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-EIGHTH SUNDAY
OF THE YEAR [A]

October 12th  2008 A.D.

Dear Friends,

The festivities to mark the Year 2000 were
probably the greatest party the world has ever seen.  When the new millennium first dawned
on the small islands of the Pacific, then huge fireworks in Australia,
massive open air concerts in Europe and enormous crowds in Times Square, New York it was as if, for one brief
day, the whole human family had set aside division and disputes, determined
to put the sadness and pain of the past behind us to face the future with
confidence and hope.  Isaiah
catches that mood in his depiction of the banquet God prepares for all
people.  A symbolic representation
of God’s purpose for all of us.
Then Matthew’s story is so overlaid with symbols it is easy to
forget the image of God as a gracious host, especially when the guest who is
not properly attired is thrown into darkness!  This symbolises
the need for us to be prepared, by the quality of our lives, to respond to
God’s invitation. Those guests who are too busy and reject the
invitation point to how easy it is for us to make excuses. Are we too
preoccupied with our problems and relationships, too young, too old, too
clever, not clever enough?  Perhaps the simple truth is that
Church and religion seem too unattractive, too restrictive, too negative, too
joyless, dehumanising.  Making room for God in our life
isn’t about making us more serious, strange or solemn; it simply means
becoming more alive, more human, knowing we have an eternal destiny.  If that doesn’t fit in with our
idea of what it means to be religious, to be Catholic, then perhaps we need
to change our ideas.  Our faith is
about life and joy: this is God’s purpose for us all. The man who
turned up without the wedding garment hadn’t prepared himself for the
feast.  We do need to make
ourselves ready and we do that in the way we lead our lives.  But as we prepare, let us remember that
it’s a party we’ve been invited to, not a funeral.
God Bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Tuesday 14th October    10:30am Mersea Coffee
Morning  @ Sue
Jenner

“
“
“
7pm Rosary before
Mass at 7:30pm   Priory St

Wednesday 15th October    6:45-9pm  Scripture Course
Crypt

“
“
“
7pm
SVP Meeting
Presbytery

Thursday 16th October       7:30pm      RCIA Meeting [see below]      Crypt

DIOCESAN
COLLECTION:  Next Sunday is World Mission Sunday and
there will be a second collection at all Masses.  The
Association for the Propagation of the Faith [APF] is commissioned by the
Pope to co-ordinate WMS.  It is
the only organisation which supports every mission diocese worldwide to
becoming self-sufficient.                       Mgr John Dale – APF National
Director

ST
BENEDICT’S COLLEGE APPLICATION FORMS:   The remaining dates and times for
appointments for Fr Joseph to sign the Priest’s Reference Forms are as
follows: 24th October
3:10–4:20pm & 27th October 10:10am-12:30pm. Please
call Diana [on a Monday, Tuesday or Friday] to book.

THANK
YOU:  A very big thank you to everyone who supported the
Coffee Morning at Priory Street
on the 3rd October. The sum of £302 was raised and a newly
painted Presbytery front door is no longer on our wish list!

CHRISTMAS
MARKET – NOVEMBER 22ND:  The Social Committee welcome donations of wine,
beer, spirits, soft drinks, toiletries. New/nearly new books, toys. Teddies
for Teddy tombola.  Raffle gifts.
Collection bins will be in the porch from Saturday 11th October
and emptied daily. Contacts: Francis 369568/Isabelle 563292. In the porch
there is a list for Volunteers for decorating, setting up and clearing away.

KSC –
OCTOBER ROSARY DATES/VENUES:  Tuesday 14th October, at
7pm prior to Mass at 7:30pm here at Priory Street; Wednesday 22nd
October 7pm at St Teresa’s[ followed by cheese & wine]; Friday 31st
at Greenstead after the 7pm Mass.

RECENTLY DECEASED:  Please pray for the repose of the soul of Frank O’Donel
who has recently died.  May he
rest in peace.

WANT
TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH?:   A programme for anyone who wants to find out more
and who may wish to consider becoming a Catholic is about to start.  This Journey in Faith [RCIA] will
commence on Thursday, October 16th, at 7:30pm in the Crypt.  Enquiries to Cathy O’Connor on
01206 501146, or just turn up on the evening.

ECUMENICAL STUDY DAY with the renowned biblical scholar, Dom Henry Wansbrough.
Saturday 18th October from 10.30 a.m.until
3 p.m. at Brentwood
Cathedral Hall. A sandwich lunch will be provided, but please book your
place by phoning 01277 265 289 or e-mail
[email-masked]

'Collaborative Ministry' For anyone interested in making a difference a
short course led by Brother Loughlan Sofield ST from the USA. Sat 18th - Mon 20th October.
Individual days or whole course can be attended. Cost £40 per day. For
further details visit www.abbotswick.org or
call 01277 373959.

