ST. JAMES
THE LESS AND ST. HELEN

CATHOLIC CHURCH, Colchester

with

Mersea, Mile End and Monkwick

Fr
Joseph Whisstock

Fr
Paul
Dynan

Fr
Philip Willenbrock

51 Priory
Street , Colchester, Essex,
CO1 2QB

Tel:           01206 866317;   Fax  01206 791213

E-Mail      [email-masked]

www.stjamesthelessandsthelen.org

THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF
THE YEAR [C]  - JULY 1ST2007

Dear Friends

Some people don’t like travelling
too far from home.  Home is where
they are walled, roofed, lit, warmed, loved and fed.  Why bother taking to the road where
“home comforts” will be few.
On the other hand, some people regard home as a wall-papered trap and
believe that it’s more difficult to break out of some houses than break
into them!  They feel constrained,
tied down and long to leave.
Perhaps most of us are somewhere between these two groups. But what
happens if we feel called away from the familiar? When we are invited to make
a choice which means leaving the ones we love?  Questions which bring us to the heart
of today’s Gospel. From the moment Jesus begins his public ministry, his family fades into the background. He leaves Galilee
behind him as he begins the journey to Jerusalem.  A journey which will lead to the
ultimate challenge of his mission: the Cross, and if Jesus is to be faithful
to his mission, he cannot turn back even though he, too, is tempted to return
to the quiet security of Galilee.   Firstly, he meets with the
inhospitality of the Samaritans who regard Jerusalem as the wrong address to be
heading for and why should they be gracious to a group of Jews travelling to a theological mistake. James and John
suggest incineration to quell religious difference but Jesus is not impressed
with their pastoral strategy.
Three prospective disciples are keen to follow him subject to burying
a parent, or saying goodbye to family, both in Judaism seen as a paramount
obligation.  Jesus’ response
seems very harsh.  He warns that
not only will they have to sleep rough but inhospitality from villagers will
be the least of their problems. Their commitment must be single minded because all disciples must face their road
to Jerusalem.  No matter where we live, it is not
a journey that is plotted with a map; it is an inward journey plotted through
our experience.  For each of us,
it is our journey to God in the footsteps of Christ.

God
bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

N.B.  Evening Prayer is now back in the
Church – see below

Tuesday
3rd July
10am onwards  Monkwick
Coffee Morning       See below

Wednesday
4th July
7pm
SVP Meeting
Presbytery

Saturday
7th July        Curry Night
Hall

THE HOLY FATHER’S MISSION
INTENTION FOR JULY:  That all Christians may
actively support and participate in the worldwide mission of evangelization.

DAY FOR LIFE 2007: This year marks the 40th anniversary
of the Abortion Act in England
& Wales; the 10
anniversary of The Cardinal Winning Pro-Life Initiative in Scotland; the 30th anniversary of
both Cura in Ireland
and the Life Care & Housing Trust in England
and Wales.  All these agencies care for women in a
crisis pregnancy situation. Through them, and many committed Catholics, the
Church has been at the forefront of offering practical, emotional and
spiritual care to women and babies in need.

APOSTLESHIP
OF THE SEA:  Although next Sunday, 8th
July, has been designated Sea Sunday,  in view of the many
calls on purses and wallets, the second collection will not be taken up until
15th July.

THANK YOU from the SVP to all who
attended the Strawberry Tea Party on Saturday 23rd June.  It was a great success, enjoyed by
everyone and so nice getting the Parish together.  The final total of the SVP annual
collection was £743.98.
Again, sincere thanks to all who donated.

FIRST HOLY
COMMUNION:  After this year’s
First Holy Communion Programme which saw the final
five children – Mia Cappabianca, Michael
Kelly, Shauna Kelly, Abigail Magee and Caron Magee – receive Communion
on Corpus Christi, the Catechists and Priest are reflecting on the fact that
5l children [plus three Polish children] received the Sacrament this
year.  If you have any thoughts on
the Programme, or would like to become more
involved, please contact Hywel and Pam Edwards on 867325 or via [email-masked]

YOUTH NEWS:
Aylesford Youth Festival Saturday 7th July 10.30am-8pm. Year 8 and above.  A day of sport, drama, music,
street-dance, sign language, drumming and art!  Cost £8 + £10 coach fare. Coach will pick up at St Benedicts at 8.30am [returning approx.10pm]. To
book, phone John or Carolyn Dobner, Renee Augier at
St Benedicts or at home 01255 880509. If you are planning to go to the World Youth Day, please contact
Theresa or Caroline Higgins to discuss fundraising activities.  The parish will be contributing to the
costs on a match funding basis.  Email Theresa.higgins203@ntlworld,com
or text 07971 270477 or phone 523501. Training
and Resource Day for parishioners working with young people Saturday 22nd
September.  A long way off but
the Youth Office will be in touch  for names and numbers.

CHURCH
CLEANING:  Thanks to those who responded to
Helena’s appeal last week.If there are others
able
to spare 1 hour every 5 weeks and be part of a team, then please
contact Helena Gibson on 794636 [evenings only].  CRB checks will be required.

MONKWICK
COFFEE MORNING:  A coffee morning has been
arranged for Tuesday, 3rd July at the home of Tony Wright, 52 Fingringhoe Road, Colchester from 10 am.  Parking is available.

