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-THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

September 7th 2008

Dear Friends,

After years of apartheid, the election of Nelson Mandela as South Africa’s first black president in 1994 was astonishing.  It brought home to the whole world the reality that racial injustice and oppression could be effectively challenged. It marked a turning point in history, a move towards freedom and democracy for all South Africans, whatever their ethnic background, and the beginning of a process of identifying wrong as a way towards reconciliation.  For any community to come to terms with wrongdoing is no simple task.  How the Christian community deals with wrongdoing raises important questions which today’s readings shed some light upon.  It would be false to see Jesus’ instructions as different ways of trying to exclude troublemakers.  On the contrary, they place tremendous responsibility on the Christian community, smaller groups and individuals, to do everything to achieve reconciliation and restore unity.  Paul reminds us that all the individual commandments can be reduced to the one fundamental commandment to love.  The rules against adultery, murder, theft, jealousy and so on, are all applications of this most basic commandment in specific circumstances of life. Ezekiel reminds us that the vocation of the prophet was to warn people when their behaviour might be damaging.  Similarly, Jesus calls each member of the Christian community to look out for their brothers and sisters, redirecting them towards the way of his life and love.  For us, today, to understand the meaning of these readings we need to examine our lives against the most basic commandment to love; to think about how we support each other in trying to live faithfully according to Jesus’ teaching; to reflect on our attitude towards those who have got things wrong and made mistakes.  How do we welcome them?  Our motive and manner can only ever be that of love because “love is the one thing that cannot hurt our neighbour”.                                                              God bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

N.B. Evening Prayer at No 48 this week and see changes to Mass Schedule

Monday 8th September      7:30pm    Mercy Associates Meeting   See Below

Tuesday September 9th   10:30am    Mersea Coffee Morning       See Below

Wednesday, 10th               ]

Friday 12th                         ]   Priory Street Theatre Group             See Below

Saturday 13th September  ]

TO FRS JOSEPH, BRETT, PHILIP, PAUL AND PARISHIONERS:  My warmest gratitude for your quiet, ongoing support during my time among you, especially during the long days when I neither looked nor felt too bright!! Your prayers and love brought the colour back to my cheeks and firmed up my step once more.  THANK YOU.  It has been a privilege for me to live and minister among you here in Colchester, the last five and a half years on my own in rented accommodation.  You have been my Community and inspiration during this time.  Now the call for me is back to Community.  At the beginning of September, when it’s back to school time for the younger ages, it’s back to Community time for me!  I look forward to going to our small Community of three Sisters in Poplar, East London.  Please continue to remember me as I will the people and priests of Priory Street.                                      SR HELEN

THANK YOU TO TONY WRIGHT:  For hosting the Monkwick coffee morning and thanks to all who attended.  Together with donations received, the sum of £80 was raised.

BAPTISM TODAY:  Peyton Taylor and Lance Miano. God bless these children and congratulations to their families.

RECENTLY DECEASED:  Please pay for the repose of the soul of Bridget Jowers who has recently died.  Her Requiem will take place on Friday 12th September at Mersea at 12 noon.  May she rest in peace.

HELP URGENTLY NEEDED FOR SATURDAY SOUP RUN: Two more sandwich makers and two more drivers are needed as soon as possible to enable the existing helpers more time between their shifts!  Please contact Claire on 765926 if you can spare some time.

MERCY ASSOCIATES:  The next meeting takes place on Monday, 8th September at 7:30pm at Christ Church Court.  Tel: 763049.

MERSEA NEWS:  The next coffee morning will take place on September 9th from 10:30 to 12.00 at the home of Maureen Fennings, 11 Kingsland Road.  All welcome.

PRIORY STREET THEATRE GROUP presents “Musical Memories”.  In the Cardinal Bourne Hall on Wednesday, 10th, Friday 12th and Saturday 13th September at 7:30pm.  Doors open at 7pm.  Tickets £5 per adult; concessions and children £3.  Tickets available on the door.  For more information, please contact Lesley on 512310.