CAFOD Brentwood team invites you to join them on
Saturday 18th October at Our Lady of Lourdes Pastoral Centre, Cambridge Park,
Wanstead, from 10.30am to 3.30pm (coffee from 10.00
am).  Table
quiz. Christmas cards and gift ideas will also be available. Tea,
coffee and a simple lunch provided.
No charge for refreshments, but donations appreciated.  To book your place call 0208 502 9722 or
email [email-masked].

MERCY
ASSOCIATES meet next on Monday 20 October at 7.30pm at Christ Church Court
[tel.763049).

CONCERT: We are delighted to welcome back
the CAVENDISH CONSORT who will be giving a performance of their HARVEST HOME
programme on Saturday 25 October at 8pm
in the Church.  Admission £5 (adults) £3.50 (concessions)
payable at the door - don't miss it!

“Justice
and Social Responsibility – Valuing Difference and Challenging
Attitudes to Disability – 25th October
10 am to 3.30 pm Cathedral Conference Centre. We hope to have representation
from all parishes in the Diocese. For more information and to book a place
please contact Elisabeth Abbott on
01277 265290 or e-mail [email-masked]”

TABLE QUIZ:
The
Knights of St Columba are holding a Table Quiz on Saturday November 1st
in the CBH after the 7:30pm Mass.
Light refreshments provided, Please bring your own drinks.  Tickets £4.50.  Call Ron on 797850 to book or just turn
up.  Proceeds to various
charities.

CONCERT IN
BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL: Saturday, 1st November at 7.30 pm – Tchaikovsky Romeo
& Juliet Overture & Piano Concerto No.1 in Bb minor will be performed
in Brentwood Cathedral  Tickets:
£20 (first 3 rows reserved); £15 (reserved/£14
concessions); £12 (unreserved) available from the Music Office,
Cathedral House, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, CM15 8AT. Please enclose sae.  Cheques should be
made payable to Brentwood Cathedral Music.  Email: [email-masked]

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE: November 5th-12th.  Last call. Contact Carmen Blackett on 07754 163007 or 01277 821886. Cost:  £625 Half-Board excluding
insurance/SRS.

MARRIAGECARE:  Is now offering relationship counselling in the Colchester and Ipswich
area.  To make an appointment
phone 0800 389 3801. Chaperones are urgently needed for counselling
sessions as rules require one to be on the premises. If you can spare an hour
now and then as part of a chaperone team please phone Cathy on 01206 867591.
Anyone wishing to become involved in the local management team or in Marriage
Preparation Work [training given].
For more details contact Jane Perryman on 01142 3733301 or [email-masked]

SICK  PARISHIONER:
Yvette Hughes.  Please let Fr
Joseph know of anyone who is seriously ill or whose health has recently
markedly declined and who is happy for their name to be included in the
Parish Sick List.

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

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

October 12th 2008 A.D.

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

Saturday
October 11th

Sunday
October 12th

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

Intentions of Mrs J Pauk

Patrick Burke RIP

POLISH MASS

SIGNED MASS

HOLY HOUR

Baby Gabriel Ledwidge RIP
[A]

West Mersea

8:30
am

Parishioners

Mile
End

9:15
am

Kathleen Hannan RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Maria Lumsden RIP

Monday  13th

Feria

Church      9:15
am   Holy Souls RIP

Church    12:00 pm   FUNERAL –
MARGARET ZUPAN RIP

Tuesday 14th

Feria

Church      7:00 pm   Rosary

Church      7:30 pm   Patrick Schepers
RIP

Wednesday
15th

St Teresa of Jesus [Avila] V. Rel. D.

Church      12:15 pm  Intentions of Sheila Parsons

Thursday 16th

Feria

Church
9:15am  Special Intention

Friday 17th

St Ignatius of Antioch, Bp. M.

Church
9:15 am   Ray Gardener  RIP

Saturday 18th       ST LUKE, Evangelist

Church       9:15 am   Luke Chelatampu
RIP

LITURGY FOR THE TWENTY-NINTH
SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A)

World Mission
Day - October19th 2008 A.D.

Saturday   October 18th

Sunday     October 19th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

4:00 pm

6:30
pm

Stephen Mooney RIP

Intentions of Mrs Julie
T & Family

Doris and Tony Murphy RIP

POLISH MASS

Michael Flanagan RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Emma Williams RIP [M&AB]

Mile End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15
am

Joan Prior RIP

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