Parish Groups and Directory
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Welcome to St. James the Less and St. Helen Parish
All the people in this Directory may be contacted via the Presbytery or the website coordinator unless otherwise indicated.
You can also type your enquiry into the following form and it will email the website coordinator who will forward your enquiry: enquiry form
Altar Servers
Association for the Propagation of the Faith and Mill Hill Missionaries
For further details contact Ron Griffin.
Baptism
If you would like your child baptised please contact Father Tony for more information about Baptism Courses and preparation.
Brentwood Diocese Pastoral Council
The Brentwood Diocese Pastoral Council is a forum for communication to, and between, representatives of the different parishes in our Diocese.
More information can be obtained from the coordinator Lucy Studham.
Our Parish representatives are Olive Newland and Mark Lee.
Contact Lucy Studham for dates, location and agenda details.
Children's Liturgy
Our Children's Liturgy takes place each Sunday in the Crypt during the 10.30 am Mass and all children are welcome. This has now been split into two groups: the pre-school group and the pre-first communion group. The children leave Church after the entrance hymn and return during the offertory. For further information please contact Melissa Dove.
Children and Vulnerable Adults Protection
As a result of the Nolan Report there are now established Protection Procedures for Children and Vulnerable Adults in our Diocese. The Child Protection Officer for St. James the Less and St. Helen Parish is Theresa Higgins with Olive Newland as Deputy. The Protection Officer for the Diocese is Simon Moules.
If you have any concerns about the protection of children and vulnerable adults in our Parish please or contact Theresa Higgins (Tel. 01206-523501), or Olive Newland, or the Presbytery.
Choir
The choir contributes significantly to music at the 10.30 am Sunday Mass and other special occasions on request. Enthusiasm is more important than a perfect voice. Singers and musicians are always welcome. Please contact Tim Williamson.
Christmas Cards
Christmas cards are for sale in the Repository Shop. The Repository Shop located in the Cardinal Bourne Hall at Priory Street. Opening times are 10 am to 12.45 pm every Sunday.
Contact Simon Chaplin.
Cleaning
We have a number of teams who keep our Church clean, but new people are always welcome. If you would like to join a team please contact Helena Gibson.
Church Grounds
If you are willing to help please contact Father Tony.
Church Hall
The hall can be booked for functions - email Pam Edwards or call 07980-438195.
Churches Together
For more information contact John and Myra Dolamore.
Confirmation
For more information contact Cathy O'Connor.
Deaf Mass and Ministry
For more information, contact Theresa Higgins.
Diocesan Pastoral Council
Our representatives on the Diocesan Pastoral Council are Mark Lee and Olive Newland.
Eucharistic Ministers
We have many Eucharistic Ministers in our Parish helping with the Ministry of taking Communion to the sick and also taking Eucharistic Services in the Church and assisting with the distribution at the Masses. If you know of anybody who is sick and cannot make Mass through illness, or is housebound, please contact Father Tony or Margaret Wheeler.
First Holy Communion
We have a First Holy Communion programme for the children of the Parish each year. This group meets between January and May on a Saturday morning to support the children being prepared for First Confession and First Holy Communion, together with their parents. Contact Hywel Edwards and Pam Edwards.
Flower Group
We are a small group but would welcome new members. Experience is not necessary but enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are essential, as is physical fitness since a certain amount of lifting and carrying is involved.
Members must be able to make a regular commitment to the church flower rota. Volunteers should leave their name and contact details at the presbytery addressed to the 'Flower Group'.
Gift Aid
This scheme allows the Parish to reclaim the taxable part of your offerings from the Inland Revenue, at no cost or inconvenience to yourself. There is no commitment to a specific amount of money for a given period of time. The donor uses numbered envelopes supplied by the parish Gift Aid organiser, or a standing order. The envelopes enable you to plan your contribution in advance. Alternatively, a standing order can be organised for a monthly contribution to the Parish, which saves on cash handling/administration and means your payment is never missed.
The Parish can gain a further 28p for every £1 contributed under this scheme. The Declaration can run indefinitely, but can be cancelled at any time if personal circumstances change.
The requirements of the scheme are :
· The completion of a simple form - A Gift Aid Declaration
· The donor must pay income tax equal to the amount being reclaimed each year.
Please contact John Sales if you would like further details, or to join the scheme, or if you wish to organise a standing order.
Guild of St. Stephen
Altar Server’s are required at all masses and in all mass centres. The only qualification required to serve on the altar is that you have taken your first holy communion.
There is training which will take place at the 10:30 mass at St. James the Less and St. Helen church Priory St.
