NEWS

THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT
7th March 2010

..."There once was a person who had a fig tree planted in his orchard, and when he came in search of fruit on it but found none,
he said to the gardener, 'For three years now I have come in search of fruit on this fig tree but have found none. (So) cut it down. Why should it exhaust the soil?'
He said to him in reply, 'Sir, leave it for this year also, and I shall cultivate the ground around it and fertilize it;
it may bear fruit in the future. If not you can cut it down.'"

[Luke 13:1-9] ... read more

North West Hampshire Pastoral Area

The Bishop has appointed Father Dominic Golding (our new Parish Priest), Co-ordinating Pastor for the North West Hampshire Pastoral Area (parishes in Basingstoke, Andover, Hook, Tadley & Kingsclere).

See also NWHANTS Pastoral Area website.

 

Parish Census

Next Sunday we will be invited to complete a parish census form. The information sought is to assist our parish participation in a diocesan campaign called ‘Living our Faith.’ This began last year with the aim of setting up a capital resource for implementation of the Bishop’s Pastoral Plan ‘Go out and Bear Fruit.’ Two thirds of our parishes have now taken part and raised £7.6m. The campaign works on a simple idea of people pledging money to the diocese over a five year period – call it an investment for how we live our faith in the future. To help us get started we need to do what the participating parishes have done and update our parish records hence the census.

Diary Dates: 2010 dates Young People and Scripture: The Diocesan Department for Pastoral Formation is holding an evening on this theme on Tuesday 9 March. It’s an opportunity for youth leaders and catechists to explore how we can introduce young people to scripture; different ways of using scripture for prayer and reflection; and suitable resources. The evening will also be an opportunity to meet with other youth leaders and share good practice. It begins at 7.30pm, ends at 9.30pm and takes place at St Joseph’s Church, Park Lane, Tilehurst, Reading, RG31 5JJ. For more information contact: 01329 835583 or email estephenson@portsmouthdiocese.org.uk Prayer for Vocations: Once again as part of the Year for Priests, called by Pope Benedict, we’ll be praying for vocations on the second Sunday of the month at St Bede’s. The next such session will be on Sunday 14 March from 5pm - 6pm - please note new start time. The Year for Priests began last June and runs until June this year. Alton Day of Renewal - Sat 27th March at St Lucy's Convent, Medstead Maor, Medstead, GU34 5LL. The theme for this year is 'Walk with Me' - Priest and People Together. For further information, please ring Rev deacon John Foley on 01189 333420. Requiem Mass for Archbishop Verdzekof: The Most Reverend Paul Verdzekof, the retired Archbishop of Bamenda, our sister diocese in Cameroon, died last month, aged 79, Bishop Crispian will celebrate a Requiem Mass for him at St John's Cathedral, Portsmouth on Saturday 27th March at 12:15pm. All are welcome to attend. Lemon Aid: Lemon Aid are coming to Christ the King Church, Brighton Hill on 20 March from 7pm – 9.30pm. Take four people who like to have fun, add music from the music-hall times through the 1950’s, 60’s and later. Mix in a couple of talented guests. Flavour to taste with original humour. Season with a good helping of audience participation and serve. Tickets from Chantal Brown: 01256 320474. All profits going to the Basingstoke and NE Hants Life Group. Don Bosco Camp: 1-7 August: Many of you may have seen Fr Mark Hogan wandering around with one of his tops marked ‘Bosco Boys.’ These are worn by all the leaders of the annual diocesan Don Bosco summer camp for secondary school aged boys (with the possibility of those at the end of year 6 joining if there are spaces). Fr Mark likes them so much that he’s been going along since he was a boy. For more information: 01256 323595. Sunday 11 July: The 2010 Pastoral Area Gathering will be held at Farleigh School, Red Rice, Andover – please join us for an afternoon picnic, fun and fellowship! Portsmouth Lourdes Pilgrimage 2010 - leaves on Friday 20th August 2010 - click logo above for more details or see Portsmouth Diocese Website.

