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 FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR  [B]

July 12th   2009 A.D.

Dear Friends

In today’s Gospel, Jesus summons the twelve apostles and sends them out on a missionary tour.  Like Amos, to whom we were introduced in today’s first reading, the chosen followers of Jesus have to carry the word of God as a challenge to others. In that mission, the apostles have the authority and the power of Jesus.  They have to travel on that.

So, they are not to rely on their own resources but on the authority that has been given to them and the hospitality that will be offered them. With no bread and no money, they have to depend on the kindness of others: that vulnerability makes their message their real resource. If they have bread to eat, it means that people are not only hospitable to them, but to the word they preach. If they are not accepted, they have no option but to move on. And when a town rejects their message, the apostles have to shake the dust from their feet – a symbolic act performed by strict Jews returning to Palestine after journeying abroad.

Both the prophets and the apostles have to rely on the authority and the power given to them. In taking to the road, they will test their message on foreign soil; they will see if their conviction can pass beyond the boundaries of national difference and personal indifference; they will discover if their vocation can survive the official stamp of disapproval. For it is not only the message that is being tested, it is the messenger.

This process continues every day in the life of the Church and the world – every time a preacher braces himself to declare the word of God, every time a Christian goes public on the values of the Gospel, every time any man or woman takes a stand against injustice.

God bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK  [Please check any changes]

Monday July  13th     7.30 p.m.     PPC meeting                         Presbytery

Tuesday July 14th    10.30-12.00 W. Mersea Coffee Morning.  See below

Wednesday July 15th   7.30 p.m. Synagogue visit                    See below

DAILY:                 8:35am; Rosary &Divine Mercy  [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 at 9:45am – 10:30am

SECOND COLLECTION – SEA SUNDAY:  This weekend there will be a second collection after all Masses for the Apostleship of the Sea [AOS]: the official maritime welfare agency of the Catholic Church in Great Britain which provides pastoral and practical support and care to seafarers who visit our ports each year.  AOS receives no statutory funding from either the Church or Government.  Thank you for your generosity; this ministry cannot continue without it.

A prayer to Our Lady for Seafarers:

O Mary, Stella Maris, in you a reign of grace and peace has dawned, born from the depths of the Word made flesh, who brings mercy, love and justice.  As seafarers embark upon the oceans of the world, so often far from home, keep them safe from harm and close to your Son.

O Mary, Stella Maris, light of the oceans and even of the deep, guide all seafarers across dark and stormy waters, that they may reach the haven of peace and light prepared in Him who calmed the sea, and in whom all storms grow still.

O Mary, Stella Maris, Lady of Peace, bring the Church of the Sea to explore the gentleness of your Son, and find forgiveness, grace and truth in Him who promises life for ever and ever.  Amen.

Baptisms

We pray for Ella Louise and Harrison Michael Lewis, who are being baptised in our church this Sunday.  Congratulations to them and their family

To celebrate the Year for Priests there is Adoration every Thursday 11am - 5pm at Abbotswick House of Prayer. Please do come and join us in praying for our Priests.  For further details and directions visit our website www.abbotswick.org or call 01277 373959

Ordination :  Rev. James Mackay will be ordained for Brentwood Diocese in Canning Town parish on Saturday 18th July at 11.30 a.m.  As our priests will be attending this special event (the first diocesan ordination in over 4 years), there will be no Mass, confessions or exposition here on that morning. Please pray for all the clergy within the diocese, especially during this Year for Priests.

FIRST HOLY COMMUNION 2009-2010: The Parish will shortly be drafting the Programme for next year's First Holy Communion Programme for children in Year 3 and above - if you would like to be involved please contact Hywel Edwards on 867325 or [email-masked].

BARBECUE : Thank you to all those who supported this event. There was a very good response and a great day was had by all. Thanks are also due to Armondo, our chef, and also to the Union of Catholic Mothers.  After expenses, the sum of £476.53 was raised.

REPOSITORY SUMMER SALE NOW ON:   Rosaries, jewellery, books and much more, all reduced.  Up to 20% off all items.

WEST MERSEA NEWS:  The next coffee morning will be at the home of  Veronica Smith – 6 Trinity Close, West Mersea on  Tuesday, 14th July, from 10:30-12:00.  Contact (01206) 386265. Bring a friend.

COLCHESTER THREE FAITHS FORUM:  On Wednesday, 15th July at 7:30pm there will be a visit to the Synagogue, organized through the Churches Together network.

CHRISTMAS 2009 EVENTS :

We are planning this year’s Christmas Market, Christmas lunch and raffle.

All parishioners are invited to a preliminary meeting to help plan these events, to find out how you can become part of these parish occasions, and make new friends.  The meeting will take place in the Crypt on Thursday 23rd July at 8 p.m.  Thank you from Frances and the Social Committee.

VACANCY: Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society has a vacancy for a full-time Senior Administrator based at the head office in Rayleigh, Essex.  The successful candidate will be literate in up-to-date IT software packages; have proven administration experience at a senior level and ability to manage a small team.  The closing date is 16th July 2009 and interviews will be conducted on Friday 24th July 2009.  For more information and an application pack please call 01268 784544.

URGENT:  Two voluntary helpers and a sandwich maker are STILL urgently needed for the Colchester Soup Run.  This is jointly run Christian venture, and if you are able to spare a couple of hours – on a rota basis – please contact Claire – 765926.

IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE PARISH: please introduce yourself to one of the priests after Mass.  A registration form [on the table in the porch] 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 get in touch with Don Clarke.  His email address is [email-masked]

LITURGY FOR THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [B]

July 12th 2009  A.D. (Sea Sunday)

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

Saturday  July 11th

Sunday July 12th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

2.00 p.m. 3.30

3.30 p.m.

5.00 p.m.

6.30 p.m.

Christopher Cooke RIP

Intentions of Helen Travers

Peggy Eade RIP

POLISH MASS

SIGNED MASS

HOLY HOUR

Dr Vincenzi & Charles Houghton RIP

West Mersea

8:30 am

Parishioners

Mile End

9:15 am

Dennis Pearce RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Peggy Wilding RIP

Monday  13th

Feria

Church      9:15 am  Dec’d Relatives of Herbert & Richards

families RIP

Tuesday 14th

Feria

Church      9:15 am   John McKinley RIP

Wednesday  15th

St. Bonaventure Bp. D.

Church    12:15 pm   Paddy Murrin RIP

Thursday 16th

Feria

Church      9:15 am     Jack Lydon RIP

Friday  17th

Feria

Church      9:15 am  Frederick, Elizabeth & Angelo Lucas RIP

Saturday 18th        Feria

Church      NO MASS

LITURGY FOR THE SIXTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR  [B]

July 19 th2009 A.D.

Saturday July 18th

Sunday   July 19th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

6:30 pm

Joe Mooney RIP (A)

Brigid Lowe RIP

Dorothy Burke RIP

Michael Piquet-Wicks RIP

West Mersea

8:30 am

Private Intention

Mile End

9:15 am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15 am

Peggy Wilding 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