will be open to all members of our Parish Community and the local community that we serve. The purpose of the Ministry Fayre is to inform people about the work of the ministry groups active in our Parish and to recruit new members for these groups. Please contact Sheelagh Pickard at St Jude’s Catholic School to book a table for this exciting opportunity to promote your ministry in our Parish. Tel: 01329 235131 – by the end of May please!

Last Night of the Portchester Proms
Saturday 5th July at 8.00pm in Portchester Castle. The Portchester Proms is now in its twelfth year and is firmly established as one of the top events of the summer. Set in the majestic setting of one of the UK’s finest castles, the evening is packed full of musical highlights performed by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra. Bring a picnic and enjoy socialising with friends and family before the concert and then settle back to enjoy a feast of some of the finest music ever written. A spectacular fireworks display will round off the celebrations. Tickets: £19.00 before 6th June; £21.00 from 6th June to 4th July and £24.00 on the day. Groups of 15+ receive £1.00 off the current advance price – children aged 4 to 16 years £12.00 only available at the venue on the day; children under 4 years are free. Students: £12.00 available in person from the box office or at the venue on the day with valid form of student ID: disabled patrons – no discount but one companion is entitled to £12.00 concession ticket. If you plan to attend, could you please notify Joan in the Parish Office as we may be able to obtain discount prices if sufficient people are interested.

Update from CAFOD Portsmouth
CAFOD are appealing for runners to take part in the Great South Run on 26th October this year. This is a great way to raise money and keep fit at the same time. The BUPA Great South Run is Britain’s premier 10 mile running event, starting and finishing in Portsmouth. Please note you must be over 16 years of age to enter. Contact Catherine Leeson by email or call 020 7095 5536 to register.

CAFOD are also seeking a Diocesan Manager, Portsmouth, based in Aldershot – job share: 17.50 hours per week. This involves sharing the responsibility for the development and delivery of their programmes in our Diocese. You will be actively involved in the Catholic Community, have experience of developing and delivering strategic plans, be skilled in establishing and managing positive relationships, have experience of working with volunteers and have excellent communication skills. You will work in equal partnership with the other part-time Manger. The successful candidate will be required to provide a CRB Disclosure. For an application pack visit www.cafod.org.uk/jobs, email or phone 020 7095 5601 quoting ref. CDMP. Closing date is 12th May 2008.

THE UNION

Thought for the Week
Jesus’ ascension into heaven is not a reward for what he did on earth, but a return to his rightful place at the right hand of the Father. The ascension, like the resurrection, manifests the divinity and lordship of Christ. When we acknowledge Christ as Lord, we are led to worship him and continue his work on earth (“make disciples of all nations”).

When we historicise this feast, we think of the ascension as something that happens only to Jesus. The liturgy unfolds the ascension’s significance for us: “where he has gone, we hope to follow.”
From Living Liturgy

Robert Reddy RIP
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Bob Reddy, who died recently. Please also remember Anna and Bob’s family and friends in your prayers. Bob’s funeral takes place on Tuesday 6th May at 11.00am at Portchester Crematorium.

Jack Fogwill RIP
Jack Fogwill, husband of Rosemary (Past President of Fareham and Portchester UCM) died on 15th April and was cremated on 22nd April 2008. May he rest in peace.

Confraternity of the Rosary
The Annual Rosary Rally this year is being held at St John’s Cathedral on Saturday 17th May beginning with Mass at 12.15pm. This will be followed by the Rosary, Procession, Hymns and Prayers. During the procession flowers and petitions are taken to the Altar of Our Lady. Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament takes place at 2.30pm and enrolment into the Brown Scapular of Our Lady of Mount Carmel. The afternoon ends with tea in the Cathedral Centre at 3.00pm. All are welcome.

Justice & Peace Curry Evening
A social evening and raffle in aid of Bangladesh will take place on Friday 23rd May at 7.30pm at Immaculate Conception Church in Stubbington. There is a choice of menu but you would need to bring your own wine and soft drinks. Full details for booking a place are on the poster in porch.