Stewardship A number of people have given a talk at Mass about different aspects of Stewardship: The experience of Stewardship; Gift; Treasure; Prayer; Talents and Time... read more More on Stewardship in the parish... Parish Stewardship Group “We have gifts that differ according to the favour bestowed on each of us.” Romans 12:6-8 We meet about twice a month for two hours on Friday evenings and our meetings are in two parts; during the first half we explore the spiritual aspect of Stewardship, pondering and discussing the following Sunday’s readings and how, and in the second half we discuss the practical aspects of Stewardship. You are more than welcome to join us for either or both parts. An evening stewardship meeting is to be held on Friday 26 March at 7.30pm at St Bede’s. Everyone is welcome to come and help stewardship blossom in our parish. Due to the fact some people find it difficult to attend the evening sessions it has been agreed to try and accommodate everyone by holding both meetings daytime and evening. Exploring Stewardship The daytime group next meet on Mon 22nd Feb in St. Bede's from 11 am - 1 pm Theme: 'Christian Steward' . Future dates: 8th March. All are most welcome to attend in the St Bede's Parish meeting room..

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

What do you think the altar servers and the priest talk about before Sunday Mass? Before one of last Sunday's Masses we talked about politics and the forthcoming general election - they began the conversation! They asked was it important to vote. I said I thought it an important duty of a citizen. We agreed it is not easy to know who should get your vote. Do you vote for the person you want to be your MP or the party you want to see in government?

In anticiaption of the forthcoming general election the Bishops of England and Wales published last week a document entitled 'Choosing the Common Good'. It asks us to consider what are the values and vision that should underpin our society? Finding a shared vision is, they argue, more urgent than the detail of particular party policies. "Where there is no vision, the people perish" (Proverbs 29:18). Social issues cannot be left only to government to solve, but are the responsibility of all. They note the recent fracturing of trust in institutions and in each other but argue that if we are to rebuild trust and flourish we must practice virtue. "The virtues form us so that we do what is right and honourable for no other reason than that it is right and honourable, irrespective of reward. Virtuous action is doing good even when no-one is looking."

Archbishop Vincent Nichols, president of the Bishops' Conference, said: "We encourage everyone to read this document and participate in the necessary debate about the values and vision by which we seek to construct a just society." The document is available to read online at www.catholicchurch.org.uk. The conversation it might lead to is one some of our young parishioners are already having both in the sacristy before Mass and who knows where else.

Fr. Dominic.

Third Sunday of Lent
7th March 2010
This week's HOMILY...read here

Previous week's HOMILY...read here

View each week's readings on line:

Gospel Readings - made available on-line by an international team of lay Catholics and volunteers who are eager to spread the Gospel;

Translations of Sunday readings - in 12 European languages,
hosted by the Vienna International Religious Centre

The Universalis Site - with readings from the Jerusalem Bible (UK-based).

Click here to access a virtual scripture study desk (USA-based) resource!

2010

Traditionally the three Lenten practices urged upon us are PRAYER, FASTING and ALMSGIVING. Here are ways in which this week we can try and fulfil them:

Pray Stations of the Cross
At St Bede’s every Friday throughout Lent. Starts at 7.30pm. To participate in this devotion can be a beautiful way to journey with Christ in prayer. If you can’t make it on a Friday evening, do try and pray your way around the Stations privately whenever the churches are open.

Pray for forgiveness of sin
In our pastoral area of North West Hampshire there will be a variety of penitential services conducted by the local clergy: - see dates below. These services are in addition to the regular published times for confession.

Fast at a parish Lenten lunch
Several parishioners have offered to host a Lenten lunch. This week you are welcome to join in - see dates. If you plan on going please call them in good time.

Almsgiving
CAFOD Lent boxes are available in the Clositer for you to take away. Into the box you are invited to deposit your Lenten offerings for the charitable work done around the world by CAFOD. The boxes should be returned to church in Holy Week for the money to be counted and sent off.

Stations of the Cross
Every Friday at 7.30 pm during Lent at St. Bede's. To participate in this devotion can be a beautiful way to journey with Christ in prayer. If you can't make it on a Friday evening, do try and pray your way around the Stations privately whenever the churches are open.

Penance
Confessions during Lent will be on a Saturday at scheduled times printed in advance in the newsletter and on the parish website. The priests are also available to celebrate this sacrament with you upon request. There will be a penitential service in our Pastoral Area towards the end of Lent - see below.

