The Season of Easter - Alleluia He is Risen!
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Please take the time to read an important update from the Bishop ‘You Will Be My Witnesses : The Ten-Year Plan’ - Next steps in delivering the Bishop’s Vision As many of you will be aware, over the past two years, the Diocese has engaged in a wide- ranging consultation process, with both clergy and laity, to develop the bishop’s 10-year plan to deliver his vision for a renewed Diocese by 2032. At the same time, it has conducted an in-depth analysis of its financial, structural and organisational situation. The findings of this analysis and the vision for the future have been published as the Mission Plan: “You Will Be My Witnesses: The Ten-Year Plan” (YWBMW). The Plan can be accessed online at: www.portsmouthdiocese.org.uk/our-mission/planning/ten-year-plan/ Read the document below for more information View Here
THANK YOU To everyone who donated and supported our Chocolate Tombola which raised £357 for CAFOD and the Lent Appeal
Pope Francis has asked that this year, 2024, be a Year of Prayer in preparation for the Jubilee Year, 2025. He has asked that there be a particular focus on the Our Father. We pray this prayer so often and there's always the risk of it becoming dry or remaining superficial. Why not come and join us on Friday 4th May (evening) and Saturday 5th May (all day) as Allegra Mutanda leads us in a time of prayer and recollection, helping us to explore what it means to pray 'Our Father in heaven'? All are welcome. All our missionary efforts are dependent upon this intimate relationship between us and 'Abba', who wishes to bless and heal all His beloved sons and daughters. For registration to this free event, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/year-of-prayer-our-father -in-heaven-retreat-days-fri-3-pm-and-sat-4-may-tickets877957062207?aff=oddtdtcreator Once you have registered, you will receive further details nearer to the date of the event. Please confirm your attendance by Mon 29th April.
Happy Easter! Christ is Risen! He is risen indeed! Our Church celebrations would not be possible without the commitment & hard work of a lot of people. A big thank you to all who have prepared and given so much for our Triduum celebrations. I hope and pray that our Lent and Holy Week services have brought you blessings in some way. I’d also like to extend a special welcome to all family and friends visiting our community for the Easter holidays. Wishing you all a very Happy and Holy Easter. Cn. John  Jesus did say the sign he will give is the sign of Jonah - the victory of his death and Resurrection. If Jesus had died and simply remained in his grave, he would be remembered (if he was remembered at all) as a noble idealist, tragically crushed by the forces of history. There could have been, in the first century, no surer sign that someone was not the Messiah than his death at the hands of the enemies of Israel, for one of the central marks of messiahship was precisely victory over those enemies. That Peter, James, John, Paul, Thomas, and the rest could announce throughout the Mediterranean world that Jesus was in fact the long-awaited Israelite Messiah, and that they could go to their deaths defending this claim, are the surest indications that something monumentally significant happened to Jesus after his death. That something was the Resurrection. Though too many modern theologians have tried to explain the Resurrection away as a wish-fulfilling fantasy, a vague symbol, or a literary invention, the New Testament writers could not be clearer: the crucified Jesus, who had died and been buried, appeared alive again to his disciples.
CHOSEN’ CONFIRMATION GROUP Session: Fri 10th May, 7pm at SPH Hall Topic; “ Servant leadership = a life lived”
FIRST EUCHARIST - 2024 Children’s & Parent’s Session Parents “Do this in memory of Me” and “Body of Christ, to love and serve” Children: Sat 27th Apr, 9:30am - 11am at St PH Hall Parents: Sat 27th Apr, 9:45am - 10:45am Sacred Heart Hall
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION  Please note that after Easter, to help with the flow, confessions on a Thursday after Mass will be in the Confessional. Confessions in the Day Room will be on the 1st Thursday of the month only. 1st Thursday of the Month; 10am, Day Room … remaining Thursdays; 10am, SH Confessional 1st Saturday of the Month; 10am - 11am, SH Church … remaining Saturdays; 5pm - 6pm, SH Confessional
YOUR FUNERAL AND YOUR FAMILY … We understand this is not an easy topic to discuss with your family, but can we suggest you make your wishes very clear; plan your funeral and let your family know that when you die you would like the Catholic Rites of a Requiem Mass to be offered for you. We are finding even if you practice your faith; Sunday Mass, devotions, et al, do not presume your family will follow your wishes. Sadly, we are finding the faith of Mass going Catholics is not being respected by the family who do not see the need. The parish is here to help them.
MASS INTENTIONS To avoid disappointment please book your Mass intentions a couple of months in advance if you are wanting a specific date. Next available dates are in May.
‘Welcome to God’s Family!’ BAPTISM Why not take part while “still expecting”? Please contact the Parish Office for details. Next Preparation Session 1 - Tues 13th Feb, c.8pm via Zoom Session 2 - Tues 20th Feb, c.8pm via Zoom Meet & Greet - Sat 24th Feb, 2pm at St Philip Howard Ch Rite of Welcome & Anointing - Sun 25th Feb, 11am at SPH ---------------------------------------------------- Next Preparation BAPTISM Why not take part while “still expecting”? Please contact the Parish Office for details. Next Preparation Session 1 - Tues 13th Feb, c.8pm via Zoom Session 2 - Tues 20th Feb, c.8pm via Zoom Meet & Greet - Sat 24th Feb, 2pm at St Philip Howard Ch Rite of Welcome & Anointing - Sun 25th Feb, 11am at SPH Why not take part while “still expecting”? One less thing to worry about … please contact the parish office for details.
SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION Thursday after Mass; Presbytery ‘Day Room’ 1st Saturday of the Month; 10 - 11am, SH Church … remaining Saturdays; 5 - 6pm, SH Confessional
CHOSEN’ CONFIRMATION GROUP Session: Fri 10th May, 7pm at SPH Hall Topic; “ Servant leadership = a life lived”
CATHOLIC COMMUNICATION NETWORK There will be a mandatory collection on 11/12th May for the work of our CCN on this World Communications Day.
PRAISE & WORSHIP EVENING Friday 17th May, 7:30pm at St PH A themed evening of; scripture, reflection, adoration, silence, prayer and worship - just come and be. Followed by a wonderful social of refreshments and fellowship in the Hall. Bring your friends! All are welcome!
PARISH BEREAVEMENT “BETHANY” GROUP Thurs 16th May, 10am at Sacred Heart Hall For anyone who has lost a loved one. A warm, welcoming and safe space to be … For more info email; sacredheart.bethany@gmail.com
PARISH ST VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY (SVP) The SVP are here to provide help, friendship and comfort. Everything we do is in strict confidence. Call us on 07435 880 190 any day between 8am & 6pm.
MENS’ PRAYER GROUP First Wednesdays 7:30pm, St PH This growing, confidential, prayer and fellowship group helps to support each other to be the best husbands, fathers, brothers and sons we can be. Contact Tom at; tom_fairman@yahoo.com
‘LITTLE TREASURES’ TODDLER GROUP Every Tuesday in Term Time, 9:30am - 11am at SPHH It costs just £1.50 for children to come and play with a lovely selection of toys and for carers to have a hot drink & biscuit. All are very welcome
UNION OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS ‘UCM’ MEETING UNION OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS ‘UCM’ MEETING Mon 29th Apr, 7pm at Sacred Heart Hall The next UCM meeting will be on Monday 29th April. Everyone is welcome. From 7pm for coffee/ tea with the meeting starting at 7:30pm and closing at 9pm
Pope Francis
If peoples are to remain brothers and sisters, prayer must rise unceasingly to Heaven, and one single word constantly echo on earth: peace.