Parish News

LENT APPEAL www.portsmouthdsa.org PORTSMOUTH DOWN SYNDROME ASSOCIATION Portsmouth DSA is an award-winning charity committed to improving the lives of children and families. We provide a range of some of the best specialist services in the UK supporting development and education and offer training to assist families and professionals in providing effective support from the point of diagnosis, helping to teach children the skills they need to reach their developmental milestones, succeed at school, and become valued and productive members of their communities. When children with Down Syndrome are given opportunities to participate and be fully included, the whole community benefits. We thank you for your support.

SYCAMORE ADULT PATHWAY IN FAITH Wednesdays, 7pm Church for time of prayer, then 7.15pm in Sacred Heart Hall for hospitality and topic. 9pm finish. Looking for answers about the Catholic faith? All welcome. Contact Dcn Larry: lmurawski@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk

Every other Monday, 7pm. Sacred Heart Hall Next meeting: 16th February. From 7pm for coffee/tea. Please join us for a talk by the Air Ambulance. All are very welcome. All are very welcome. For more info contact: lornefry1954@hotmail.com

Tuesdays, 10:30am - 12 noon Sacred Heart Church Come & be with Our Lord, even if only for a few moments. Essential for growing in a personal relationship with Christ. HOLY HOUR FOR VOCATIONS - ‘… ask the Lord.’ Mt 9:38 Thursdays, 7pm - 8pm at Sacred Heart Church  Please come and pray for workers in the Lord’s vineyard.

Well done to Sancta C ., who has been awarded the Green Cincture of Honour for the coming month (February). Above all, thank you to our wonderful team of servers.

‘What is this ‘good news’, and who is it for?’ The course starts in the week beginning 23rd Feb and runs for 5 weeks. Each aƩendee will receive the course book at the first session which will cost £5.00. If you wish to join a group please contact Liz at: elizdunning@ntlworld.com by Friday 13th February.

Christians Together in Portchester Five Wednesdays commencing 25th February, 12 noon service. Methodist Ch, Castle Street, Portchester. Followed by a light lunch of soup, bread and cheese. Donations to CAFOD and Christian Aid. Christians Together in Fareham Five Thursdays starting 26th February, 12.15 to 1pm. Fareham URC Church, Osborne Road South. Homemade soup, bread, fruit, tea and coffee. Donations to Christian Aid.

Sat 21st February, 11am at the Cathedral Please pray for our two Catechumens and ten Candidates being presented to the Bishop at the Rite of Election. Everyone is invited to witness this powerful moment.

Ash Wednesday - 18th February * 10am - Mass. Sacred Heart Church * 7.30pm - Mass. St Philip Howard Church Fasting The law of fasting requires that a Catholic between the ages of 18 - 60yrs eats only one full meal in a day, with no food in-between meals. It is understood that two other meals, if one eats three meals a day, should not total one full meal. Suggest one might fast in a more complete way, i.e., eating only a portion of a single meal. (CCC 2043) Abstinence means not to eat meat. Its purpose is to be an act of sacrifice, that helps us grow in freedom to make much bigger sacrifices. It would not make sense to make the sacrifice of not eating meat, and then eat a wonderful meal I might enjoy even more. Lent Devotions Stations of the Cross and Benediction * Wednesday & Friday, 9:15am before Mass * Sundays, 4pm at Sacred Heart Church A physical, mental and spiritual devotion, pondering the sufferings of Christ. 7am Dawn Mass Thursdays in Lent. Sacred Heart Church Starting on Thurs 19th February. A simple Mass followed by a lovely breakfast in the Hall hosted by the UCM supporting our Lent Appeal - Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association.