Thanks
Thank you to all the Altar Servers, Choir, Musicians, Flower Arrangers, Cleaners, Sacristans, Readers, Administrative Staff, Extraordinary Ministers of Communion, Ushers, Liturgists, RCIA catechists and all who have worked so hard to prepare for and to make this Holy Week and Easter special to our parish.
Father Joe

Flower Sale
The pansies in the Sacred Heart Church will be for sale after the 9.00am Mass on Easter Sunday. Price £1.00 each, all proceeds to the Lenten Appeal.

Parish Office
The Parish Office will be closed this week and will re-open on Monday 20th April.

Vincentian Volunteers
A positive opportunity is offered for young people to have a challenging experience in serving vulnerable people and living in community with like-minded volunteers. Accommodation and living expense provided. Volunteer year is from September 2009 to July 2010. To find out more contact Sr Barbara Quilty, DC on 0161 226 9561.

Parish Visit to Martyrs’ Shrine, London
A parish trip is being organised for Saturday 6th June to the Martyrs’ shrine in London, where 105 Roman Catholics were executed from 1535-1681 for practising their faith. The trip will include a brief talk about the reformation, a tour of the shrine’s crypt which contains the martyrs’ relics and mementos, Mass at the altar of the martyrs and exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. A coach will leave St Philip Howard Church at 9.30am, arriving in London by noon. If the weather is good, we will picnic in Hyde Park (bring a packed lunch). The coach will depart London at 4.30pm arriving back at St Philip Howard Church by 7.00pm. The cost is £15.00 per person. If you wish to book a place, please telephone Yvette Harrington on 01329 832781.

Day of Divine Mercy, led by Fr John Edwards, SJ
Mass, talks, confessions, quiet time – Saturday 18th April from 10.00am to 5.00pm – cost £11.00, inclusive of lunch. Book now as places are limited. Contact Yvette and Larry 01329 832781 Heath Lodge, Trampers Lane, North Boarhunt.

THE UNION

Basics Bank
The Basics Bank will be visiting the Parish Ecology Group to talk about what they do to help people in need. PEG has been asked to organise collections for the Basics Bank within the Parish and this will be starting on the first Sunday of June, but we need a volunteer from each church in the Parish to co-ordinate the collecting and delivery to the Bank. Please do come to our next PEG meeting on 24th April to hear all about what the Basics Bank does. We will also have Fair Trade goods on sale that weekend at all Masses. For more information please contact John or Esme on 01329 319301 or the Parish Office. A future meeting will be 29th May when the guest will be the Smart Suits for Haslar group who collect suits for asylum seekers. We would like to wish all a joyous and peaceful Easter.

Lenten Breakfasts
The six breakfasts held in the Sacred Heart Hall each Thursday morning during Lent raised £474.00. Special thanks to Canon Richard for celebrating the 7.00am Mass each Thursday and much appreciation to everyone who attended the breakfasts. All proceeds go to the Parish Lenten Appeal in support of Adopt Sri Lanka.

Portchester Gala – diary date
This takes place on Saturday 20th June and is enjoyed by up to 5,000 people every year. To help towards the fun floats, walking parades and music are needed. If you would like to book space for a stall or float space in the procession, please speak to Joan Hamilton or Yvonne Hart. Further details to follow.

A Message from the Finance Committee
“It is our usual custom that the collection taken at the Easter Masses is our personal gift to our Clergy. Please be generous.”

Youth Club
There will be no Youth Club on Easter Sunday.

Divine Mercy Sunday
Pope John Paul II established this feast to be celebrated by the whole Church on the First Sunday after Easter. Fr Peter Glas will lead a service for the Solent Pastoral Area in St Mary’s Church, Gosport on Sunday 19th April at 3.00pm. There will be a Holy Hour, the Divine Mercy Chaplet as well as other prayers. All are welcome.

St Jude's Catholic Primary School
Web site here

Welcome
A warm welcome to all visitors to Fareham and Portchester and welcome, also, to those who are newcomers to our parish. 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.

First Friday
Have you been to Medjugorje? Has it changed your life? Do you wish to share and explore the spirituality of Medjugorje? Come to the First Friday on 1st May when this will be the theme. Father Peter Glas will have just returned from a pilgrimage there. Coffee and tea at 10.00am in the Upper Room of St Mary’s Hall, Gosport. Prayer starts with Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and rosary at 10.30am followed by intercessions and prayers to the Sacred Heart. Mass at 12.00 noon followed by a break for lunch. 2.00pm a talk and sharing on Medjugorje ending with the chaplet of Divine Mercy in the church at 3.00pm. All are welcome.

Celebration of Ordained Ministry
As a Parish we intend to mark the occasion of Deacon Pat’s ordination to the Priesthood and Langford Vincent’s Anniversary of Diaconate. Mass will be celebrated on Friday 22nd May at 7.00pm in St Philip Howard Church, followed by a party at St Jude’s Catholic Primary School. A finger buffet and drinks will be provided. You are cordially invited to these celebrations. We look forward to celebrating this important occasion with all members of our Parish.

Family Portrait Day
Family Portrait Day at St Philip Howard Hall on Saturday 18th April between 10.00am and 4.00pm. We have arranged for a local photographer, David Timpson, to come in with his high key studio. If you are interested, then please sign the form on the notice board in St Philip Howard Church.

St Anne’s Catholic School and Sixth Form College
The Governors of St Anne’s are seeking to appoint a dynamic and innovative professional as Head of Religious Education. The successful candidate will have a proven record of achieving high standards and be able to teach to ‘A’ Level. Applications from practising Catholics are particularly welcome. Application forms and further details can be obtained from the PA to the Headmistress at St Anne’s Catholic School, Carlton Road, Southampton, SO15 2WZ – telephone 023 8032 8200. The closing date for receipt of applications is 12.00 noon on Tuesday 21st April 2009.

Easter Chocolate Tombola Stall and Cake Stall
These three fundraising stalls raised £450.00 for the Parish Lenten Appeal. Thank you so much to everyone who very kindly and generously donated Easter eggs, chocolates and home-made cakes. Thanks also too the people of the Parish who supported these events. All raffle prize-winners have been notified.

Amalthea
Amalthea (Helen Andrews and Deborah Peake) will be performing at Queen Elizabeth Country Park on Friday 17th April at 8.00pm. Tickets: £5.00 in advance or £6.00 on the door. See their website: www.amalthea.com.

Finance
Offertory Collection - £1959.21
Lent Appeal to date - £2914.20

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

Copyright © 1996-2011 Web Page Design - Cyber Innovations. All Rights Reserved. All Trademarks Recognised