The initial training lasts for about 3-4 weeks or you feel confident about the
roles.
After 1 year you take your vows as a member of the guild and receive your Bronze
medal.
You are able to serve at any mass or mass centre or parish you are visiting.
Contact: MC
Andrew Johnson on 01206-861360
for details.
A useful link : Guild of St. Stephen, Brentwood Diocese
Hospitals
All hospitals have a Catholic Chaplain. If you would like a Priest to visit you the hospital can arrange this for you. Or contact the Presbytery.
Interest Groups
If you would like to be involved in any of the Interest Groups in our Parish, or you feel there are any areas for development or new groups to be set up, please contact Father Tony who will be pleased to discuss your ideas and suggestions.
Justice and Peace
We
are a small group-wanting to grow- that tries to raise awareness of justice and
peace issues in the parish. We part of the Diocesan Commission for Justice and
Social Responsibility and attend their meetings. We raised money for Josie who
feeds the homeless twice a week for lunch following an appeal launched on
Homelessness Sunday.
On March 20th 2010 we hosted a meeting with Michael Fox
about how to become a Fair Trade Parish - Colchester Borough is already a Fair
Trade Borough and we should try to follow suit. This is such an important way of
directly linking what happens in the “Third World “ and what we actually do here
right now at our dinner tables!
We helped to welcome the Bishop Graham Rose of Dundee in South Africa and spent
a really informative afternoon with him on 22nd May 2010 . We are looking
forward to find ways to link up with our brothers and sisters in SA and help
them with some of the fundamental things such as water and health care.
And what do we plan to do now?
Now do not laugh, but we do need to make a plan! Yes, So if you want to be in on
the act please do not be backwards in coming forwards!
Marriage
If you are thinking of getting married, please contact Fr. Tony via the Presbytery for details of marriage preparation.
Meditation
This form of meditation is ‘Christian’ in that it has Christ as its focus and goal. See Christian Meditation. For more information contact Valerie Quinlivan.
Mercy Associates
Mercy Associates are lay people who are seeking to deepen their prayer life and spirituality in the Mercy tradition and to remain open to their apostolic call and the challenges of our time, in association with the Sisters of Mercy.
The Associates in Colchester meet as a group monthly in prayer, reflection on the life and spirituality of Catherine McAuley, Foundress of the Sisters of Mercy, and friendship, as they support each other in trying to bear witness to the loving mercy of God in their lives.
There are about 1000 Associates in England, Scotland and Wales, in over sixty groups. All are engaged in a relatively new venture of lay association with a religious community. Groups are kept in touch with each other through Regional Assemblies, pilgrimages, a twice-yearly magazine and spiritual reflections from the National Commission which oversees the movement.
The local contact is Deirdre Fordham (01206 763049).
The website is www.merciful.org.
Ministry of the Word
Please contact Elspeth Johnson.
Newspapers
A selection of Catholic Newspapers is available in the porch of the Church.
OREMUS
‘OREMUS’ is the name coined for parish events which focus on spiritual renewal. See Oremus. For more information contact Valerie Quinlivan.
Parish Football Team
The Parish Football Team plays in the Colchester Inter Church League on alternate Saturdays.
We always need players 16+ please contact Chris Nolan on 07771-828751.
Parish Newsletter
Each week we produce a Parish Newsletter which keeps us up-to-date with what is happening in our Parish. If you would like any events or special occasions mentioned, please contact the office.
Parish Pastoral Council
The Parish Council consists of a group of Parishioners led by our Priest. The aim is to provide leadership and support to those who are active within the Parish. Parish Pastoral Councils are becoming increasingly commonplace within the Church and provide valuable assistance to the Parish Priest, enabling him more free time for his pastoral work, as well as providing cohesion and direction for parishioners working within the Parish.
The Council will endeavour to fairly represent all aspects of Parish Life.
Please contact any member of the Parish Council.
Parish Secretary
The Parish Secretary is Diana Cody - contact her via the office.
Parish Social Activities
We always enjoy Parish celebrations. If you have any ideas or suggestions on how we can celebrate and have more fun activities please contact Frances Gale.
Pastoral Care
If you feel you have anything to offer in being supportive please contact Father Tony.
Pilgrimages (Diocesan and Others)
The contact is Theresa Higgins (Tel. 01026-523501) or email pilgrimages@stjamesthelessandsthelen.org.
