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
[A] – 13th JANUARY 2008 A.D.

Dear Friends,

St Matthew tells us that the purpose of
Jesus’ baptism is to fulfil God’s
saving plan.  Jesus does not have
to be baptised to be cleansed; rather, his baptism
is seen in the Gospel as the moment when God’s plan is fulfilled in
Jesus.  So, what’s the plan
which is fulfilled?  When Jesus
comes out of the water after his baptism, the heavens are opened, the Spirit
of God descends on him, and a voice from heaven recognises
him as “my Son, the Beloved”.  None of the evangelists suggests that
bystanders noticed anything – reactions are usually noted then
miraculous happenings occur.
Matthew is bringing out the meaning of Jesus’ baptism in these
elements; he is showing how Jesus, the Son of God, is the fulfilment
of the ancient plan of God and Matthew is declaring that the Spirit of God
rests upon Jesus; that he will begin his ministry with the Father’s
authority and love.  The beginning
of Jesus’ public ministry is also the end of the long time of
waiting.  Jesus’ baptism
fulfils all the saving plan of God.

The new beginnings that we make in our own lives
may not mark the fulfilment of anyone’s
prophecy, but they probably mark the fulfilment of
someone’s hope.  Sometimes
we are so hesitant about making a new start that we end up in no man’s
land waiting for more weather reports.
Every new beginning is a risk, and we undertake that risk sooner when
we have people who underwrite our change.  It is not a coincidence that Jesus
only begins his big change when he is funded with the Father’s love and
support through his encounter with John the Baptist.  We know that John gave Jesus support
because it was after his time with John that Jesus changed from living as an
artisan in a small town to taking up the pursuit of his mission. John is a
very important figure for Jesus; the only religious leader who leaves a deep
impression on Him. And the good news is that Jesus himself is the one who
underwrites our changes, who cares deeply that we do change for the
better.  The Cross stands as the
eternal proof of that. God bless.

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Monday 14th January
7;30pm Mercy Associates Meeting
See below

Wednesday 16th January    7-9pm  Scripture Course                               Crypt

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7:30pm Theatre
Group Production
Hall

Friday 18th January
7:30pm
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“     “
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7:30pm  Unity Service
St Joseph’s, Mile End

Saturday 19th January
3:00pm  Theatre Group
Production
Hall

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7:30pm
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Hall

2008 WHITE
FLOWER APPEAL: The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children [SPUC] will be
holding its annual White Flower Appeal this weekend in this Parish.  In common with the Catholic Church,
SPUC defends and upholds the sanctity of human life from conception until
natural death.  The Society
opposes laws and policies which violate or threaten human life such as
abortion, euthanasia, research on human embryos and anti-life sex
education.  SPUC also provides
trained speakers for schools and colleges and a range of pro-life support
services.  Please give generously
to this very worthy cause.

MERCY
ASSOCIATES MEETING:  Will take place this Monday, 14th January, at Christ Church Court.  Tel. 763049.

HEALING MASS at the Diocesan House of Prayer,
celebrated by Fr John Glynn, at 2.30pm on Wednesday 16th January. For
further information visit www.abbotswick.org or call the sisters on
01277 373959.

PRIORY
STREET THEATRE GROUP PRESENTS: “A
Fairy Tale Adventure”.  Lose
the after Christmas blues with this brand new tale.  Come and meet some of your favourite nursery rhyme characters.  In the Cardinal Bourne Hall, Priory Street on
Wednesday, January 16th and Friday, January 18th at 7:30pm; and Saturday January 19th
at 3pm and 7:30pm.  Tickets £5 adult - £2.50
children and concessions.  For
tickets and more information, contact Lesley
on 01206 51231

APPLICATIONS
TO ST THOMAS MORE PRIMARY SCHOOL
– PRIEST REFERENCE FORMS:  Fr Joseph has set aside
the following dates for parents wishing to make an appointment for the
completion of the Priest’s Reference Form.  These applications relate to September
2008 and January 2009.

Monday, 21st
January
10am – 12.00pm

Friday 25th
January
10am – 12.30pm and 2.30pm – 4.30pm.

Please call the Parish Office on a Monday, Tuesday or Friday to book your
appointment.

BAPTISM
COURSE:  The next Baptism Course
has now been arranged.  It will
take place on the evenings of  Monday, 28th January and Monday 4th
February from 7:30pm
to 9pm in the Crypt.  Both
sessions must be attended.  If
you wish to present a child for baptism, there is no need to make an
appointment – just turn up on the 28th January.

BRES
SPRING LECTURE- 31ST Jan 2008  at 7.30pm – Cathedral House, Brentwood.Tel: 01277 265285. The
topic for this term’s lecture is: The Spirituality of St Paul
and it will be delivered by Dr Paul Doherty, author, lecturer and head
teacher of Trinity
High School, Woodford
Green. All Welcome.

TO ALL EUCHARISTIC
MINISTERS:  A quiet Day has been
arranged at Clare Priory on March 8th
from 10am to 4pm.  Offers of lifts by car owners would be
appreciated.  More details to
follow.  Please ring Margaret on
797850.

