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 FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF
THE YEAR [A]

JULY 6th   2008

Dear Friends,

The confusion
of good and evil in our nature is well depicted by Robert Louis
Stevenson.  In his stories many of
the characters are a complex mix of good and evil, none more so than Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.  Are we saints or sinners?  It would seem we are both at the same
time.  St Paul eloquently speaks about this
struggle in the reading today from his letter to the Romans.  The hateful part of his nature he
calls his “unspiritual self”.  His inmost, true self is his
“spiritual self”.  The
human struggle is common to us all, but what will the outcome be?  A matter of chance or a matter of
choice?  St Paul says it’s a matter of choice;
God’s choice of us and in response, our choice of God.  The God who breathed new life into the
body of Jesus in his resurrection will also breathe new life into us to
redeem us from the works of death.
So there is no need, no absolute compulsion for us to be wicked or to
do the deeds of darkness.  It was
pride that prevented so many people from accepting Jesus when they met
him.  The Scribes and the
Pharisees were the great culprits.
Remember that in Jesus’ time there were whole groups of people
who were dismissed as sinners simply because of their occupation –
shepherds, donkey-drivers, tax collectors.  All were deprived of civil rights,
forbidden entry to the synagogue etc., but Jesus has a word for them:
“Come to me…learn from me…and you will find rest for your
souls.”  The humble
fishermen of Galilee proved to be wise in
their acceptance.  The learned and
the clever missed their opportunity.
It was “mere children” who really understood the mysteries
of life.  Awareness of sin,
especially of pride, is healthy for our spiritual life.  Humility is the beginning of wisdom.

God
bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Tuesday
8th July
7:30pm        KSC Mass
Priory St

Wednesday
9th July
7pm
SVP Meeting
Presbytery

HOLY FATHER’S MISSION INTENTION FOR JULY:  That
World Youth Day in Australia may kindle the fire of divine love in young
people, making them heralds of hope for a new humanity.

RECENT BAPTISMS: Tyler D’Brass,  Nolan Pereira and
Janelle-Charmaine Torres.  God bless these children and congratulations to their families.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNIONS AT MERSEA: Congratulations to Edward Gibson, Madeleine Jacobs and Jessica Velazquez
who made their First Holy Communion at St Cedds last Sunday.

CAFOD VACANCY:  Live Simply Outreach Co-ordinator. Received
too late for last week’s Newsletter, this vacancy is fully detailed in
the porch.  Closing date 7th
July,  for
interviews in London
on 16th  July.

MERSEA COFFEE MORNINGS:  There is a
change of venue for the next Coffee Morning which takes place on
Tuesday [8th].  It is
now at the home of Margaret Brookes, 71 Queen Anne Road from 10.30 –
12.  All are very welcome.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC
CHILDREN’S SOCIETY: based in Rayleigh, has
a vacancy for an experienced part-time Administrative Assistant, 15 hours per
week, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 12 – 5pm, £8.00 per hour.
The successful applicant will be computer literate, organised
and enthusiastic.  If you are interested in joining our small friendly
team and would like more information, please contact Theresa on 01268
784544.  Closing date 11th July 2008.

THE ESSEX RECUSANT
SOCIETY will
be having an outing on Saturday 12th July to which all are welcome. We will
meet at the church
of Our Lady Immaculate,
New London Road, Chelmsford at 2 p.m. Fr. Stewart Foster will give a talk
and a guided tour of the church. If you are coming please contact Isobel
Parks on 01268 289678."

WORLD
CHURCH SUNDAY 13th JULY;  At St
Botolph’s Church from 7pm will be
representatives from various Churches and at 8pm there is an ecumenical
service which will welcome from India, Anglican Bishop Devakadsham
, and others involved in India and Africa.

MERCY
ASSOCIATES:  The next Meeting will be
held on Monday, 14th July at 7:30pm and Christ Church Court.  Tel: 763049.

UNION OF
CATHOLIC MOTHERS: An inaugural meeting has now been arranged for Thursday, 17th
July at 7pm in the Crypt.  All are
welcome.

DIOCESAN VACANCY: Headteacher. Leadership scale L20 – 26 (negotiable
depending on skills and experience) + Relocation allowance if appropriate. Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary, St John’s RC Special School, Woodford
Bridge, Essex. For more information and an application form see our website
at www.stjohnsrcschool.org; to
book a visit or receive a pack by post please ring Margaret on 02085 041818.
Closing date 18th July, short listing 21st
July, interviews on 16th and 17th September.

