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 TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY
OF THE YEAR [A]

October 5th  2008 A.D.

Dear Friends,

Speakers’ Corner in London is a place where anyone can exercise
the right to freedom of speech, no matter how outrageous their beliefs.  The many speakers harangue passers-by
with their views about everything but the majority speak about religion,
working on the theory that the louder they shout the more they will convince
people.  But one man stands there,
saying nothing.  On a placard,
paraphrasing the prophet Amos, is written “God says this: “Stuff Religion.  Do justice”.  Among the clamour, this man’s
silent witness speaks eloquently.
He is echoing the message of Jesus to us all.  Religion without justice and integrity
is a vineyard without wine, a waste of time and space. His message is borne
out by today’s readings.
God often spoke of his Chosen People as a vineyard which he planted
and cares for.  But the privilege
of being the Chosen People brings the responsibility of producing the fruit
which God expects from his people.
The choice wine of justice and integrity.  Isaiah laments that this vineyard has
not produced the expected fruit but the sour wine of bloodshed, distress,
injustice and oppression.  Jesus
accuses the religious leaders of the day of abusing their responsibility, of
focusing on religion at the expense of justice.

When people ask us what it means to be Catholic
do we speak of religious faith and practice; of prayer, Mass, the sacraments?
Fine, but there needs to be more by way of underpinning – a desire for
justice.  Put simply, it means
accepting Jesus’ challenge to put our faith into practice daily by
allowing the word of God in Scripture, in homilies, in the witness of other
Christians, to confront our lives, influence our choices, challenge our
attitudes and prejudices, expose our selfishness, question our commitments
and relationships.  If we desire
to belong to his kingdom, our lives should be characterised by justice and
integrity.  Because when we do
– then we have found true religion.

God Bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Tuesday
October 7th        7:30pm   Rosary    [see below]    Priory Street

Wednesday
October 8th   6:45-9pm
Scripture Course
Crypt

“
“
“     7pm    Committee Meeting
Monkwick

HOLY
FATHER’S MISSION INTENTION FOR
OCTOBER:  That in this month dedicated to world
mission, every Christian community may share in the Church’s universal
mission with prayers, sacrifices and material help.

RECENTLY
DECEASED:  Please pray for the repose of the soul of
Joan Sturgiss and Margaret Zupan.
May they rest in peace.

ST
BENEDICT’S COLLEGE APPLICATION FORMS:   The dates and times for  appointments for Fr Joseph to sign the
Priest’s Reference Forms are as follows        Friday
17th October
10.00am – 12:30pm

Friday 24th October
2:30pm –  4:30pm

Monday 27th October
10:00am – 12:30pm

Please call Diana [on a Monday, Tuesday or Friday]
to book an appointment.

THANK
YOU:  A very big thank you to everyone who supported the
Friends of Peru
“Curry Night” which raised £723.60 for the Sisters
of Mercy in Peru.

CHRISTMAS
MARKET: There will a Parish Christmas
Market this year on November 22nd 2008. Lots of energy and ideas
but more volunteers needed.  All
ages and talents welcome. Please contact Frances on 369568. The next
Meeting will be today after the 10:30 Mass.

KSC –
OCTOBER ROSARY DATES/VENUES:  Tuesday 7th at 7:30pm: 14th
October, at 7pm prior to Mass at 7:30pm here at Priory Street;
Wednesday 22nd October 7pm at St Teresa’s[ followed by
cheese & wine]; Friday 31st at Greenstead – this latter
date/details are yet to be confirmed.

BAPTISM
COURSE FOR OLDER CHILDREN AGED 6 AND ABOVE:  If you
have a child/children aged 6 or above who wish to be baptised as a Catholic,
then please contact Diana, the Parish secretary. So that these children
understand what the Sacrament of Baptism entails, a Course of approximately 8
hourly sessions will commence on Friday, 10th October from 4pm – 5pm in the Crypt.

WANT
TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH?:   A programme for anyone who wants to find out more
and who may wish to consider becoming a Catholic is about to start.  This Journey in Faith [RCIA] will
commence on Thursday, October 16th, at 7:30pm in the Crypt here at Priory Street.  Enquiries to Cathy O’Connor on
01206 501146, or just turn up on the evening.

MERSEA NEWS:  Many thanks to Maureen Fenning for hosting our September coffee
morning.  We all enjoyed the day
with friends.  The next date for
your diaries – October 14th is at the home of Sue Jenner.
This will be our last coffee morning this year.

