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 EPIPHANY
OF THE LORD [B]

January 4th 2009 A.D.

Dear
Friends

In today’s Gospel
we hear Matthew’s classic story of the arrival of strangers in Jerusalem.  Their number is unknown but assumed to
be three from the gifts they bring.
They are called “magi” which variously translates as
astrologers, magicians, wise men.
Whoever they are, their identity is never revealed.  The presence of these strangers, who
are privy to information to which the locals are not, worries Herod, the
chief priests and the scribes. Religious institution and pagan strangers. The
scene is set for conflict. Matthew demonstrates in the story of the magi that
Jesus comes not only for the Jewish race but for the human race and Paul
proclaims: “it means that pagans now share the same
inheritance…parts of the same body…the same promise has been made
to them.”  God draws all
sorts of different people by all sorts of different routes.  The wandering magi were led by God
more by natural wonder than dogmatic instruction, and this has made them
symbols of hope for all who struggle to God by strange routes. Most of us
travel to God by the routes that have been mapped out by generations of
faithful Christians, but we should be hesitant to condemn those who take
other roads in their search for the same God. If we are all exploring God, if
we are journeying in faith and love, then we can teach each other something
new about the Almighty. We may seem strange to each other, but what if the
stranger is the one who has the address of God?

Like the Magi, we, too,
have many gifts.  Part of our
response is deciding which gifts we are going to bring.  “Bringing them” means
developing them, allowing them to guide our lives and lead us to use them
generously.  We claim our shared
inheritance by using our gifts wisely and contemplatively.  In this way, we become more one with
ourselves and our world.

God
bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK  [Check for any changes]

Evening
prayer is Back in the Church – see below

Monday, 5th January   8pm   Prayer Group recommences
Crypt

Wednesday 7th
7pm   SVP Meeting
Presbytery

Thursday 8th
7.30pm RCIA
Meetings recommence
“

“
“
7.30pm Mersea
Parish Meeting

“
“        7:45 for 8pm UCM Meeting [see below]
Crypt

Sunday 11th January 7:30pm Confirmation Meeting [see
below]   Crypt

HOLY FATHER’S
MISSION INTENTION FOR JANUARY:  That all Christian Churches give authentic witness
to the Good News and move toward the full unity of all Christians.

BRENTWOOD
CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY ANNUAL CRIB COLLECTION:  The carefully saved pocket money which the children brought up at the
Family Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve forms part of this annual Crib
Collection.  The total will shortly
be sent to the Children’s Society to help finance the invaluable work
carried out by the Society with children in need in our Diocese

RECENTLY
DECEASED:  Please pray
for the repose of the soul of Sheila Parsons who has died.  Her Memorial Mass will take place at 2.30pm on the 16th
January at Priory Street
and please pray for the repose of the soul of Harry Pink who has died.  May they rest in peace.

UNION OF CATHOLIC
MOTHERS:  The next meeting takes place on Thursday, 8th, in the Crypt
at 7;45pm.
Please do come along and meet other mothers with children of all
ages!  For your diary, future
meetings will be on the second Thursday in the month.

Friday 9th
– Sunday 11th January BCYA New Year Retreat: The Brentwood
Catholic Young Adults would like to invite anyone aged
18 to 30ish to our New Year Retreat held at Douai Abbey, just outside Reading. Sr Judith Russi SMN, a lively and engaging speaker, will be leading
us in a relaxed yet thought provoking time together as we look to the coming
year. If you would like to meet other young adults in the beautiful grounds
of Douai Abbey while taking time to engage with your faith after the
Christmas rush this retreat is for you. For more information or to book
please call Teresa on 01277 265286, email
[email-masked]
or visit our website www.bcys.net/young-adults

CONFIRMATION GROUP:  Following
the recent introductory get-together, the first meeting of  the parish’s Confirmation
Programme 2009 takes place next Sunday, 11th January in the Crypt
at 7;30pm.

MEDITATION GROUP:  Recommences
on Tuesday at 8pm at No. 48
Priory Street.  All are welcome.

SCRIPTURE COURSE:  Under
the direction of Sr Angela Morris, the Scripture Course recommences on
Wednesday, January 14th in the Crypt from 18:45 –
20:45.  All most welcome.

