COMBINED NOTICE BOARDS for 3 Rivers Pastoral Area

For events where everyone is welcome
- please see individual churches for more local events

Main Notices
Our Lady Queen of Apostles - Bishop's Waltham
St Swithun Wells - Fair Oak - please scroll down for the Fellowship Meeting dates
St Edward the Confessor - Chandlers Ford
Holy Cross - Eastleigh
St Andrews - North Baddesley
 St Josephs - Romsey

Main Notices

Baptism Preparation in 3 Rivers Pastoral Area for 2010

Sundays, from 4.30pm to 6pm, in the Resource Centre behind Holy Cross Church, 53 Leigh Road, Eastleigh, SO50 9D, on the following dates:

• 7 February,
• 16 May,
• 12 September
• 5 December.

Application forms for Baptism are available from the Parish Office in Chandler's Ford, on 023 8027 3882, or Romsey Parish Office on 01794 513646, or Bishop's Waltham on 01489 895889.

Westminster Cathedral
Lenten Divine Mercy Day of Prayer Saturday March 6th
> click for more

Prepare for the Feast of Divine Mercy - 15th April 2010

An Information Evening led by Fr Ronnie Mitchell For all those interested in finding out more about the devotion to Divine Mercy and to help us to prepare for Divine Mercy Sunday

> click for more

2 Hocombe Wood Road Chandlers Ford Wednesday March 3rd 8.00.pm.

All are welcome – please bring friends Enquiries: Eleanor de Melo Tel 80275645 

The Year of the Priest

You may not be aware, but this year has been dedicated as the Year of the Priest. Co-incidentally,
Father John is marking his 45th anniversary to the Priesthood and Father Michael and I are also celebrating
our 20th anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood. In total that is 85 years experience of ministry.

When I reflect on the past 20 years I am still in awe and encouraged by the people I meet who have to live with their own brokenness. Maybe it is because I can empathise with them. I guess we are all broken in our own individual way. Things do not always go the way we plan. Not that we don’t try to make them work. Somehow, well made plans make us feel better, more presentable, more acceptable. Bad things happen, life turns left, plans, dreams, relationships break and shatter. Hearts are broken. When this happens to me I want
it all to go away. Truth be told sometimes I deal with my own fear of brokenness by trying my hardest to fix other people. I should know better. I have two great teachers. Love and suffering.

If the Lord gives me another 20 years as his priest I pray he will give me the courage to embrace life on life’s terms. Some years ago, while visiting a hospital, a stroke patient told me “Father, this isn’t where I expected to be. My vision of myself and my life didn’t have this”. Can you relate to this insight? I can. No matter how life is going for us we can always try to pray.

With this in mind it is proposed that we have 40 hours of continuous prayer in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament beginning on Tuesday, 4 May, following the 10am Mass at St. Andrew’s Church,
North Baddesley, and concluding on Wednesday, 5 May, with Mass at 7pm. Each of the six churches in the Pastoral Area will be invited to take responsibility for a given amount of hours. I can think of no better way than to celebrate the Year of the Priest than by praying for your priests before the Blessed Sacrament during this time.

It is also hoped that we will have an art competition for the children on the theme of “The Year of the Priest”. All other realistic ideas will be most welcome. Please do not leave it to others to show your support for the Year of the Priest.

Father George.

Year of the Priest
19th June 2009 - 19th June 2010

The Pope has called for a 'Year of the Priest' to be celebrated to mark the 150th Anniversary of the death of St John Vianney.

God our Father, we thank you for our priests.
We ask you to bless them and confirm them in their calling.
Give them the gifts they need to respond with generosity and a joyful heart.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

> Click here or on the image above for more information

Do you have a vocation to the priesthood
or becoming a Deacon , Nun or other religious life?

Click here for more about vocations

Vulnerable Adult awareness  & Child Protection awareness

> Please click here for the Training Schedule
 

any questions please contact Pauline Bartlett

MEDITATION: (John Main) Tuesdays in Romsey, at 2.15pm. Please contact Pat Nash on 01794 512006 for details.

THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, Bishop’s Waltham: 5.30pm on Saturdays, or by appointment. Holy Cross Church, Eastleigh, at 11am on Saturdays.
St. Edward the Confessor Church, Chandler’s Ford: 12 noon Saturdays.
St. Joseph’s Church, Romsey: 5.30-5.55pm Saturdays. St. Andrew’s Church, North Baddesley: 9.00am-9.15am Sundays.

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Our Lady Queen of Apostles - Bishop's Waltham

_________________________

SPIRITUAL FORMATION PROGRAMME - June 2009 to February 2010

A programme of learning, discussion and insight into our Faith, aiming to make Faith the centre of our lives.

It will serve to reinforce our understanding of the Scriptures and the meaning of the Sacraments. Finally, it will explain Catechesis and help define our Faith.

Paul followed the road, known as the Appian Way,
from the port of Puteoli north towards Rome.
Christians from Rome came to meet Paul at points along this road,
including the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns.

Acts 28:11-15

LEGION OF MARY: Tuesdays at 2.30pm at Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church.