Prayer Group
The prayer group has met every Monday in the crypt for the last 12 years. Our purpose is to come together, in the power of the Spirit, to praise and thank God for all he has done and given us. Through the gifts of praise, prayer, scripture and song, we hope and strive to enter into a closer and deeper relationship with Jesus Christ and to know him personally as Our Lord and Saviour. Within the meeting there is also the emphasis of receiving and using the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, particularly those of tongues, healing and prophecy. God guides us in our prayer. He accompanies us on our faith journey. He opens our eyes and our hearts to his love and mercy. Contact: Katherine Edwards: 01206 561623
Readers
Please contact Elspeth Johnson.
Repository Shop
A wide range of pamphlets, religious items, cards for all special occasions and Mass cards are available from the Repository Shop located in the Cardinal Bourne Hall at Priory Street. Opening times are 10 am to 12.45 pm every Sunday.
Contact Simon Chaplin
Schools
St Thomas More's Catholic Primary
School
Priory Street,
Colchester,
CO1 2QB
Essex
Email:
head@st-thomasmores.essex.sch.uk
T: (01206) 865 722
F: (01206) 868 745
Soup Run
Our Church provides soup, sandwiches and hot drinks to disadvantaged and homeless people in Colchester . Our slot is 8 - 9 pm on alternate Saturdays.
The current schedule will be uploaded here shortly.
Volunteers to make sandwiches, or help on the night welcomed. Contact: Clair Cooper.
St. Vincent de Paul Society
This active group meets regularly throughout the year and helps families in need, visits the sick and housebound and offers a variety of practical support. New members are always very welcome.
Contact Judy Hemming-Allen on 07970-408707.
Tea and Coffee
Information to be provided.
Union of Catholic Mothers
Information to be provided.
Youth Group
Contact Cathy O'Connor.
Summary of Parish Groups
Contact the named people via the church office or as detailed above.
|
APF |
Bill de Smith |
|
CAFOD |
Tony Dixon |
|
CATENIAN ASSOCIATION |
Peter Herbert |
|
CHILDREN’S LITURGY |
Contact Presbytery |
| CHIDREN AND VULNERABLE ADULT PROTECTION | Theresa Higgins |
|
CHOIR AND CHURCH MUSIC |
Tim Williamson (Priory St.) |
|
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION |
Valerie Quinlivan |
|
CHURCH CLEANERS |
Helena Gibson |
|
CHURCH HALL |
Please contact Pam Edwards |
|
CHURCHES TOGETHER |
John and Myra Dolamore |
|
CONFIRMATION |
Cathy O’Connor |
|
COUNTING |
Joan Herbert |
|
DEAF MASS AND MINISTRY |
Theresa Higgins |
|
DIOCESAN PASTORAL COUNCIL |
Olive Newland, Mark Lee |
|
DIVORCED AND SEPARATED |
Vacant |
|
DRAMA GROUP |
Tim and Lesley Williamson |
|
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS |
Margaret Wheeler (Priory St.) |
|
FIRST HOLY COMMUNION |
Hywel and Pam Edwards |
|
FLOWER GROUP |
Contact via the presbytery |
| FOOTBALL TEAM | Chris Nolan |
|
FRIENDS OF PERU |
Vacant |
|
GIFT AID |
John Sales |
|
GUILD OF ST STEPHEN |
Andrew Johnson |
|
HOSPITAL CHAPLAINCY |
Margaret Wheeler |
|
JUSTICE AND PEACE |
Vacant |
|
JUSTICE AND PEACE - REFUGEES |
Tony Dixon |
|
KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA |
Ron Griffin |
| MEDITATION (CHRISTIAN) | Valerie Quinlivan |
|
MERCY ASSOCIATES |
Deirdre Fordham |
|
MILE END LIAISON |
John Sutcliffe |
|
MINISTERS OF THE WORD |
Elspeth Johnson |
|
MINISTRY OF WELCOME |
Peter Thorpe |
|
MONKWICK LIAISON |
To be Assigned |
|
OREMUS |
Valerie Quinlivan, Olive Newland |
|
PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL |
Presbytery |
| PILGRIMAGES | Theresa Higgins |
|
PRAYER GROUP |
Catherine Edwards |
|
RCIA |
Cathy O’Connor |
|
REPOSITORY |
Simon Chaplin |
|
ROSARY |
Wendy Higgins |
|
SACRISTY |
Eva Read |
|
SOUP RUN |
Presbytery, Claire Cooper |
|
SUNDAY TEA AND COFFEE |
Various Volunteers |
|
SVP |
Judy Hemming-Allen |
| Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM) | Lenore Sykes |
|
WEST MERSEA (Eucharist Ministers) |
Pat Davies, Tony Weekes, Mervyn Rutter |
|
YOUTH LIAISON |
Cathy O’Connor |
