ST. JAMES
THE LESS AND ST. HELEN

CATHOLIC CHURCH, Colchester

with

Mersea, Mile End and Monkwick

Fr
Joseph Whisstock

Fr
Brett
Adams

Fr
Philip Willenbrock

51 Priory
Street , Colchester, Essex,
CO1 2QB

Tel:
01206 866317;   Fax  01206 791213

E-Mail      [email-masked]

www.stjamesthelessandsthelen.org

THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE
YEAR  [B]

February 1st  2009 A.D.

Dear
Friends

The
child in all of us remains, even as we grow old.  We want the security of order and
control that obedience brings, but we find authority irksome.  We may want to be safe but we also
want to be free so that we can pay attention to ourselves and not be troubled
by uncomfortable rules.  Authority, and attention to that authority, are two
concepts threaded throughout all today’s readings.  Authority, to be effective, demands
the attention of those to whom it speaks and it has the power to enforce
obedience.  Power without
authority always looks dangerous; authority without power always looks
comical.  It is important that
those who exercise power also enjoy the authority that justifies them in what
they do and people rightly oppose the power that exploits, manipulates and
bullies into conformity. But power need not be destructive.  Ghandi,
Martin Luther King and Archbishop Romero used the power of non-violence to
oppose powerful systems.  The fact
that all three were assassinated did not belittle their power; their moral
authority, exercised on behalf of a suffering people, made them forces for
good. The root word of authority is “author” - one who
originates, who causes events and conditions; who organises
words into meaning.  Who
ultimately is the author of the authority we have laid upon us? We who
govern; we who are parents, teachers, church leaders. “All
authority” said Christ “is given to me by the Father”.  All authority?  Whatever we exercise then, is in the
same way part of God’s authority to be used with the same love and
respect for each other and the world he has given us.  When we have care for others we have
care for him. Our acceptance of Christ’s authority and our obedience to
his will is our freedom to pay attention to his love for us whether [as St
Paul argues] the celibate state gives us more freedom so to do – or
not!  All that we do can be
surrendered to the love of God.

God bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK  [Check for any changes]

Sunday 1st February  12pm     Social Committee
Meeting [see below]

Monday 2nd
7:30pm       Baptism
Course [1 of 2-see below] Crypt

Wednesday 4th       6:45pm      Scripture Course                              Crypt

“
7pm
SVP Meeting
Presbytery

“
7:30pm      Auditions [
see below]
Hall

Thursday 5th           7:30pm      RCIA Meeting                                    Crypt

HOLY
FATHER’S MISSION INTENTION FOR FEBRUARY:  That the Church in Africa may promote
reconciliation, justice and peace as it prepares for the special Synod for Africa.

HOMELESS
SUNDAY:  Today, 1st February, has
been designated Homeless Sunday.  The
second collection which we have been asked to take up to support Anchor
House, the Diocesan Centre for the Homeless in Canning Town,
will be taken next Sunday, 8th February. [Our usual monthly CAFOD
collection will be taken today]   Thank you.
Fr Joseph

BAPTISMS TODAY: Levi and Tyreese Williams, Lewis and Kie
Grace. God bless these children and
congratulations to their families.

NEXT BAPTISM COURSE:   Tomorrow, Monday 2nd
February, and Monday, 9th
February at 7:30pm in the Crypt. This Course is for all those wishing to have
a child [of up to the age of 6years] baptised before June.  If you would like to present a child
for Baptism please note that both
Sessions must be attended.
There is no need to make an appointment.  Anyone who wishes a child of 7 and
above baptised, then please make yourself known to one of the priests after
Sunday Mass.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE:   Meets today in the Priests’ House
at mid-day.  If you have any ideas
to put forward for fund-raising in our parish, please come along.

SANDWICHES
FOR THE HOMELESS:  If you can spare a couple
of hours a week to help Josie in the Hall on a Monday and Friday from 10am to
11.45am, please contact her on 870929 or 07752 388756.

Priory Street Theatre Group
is holding auditions for their September musical on Wednesday 4th February in the Cardinal Bourne Hall at 7.30 pm.
New and old members welcome. For more information please contact Lesley on 01206 512310.

MERCY
ASSOCIATES meet next on Monday 9 February at 7.30pm at
Christ Church Court
(tel.763049).

NIGHTSHELTER - Winter Reserve Accommodation Project
(WRAP). Our turn comes round again from the 11th to
the 17th February inclusive. The last few days fall in the half-term holiday.
If you work in education, or if you are taking time off during half-term,
this is your chance to help. We still need more volunteers. For information
telephone Mike and Anne Sheehan on 01206 854934 or 07717 414554.

UCM MEETING:
The next meeting of the
Union of Catholic Mothers  takes
place on Thursday, 12th February,  in the Crypt 7:45pm for 8pm.

YOUTH NEWS:  Young Adult trip to the Holy Land -
final chance to book. In October the Youth
Service are running a trip which includes four nights in Bethlehem,
and three nights by Lake
Galilee. It will offer
great insights into the places where Jesus walked and prayed. The trip is
open to anyone aged 17 to young adult. Deposits and forms are required no
later than 12th February - full details are at www.bcys.net/holyland
or call 01277 265286

Fr
Stan Fortuna is Franciscan Friar of the Renewal based in the Bronx, New York. He is an
internationally renowned speaker to young people: his style includes a mix of
rap and song, and there is a rare opportunity to hear him speak in our
Diocese on SUNDAY MARCH 15th from 4.30pm.
Open to all aged 15+. For full information visit www.bcys.net/frstan
or see poster in the porch or see Andrew Johnson.