THE EUCHARIST IN ORTHODOX SPIRITUAL
LIFE:  A talk given by Fr Melchisedec Toronen from the
Community of St John the Baptist Orthodox Ministry, Tolleshunt Knights, on
Tuesday 14th October at the Cathedral Conference Centre from
7:30pm – 9:15pm.  For more
details/bookings: 01277 265219/257 or email
[email-masked]

CONCERT: We are delighted to welcome back the CAVENDISH CONSORT who will be
giving a performance of their HARVEST HOME programme on Saturday 25 October at 8pm
in the Church.   This promises to be a lively and entertaining
event consisting of 18th century English country songs and dances to
celebrate the Autumn season.  Admission £5 (adults) £3.50
(concessions) payable at the door - don't miss it!

MARRIAGE
ENCOUNTER WEEKEND:  31ST October
– 2nd November in Codicote, Herts. Contact T &M Hunt on
01442 393838 or www.wwme.org.uk . These
weekends are not for those with marriage difficulties.  For details of Marriagecare see
below.  An Engaged Encounter
Weekend is running at London,
Colney the same weekend.  Contact
P & P Haynes -  01279 652411.

MARRIAGECARE:
Is now offering relationship counselling
in the Colchester and Ipswich area.  To make an appointment phone 0800 389
3801. Chaperones are urgently needed for counselling sessions as rules
require one to be on the premises. If you can spare an hour now and then as
part of a chaperone team –and it’s a good way of spending an hour
catching up with reading in a restful environment! – please phone Cathy
on 01206 867591. Marriage Care would be pleased to also hear from anyone
wishing to become involved in the local management team or in Marriage
Preparation Work [training given].
For more details contact Jane Perryman on 01142 3733301 or [email-masked]

HOLY LAND
PILGRIMAGE: For 7 nights – Wednesday 5th November to Wednesday 12th
November 2008.  Cost: £625
half-board including flights and some excursions.  Excludes Insurance and single room
supplement.  For further details,
please contact Carmen URGENTLY on 07754 163007; 01277 821886 [landline] or
see Fr Joseph.

Holy Land 2009 – Diocesan
Pilgrimage May 25th – June 1st. The Commission for Justice and Social
Responsibility is organising a pilgrimage to the Holy
Land with a difference. Not only will we visit many of the
significant sites we also hope meet with the Palestinian parishes and
families from the now dwindling Christian Community, many of whom live in a
situation where basic human rights are ignored. Places are limited so if you
are interested please contact Phil Butcher, 01277 265290 or e-mail [email-masked]

LOURDES BY AIR FROM STANSTED FOR CLOSE OF JUBILEE YEAR: December 6th-9th.  F/B: Hotel Saint-Sauveur.  £425 single room: Price
conditional on Ryanair flight being less than £100 at time of booking.
Otherwise £295/325 plus flight at advised price.  Contact Siobhan Freker [Wanstead
parishioner] on 07932 634589 or [email-masked]

SICK  PARISHIONER: Yvette Hughes.  Please let Fr Joseph know of anyone
who is seriously ill or whose health has recently markedly declined and who
is happy for their name to be included in the Parish Sick List.

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:
Tuesdays
at 8pm at No.48 Priory Street

EXPOSITION:                                                                         Saturdays 10am – 11am

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.

LITURGY FOR THE
TWENTY-SEVENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

October 5th  2008
A.D.

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

Saturday
October 4th

Sunday
October 5th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Christina Mooney RIP

Intentions of Sr Helen [PG]

Cora Allard RIP

Intentions of Sr Helen [JH]

West Mersea

8:30
am

Lenny Clark RIP [M&AB]

Mile
End

9:15
am

Michael Stammers RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Parishioners

Monday  6th

Feria

Church      12:30pm  REQUIEM – MARY JONES RIP

Tuesday 7th

Our Lady of the Rosary

Church      9:15 am   Dr E P
Solomon

Church      7:30 pm   Rosary

Wednesday 8th

St Osyth, Rel.

Church      12:15 pm  Alexandra Matthew RIP

Thursday 9th

Feria

Church
1:35 pm REQUIEM – JOAN STURGISS RIP

Friday 10th

Feria

Church
9:15 am  Doris Murphy RIP

Church       4:00 pm  WEDDING
– HELEN AND JAMES

Saturday 11th       St Ethelburga, Hildelithe and Cuthburga, Rel.

Church                      NO
MASS

LITURGY FOR THE TWENTY-EIGHTH
SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A)

October12th 2008
A.D.

Saturday   October 11th

Sunday     October 12th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

2:00 pm

3:30 pm

5:00 pm

6:30 pm

Pierre & Myriam Imbert RIP

Intentions of Mrs J Pauk

Patrick Burke RIP

POLISH MASS

SIGNED MASS

HOLY HOUR

Baby Gabriel Ledwidge RIP [A]

West Mersea

8:30
am

Parishioners

Mile End

9:15
am

Kathleen Hannan RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Maria Lumsden RIP

SACRAMENT
OF RECONCILIATION      Saturday 10:00-11:00 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