ST. JAMES
THE LESS AND ST. HELEN

CATHOLIC CHURCH, Colchester

with

Mersea, Mile End and Monkwick

Fr  Anthony  McKentey

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 FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
[C]

“Laetare Sunday” – March 14th 2010

My dear friends

Believe it or not, the Fourth Sunday of
Lent is the half-way point of the Lenten journey. It is
called “Laetare Sunday” from the
Latin word “Rejoice”.
The cause of our joy is expressed in the
opening prayer today; “Father, we are joyful in your son, Jesus Christ,
who reconciles us to you”.
Also today’s Gospel of the parable of the Prodigal Son reminds
us of the everlasting love of God.

This Sunday always co-incides with Mothers’ Day.  We give thanks for the unconditional
love of our parents, especially our Mums.  We wish them all a happy day today.

Next Saturday, March 20th, our First
Communion children celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation for the first
time at a special service at 9:30am
in the Church. [No morning Mass that day].  This will be followed by our Day of
Recollection given by Bishop John Crowley which
begins with coffee in the Hall at 10:30am.  The first talk at 11am will be followed by quiet time
and Mid-day Prayer in the Church.
Bring a packed lunch and drinks will be provided.  The afternoon talk is at 1pm, followed by further quiet
time, a plenary session, and will end at 3pm with Benediction in the Church.   We look forward to this very
special day.

Hopefully, next weekend we will
have an Easter card for you, containing all the details of the Holy Week
Services in the parish.

May God bless you all

Fr
Tony McKentey

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Tuesday 16th
March      4:30pm  Over 6 Baptism Course
Church

Wednesday
17th             6:45pm   Scripture Course                         Crypt

Thursday 18th
7:30pm   RCIA
Crypt

Friday 19th
4:30pm   Over 6 Baptism Course
Crypt

“
“
7:30pm  Stations of the Cross
Church

Saturday 20th                  9:30pm
FHC Reconciliation
Church

“        “
10:30am-3pm  Day of Recollection
See overleaf

DAILY:
8:35am; Rosary
& Divine Mercy  [Wednesday 11:30am]

PRAYER
GROUP:                                          Mondays  at 8pm in the Crypt

MEDITATION
GROUP:
Tuesdays at 8pm in
the Crypt

EXPOSITION:                                               Saturdays
at 9:45am – 10:30am

SICK:  Please remember in your prayers: June Bickersteth, Claire Cooper, Bridie Murphy, Baby Leah
Patterson, Mary Roddy, Hector Silva, Lucy Walker.

THANK YOU
FROM JOSIE: On behalf of my helpers and myself I should
like to thank all the parishioners for your generous donation towards the
homeless and needy.

BAPTISMS TODAY: Zeno Niemann and Maria Ivaskevicius-Mahy.  God bless these children and
congratulations to their families.

PRAYER BEFORE THE BLESSED
SACRAMENT: Holy Hour and Benediction today between 5pm
and 6pm.
During the Hour there will be some readings
and hymns, but mostly silence.

DIOCESAN
SECOND COLLECTION TODAY:  There will be a second
collection at all Masses today in aid of the Catholic Education Service.

STATIONS OF THE CROSS: At Priory Street
on Friday at 7:30pm.

“TASTE AND SEE THAT THE LORD IS
GOOD”:  A parish Day of Recollection with Bishop John Crowley on Saturday,
March 20th, 10:30am – 3pm in the Cardinal Bourne Hall. This
Day is for all parishioners; those involved with particular ministries within
the Parish, have a great opportunity for renewal.

REQUEST FROM FR BRETT–
Your Parish needs you! I’m appealing for volunteers to take up the
‘Ministry of Welcome’. Welcoming folks into church is an important
dimension of parish life because it helps engender and support a sense of
community and belonging. It’s not difficult
either, just a smile and readiness to help others is all that is required. If
you’re interested please email ([email-masked])
or catch Fr Brett after Mass, or approach a ‘Welcomer’.

CHILDREN’S DRAWING
COMPETITION on an Easter theme for an Easter prize.   £1
per entry. Two age groups: 4-6yrs; 7-11yrs.
Please collect a sheet of paper from Kim after all the Masses at Priory Street
this weekend. Leave your pictures in the box marked “Lourdes
Fundraising – Drawing Competition” Any queries – contact
Kim on 07914 785894.

SOUTH
COLCHESTER CHURCHES LENTEN COURSE:
Will be held at the
following Churches from 7:45-9pm.For more information contact
Christine on 504302. 17th
March - St Barnabas;     24th March - St
Theodore’s, Monkwick.