ST
JOHN BOSCO CAMP [Summer 2009]:  Are already looking for helpers aged 16+,
adult and young adult.  Details
are on the website www.bcys.net/bisco

St
Clare's RC Primary School, Cloes Lane, Clacton-on-Sea, Essex CO16 8AG  Tel:
01255 425344.
Headteacher required for 1st September 2009 for
this Group 3 Primary School (ISR 18 - 24). Governors are looking to
appoint an experienced leader who is a committed practising
Catholic who will support the distinctive ethos of the school. For further
details please contact the school.

PILGRIMAGES:  Essex
Leg – Student Cross 2009.
From 8pm 3.4.09
– 12.4.09.  Walk from Colchester to Walsingham during Holy Week.  You need to be 18+ for the whole week.
On the 1st day members of BCYS join the walkers.  You need to be 16+ for this 22mile
walk to Harwich. Catholic Deaf Assn.
Pilgrimage to Walsingham.  1.5.09.
Transport will be arranged.  Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham 6.6.09.
A minibus will leave Osbourne St. at 8am. 16 places available. Approx.
£11. Maybe more places available if another driver is forthcoming. Brentwood
Catholic Youth Service – Summer Lourdes. Open to year 10 and above
for those interested in going to Lourdes.  Fundraising activities are taking
place. For all the above, leave clear
message to Theresa
Higgins on 523501
or [email-masked]

PILGRIMAGE
TO MEDJUGORJE: March 1st – 8th. HB. Accommodation. Full
details from Carmen Blackett on 01277 821886; 07754163007;07738
595534

SICK PARISHIONERS:   Philomena Dwyer, Mary Pink, Peggy Wilding.

If you have
family or friends who have been admitted to hospital and who would like a visit,
please let one of the priests know. Because of the Data Protection Act we are
not otherwise advised.

DAILY:                 8:35am;
Rosary &Divine Mercy
[Wednesdays 11:30am]

EVENING
PRAYER:
Monday
to Friday 5:45pm in the
Church

PRAYER
GROUP:                                           Mondays  at 8pm in the Crypt

MEDITATION
GROUP:
8pm @ 48 Priory Street

EXPOSITION:
9:45am – 10:30am

IF YOU ARE
NEW TO THE PARISH: please introduce yourself to one of the priests after Mass. A registration
form will need to be completed.
If you are moving within or out of the parish, please let the Parish
Office know.

THE PARISH
WEB SITE:  For all contact, inclusions etc, please
contact Donald Clarke.  His email address is [email-masked]

LITURGY FOR THE FOURTH
SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [B]

February 1st 2009  A.D. [Homeless Sunday]

The first Mass of Sunday
is on Saturday Evening at Priory
Street

Saturday  January 31st

Sunday    February 1st

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Mr & Mrs Maloney RIP

Parishioners

Maggie & Jonathan Murphy RIP

Michael and Pat Conlon RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Intentions of Fr Bernard O’Brien

Mile
End

9:15
am

Mr & Mrs Griffin RIP [A]

Monkwick

10:15 am

Intentions of Peggy Wilding

Monday  2nd

THE PRESENTATION OF THE
LORD

Church      9:15 am   Intentions of Andrew Walker

Tuesday 3rd

St Anne Line, M.
[St Blaise]

Church      9:15 am   Intentions of Maria & Family

Wednesday 4th

Feria

Church     12:15 pm  Jack Playle
RIP [A]

Thursday 5th

St Agatha, V.M.

Church      9:15 am    Dr E P Solomon RIP

Friday 6th

Y.4 – S.T.M

Ss Paul Miki and
Companions, Mm.

Church      9:15 am   Intentions of the Jay Family

Saturday 7th         Feria

Church       9:15 am   Intentions of the Pauk Family

LITURGY FOR THE FIFTH
SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [B]

[Education Day] February 8th  2009 A.D.

Saturday   February 7th

Sunday      February 8th

6:15
pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

2:00
pm

3:30 pm

5:00 pm

6:30 pm

Mr P Lowes-Cole RIP

Joe McGuinness RIP

Intentions of Sr Helen

POLISH MASS

SIGNED MASS

HOLY HOUR

Ian Archard RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Intentions of Maureen Went

Mile End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15
am

Vivienne Wright
&Patrician Green RIP

SACRAMENT
OF RECONCILIATION       Saturday 9:45-10:30am  and 5:30-6.00pm

SACRAMENT
OF BAPTISM                     Baptismal
Courses arranged as per Newsletter

SACRAMENT
OF MARRIAGE                 At least six months notice is required

SCHOOLS
St
Thomas More
Head: Bridget Harris   [865722]

St Benedict’s            Head: John O’Hara     [549222]

www.marriagecare.org.uk   or 0800 389 3801.
www.brentwoodvocations.org

The Brentwood
Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No. 234092