ECUMENICAL PILGRIMAGE
TO BRADWELL:  The KSC are arranging
transport for this pilgrimage which will be led by Bishop
Thomas and Bishop John of Chelmsford on Saturday next, 7th
July, and Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor is the special guest.  The minibus will leave at 9.30am from outside the Cardinal
Bourne Hall.  To book, contact
John Sutcliffe on 851838.

FRIENDS OF PERU:  Curry Night – Saturday, 7th
July in
the Cardinal Bourne Hall 7pm
– 11pm. Cost
£10 Adults; £5 children.
Please bring your own drinks, glasses will be provided. For any
further information contact 503410 or 867707.

MERSEA
COFFEE MORNINGS:  The next Coffee Morning
will be held on Tuesday July 10th at the home of Veronica Smith, 6
Trinity Close, starting at 10:30am.
All are very welcome.

WALSINGHAM
HOUSE – OPEN HOUSE RETREAT: The Walsingham House team invite young people in
school year 9-13 to relax and unwind at the end of term.  From
13th-15th July come to Walsingham House and spend the weekend in the company of friends, centred on the theme “Come, rest in the
Lord”.  The retreat will be
the usual blend of faith, fun and barbecue! Cost £25. Application forms
available at www.bcys.net or call 01268
515970.

VACANCY
– BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S
SOCIETY:  BCCS wish to appoint a Deputy Director
[Salary between NJC 39-46].
Applicants must be at least 5 years post qualified in Social Work
[CQSW or DSW] and hold a Child Care or equivalent award.  Call 01268 784544 or email [email-masked]
for application pack. Closing date for applications – 18 July 2007.  This post has been advertised
nationally.

PRIESTHOOD
ENQUIRY EVENINGS:  Catholic Priesthood? Come
and join others thinking about the possibility.  On Friday evenings, the monthly
meetings commence throughout the Diocese on 20th July at St Thérèse of Lisieux,
Stansted.  St James the Less will
be hosting the meeting on 12th October.  Please see posters for full details.

MISSA DE ANGELIS:  The next Missa de Angelis will be celebrated on Sunday 29th
July at 6:30pm.

A FEW
CATHOLIC FAMILIES meet on the first Saturday of every month for rosary, prayers and
bible reading in our homes in the Highwoods
area.  It is usually done in
Malayalam, an Indian language.
All are welcome to join us in the prayers.  For venue and timing, please contact
Mr Shiju on 01206 524182.

DAILY:                      Rosary 8.40am; Divine
Mercy 9am [Wednesdays 11.40am]

EVENING
PRAYER:                                                      Monday to Friday 5:45pm

PRAYER
GROUP:                                                              Mondays
8pm in Crypt

MEDITATION
GROUP:                                 Tuesdays
at 8pm at 48 Priory Street

EXPOSITION:                                                                     Saturdays
10am-11am

SICK
PARISHIONERS: Please pray for Emily Begg, June Bickersteth,

Pauline Carter, Ron Collins, Sylvina
de Britto, Marie Dixon, John Fisher, Florence Fuller,
Denisia Gray, Eileen Head, Michelle Huet, Deirdre Kehoe, Catherine Libby, Luke McShane, Sheila Parsons, John Rae, Sheila Shillingford,

Colleen Thurlow, Carole
Stover.

LITURGY FOR THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [C]

Day for Life – July 1st 2007 A.D.

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

Saturday  June 30th

Sunday
July 1st

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Tony Bickersteth RIP

Intentions of Josie MacIsaac

Patrick Clark RIP [WH]

P.M. O’Sullivan RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Peter George RIP

Mile
End

9:15
am

Holy Souls RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Parishioners

Monday 2nd
Feria

Tuesday 3rd

Church                9:15
am  Parents
& Family of Philip & Alice White

Intentions of Clare Adams & Family

St Thomas, Apostle

Church                9:15 am  Stephen Hilton RIP

Wednesday 4th

Thursday 5th

Feria

Church

Feria

Church

12:15pm

9:15 am

Norman Fletcher RIP

Holy Souls RIP

Intentions of Samantha Hilton

Friday 6th

Year 3 - STM

Feria

Church

Monkwick

9:15 am

7:30 pm

Intentions of the Jay Family [1]

The Sanctity of Marriage     [2]

Rt. Rev. James McGuinness
RIP

Saturday 7th

Feria

Church
9:15
am   Private Intention [T & M]

LITURGY FOR THE FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [C]

Sea Sunday – July 8th 2007 A.D.

Saturday  July 7th

Sunday    July 8th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30
am

3:30 pm

5:00 pm

6:30 pm

Joseph and Bridget Loftus RIP

James Connolly RIP

Nicholas Staines RIP

SIGNED MASS

EXPOSITION
AND BENEDICTION

Intentions of the Griffin Family

West Mersea

8:30
am

Parishioners

Mile End

9:15
am

In Thanksgiving [Sebastian]

Monkwick

10:15
am

Holy Souls RIP

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday
10:00-11:00am & 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]

Marriage
Care
www.marriagecare.org.uk
0800 389 3801

The Brentwood
Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No. 234092