PENITENTIAL SERVICES
in the NW Hants Pastoral Area
including individual Reconcilation

There will be a variety of penitential services conducted by the local clergy:

• TADLEY - St Michael's, Tuesday 23 March, 7.30 pm
• ANDOVER - St John the Baptist, Thursday 25 March, 7:30pm
• BASINGSTOKE - St Joseph's, Sunday 28 March, 3:00pm
• BASINGSTOKE - St Bede's, Monday 29 March, 7:30pm
• HOOK - Sacred Heart, Wednesday, 31 March , 8:00pm

These services are in addition to confessions being heard at Holy Ghost Church on a Saturday at the new regular time of 4:00pm - 5:00pm. There will be no confessions heard at St Bede's on a Saturday morning. This is to avoid us all being confused about in which church they are being heard. You remain welcome to ask the priests to celebrate this sacrament with you at another time if a Saturday afternoon is not convenient for you.

Getting married?

If you live in this parish or elsewhere in our pastoral area of North West Hampshire and plan to marry either in our parish’s two churches or elsewhere we require six months notice to assist you with the pre-nuptial enquiries.

If you wish to marry here but live outside this parish or its pastoral area it is the responsibility of your own parish priest to assist you with the pre-nuptial enquiries. For more information contact the parish office.

Year for Priests

- announced by Pope Benedict XVI to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the death of the saintly Curé of Ars, St. John Mary Vianney.

It was inaugurated by the Holy Father on the 19th June, the feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the World Day of Prayer for the Sanctification of Priests.

Everyone wants to commit themselves with determination, sincerity and fervour so that it may be a year amply celebrated in the whole world -- in the Dioceses, parishes and in every local community -- with the warm participation of our Catholic people who undoubtedly love their priests and want to see them happy, holy and joyous in their daily apostolic labours.

YOUNG ADULTS GROUP

'YAG'

Meet every other Thurs evening at
8.00pm in the Foyer
at St Joseph’s, South Ham

Anyone aged between 18 to mid thirties is welcome to come along for prayer and conversation on topics which are of interest to young Catholics. This is great opportunity to grow in faith and meet and socialise with other young adults. For further details please call Jamie or Angie Carroll via St Joseph's Parish Office on 01256 323595, or just turn up on the evening.

Check out the YOUTH NEWS. & YOUTH website

World Youth Day - Madrid 2011

• Pastoral Area WYD Project
• 
  See also Pastoral Area Web Site
  or for more details: 07825665878

Camrose Centre
Volunteer Opportunities

The Camrose Centre Is run by Trinity Winchester, a charitable organization which has been established for 21 years as a drop-in centre in Winchester together with a Women’s Centre and floating support service.

Presently funded for 1 year starting from January 2008, the Camrose Centre is open in Basingstoke each Tuesday and Thursday, with the intention of opening for a further day on a Saturday.

The centre provides a drop in between 10 – 2.00pm where clients can get shelter, food, bathing / laundry facilities, info advice and referrals to specialist agencies. Additionally there is Ear Acupuncture, gardening and cooking groups together with opportunities for one to one works with individuals.

The project has 3 allocated and paid staff but relies on volunteers to ensure smooth running and development of the project.

Opportunities are open for those who would like to offer their services voluntarily.See information sheet in the Cloister. If wishing to know more contact Andy Taylor on Basingstoke 812708.

Particular Needs Group

Minutes of Meetings

• July 2007
• November 2007
• January 2009

Lifts to Mass

Any parishioner who finds serious difficulty, eg through physical disablement, to get to Sunday Mass, and would appreciate a lift, should let the Parish Office know their name(s), address, telephone number and preferred Mass time.

Presbytery Conversion

Holy Ghost Car Parking:

Please note that
5 car parking spaces
are available to parishioners using Holy Ghost Church.

No parking EVER on the numbered bays.
These bays are for residents only.

The Parish Team consists of Mr Terence Giblin, Mr Terry O’Brien, Mr Frank McKenna and Fr Dominic Golding.