Please Click here > if you wish to place information on your parish notice board

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St Swithun Wells - Fair Oak

During Lent, we will be holding a Lenten Study Group at St. Swithun Wells Church. The programme we will be following is 'Spot The Difference' by Nick Fawcett. The meetings are every Wednesday starting 24th February for 5 weeks from 7.45 pm - 9.30 pm with refreshments served during the evening. If you would like to participate or have any queries, please contact Trisha and Steve Holmes on 02380693669.

St. Swithun Wells Fellowship Group 

St. Swithun Wells Fellowship Group meet every Wednesday during Term Time from 7.45 - 9.30 pm in the meeting room in St. Swithun Wells Church.

Everyone is very welcome and refreshments will be served during the meetings. We would love to see some new faces at our meetings which are always very interesting. It would be good to have new input in our discussions. No one is expected to come every week. Come whenever you can make it, or if a particular subject interests you.

Click here > for St Swithun Wells web pages

Please Click here > if you wish to place information on your parish notice board.

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St Edward - Chandlers Ford

Journey in Faith Programme For those looking for belief - click here

Would you like to find out about The Catholic Faith…?

..then come to Journey in Faith every Thursday at  1930 - St Edward the Confessor Church 191-193 Winchester Road, Chandler Ford from 7.30 –9.00 p.m.

For further information contact: Deacon Paul Owen 023 80254806

R. C. I. A. Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults

COMMUNITY WATCH: Would you like to communicate with the Police and Council about quality of life issues which effect residents of Hiltingbury? Please see poster in the welcoming area or phone PCSO Firkin and PCSO Fantini at Eastleigh Police Station on 0845 045 45 45.

Good Companions Luncheon Club

Luncheon Group for those who live alone or are lonely. Originally started 20 years ago as a coffee morning by a parishioner, Alice Terry [RIP] and now run by Pauline Wilson.

Catholics and non-Catholics are welcome.

We meet at Keats Restaurant,  at 1230 on Tuesdays. Transport can be arranged if needed. Please contact Pauline Wilson: 023 8026 6617 - wrinklies@eleven75.freeserve.co.uk

Click here > for St Edward web pages

Please Click here > if you wish to place information on your parish notice board.

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Holy Cross - Eastleigh

HOLY MASS IN MALAYALAM (SYRO-MALABAR RITE)

 Every first Friday of the Month, commencing on Friday, 5 February, 2010, at Holy Cross Church, Leigh Road, Eastleigh, starting with the Rosary at 5pm, followed by the Mass at 5.30pm.

Please contact Thomas Siby at 023 80653074 for more details.

The Syro-Malabar Church is an Apostolic Church which traces its origin to the Apostolate of St. Thomas who, according to the tradition, landed at Cranganore in 52 AD and founded seven Christian communities at Palayur, Cranganore, Kokkamangalam, Kottakavu (Parur), Quilon, Niranam, and Chayal. It is one of the 22 sui iuris Oriental Churches in Catholic Communion with its own particular characteristics expressed in worship, spirituality, theology and disciplinary laws.

The early Christian community in India was known as St. Thomas Christians. In the course of history this Church entered into life-relation with the Christian communities which came to be known as the East Syrian Church. This relationship made the Thomas Christians share the liturgical, spiritual and other ecclesiastical traditions with the East Syrian Church. At the same time St. Thomas Christians kept their distinctive character especially in Church administration and socio-cultural and ascetico-spiritual life.

In the 16th Century with the arrival of the Portuguese, a new era began in the life of this Church, i.e., the latinization of its liturgy and the efforts of the St. Thomas Christians to free itself from this situation. In the Nineteenth Century this Church was designated as the Syro-Malabar Church in the documents from the Roman Curia under which name it is known today.

At present there are five Archdioceses - 36,74,115 faithful, with 7,252 priests (3,617 diocesan and 3,635 religious), and 34,769 women religious and 4729 men religious

Repository at Holy Cross

The shop at Holy Cross Church is open every Sunday and at other times on request. There are lovely cards, books and many religious items in stock. If you don't see what you want, orders can be placed for special requests and we'll do our best to help
 

Click here > for Holy Cross web pages

Please Click here > if you wish to place information on your parish notice board

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St Andrews - North Baddesley

Click here > for St Andrew's web pages

Please Click here > if you wish to place information on your parish notice board.

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St Josephs - Romsey

JOURNEY IN FAITH IN ROMSEY AREA: Please contact Deacon John di Meo on 01794 515688.

GOLDEN SILENCE - Meditation in Romsey

Meditation is a way of praying that leads us beyond the limitation of words. It is a time set aside to stilling the mind and the body, to reaching deeper beyond the chatter and distraction of the ego and to endeavour to journey to the very centre of ourselves where Christ dwells within us

Our groups meet weekly and we follow the guidance set by Dom John Main, OSB who re-introduced this ancient form of prayer as practised by the Desert Fathers in the fourth century. In 1975 John Main founded the first centre for Christian Meditation which has now grown into a flourishing worldwide organisation called the World Community for Christian Meditation.

When we meet we start with some music, a short reading followed by 25 minutes of silent meditation and we close with a beautiful prayer written by Laurence Freeman. This time together has enabled us to experience a feeling of peace, calm and strength by sharing this special silence - so beneficial especially at troubled times.

The door is open, everyone is welcome. If you would like to know more please ring Pat Nash 01794-512006.

Click here > for St Joseph's web pages

Please Click here > if you wish to place information on your parish notice board.

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