PRIORY ST AMATEUR THEATRE GROUP PRESENT:  “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves”.  In the Cardinal Bourne Hall
on Friday, 16th January and Saturday 17th January at 7:30pm. Plus Matinee on Saturday
at 3pm.  Doors open half an hour before the
performance.  Tickets Adults
£5; Children £2.50.
For information or to book, contact Lesley
on 512310.

OASIS OF PEACE (MARIAN) DAY:  On Saturday January 31st
2009 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 11, Church Hill,
Epping, Essex, CM16 4RA, from 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Includes Mass, Adoration and
Rosary. Bring packed lunch – drinks provided. For more information,
please contact Susan: 01992 575017 or [email-masked]

FRIENDS
OF PERU:
Are holding a Beatle Drive on
Saturday 31st January in the Cardinal Bourne Hall 7:30pm to 10pm.  Pay at the door: Adults £3.50;
children £2.50. [includes hot dog, mince pie,
soft or hot drink].  Children most
welcome.

REPOSITORY
– SALE NOW ON:  The Repository
in the Cardinal Bourne Hall in open each Sunday from 9:30am to 12:15pm with
currently lots of bargains on offer!

Credit Crunch Advice:
The current financial downturn is making life very
difficult for many of us. The Diocesan
Commission for Justice and Social Responsibility and the Marriage and Family
Life Project from the Bishop’s Conference have put together a
leaflet showing sources of help and advice for anyone who is having problems
managing their finances. It covers everything from debt management to
lifestyle changes. If you would like a copy please ask your parish priest or
download from www.dioceseofbrentwood.org/cjsr   More practical help is available
from www.svp.org.uk/02whatwedo/projects.htm
& www.caritas-socialaction.org.uk/pages/member_list.html   Marriage Care national helpline:
0845 660 6000.  Lines open
10.00-16.00 for confidential advice & information.

SICK
PARISHIONERS:  Mary
Pink, Peggy Wilding.

DAILY:
Rosary
8:35am; Divine Mercy 9am [Wednesdays 11:30am]

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

PRAYER
GROUP:                         Mondays
at 8pm in the Crypt

MEDITATION
GROUP:                  Recommences  13.1.09 @ 8pm @ 48 Priory Street

EXPOSITION:
9:45am – 10:30am

PARISH
DIARIES:  If you would like one,
please put a donation of 50p in the Newspaper Box.

IF
YOU ARE NEW TO THE PARISH OR VISITING please introduce yourself to one of the priests after Mass.  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 EPIPHANY OF THE LORD [B]

Holiday of Obligation
- January 4th 2009  A.D.

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

Saturday  January 3rd

Sunday    January 4th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Mr and Mrs P O’Leary RIP

Mark Ridge RIP

Parishioners

Denise Vasconcellos RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

John [Jack] Byrne

Mile
End

9:15
am

D/Rels
& Friends – Knapp Family

Monkwick

10:15 am

Intns. Joan Norman
and Family

Monday
5th

Feria of
Christmastide

Church      9:15 am   Intentions of Jennifer Bebb

Intentions of the O’Dwyer
Family

Tuesday
6th

Feria of
Christmastide

Church
9:15 am    Bridget Frawley
RIP

Wednesday
7th

Feria of
Christmastide

Church     12:15 pm        Mary Sebastian RIP

Deirdre
Kehoe RIP

Thursday
8th

Feria of
Christmastide

Church      9:15 am      Madge Power RIP

Friday
9th

Feria of
Christmastide

Church      9:15 am        Intentions of Mary O’Toole RIP

Intentions of Mr and Mrs Pickard

Saturday 10th       Feria of Christmastide

Church       9:15
am    Holy Souls RIP

LITURGY FOR THE
BAPTISM OF THE LORD [B]

11TH January 2009 A.D.

Saturday   January 10th

Sunday     January  11th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

2:00 pm

3:30 pm

5:00 pm

6:30 pm

Michael McInerney RIP

Intns Mrs G Cottee & Family

Doris and Tony Murphy RIP

POLISH
MASS

SIGNED
MASS

HOLY
HOUR

Mary and Ron Brocknan RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Intentions of Nicholas
Hennessy

Mile
End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15
am

Deceased Rels. of Joan Norman

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