Rosary Prayer Group

meets on Mondays
at 7 pm in Hillary Road

Litany of Our Lady, Reflections, Scripture Readings

Basingstoke
St Vincent de Paul Society

"Turning Concern into Action!"

Meeting dates:

• 8th and 22nd Mar - St Joseph's
• 12th and 26th Apr - St Bede's
• 10th and 24th May - St Joseph's
• 14th and 28th Jun - St Bede's
• 12th and 26th Jul - St Joseph's

The SVP motto is ‘Turning Concern into Action’ and here at St Bede’s and St Joseph's our SVP group aims to tackle poverty in all its forms, particularly by visiting the sick and the lonely. Volunteers are very welcome to join and all members of the parish are asked to recommend names of people who might like a visit or some help; the confidentiality and dignity of those we serve is always respected. Funds are used for specific purposes such as a small grant to someone in need; helping our twinned SVP Conferences in Southern India; contributions to social, peace and justice projects here in Basingstoke.

Thank you for your time, prayers and support.More about the SVP at www.svp.org.uk.

The Basingstoke SVP is an amalgamation of the St Bede's and St Joseph's parish groups; Breda Buckley is the group's president. It meets on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of the month. The venue alternates on a monthly basis between the two parishes.

St Bede's Church

View of main body of the church

'Please respect Our Church Space'

The Parish community welcomes everyone. This is our and your spiritual home so please treat it as such!

Please take pride in our wonderful church.

Noise in church:
Again and again the issue of noise in church is raised. It is impossible for everyone to be totally quiet but sometimes the noise becomes not just a distraction but almost unbearable! This is created not just by children but also by adults!!!!! The latter (adults) should be easy: no talking at any stage during the celebration of Mass!! The former (children) more difficult: try to engage them in what is happening (books are available, bibles, Mass books); point out to them what is happening, what the priest is doing etc. As a last resort, remember that the Cloister has speakers so that disruptive children can be taken out and you can still ‘hear’ the Mass going on.

The Blessed Sacrament is housed in a
sculpture in the form of a burning bush

View article on St Bede's Church from the Church Times
also reproduced in a "Portsmouth People" article (pg 28).

Parish Pastoral Council
News

The new Council met on Thursday last for ‘formation session’ and introductions. Members: The priests, Greg Medalla, Liz Lovegrove, Barbara King, Ellen Hynes, Vic Johnson, Peggy Gould and Geraldine Gallacher. Some other parishioners may be co-opted on.

Full minutes are posted on the notice-board and on the web site a month after the meeting (once they have been accepted as a true record).

To view Minutes of PPC meetings - click here.

Journey in Faith

Searching? Questioning?
Want to know more about the Catholic Faith?
The Catholic Faith: learn more about it!

• Ten people came along on Wednesday; come and join them…
  Are you not committed to any Christian denomination and would like to know about Catholicism?
  Are you a practising Christian but interested in knowing what we Catholics believe and profess?
  Are you a ‘resting’ Catholic who would like to know more about what the Church today is all about?
• Are you practising but would like to know more?

If you are interested in leaning more about the Catholic Faith or becoming a Catholic, the next planned sessions of ‘Journey in Faith’ are in

St Bede’s Church Hall at 7.30 pm on
Wednesday, 10th March 2010.

Future dates to be announced.

.

Sunday Mass Readings
in Polish

If you have any polish friends, do take them the readings which are printed out for every Sunday.

See also:
Translations of Sunday readings - in 12 European languages, hosted by the Vienna International Religious Centre

St Bede’s School

To keep up to date with the School look at the developing web site:

www.st-bedes.hants.sch.uk

Adoration

WANTED

People willing to spend time on a Wednesday in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament...

The Lord's Flock Catholic Charismatic Community

Basingstoke Chapter has regular prayer meetings on

Saturdays, 5-7pm

in St Gabriel's Church, Tewkesbury Close, Popley. All are welcome! .

See also the web site: www.thelordsflockcommunity.org.

Charismatic Prayer Group

The Chekhina Praise
Charismatic Prayer Group
meets on Wednesdays
8.pm to10 pm.

Contact Steve or Hayley OSullivan
via the Parish Office.

Altar Serving

If anyone would like to serve on the altar (must have made First Holy Communion) please do let us know: