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 SIXTH SUNDAY OF
EASTER [B]

May 17th  2009 A.D.

Dear
Friends

It is only when applicants are chosen for a job
that they are free to take it or leave it.  Before acceptance they are in no
position to choose the job which is
advertised.  In applying, they
declare that they want the position – but wishes aren’t
choices.  Only after acceptance do
they have the actual power to
choose the job or not.  That is
why people forced by circumstances into a course of action always say:
“But I had no choice in the matter”.  Real
choice presupposes the freedom and the power to commit oneself.  When John talks about the love of
God in today’s readings, he is clear what he means – “this
is the love I mean: not our love for God, but God’s love for
us”.  The same message is underlined
in the Gospel:  “You did not
choose me, no, I chose you”.
We don’t have to turn up at an interview to discover if God will
choose us or not:  God has already
made an everlasting decision to love us.
God’s love is not an issue, it is not a matter of speculation
– it is there; freely offered to everyone without exception.  “God does not have favourites”.

The themes of love and friendship are interwoven
in the Gospel.  At the heart of
this call to remain close to Jesus, keep the commandments, embrace his
mission, is the call to friendship.
Friends are so incredibly important.  They see us through the good and bad
times; love us for who we are and, by loving as Jesus loves, our friendship
with him will deepen and grow.
Although sadly, human friendships can and do fail, Jesus’ friendship
is faithful and certain, even when we make mistakes.

Prayer, it is said, is the hallmark of friendship
with God and the more we make time for him in prayer, the more our friendship
will flourish.  In living
friendship with Christ, prayer draws us closer to the Father whose Son laid
down his life for his friends.
God bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK  [Check for any changes]

Sunday 17th May   12 noon  Youth Club Meeting                Crypt

Monday 18th
7:30pm  Mercy Associates Meeting    See below

Monday 18th
7:00pm  Parish Council Meeting
Presbytery

Wednesday 20th      6:45pm
Scripture Course
Crypt

Thursday 21st
7:30pm  Final R.C.I.A Meeting
Crypt                                Friday 22nd               7:30pm  Rosary   at Mile End
See below

Sunday 24th            12 noon   Social Committee Meeting   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 St

EXPOSITION:
Saturdays
at 9:45am – 10.30am

RECENTLY
DECEASED:  Please pray for the
repose of the soul of Alfred Pugh who has recently died.  May he rest in peace.  His funeral takes place next Wednesday
at 11:15am at Priory Street.

“BETHLEHEM ART” ITEMS FOR SALE:
carved by
Palestinian Christians in Bethlehem from Holy Land olive trees will be on sale by them at Priory Street
today.

YOUTH CLUB
MEETING: Are you in year 6,7,8 or 9? We would like to invite you to a meeting in the
Crypt after the 10.30 Mass today. We will be discussing the possibility of
setting up a youth club if you are interested, how you would like it to be
run, and what kind of activities you would enjoy. Please come along. If you
can't come but are interested, then please phone Kate
Zepeda on 07952645185.

SPONSORED WALK – BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY – 9TH
MAY:  If you sponsored walkers,
the Knights will be available after Masses this weekend and next to collect
your pledges.  Thank you.

MERCY
ASSOCIATIONS:  The next meeting takes
place on Monday, 18th May, at Christchurch Court.  Tel:  763049.

KSC –
ROSARY:  The Knights of St Columba
will be reciting the Rosary this
Wednesday 20th May at 7:30pm in Lexden [after Benediction]
and on Friday, 29th May at 7:30pm at Greenstead [after Mass].

ROSARY AT MILE END:  On the Fridays in May at 7:30pm at Mile
End, the Rosary will be recited, except the last Friday, when it will take
place on Saturday 30th May, at the same time.

VACANCY: The Campion School,
Hornchurch is looking to employ an Assistant Subject
leader for Religious Education. Anyone who is interested in this position
contact Mrs Noddings, on 01708 452332. Closing
Date: 20th May. Full details on the Campion
website and the position is advertised in the TES.

THREE FAITHS FORUM:  Visit to Priory Street Mosque at 7:30pm on
Wednesday 20th May.
Anyone is welcome.

SOCIAL COMMITTEE
MEETING:  Takes place next Sunday
at 12 noon in the Presbytery to discuss family BBQ on July 4th and
Christmas Events. All welcome.
Thank you.  Frances and
friends.

KSC “AFTERNOON TEA
AND SING ALONG”:  The KSC of Priory Street,
Greenstead and Lexden are arranging this afternoon for the elderly on the
afternoon of Sunday, 31st May [ Pentecost Sunday] in the Cardinal
Bourne Hall. 3:30pm for 4pm.  For more details, phone Ron Wheeler on
797850.

