Events
If you have organised an event for our Church, please send details for inclusion here, or contact the presbytery.
Upcoming Events
Please check the current and recent newsletters for other upcoming events. Only a few major events are listed here!
A Glimpse of Heaven - Colchester Chamber Choir Concert - 8.00 pm March 3rd, 2012
After evening Mass - A Glimpse of Heaven, a short concert given by
the Colchester Chamber Choir directed by Roderick Earle in celebration of the
175th Anniversary of the Foundation Day of our church at Priory St., March 3rd,
1837. There will be a retiring collection in support of church funds - please
be generous. For more information see
http://www.colchesterchamberchoir.org
Day of Reflection - March 31st, 2012
Details here shortly.
Heritage Open Day - Weekend September 6/9, 2012
English Heritage Open Day from 6-9th September, 2012. More details here nearer the time.
Previous Events
In Memory of Blessed John Beche - December 1-2, 2011
Services were held at St Johns Abbey Gatehouse Colchester in memory of Blessed John Beche Martyr. Fr. Tony presided and the BBC sent a crew to record the event. More details in the newsletter.
Heritage Open Day - Weekend September 10/11, 2011
St. James the Less was one of 34 historic buildings and churches open to the public on the weekend 10/11th September. Parishioners were on hand to show people around from 10.30 to 4.00pm on Saturday 10th and from 1.30 to 4.00pm on Sunday 11th. The event was a huge success with over 400 visitors registered and compliments received from the local Heritage representatives. We plan to participate in next year's event.
Pilgrimage to Walsingham - Saturday May 28th, 2011
A minibus will be going to Walsingham leaving East Hill Colchester at 8am. Details from Theresa Higgins on 01206-523501.
Chrism Mass Brentwood - Wednesday April 20th, 2011
A minibus will available from the Parish to Brentwood leaving at 5:15pm from the Gala Bingo. 15 seats are available. Details from Theresa Higgins on 01206-523501.
Hunger Lunch - Saturday April 9th, 2011
Hunger Lunch in aid of Christian Aid. St. John Payne Parish Hall, Greenstead. 12-noon to 2-pm.
Lent Evening of Prayer, Thursday March 24, 2011
In preparation for Easter: 7pm to 8pm at St. John the Baptist Church, Iceni Way, Shrub End, Colchester. Followed by refreshments.
Women's World Day of Prayer, March 4, 2011
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Feast of St John The Evangelist, December 27, 2010
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Papal Visit to the UK, September 16-19, 2010
The diocese organised PILGRIM packages for the following events:
1) The Prayer Vigil in Hyde Park on Saturday 18th September.
2) Beatification of the Venerable John Henry Newman in Birmingham 19th September.
Ways of seeing that lead to prayer - May 26th, 2010
Illustrated talk, Reflection and Discussion. This event was very well attended. Additional seats had to be found. Everyone said what a positive experience it had been.
Encounter with Jesus in Lent - February 20, 2010
In the Cardinal Bourne Hall next to our main building in Priory Street Colchester. This event was very well attended, look out for announcements on future events.
Evening Prayer and Talk - December 11, 2009
Evening prayer in the Church and follow-up talk by Michael Fox, "Creation and Incarnation". The event was a success with Father Tony and nearly 30 people attending. Thanks to Michael and everyone who attended for supporting this event.
Week of Prayer and Reflection - October 4-10, 2009
Ministry of Welcome Meeting - October 17, 2009
A meeting for ‘Welcomers’ & Potential ‘Welcomers’. For those who are involved (or would like to be involved) in the Ministry of Welcome. The notes of the meeting can be found here.
SVP Tea - August 8, 2009
Ivan and Anna Norfolk held a fund-raising tea on Saturday August 8, 2009. See more photos here: SVP Tea on Facebook.
Pilgrimage Dates in 2009
20 - 25th July 2009 : Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes.
6th June 2009 : Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham.
16th May 2009 : Catholic Deaf Association Pilgrimage to Walsingham.
Church Fundraising Event - June, 2009
The Cavendish Consort presented "A Summer Garland" - music by Handel and his contemporaries, played on period instruments - on Saturday 27th June 2009 in the Church.
Student Cross 2009
Parishioners Theresa Higgins and Simon Chaplin took part in the Essex Leg of the Student Cross pilgrimage to Walsingham 2009. Thanks go Hywel and his team of helpers who provided the participants with supper and breakfast at the start of the pilgrimage
Union of Catholic Mothers
At Mass on March 22, 2009 we had the inauguration of the Union of Catholic Mothers branch in Colchester.
The National President Maureen McCann was present as well as Sister Bridget, the National Recruitment officer.
Leonore Sykes of St James the Less and St Helen Church is now the president of the Colchester Foundation, has been working hard to get this group formed. Lenore is front-centre with Father Brett Adams.
See more pictures: Theresa Higgins Facebook Album
Father Brett Adams
Father Brett blessed the new Rose vestments which he wore on Sunday 22nd March, 2009 Laetere Sunday.
Sad News
Sister Helen Walsh died peacefully 2nd March at St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney. Her requiem took place at Our lady of Lourdes, Wanstead, Friday 13th March 2009.
For Eucharistic Ministers: ‘BODY of CHRIST’ March
21st, 2009
An afternoon of Pascal Reflection on the EUCHARIST
Film: 'Son of Man' March 22nd and Saturday March 28th,
2009
The film, ‘Son of Man’ – a showing of this ‘vivid, thrilling and
awe-inspiring’ (Telegraph) version of the Passion, set in South Africa.