Adviser for Marriage and Family Life
This exciting new three year post has been created to promote and support all aspects of Marriage and Family Life within the Diocese, building on the Celebrating Family initiative of the Bishops’ Conference. The Adviser will be expected to contribute to other aspects of the work of the Department for Pastoral Formation and to work collaboratively with colleagues in a variety of situations. The Adviser will be offered the opportunity to study for an MA in Leadership for Family Ministry and Faith Formation. Salary i.r.o. £18,000 for a 21 hour week depending upon experience. For an application form please contact Mary Swaffield on 023 9282 5430 (email) and to discuss the post please contact Nicky Stevens on 01329 835583 (email) and the closing date for applications is Friday 16th May.

Ravenswood Shop at Knowle
We urgently need more people to assist us so that we can continue providing this service to patients and staff. The shop is only open between 10am and 12 mid-day, Monday to Friday. Even if you can only give a few hours now and then, it would be a great help. Contact Pat Chrystal on 01329 282126.

Extraordinary Ministers of Communion
Date for your Diary: Saturday 10th May – Day of Reflection for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion from 10.00am to 3.00pm at St John’s Cathedral.

St Jude's Catholic Primary School
Newsletter 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.

Ascension of the Lord 03/04 May 2008 The Year of St Matthew Year A

There is a Retiring Collection this weekend for World Communications

Fingering the Beads
Bishop Bernard Longley will lead a ‘Day on the Rosary’ at the Cathedral Centre, Edinburgh Road, Portsmouth on Saturday 24th May from 10.30am to 3.00pm with Mass at 12.15pm. There is no charge for the day and no need to book, just go along. You would need to take a packed lunch.

PEG May Meeting
It is hoped to show the Christian Ecology Link DVD of ‘The Storm of Hope’ on 30th May at 7.30pm in Sacred Heart Hall. It is subtitled ‘A journey into practical discipleship for the 21st century.’ Christian Ecology Link are hoping to receive some useful feedback so please come and let us know what you think.

Douai Abbey Pastoral Programme
Details of the Pastoral Programme from April to October 2008 are on the notice board. Included are Ministry of Healing Workshops, Days of Recollection for Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Readers and Musicians, A History of the Monastic Library and a Plainchant Workshop.

41 Portland Street, Fareham
The Parish has commenced refurbishment works at 41 Portland Street which are expected to last twelve weeks. No-one is allowed on the site at No. 41 without the permission of the contractor (this is a Health and Safety requirement.) The contractors will need places for their vehicles and equipment, therefore, the church car park in Hartlands Road is not to be used by parishioners for the duration of the contract. No unauthorised person is to park either in the Presbytery driveway or the drive of No. 41 in any circumstances.
Father Joe

Malayalam Mass and Retreat
There is a Malayalam Mass this Sunday at 5.00pm at Our Lady of Walsingham and a Retreat at Our Lady of Walsingham Church from Monday 5th to Wednesday 7th May inclusive from 10.00am to 6.00pm daily.

Fairtrade
Fairtrade goods are on sale at Sacred Heart Church and St Philip Howard Church this weekend. They will be available at Our Lady of Walsingham on the first weekend in June.

Christian Aid Week
Christian Aid Week runs from 11th to 16th May. Anyone able to help with the collection in Fareham is asked to contact Alison Ivison on 01329 230049. If you are able to help with the count on 17th May, please also let Alison know.

Book of Remembrance
If anyone would care to send their own prayer card, religious picture, poem etc. to be added to the Book of Remembrance (November), please place it into an envelope not folded and leave it in the Parish Office for collection. Closing date: end of June. Please note, no item sent in can be returned. Please mark your envelopes – ‘Garden of Remembrance’.

Churches Together in Portchester Lent Lunches
A total of £416.22 was raised at the Lent Lunches. £138.74 will be given to CAFOD and the remainder to Christian Aid. Thanks to all who supported the lunches.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £2315.21

Forthcoming Collections
4th May – World Communications
25th May – Medical Mission Sisters Appeal

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

Copyright © 1996-2008 Web Page Design - Cyber Innovations. All Rights Reserved. All Trademarks Recognised