INTERPRETING GENESIS:  To mark the Darwin anniversary this year, Fr Adrian Graffy will be giving an Ecumenical Study Day on the
creation stories in the Book of Genesis on Saturday 6th June at
Brentwood Cathedral Hall from 10.30 to 3 p.m. There are now limited places
available for this event, so please book your place by phoning 01277 265289
or by e-mail to [email-masked]
There is no charge for the event and a sandwich lunch will be provided.

KSC –
PILGRIMAGE TO AYLESFORD – 7th JUNE:  Leaves East Hill at 8:50am.  Leaves Aylesford at approximately 4pm.  Cost: £10 Return. To book ring
Bill de Smith on 767597 – or speak to a member of the KSC.

SVP SUMMER
CAMP:  Bookings are now being
taken for boys [8-13] and girls [9-12] to the St John Bosco
Camp at Aldham. Full details on the poster in the
porch.  Closing date 1st
July. Diana also has booking forms in the Parish Office. Helpers [16+] also
needed.  Contact www.bcys.net/bosco

PILGRIMAGES EITHER [a] TO ASSISI: 1ST-8TH
October.  Cost £699 half
board or [b] TO ASSISI [4 nights], LORETO [1 night], SAN
GIOVANNI ROTONDO [2 nights] 1st-8th October:] Cost
£779 H/B;  Both include flight, excursions, and a guide throughout; excludes
insurance, single room supplement.
Contact: Carmen
07738595534,01277 821886, 07754 163007.

URGENT:  Two helpers are urgently needed and a
sandwich maker 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.

ABBOTSWICK HOUSE OF PRAYER invites all young adults (aged 18-38) to spend a
weekend of enlightment and sharing with Fr. William
Jerema. After his success last year he is back with
a new topic: IN HIS IMAGE: EXPLORING THE SEVEN DWELLING PLACES OF TERESA OF
AVILA.  29th-
31st May 2009. Details available on: www.abbotswick.org or tel. 01277 373959.
ALSO Fr. William Jerema's Seminar from 6th-8th June 2009 . The Seminar is structured in three modules that
can be taken individually or as a set. Topics are: Helping Ourselves and
Others Manage the Power of Emotions (Saturday), Stages of Discernment - The
Call of the Soul (Sunday) and Boundary Issues, dual Relationships, False
Accusations (Monday). etc. A must for all those
involved with Parish groups or in leadership roles of any kind. Residential
option available. Contact details as given above.

MERSEA
NEWS: Thank
you to Sue Jenner for hosting our
Coffee Morning.  The next one will
be on June 9th.  More
details to follow.

A LIFT TO
MASS for
a lady living in the Old Heath area is requested.  Please phone Judy on 869601 if you can
help.

SICK
PARISHIONER:  Iris Licence.

If you have
family or friends who have been admitted to hospital and who would like a
visit, please let the Hospital Chaplaincy Team know [via the nursing staff on
the ward].

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 get in touch with Don
Clarke.  His email address is [email-masked]

LITURGY FOR THE SIXTH SUNDAY
OF EASTER [B]

May 17th 2009  A.D.

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

Saturday  May 16th

Sunday May 17th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

4:00
pm

6:30
pm

Mr and Mrs
Milford RIP

George Renwick RIP

Dr Roger Sykes RIP

POLISH MASS

Intentions of Iris Licence

West Mersea

8:30
am

Parishioners

Mile
End

9:15
am

Fr Brian O’Higgins RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Peggy Wilding RIP [GMcC]

Monday 18th

Feria

Church     9:15 am    Bill Angel RIP

Tuesday
19th

Feria

Church      9:15 am   Intentions;Kearney & Hamilton Families RIP

Holy Souls RIP

Wednesday 20th

Feria

Church     11:15 am   FUNERAL
– ALFRED PUGH RIP

Church     12:15 pm   Bridget and Michael Brady RIP

Thursday 21st

Feria

Church       9:15 am   Intentions
of Gerry and Mary Fuller

Friday 22nd

Feria

Church       9:15
am   Bridget Lloyd RIP

Saturday 23rd       Feria

Church       9:15
am   Intentions of the Pauk Family [JP]

LITURGY FOR THE ASCENSION
OF THE LORD [B]

May 24th 2009 A.D. [World Communications
Day]

Saturday May 16th

Sunday   May 17th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Una Close RIP

Intentions of Gregoria Tungol

Intentions of Joan Boyden

Peter Duff-Still RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Edward Hogan RIP

Mile End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15 am

Peggy Wilding RIP [JN]

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