FUN QUIZ AT ST JOHN PAYNE GREENSTEAD, Saturday March 20th, 7.30pm in the Parish Hall. Tickets-
£4.50 for adults. This includes a buffet and soft drinks will be
available. If you want stronger, you will need to bring it. More details from
Gene 07939086034 or David 01206863067.

MERCY ASSOCIATES: meet
next on Monday 22 March at 7.30pm at Christ Church Court (tel. 763049).

DAY FOR RENEWAL:  at  SION Community, Sawyers Hall Lane,
Brentwood, Saturday, March 27th, 10.00 to 4.30, Theme 'I Thirst', Speaker -
Fr Angelus. Everyone welcome. Please bring a packed
lunch.

EASTER LILIES: If
you would like to donate a bloom in memory of a loved one, please enclose
whatever you can afford in an envelope marked “Easter Lily” and
deliver to the Priests’ House.

BRENTWOOD
CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY has a vacancy for a Social
Worker – temporary contract for 1 year to work in the Primary and
Secondary Schools in the Diocese We are seeking to appoint a qualified Social
Worker who has experience of working with children and families. The post
holder will be expected to do direct work with
children and young people in Schools and offer advice and support to their
parents/carers. The Hours of work will be 37 hours per week during Term Time
and be part of a duty Social Work Team during the School holiday periods.
This covers a period of 40 weeks per year plus Public Holidays and Leave
Entitlement.  Further details can
be obtained from Mrs Eileen Campling, Deputy
Director, on 01268 784 544 or [email-masked]
Closing Date is THIS FRIDAY
19th March 2010.

CAFOD
SPEAKER:  Lynn O’Malley has
written to say thank you for the special weekend of the Appeal and invites us
to sponsor her for the London Marathon in aid of CAFOD at www.justgiving.com/stephenandlynn

CHRISM MASS – 31ST MARCH: Theresa Higgins is arranging a 16 seat minibus leaving at 5:30pm from Stanwell Street,
near the Gala Bingo.  Cost
£7. Contact her on 523501 or [email-masked]  *

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY 11th APRIL: 2:30pm – 3.30pm.  Exposition and the Sacrament of Reconciliation in Priory Street.

SVP SPRING OUTING: Departing
Colchester 10:30am from East Hill/Priory Street junction on 22nd April 2010
to enjoy a barge cruise along the River Chelmer.
Cost - £30.00 per person which includes buffet
lunch and afternoon visit to Tiptree Jam.  To
book please telephone Anna on 01206 242170.

DIOCESAN
PILGRIMAGES: Walsingham 29th May. Leaving East Hill 8:30am.Cost
£12. Minibus and contact as above*.  Lourdes 19th-25th
July. Contact as above* for more details.

REPOSITORY:  The Repository is open in the Hall every
Sunday morning – [apart from
Palm Sunday & Easter Sunday]. Prayer books
available in English/French/Tagalog/German/Italian/Polish/Portuguese.

LITURGY FOR THE FOURTH
SUNDAY OF LENT [C]

“Laetare Sunday” -  March14th 2010

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

Saturday March 13th

Sunday March 14th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

2:00
pm

5:00
pm

6:30
pm

Christina Mooney RIP

Joseph McEneney RIP

Parishioners

POLISH MASS

HOLY HOUR

Mary Hall RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Moira Harrington
RIP

Mile End

9:15
am

Mary & John Rutherford
RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Intentions of Olive
Hewitt [MD]

Monday 15th

Feria

Church      9:15 am    D/R:
Herbert & Richards Families RIP

Philomena Dwyer
RIP

Tuesday 16th

Feria

Church
9:15 am    Helen Lydon
RIP

Wednesday
17th

ST PATRICK, Bp. Apostle
of Ireland

Church    12:15 pm    Rose & Patrick McAloon
RIP

Thursday 18th

Feria

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

Friday 19th

ST JOSEPH, HUSBAND OF THE
B.V.M.

Church      9:15 am    Margaret Rose Myers RIP

Saturday 20th        Feria

N.B.                      Church       9:30
am     F.H.C:
Sacrament of  Reconciliation

LITURGY FOR THE FIFTH
SUNDAY OF LENT  [C]

March 21st 2010

Saturday  March 20th

6:15
pm

Stephen Mooney RIP

Sunday
March 21st

8:00
am

Helen Lydon RIP

10:30am

Dr Roger Sykes RIP

4:00
pm

6:30
pm

POLISH MASS

Beryl & Noel Blanchette RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Norma Golding RIP

Mile End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15am

Joseph Hawken 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