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

TWENTY - THIRD SUNDAY  OF THEYEAR [B]

September 10th
2006 A.D.

Dear Friends

In today’s second reading, which comes from
the letter of St. James, we hear this simple advice: “My brothers, do
not try to combine faith in Jesus Christ, our glorified Lord, with the making
of distinctions between classes of people.”  The letter goes on to criticise the attitude which presumes that the well
dressed man who enters the synagogue, with gold ring glinting its own
message, naturally deserves more attention and care than the poor man who
enters at the same time,  If
preference is going to be made, it should reflect the declared preference of
God: he chose those who are poor according to the world, to be rich in faith
and to be heirs of the kingdom he promises

God’s preference for those who are poor
according to this world is seen clearly in today’s Gospel.  Jesus comes face to face with a deaf
man who had a speech impediment.
The man is doubly afflicted: he is a Gentile, hence regarded by
orthodox Jews as unclean, and is also physically handicapped.  Jesus takes him aside, away from the
crowd, and cures his deafness and his stutter.  Mark emphasises
the response of the crowd, who publish their judgement
that Jesus has done all things well.
Thus the messianic prophecy of Isaiah heard in the first reading is
seen to be fulfilled: the ears of the deaf are unsealed and the tongues of
the dumb sing for joy.

Out of his infinite passion Jesus’ love is
available to everyone, without the presuppositions or any conditions.  He is not disconcerted by the
handicapped; neither is he prejudiced against those not of his own race or
religion.  His own uniqueness is
not employed to lord it over others, but to be of service to them.  In his presence no one has to conceal
his handicap, no one has to remain isolated in a  wordless world,  no one has to be rejected because of
his difference.  Jesus’
acceptance and love open up new possibilities;  for him, nothing is
settled.  Prejudice, on the other
hand, tries to settle everything.

God bless

**************************************************

EVENTS THIS WEEK:   Tue 12th Sept: 10.30am Mersea Coffee Morning

Wed: 13th  7.30pm Priory St. Theatre Group
Auditions - Pantomime

Wed:  7.30pm S.V.P. Meeting

Thu: 7.00pm Monkwick Church
Meeting

RECENTLY DECEASED: Please pray for the repose of  the souls of Mary Poole, Catherine White and Ellen Barnes who
died recently.  May they rest in peace.

THE NEXT BAPTISM COURSE has been arranged on the evenings of  Thursday 21st
September and Tuesday 26th September in the Crypt at 7.30pm.  If you wish to present a child for
baptism, there is no need to make an appointment. Just turn up. Both
Sessions must be attended and the date of the baptism will be
arranged during the Course.

FIRST
HOLY COMMUNION 2006-7:  If you have a child
in Year 3 or above and are interested in our Parish’s First Communion
programme, details will be announced in the Newsletter in due course.  Children’s sessions will take
place on Saturday mornings between 10am
and 12 noon
in the Cardinal Bourne Hall.

HISTORIC
CHURCHES TRUST SPONSORED BIKE RIDE: Geoffrey, one of our
Organists took part in this Bike Ride yesterday,  9th September, and
is looking for sponsors….
Please contact him on 860242 if you would like to contribute.

MERCY ASSOCIATES:  The next Meeting will take place on Monday 11th September
at 7.30pm. Contact
Deirdre Fordham on 763049.

MERSEA COFFEE MORNING:  On Tuesday 12th September from 10.30am at 12 Queen Anne
Gardens, West Mersea, the home of Maria Kelly. Come and join us.

MISSA de ANGELIS [LATIN] MASS: will be celebrated at the 10.30am Mass in Priory Street on Sunday September 17th.
Please note the Mass is of the New Rite
and is not a Tridentine Mass.

MONKWICK DAY: Tuesday 19th September is the patronal
feast of St Theodore of Canterbury
and Mass will be celebrated at Monkwick at 7pm. Visits in the area by the clergy will take place
during the day.  If you are aware
of anyone
particularly in
need of a visit, please telephone the Parish Office.

CLERGY COFFEE MORNING: On Wednesday, 20th September from 10.30am in the Presbytery Courtyard
Garden. Mass will be at
10am.  Entry, via the Garden Gate, at
£3.50.  All proceeds to the
Refurbishment Fund and “baked” donations also gratefully
received.

PARISH WEB SITE  For ALL
contact, inclusions etc., -  please contact Donald Clarke.  His e mail
address is [email-masked].  Otherwise Donald may be contacted via
the Presbytery. Please leave envelopes for him.

TABLE QUIZ – organised by the
KSC will be held in the Cardinal Bourne Hall, Priory St., after Mass on Sat. 7th
October.  All proceeds to our fund
to help

others.  Tickets £4, including light
refreshments.  Bar available.  To book ring Ron on 797850 or just
turn up on the evening.