MONKWICK NEWS: In aid of St
Theodore’s, a coffee morning has been arranged on Saturday, 19th
July at 3 Adelaide Drive
from 10am.  All are welcome.

OASIS OF PEACE (MEDJUGORJE) DAY:
On Saturday July 26th 2008

With
Fr. Seamus Keenan 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]

BRENTWOOD DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES (July
26th-August 1st 2008):  A Senior Medical Practitioner/General
Practitioner who would be willing to assist another Doctor in providing
medical cover to registered sick/disabled Pilgrims whilst on Pilgrimage is
being actively sought. You would be joining a team of volunteers who consist
of Registered nurses and helpers who provide care and assistance as necessary,
to pilgrims in their hotel/s. Those people who require assistance are
accommodated with the main body of the Pilgrimage predominantly between two
designated hotels close to the Grotto.
If you would like further information please contact Phyllis Keating
(Chief Nursing Officer) on 07900918039

HELP
URGENTLY NEEDED: With the Repository on a Sunday morning.  If you are able to lend a hand, please
see Simon Chaplin in the hall after the 10.30 Mass on a Sunday.

HYMN BOOK
AMNESTY:  Please search your
cupboards etc., and see if you have a hymn book[s] lurking at home,
particularly any Melody and Organist editions.  Return them to the church and no
questions will be asked!

SICK
PARISHIONERS: Please pray for Emily Begg, June Bickersteth, Marie Dixon, John Fisher, Anne Gardiner, Denisia Gray, Maria Hanak,
Eileen Head, Michelle Huet, Catherine Libby, Sheila
Parsons, Mary and Harry Pink, John
Rae, Alwyn Stains, Carole Stover, Peggy Wilding.

Please be reminded that, because of the
Data Protection Act, we are not advised by hospital staff of Catholic
inpatients. If you have family or friends who have been admitted to
hospital and who would like a visit, do let one
of the priests know.

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

FINANCES
FOR:  May: AWC [incl
STOs] £2201, CAFOD £990, Donation
£120; Sick Clergy Fund £847; FHC Donations £170. OUT:
£2500 Diocese, £1100 roof repairs to Priory St, £2131 gas [ex Hall], £529 Fire Ext. maintenance [ex Hall].  June:
AWC £2188, CAFOD
£1126, FHC Donations £471, SVP Colln
£847, Clergy Coffee Morning £298, Lenten Lunches £65,
Donations £1,100, Day for Life Colln. £629.  OUT: £2500 Diocese, £410
gas [ex Hall].

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
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

July 6th 2008 A.D.

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

Saturday  July 5th

Sunday
July 6th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Mr, Mrs
& Angela Bochan RIP

Margaret Parkinson RIP

Irene Stageman RIP

Private Intention

West Mersea

8:30
am

Edward, Madeleine and Jessica [FHC]

Mile
End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15 am

Intentions of Sr Anne
McGuiness

Monday 7th

Feria

Church      9:15
am   Sarah Ruane RIP

Tuesday 8th

N.B.

Feria

Church     10:00 am   REQUIEM – KEVIN ELLIOTT RIP

Church       7:30 pm   KSC Mass

Wednesday 9th

Feria

Church    12:15 pm   Fr Liam Armour
RIP

Thursday 10th

St Thomas, Apostle

Church      9:15 am   Deirdre Kehoe RIP

Friday 11th

ST BENEDICT, Ab. PATRON
OF EUROPE

Church      9:15 am   William and Eva Richards
RIP

Alan Walker RIP

Saturday 12th        Feria

Church      9:15
am   Michael and Pat Conlon RIP

LITURGY FOR THE FIFTEENTH
SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

July 13th 2008 A.D.

Saturday July 12th

Sunday   July 13th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

2:00
pm

3:30 pm

5:00 pm

6:30 pm

Pierre and Myriam Imbert RIP

Brigid Lowe RIP

Reginald Hammond RIP [A]

POLISH MASS

SIGNED MASS

HOLY HOUR

Christopher Cooke RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Decd. Relatives – Ashmore
Family

Mile End

9:15
am

Sean Keane RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Parishioners

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]

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

Vocations                                               www.brentwoodvocations.org

The Brentwood
Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No. 234092