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 BAPTISM OF
THE LORD [B]

January 11th 2009 A.D.

Dear
Friends

Our principal guide to
the story of Jesus during this liturgical year is the evangelist, Mark.  One of the great thinkers of early
Christianity, he was the first Christian to put into writing his version of
Jesus’ story.  Because the
early communities were still in the presence of the apostles and because they
believed Jesus would imminently return, it was not felt necessary to preserve
a written memory.  Some thirty
years after the death of Jesus, this viewpoint changed.  Now it became important to assemble
the stories and Mark is the first to do this; he invented the Gospel.  Interestingly, when Matthew and Luke
come later to write their Gospels, they begin with the birth of Jesus, the
Christmas stories so familiar to us. In sharp contrast, Mark chooses to begin
with the baptism of the adult, Jesus.
The beginning that Jesus makes in public is the beginning that Mark
makes for his Gospel.

Jesus’ baptism
denotes a significant time for him personally; he experiences his call to
mission, he is grasped by the Spirit of God, he is recognised as the chosen servant and Son.   Through Jesus’ new
beginning is God’s new beginning; through the person of Jesus, God will
reach out to people in a new way.
Whatever Jesus does will be accomplished by the power of God’s
Spirit in him.  That is the
significance of his baptism.
That same spirit empowered us in our baptism.  Our name was given to us; our
commitment spoken for us; our future was promised to God.  What started at our christening needs
to be validated by our personal decisions.  We have not left our baptism behind
us; it faces us each day as God’s expectation of us and when we face
change and important decisions, the Spirit of God is the power behind new
beginnings.  If we are willing to
begin, he is there to grace our new venture in faith.

God
bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK  [Check for any changes]

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

Monday 12th
7:30pm  Mercy Associates Meeting     [see below]

Wednesday 14th
6:45pm   Scripture Course [see below]         Crypt

Thursday 15th             7.30pm    RCIA Meeting                                    Crypt

Saturday 17th  10-12.  FHC Programme
Hall and Crypt

Monday 19th               10-12.30.  STM Interviews
Presbytery

“
“
7:30pm   Liturgy Meeting
Presbytery

PEACE SUNDAY:  Next Sunday we celebrate Peace Sunday which offers us an opportunity to
reflect on the Holy Father’s Peace Day Message “Combating Poverty – Building Peace”.   Pax Christi, the
international Catholic Movement for Peace, is involved in campaigning on
issues such as the arms trade, the Middle East
and offers programmes that develop education for peace and seek alternatives
to violence.  After all Masses
next Sunday there will be a Diocesan second collection to help support Pax Christi in this work.  Envelopes are available today if you
prefer.  Please return them for
next week’s collection.
Thank you.

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS :  Many,
many thanks  to the congregation
at Priory Street
for your very generous donation of £316 for flowers to decorate the
Church at Christmas.
JAN
HOLDEN

CONFIRMATION GROUP:  Following
the recent introductory get-together, the first meeting of  the Parish’s Confirmation
Programme 2009 takes place today in the Crypt at 7:30pm, finishing at 9pm.

BAPTISM TODAY:  Lilia Giselle Gillooly.  God bless this child and congratulations to her family.

NEXT BAPTISM COURSE:  Has
been arranged on Monday 2nd February and Monday, 9th February at 7:30pm in the
Crypt.  If you would like to
present a child for Baptism please note that both Sessions must be attended.  There is no need to make an
appointment.

APPLICATION FORMS FOR ST
THOMAS MORE SCHOOL:  Fr Joseph has set aside the following dates for
parents to see him with regard to the Priest’s Reference Form:  Monday, 19th January, 10am
to 12.30pm: Tuesday, 20th January, 10am to 12.30pm; Friday 23rd
January, 3pm to 4.30pm.  If
you need to make an appointment for an interview, please phone the Parish
Office on a Monday, Tuesday or
Friday.

RECENTLY
DECEASED:The funeral of Harry
Pink takes place at Colchester Crematorium on 14th January at 11am. The burial of Sheila Parsons
will be at Greenstead at 2pm
on 16th January followed by her Memorial Mass at 2.30pm at Priory Street.  Please pray for the repose of the soul
of Mary Burke, Eileen Byrne, Pauline
Cornell and Edith Osbourne who have died
recently.  May they rest in peace.

DAVID FOSTER RIP: David
Foster lived in Brentwood and taught at The
Campion School, Hornchurch for many years. His Funeral Mass will be on
Tuesday 13 January at 1pm
at Brentwood Cathedral. May he rest in peace.

MERCY ASSOCIATES:  The
next meeting takes place on Monday, 12th January at 7:30pm at Christchurch Court.  Tel: 763049.

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.

STUDY DAY ON ST PAUL: The Brentwood
Commission for Evangelisation and Formation will be
celebrating the Year of St Paul with a ‘Day on the Letter to the
Romans’ on  Saturday 17th
January 2009. The day will be led by Abbot Laurence O’Keeffe and will
take place at Brentwood Cathedral Hall (Ingrave Road, Brentwood
CM15 8AT) from 10.30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Admission is free.

Sandwich
lunch and refreshments will be provided. Please book your place by e-mail to [email-masked], or
phone CEF direct on 01277 265289.

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.

CD YOUTH
SPACE are organising a laser tag party at Rayleigh Megazone on Saturday 31st January. £18 /£15 for siblings includes
two games and coach. First pick up 3pm Clacton,
then Wivenhoe, then St. Benedict’s.  Pick up times to be
confirmed.  Back about 9.30pm.  Place only reserved when full money
received. Open to Colchester
Deanery Youth: Year 9 onwards.  Limited places available. Please return our completed booking form as soon as
possible.  For more information email [email-masked]     Bring a packed tea.  More information to follow.

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!

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:
8pm @ 48 Priory Street

EXPOSITION:
9:45am – 10:30am

IF
YOU ARE NEW TO THE PARISH: please introduce yourself to one of the priests
after Mass.
A registration form will need to be completed.   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 BAPTISM OF THE LORD [B]

January 11th 2009  A.D.

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

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

Intentions: 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

Decd. Relatives of Joan
Norman

Monday
12th

Feria

Church      9:15 am   Intentions of Philomena Dwyer

Tuesday
13th

Feria

Church
9:15 am   Frederick Fordham RIP

Wednesday
14th

Feria

Church     12:15 pm   Frederick, Elizabeth &
Angelo Lucas RIP

Thursday
15th

N.B.

Feria

Church      8:00 am    Mary and Ron Brocknan RIP

Friday
16th

N.B.

Feria

Church      2:30
pm MEMORIAL MASS –
SHEILA PARSONS RIP

Saturday 17th        St Anthony, Abbot

Church       9:15 am   Seamus Power RIP

LITURGY FOR THE
SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [B]

[Peace Day] -  18th  January 2009 A.D.

Saturday   January 17th

Sunday     January  18th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

6:30 pm

Mr & Mrs Milford RIP

Intentions of Mrs J Pauk

Intentions of Lenore &
Roger Sykes

Deirdre Kehoe RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Parishioners

Mile
End

9:15
am

Frank Black RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Celestine Tighe RIP

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