MUSIC GROUP PRACTICE:  Music Group practice recommences on Thursday, 11th September at 7:30pm in the Church.   Anyone interested in joining us to sing or play an instrument at 10:30 Mass on a Sunday, please come along.  For more information contact Tim on 01206 512310.

SCRIPTURE COURSE:  The Scripture Course, under the direction of Sr Angela, will recommence on Wednesday, 17th September in the Crypt from 7pm to 9pm and will be studying the Gospel according to Mark.

COFFEE MORNING AT 51 PRIORY STREET:  On Friday 3rd October from 10am to 12pm.  In the garden if fine; in the Hall if wet!  Entry £5. The proceeds will go towards the cost of repainting the Presbytery front door.  Please come and support our latest fundraising enterprise for your parish.

BAPTISM COURSE:  The dates for the next Baptism Course have now been arranged: Wednesday 24th September and Friday, 3rd October in the Crypt at 7:30pm. If you wish to present a child for Baptism no appointment is necessary, just turn up to the Course but both Sessions must attended and the date of the baptism will be arranged during the Course.

DAY OF RECONCILATION AND PRAYER: At Clare Priory, Nr Long Melford on Saturday 27th September. Organised by the Knights of St Columba, Colchester.  Cost £12, which includes Soup, Coffee/Teas.  There will be Mass and Benediction. You could also bring a packed lunch.  Start 10am.  Own transport or lifts arranged.  To book, contact Bill de Smith on 01206 767597.

SVP HEALING MASS AND TEA PARTY:  This event will take place on the 27th September.  Mass will be celebrated at 2pm followed by a Senior Citizens Tea Party.  To book, please phone Anna on 242170 or Ann on 844914.

ABBOTSWICK EVENTS:  “Unwrapping your Gifts and Discerning your Call” – a weekend retreat for young adults aged 18-38 on Friday 10th October to Sunday 12th October. Call 01277 373848 or visit www.free2become.org .  “Collaborative Ministry” - a 3 day course for anyone involved in parish work, mission or evangelization on Saturday 18th October to Monday 20th October. Call 01277 373959 or visit www.abbotswick.org

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, contact Carmen on 07754 163007; 01277 821886 [landline] or see Fr Joseph.

“MISSION TODAY”  The latest quarterly booklet published by APF is now available in the porch

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

EVENING PRAYER:                      See Events this week

PRAYER GROUP:                         Mondays at 8pm in the Crypt

MEDITATION GROUP:                 Tuesdays at 8pm at No.48 Priory Street

EXPOSITION:     NOT  13.9.08   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.

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

September 7th 2008 A.D.

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

Saturday  September 6th

Sunday   September 7th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

6:30 pm

George, Cora & Lester Allard RIP

Parishioners

Intentions of Deirdre Fordham

Mr & Mrs Milford RIP

West Mersea

8:30 am

Intentions of Eileen Galea

Mile End

9:15 am

Michael Stammers RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Sheila Shillingford RIP

Monday  8th

THE BIRTHDAY OF OUR LADY  Feast

Church       9:15 am  Intentions of Mrs J Pauk

Tuesday 9th

Feria

Church       9:15 am   Dr E Solomon RIP [Rosary Group]

Wednesday 10th

Feria

Church        9:15 am  Cessina Vaz RIP

Thursday 11th

Feria

Church       9:15 am  Thanksgiving for the life of Ray Gardner

Friday 12th

Feria

Church       9:15 am   Patrick Reilly RIP [MH]

Mersea     12:00 pm   REQUIEM – BRIDGET JOWERS RIP

Saturday 13th        St John Chrysostom, Bp. D.

Church       NO MASS OR EXPOSITION

LITURGY FOR THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS

September 14 th2008 A.D.

Saturday September 13th

Sunday   September 14th

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

D/Relatives of the Lowe Family

Intentions of Mr & Mrs Mattoch

POLISH MASS

SIGNED MASS

HOLY HOUR

Intentions of Rita & Max Milford

West Mersea

8:30 am

Emma Williams RIP [MH]

Mile End

9:15 am

Intns. of Coyle & Wright Families

Monkwick

10:15 am

Parishioners

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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