|  Stewardship – a request from the Parish Finance Committee
As part of the Stewardship Programme, some good people have already volunteered their talents and services for Parish needs, but we are asking for more particularly to assist with practical, day-to-day matters such as simple maintenance, handyman type jobs, painting and cleaning. We naturally have to employ professionals for certain jobs such as all electrical and building work, but there are many simple jobs which are appropriate to be carried out by certain parishioners. If you can spare some time, no matter how small each week, or each month and you feel that you could help – then please call the Parish Office to register your interest. Thank you in anticipation. Father Joe
Entrance Antiphons for this week
Monday - God is in his holy dwelling; he will give a home to the lonely, he gives power and strength to his people.
Tuesday – God is in his holy dwelling; he will give a home to the lonely, he gives power and strength to his people.
Wednesday - As Jesus entered a certain village a woman called Martha welcomed him into her house.
Thursday – I will look after my sheep, says the Lord, and I will raise up one shepherd who will pasture them. I, the Lord, will be their God.
Friday - At the name of Jesus every knee must bend, in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; every tongue should proclaim to the glory of God the Father: Jesus Christ is Lord.
Saturday - Extraordinary Rite Mass |
Churches Homeless Action
The Christmas Voucher Scheme for the Homeless is now being publicised. All you need to do is buy gift cards or vouchers from stores such as Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Argos (not more than £5.00 per voucher) but as many as you like. Take them to Jan Bennett, Inner City Portsea Parishes Office, All Saints Centre, All Saints Road, Commercial Road, Portsmouth, PO1 4EJ to arrive before 11th December 2009. The people who will benefit will be reached through Fareham Direct Access Hostel, Haslar Visitor Group, Mill House, Portsmouth Foyer, Portsmouth Women’s Refuge, The Roberts Centre, St Simon’s Church and Central Point. See the notice board.
Sponsored Walk for Park Place
The St Philip Howard Choir Ramblers’ Group is going to do a ten mile walk on 5th September 2009 and will be asking for sponsorship from parishioners. Members of the St Philip Howard Choir will be in attendance at the end of certain Masses. For more details contact Barbara or Dave on 01329 314001. |
From Father Joe
Last week I wrote briefly about two points of view regarding the reformed Liturgy of the Second Vatican Council. One was that it was a complete break with what had gone before and the (now emerging) view that it is in continuity with the Church’s worship of past ages. Now this might all seem very academic and of interest only to students of Liturgy. But, in fact, it has great implications when we consider our normal Sunday worship. If we hold to the former, then Liturgy becomes something we create. If the latter, then it is something we have received and in which we participate. A couple of examples might be in order.
Since I have done both of these I can only point the finger at myself. A couple of years ago at the Easter Vigil I dressed up the Liturgy of the Word by adding a Power Point Presentation to accompany the Readings to make them more interesting and to capture the attention. Officially, I had no authorisation to do this but it stemmed from a desire to make the Liturgy relevant. This is very much in context with the first view of Liturgy being something which we create. It also implies that there is something lacking in the Liturgy and that we can improve on it. According to the second view I should have celebrated the Liturgy well without the need to improvise, trusting that this is the Liturgy entrusted by God to his Church and has the power to speak to the soul.
This can also be shown when we consider the reasons we come to Mass. At the risk of oversimplifying (which I am now going to do) we must ask ourselves the question: Do I come to Mass to meet and fulfil my own spiritual needs and therefore, as we are all of different temperaments, a creative Liturgy adapted to those needs would suit best, or do I come out of a certain sense of obligation that I am giving due worship to God amongst his people participating in the prescribed Liturgy and accept it for what it is? Humanly speaking there will be a bit of both in most of us.
Pope Benedict has repeatedly said that contemporary Liturgy is too much about us and too little abut God, (as an aside), he said recently when applause breaks out during Mass the whole sense of Liturgy has been lost, meaning by that, that our worship should not be a form of religious entertainment. |
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament
During the summer break Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament will take place at St Philip Howard Church on Tuesdays from 10.00am to 12.00 noon and on Wednesdays in Sacred Heart Church from 8.00am to 9.00pm.
Oaklands Catholic School – Staff Vacancies
The school currently has vacancies for the following members of staff for September 2009:
Two Learning Support Assistants: temporary posts for one year, term time only.
Evening Cleaners: permanent posts.
Catering Assistant: to work in our Canteen, permanent part-time post.
Business Manager: permanent full-time post. For further details please contact the school on 023 9225 9214 or see the website: www.oaklands.hants.sch.uk
Churches Together in Fareham
The Committee is reviewing the united work of our Christian churches. If you have any views on the future role and activities of Churches Together in Fareham, please contact Alison Ivison on 01329 230049 or email. Your suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
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. |
|
26th July 2009
17th Sunday of the Year
|
 Extraordinary Rite Mass
Mass at 10.30am in Sacred Heart Church on Saturday of this week will be in the Extraordinary Rite.
Day for Life
This weekend we celebrate the Day for Life and the Bishops have authorised a retiring collection which will be held today. Day for Life 2009 will focus on Suicide and aims to highlight why the Church believes that every life is worth living even when a person has lost all hope and feels suicidal. It will also point towards the support that professional services can bring and hopefully help to reduce the stigma too often associated with mental illness and depression. The proceeds from the collection will assist the work of the Linacre Centre for Healthcare and Ethics and other life related activities supported by the Church.
Table Top Sale
Sacred Heart Hall:
Saturday 1st August 10.30am to 1.00pm Sunday 2nd August following 9.00am Mass
St Philip Howard Hall:
Sunday 2nd August following 11.00am Mass. Proceeds to church refurbishment.
Thanks from Survive-Miva
“Many thanks indeed for allowing our speaker to make an appeal at your church on 24th May and for the welcome and hospitality extended. The total amount raised was £1805.00 for which we are extremely grateful. It will be a great help with our work.”
Royal Marines Concert
On Friday 31st July at 2.00pm, the Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines School of Music will perform a spectacular concert in the surroundings of the City of Portsmouth’s Guildhall. For further details please ring 023 9272 6182.
Visit the Relics of St Thèrèse of Lisieux
St John’s Cathedral on 16th-17th September 2009. There will be a Vigil through the night. Details to follow regarding our Pastoral Area 3.00am Vigil of prayer.
Book of Remembrance
On 1st November, the Book of Remembrance will be open again in Sacred Heart Church. If anyone would care to have a photo of a departed loved one put into the Book or maybe a special prayer, please put it in an envelope marked “Book of Remembrance” and leave it in the Parish Office. No picture or prayer can be returned.
Parish Youth Club
There will be free chocolate, crisps and drinks for club members this Sunday. After that, the next meeting will be on Sunday 6th September.
Church Car Park
Meetings for the Clergy of our Pastoral Area take place in this Parish and sometimes no parking spaces are available for them in the church car park. This car park, at the bottom of Hartlands Road, is for Clergy and parish Staff and it would be appreciated if this was respected.
Finance
Offertory Collection - £1863.83
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
|