Surprise party for Father Paul Fox
To celebrate 10-years in his parish.
See more pictures: Theresa Higgins Facebook Album
Catholic Deaf Awareness Week
This took place 11th-18th May 2008.
For more details see www.cda-uk.com or contact Theresa Higgins.
Quire Performance - April 26,2008
Held
on
Saturday April 26 at 7.30pm
in Lion Walk Church Hall in Colchester’s town centre, Quire presented a
very special concert entitled ‘SING
PRAISE! featuring music from around the world to raise funds for
the Mayor’s charities.
Father Brett
Father
Brett Adams at a recent event in the Cardinal Bourne Hall.
This picture of Father Brett was taken in the Cardinal Bourne Hall following the Easter Vigil Mass on 22nd March, 2007.
Student Cross walk to Walsingham - Good Friday 2008
Members of our Parish taking part in the Student Cross walk to Walsingham in Norfolk.
The Student Cross pilgrimage celebrated it 60th anniversary this year. The
“Essex leg” started in 1972 and departs each year from St James the Less and St.
Helen RC church in Priory Street on the Saturday before Palm Sunday.
Theresa Higgins, a parishioner, has been the breakfast cook for the last four
years but this year decided to do the whole walk which is 125 miles. The leg
arrived in Walsingham on Good Friday and joined with 10 other legs to walk the
Holy Mile from the Slipper Chapel to Little Walsingham
The Essex Leg, this year, had the additional honour of being the passion leg and
enacted the Passion reading at the Good Friday service.
Theresa said that the whole experience was amazing and would recommend others to
take part even if they can only manage two or three days. For more details see
www.studentcross.org
Click on the picture to magnify the text in your browser window.
Prayer Walk around Colchester - March 9, 2008
Starting and ending at 48 Priory Street with Tea and Evening Prayer. Organised by Sister Diane.
OPEN PARISH MEETING - February 24, 2008
This took place after evening Mass at 7:30pm in the Hall. In our previous open meetings we have looked at involvement in our church, our parish and our community. More details will be put here shortly.
Day of Reflection - December 15, 2007
In the Cardinal Bourne Hall, Priory Street, Colchester.
These Days of Reflection are an opportunity to stop and be quiet for a few hours, before the end of summer rushes headlong into Christmas. The theme is God's Call to us in our daily lives. We start at 11am in the Cardinal Bourne Hall and finish about 3.30. Packed lunches advised.
Day of Reflection - October 27, 2007
This event took place in the Cardinal Bourne Hall, Priory Street, Colchester. Hosted by Sister Helen Walsh and Valerie Quinlivan. The event was very well attended. Afterwards everyone said what a wonderful day it had been, and how grateful they were to Sister Helen who led the event despite undergoing chemotherapy.
Father Paul Dynan's Farewell Event - September 30, 2007
Father Paul Dynan's Farewell Event September 30, 2007 held in Cardinal Bourne Hall. Father Paul has moved to Basildon.
The Good Friday Service - April 6, 2007
The event at the Mercury Theatre in Colchester led by our Church was packed, and the
performance by parishioners from our Church, together with Quire, Colchester’s
sensational world music choir of 50 voices, were very well received by
the audience. More information on the event will be posted here shortly.
Oremus Spiritual Event - March 24, 2007
A Lenten Day of Reflection on suffering, entitled
DRINKING THE CUP
Sister Helen Walsh and Valerie Quinlivan.
Oremus Spiritual Event - February 25 - March 3, 2007
WEEK OF ACCOMPANIED PRAYER: an opportunity for support and guidance in prayer while continuing with daily life.
A gift to yourself of time for reflection.
Sister Helen Walsh and Valerie Quinlivan
More details: Oremus Programme
GRAND DRAW & PARISH SOCIAL - November 18, 2006
This event was held Saturday 18th November in the Cardinal Bourne Hall. Over 60 people attended and we all had a wonderful time.
If you would like to help organise or participate in next year's event, please contact Bernie on 549524 or Ron and Margaret on 797850.
Special Parish Meeting - October 29, 2006
This event was attended by over 50 members of our parish community. The report is available here: Parish Open Meeting Report
Oremus Spiritual Event - October 28, 2006
A Day of Reflection on JOURNEYING INTO PRAYER was hosted by
Sister Helen Walsh and Valerie Quinlivan. The event was well attended by members of the Parish community and all who attended were unanimous that it had been very beneficial to their spiritual development.
St. Helen's Feast Day Barbecue - August 18, 2006
A family barbecue was arranged for St. Helen's Feast Day on Friday August 18th after Mass at 6 pm on the suggestion of Father Paul.
Annual Parish Meeting - 2006
Our Annual Parish Meeting (APM) was held June 25,2006 in the Church Hall. 31 members of our parish attended. The minutes are available here: Minutes of 2006 Annual Parish Meeting. Issues raised at the APM were discussed at the Parish Pastoral Council meeting held June 30th. The Minutes of Pastoral Council meetings can be found here.
St. Patrick's Day Social - 2006
A wonderful time was had by all at our annual
St. Patrick's day social event. Judging by the picture, our priests
enjoyed themselves too. From left to right: Father Widy, Father Joseph, Father
Paul Dynan.