YOUTH
NEWS: Easter Lourdes
with young adults and HCPT – the Pilgrimage Trust. Travel to Lourdes in Easter Week (23 – 30th March) as
part of an 18+ group dedicated to helping in a variety of ways – music,
art workshops, parties, leading prayer and much more. The HCPT week is for
children with many special needs – be part of a fantastic experience by
calling 01277 265286 or looking at www.bcys.net. Act today – final
deadline to apply is January 31st.

Join
150 young people in Lourdes
this Summer. From 24th July – 2nd
August have a holiday with a difference, shared with
young people aged 15-18 and young leaders aged 19+. Be part of a group
serving others – help the elderly and those who cannot walk by guiding
them in wheelchairs. Have a superb time of fun and friendship in the
company of people your age in a place visited by millions every year. The
week also includes a trip to the Pyrenees.
For photos of previous years and for all the information you need, look at
www.bcys.net. You can print forms from the website or call 01277 265286. If
you have questions, please email
[email-masked]. APPLY SOON as places are
limited and go quickly!

THE BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC
CHILDREN’S SOCIETY is
well known in the Brentwood Diocese for the quality of the services and level
of care it provides in supporting children and families in need throughout
Essex and the five North East London Boroughs.
The Society is looking to recruit a
new Director due to the forthcoming retirement of the current post holder.
The position is based at its offices in Rayleigh, Essex.
This role has an opportunity to develop an agency committed to working with
children and families to help to build strong, supportive communities, and
working with a motivated team.  The appointee will be a practising
Catholic and hold a current full driving licence and have access to a car for
work. For more information about the society you can visit the website
www.bccs.org.uk or for an application pack you can contact Chair of Trustees
Colette Kelly on 01279-641821 or by email
[email-masked] Completed applications are to be sent to Childcare House,
Little Wheatley Chase, Rayleigh, Essex, SS6 9EH
and marked for the attention of Colette Kelly. The closing date for completed
applications is Friday, 8th
February 2008 and interviews will take place in Brentwood
on Monday 25th February
2008.

PILGRIMAGE
TO POLAND: A pilgrimage to Krakow, Poland
is being organized from 12th May for 9 nights, flying from
Stansted.  It will include
excursions to various shrines.
Cost – including flights, trips and half-board - £450.  More details to follow.  Anyone interested can contact Mrs Blackett now on 01277 821886; mobile 07754 163007.

SICK
PARISHIONERS: Please pray for Emily Begg, June Bickersteth, Marie Dixon, John Fisher, Denisia Gray, Eileen Head, Michelle Huet,
Deirdre Kehoe, Catherine Libby, Sheila Parsons, John Rae, Sheila Shillingford, Alwyn Stains,
Carole Stover, Peggy Wilding.

DAILY:
Rosary 8:40am; Divine Mercy 9am [Wednesdays 11:40am]

EVENING
PRAYER:
Monday to Friday 5:45pm
in the Church

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

EXPOSITION:
Saturdays 10am – 11am

CARDINAL
BOURNE HALL:  A reminder that the Hall
will be closed for essential Health and Safety refurbishment from 21st
January until 9th
February 2008.

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 us know in writing.

LITURGY FOR THE BAPTISM
OF THE LORD A]

JANUARY 13TH 2008 A.D

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

Saturday  January 12th

Sunday
January 13th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

2:00pm

3:30
pm

5:00
pm

6:30
pm

Michael and Mary
Barrett RIP

Connie and Harry Welch RIP

Salvina de Brito
RIP

POLISH MASS

SIGNED MASS

HOLY HOUR

Intentions of Maura and Frank

West Mersea

8:30
am

Thomas and Bridie Smith
RIP

Mile
End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15 am

Maria Lumsden RIP [JN]

Monday 14th

Feria

Church               9:15 am  Dec/Rels:Herbert &
Richards Families RIP

Tuesday 15th

Wednesday 16

Feria

Church                9:15 am  Intentions of Mrs Tide and Family

Intentions of Maureen
Went

Feria

Thursday 17th

Friday 18th

Saturday 19th

Church              12:15 pm   Fr Anthony Cooke RIP

St Anthony, Abbot

Church                9:15 am   Mrs Margaret
Power RIP

Feria

Church               11:00 am  REQUIEM – FLORENCE FULLER RIP

Feria

Church
9:15 am  Luke McShane
RIP

LITURGY FOR THE SECOND
SUNDAY OF THE YEAR  [A]

Peace Day and Education Day  - January 20th 2008 A.D.

Saturday  January 19th

Sunday    January 20th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30
am

4:00 pm

6:30
pm

Mr and Mrs
Milford RIP

Intentions of Margaret & Samantha Hilton

Bridget Frawley RIP

POLISH MASS

Merlyn and William Mascurine
RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Parishioners

Mile End

9:15
am

Rose Ann Foley RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Intentions of Mary Davies

SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION
Saturday 10:00-11:00am & 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]

Marriage
Care
www.marriagecare.org.uk
0800 389 3801

Vocations                                             www.brentwoodvocations.org

The Brentwood
Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No. 234092