WEEKDAY MASSES QUESTIONNAIRE:  Recently
there have been a few comments made about the time of weekday Masses.  In order to gain the views of those
who do attend in the week and also those who would wish to attend but cannot
at the present time, a questionnaire has been devised for you to complete and
return by Saturday 16th September.  The clergy of the parish will then
decide the best way forward.  The
forms are to be found on the Notice Board above the Newspaper table in the
porch.

DAILY;
Rosary
– 8.40am; Divine Mercy – 9.00am

EVENING PRAYER:       N.B.
– 25th September at 48 Priory Street – 5.45pm

PRAYER GROUP:
Mondays at 8pm in
the Crypt

MEDITATION GROUP:
Tuesdays at 48 Priory
Street – 8pm

EXPOSITION:
Saturdays 10am – 11am

SICK PARISHIONERS:  Please pray for Emily Begg, June Bickersteth, Tony Bickersteth, Sylvina de Britto, Marie Dixon,
John Fisher, Denisia Gray, Richard Hadcock, Eileen Head, Michelle Huet,
Deirdre Kehoe, Catherine Libby, Luke McShane, John
Rae, Sheila Shillingford, Carole
Stover.

FINANCES: Last week you
gave £1,594 plus standing orders of £487.  Thank you very much

PRIORY
STREET THEATRE GROUP are holding
auditions for their Pantomine
on Wednesday 13th September at 7.30pm in the Cardinal Bourne Hall, Priory St. Why not come and join in the
fun!  Minimum age 15 years
old.  Contact Lesley on 512310 or
Claire 540450 for more details.

MUSIC
GROUP returns to 10.30 Mass on Sunday 17th September.  The first rehearsal is to be held on
Thursday 14th September at 7.30pm
in the Church.  New members
(singers or musicians) welcome.
More information from Tim
on 512310.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOC:  The Director and Trustees invite you
to their Annual Mass at 3.30pm
Saturday 30th September, St.
Antony’s Road, Forest Gate, London E7 9QB. Light refreshments will be
available afterwards.  Everyone
welcome.

CHURCH
CLEANING:  Thursday, 14th
September – Team 3

RUN
FOR A CHILD – 23rd September:  After last years success the Brentwood
Catholic Children’s Soc., are again holding ‘Run for a
Child’/  This is to take
place on Saturday 23rd September at 10.00am in Hastingwood,
near Harlow, Essex.

We are looking for one
runner to represent our Parish in running this 5 mile course.  We ask our parishioners to support our
representative by donating just £1.  If every parishioner across the
Diocese donated £1, thousands could be raised to help the Brentwood
Catholic Children’s Society help children in need in our Diocese. The
Run is open to all and if you are keen to take part and raise vital funds
then please register by 15th
September.  To register or
obtain more information, please call Nick Appleby
on 01268 784544 or visit www.bccs.org.uk.

Please do not hesitate, just
think that you will be doing something wonderful for the neediest children in
our Diocese.

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

September 10th  2006  RACIAL
JUSTICE DAY

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

Saturday September 9th

Sunday   September 10th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

3:30 pm

6:30 pm

Mr
& Mrs Milford RIP

Peter
Connaghan RIP

Intentions
of Brelu-Brelu Family

SIGNED MASS

Intentions
of Kotarski Family

West Mersea

8:30 am

Parishioners

Mile End

9:15
am

Bob
McLaren RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Donor’s
Intention

Monday 11th
Feria

Church

9:15 am

Fred. Eliz. & Angelo Lucas RIP

Tuesday 12th

Feria

Church               9:15
am    Poor Souls RIP

Wed.    13th

Thursday 14th

Friday 15th

Feria

Church

Feria

Church

9:15 am

Feast of

9:15 am

St. John Chrysostom

In
Thanksgiving       (Fuller)

THE EXALTATION OF THE CROSS

Canon
John Bloomfield RIP

Our Lady of Sorrows

Saturday 16th

Church

Feria

11,00 am

Mary Poole RIP    REQUIEM

SS Cornelius and Cyprian

Church

9:15 am

Brigid
Hennessy RIP

LITURGY
FOR THE TWENTY- FOURTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [B]

Home Mission Day -  September 17th 2006 A.D.

Saturday
September 16th

Sunday    September 17th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

Intentions
Margaret & Paul Everett

Sarah
Betts RIP

10:30 am

6.30 pm

Marie
and Pierie Imbert RIP

Intentions
of Mrs. T. Matiz

West Mersea

8:30 am

Intentions
of Ita Hennessy

Mile End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15
am

Holy Souls RIP

SACRAMENT OF
RECONCILIATION

Saturday 10:00-11:00am & 5:30-6:00pm

SACRAMENT OF
BAPTISM

See Newsletter for next Baptismal Course+

SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE
At least Six Months Notice
is required

SCHOOLS

St. Thomas More   - Head:   Bridget Harris (865722)

St. Benedict’s
-Head:   Alan
Whelan   (549222)

The Brentwood
Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity
No. 234092