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 SECOND
SUNDAY OF THE YEAR  [B]

January 18th 2009 A.D.

Dear
Friends

Last week we were thinking about the baptism of
Jesus, an extraordinary experience which marked the beginning of his public
ministry.  In today’s
Gospel, Jesus appears as just another face in the crowd.  No signs or wonders, no great words of
wisdom – nothing to set him apart.
But John, the man who had baptised him, recognises Jesus for who he really is:  “Look, there is the lamb of
God”.  He bears witness to
what he knows about Jesus. Doesn’t offer any proof to back up his
assertion but just invites others to accept or reject what he believes to be
true and because those who have learnt to trust John, accept his words and
become the first to follow Jesus.
They recognise him for who he really is through the witness of one who
knows him. However, their response is surprising.  Instead of asking Jesus about the
meaning of life, they want to know where he lives, and perhaps that is the
right response for any aspiring disciple. They want no answers to deep,
theological questions; are not interested in philosophical speculation; they
just want to be with him, stay with him, learn from
him.

Another story of
recognition is to be found in today’s first reading.  In a dark time for the Hebrew people,
the prophetic voice is rarely heard and Eli the priest is weak and corrupt,
slow to perceive the will of God.
So when Samuel hears a voice in the night he assumes it is Eli.  Eventually this poor witness, Eli, has
a role in enabling the young boy to recognise the voice of the Lord.  We often need help to begin to recognise
the voice or the presence of God and if we want to be disciples, we need to
get to know him for who he really is.
We need to recognise that we are witnesses too – like Andrew,
whose first action as a disciple was to tell his brother.

God
bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK  [Check for any changes]

Monday 19th           10-12.30      STM Interviews
Presbytery

“
“
7:30pm        Liturgy
Meeting
Presbytery

Tuesday 20th         10-12.30       STM
Interviews
Presbytery

Wednesday 21st      6:45pm       Scripture
Course                              Crypt

“
“
7:00pm
SVP Meeting
Presbytery

Thursday 22nd         7.30pm        RCIA Meeting                                    Crypt

Friday 23rd              3-4:30pm     STM Interviews
Presbytery

Saturday 24th        10-12              FHC
Programme
Hall and Crypt

PEACE SUNDAY:  Today we celebrate Peace Sunday which offers us an opportunity to
reflect on the Holy Father’s Peace Day Message “Combating Poverty – Building Peace”.   Pax Christi, the
international Catholic Movement for Peace, is involved in campaigning on
issues such as the arms trade, the Middle East
and offers programmes that develop education for peace and seek alternatives
to violence.  After all Masses
today there will be a Diocesan second collection to help support Pax Christi in this work.

NEXT BAPTISM COURSE:  Has
been arranged on Monday 2nd February and Monday, 9th February at 7:30pm in the Crypt. This Course
is for all those wishing to have their child baptised before June.  If you would like to present a child
for Baptism please note that both
Sessions must be attended.
There is no need to make an appointment.

APPLICATION
FORMS FOR
ST THOMAS
MORE SCHOOL:   There are some appointments
still available on Tuesday morning, 20th January and Friday
afternoon, 23rd.  If you need to make an appointment
for an interview, please phone the Parish Office on a Monday, Tuesday or Friday.

RECENTLY DECEASED: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Violet
Amos who has recently died.  May
she rest in peace.

Praise & Worship Evening at SION Community,
Sawyers Hall Lane, Brentwood
on Sunday, 25th January,
7.30 to 9.00pm.  Everyone
welcome.

FRIENDS
OF PERU:
Are holding a Beatle Drive on
Saturday 31st January in the Cardinal Bourne Hall 7:30pm to 10pm.  Pay at the door: Adults £3.50;
children £2.50. [includes hot dog, mince pie,
soft or hot drink].  Children most
welcome.

CD YOUTH SPACE are organising a
laser tag party at Rayleigh
Megazone
on Saturday 31st
January. £18 /£15 for
siblings includes two games and coach. First pick up 3pm
Clacton, then Wivenhoe, then St. Benedict’s.
Pick up times to be confirmed.  Back about 9.30pm.
Place only reserved when full money received. Open to Colchester
Deanery Youth: Year 9 onwards.  Limited places available. Please return our completed booking form as soon as
possible.  For more information email [email-masked]     Bring a packed tea.  More information to follow.

SOCIAL
COMMITTEE:  The next
meeting takes place on Sunday, 1st February in the Priests’
House at mid-day.  If you have any
ideas to put forward for fund-raising in our parish,  please come along.

SANDWICHES
FOR THE HOMELESS:  If you can
spare a couple of hours a week to help Josie in the Hall on a Monday and
Friday from 10am to 11.45am, please contact her on 870929 or 07752 388756.

FRIENDS
OF PERU NEWS:  We are pleased to report
that the sales of Peruvian Crafts and recycled cards and the various
fund-raising events during 2008, enabled us to send £2,270 to the needy
in Peru.  Thank you so much for your support.

DIARY DATES:

BARN/SQUARE
DANCE:  The SVP are holding a
Barn/Square Dance on Saturday, 25th April.

PILGRIMAGES:

Brentwood Catholic Youth Service – Summer Lourdes. Open to year
10 and above for those interested in going to Lourdes.  Fundraising activities are taking
place. Congratulations to Anna for winning the moose in the “name the
moose” competition.  Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham 6.6.09.
A minibus will leave Osbourne St. at 8am. 16 places available. Approx.
£11. Maybe more places available if another driver is forthcoming. Essex Leg – Student Cross 2009.  From 8pm 3.4.09 – 12.4.09.  Walk from Colchester
to Walsingham during Holy Week.
You need to be 18+ for the whole week. On the 1st day
members of BCYS join the walkers.
You need to be 16+ for this 22 mile walk to Harwich.  Catholic
Deaf Assn. Pilgrimage to Walsingham.
1.5.09. Transport will be arranged. For all the above, leave clear message to Theresa Higgins on 523501 or [email-masked]

SICK
PARISHIONERS:  Mary
Pink, Peggy Wilding.

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:
8pm @ 48 Priory Street

EXPOSITION:
9:45am – 10:30am

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 contact Donald Clarke.  His email
address is [email-masked]

LITURGY FOR
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [B]

[Peace Day] January 18th 2009  A.D.

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

Saturday  January 17th

Sunday    January 18th

6:15 pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Mr & Mrs Milford RIP

Intentions of Mrs J Pauk

Intentions of Lenore
& Roger Sykes

Deirdre Kehoe RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Parishioners

Mile
End

9:15
am

Frank Black RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Celestine Tighe RIP

Monday
19th

Feria

Church      9:15 am   Canon John Bloomfield RIP

Holy
Souls RIP

Tuesday
20th

Feria

Church
9:15 am    Julie and John O’Connor RIP

Church      2:30 pm    FUNERAL – EDITH
OSBORNE RIP

Wednesday
21st

St Agnes, V.M.

Church     12:15 pm     Intentions of Ian & Ellen
Woodley

Intentions
of James Nicholls

Thursday
22nd

Feria

Church      9:15 am     Intentions of Sr
Helen

Friday
23rd

Feria

Church      9:15 am     REQUIEM – PAULINE CORNELL RIP

Saturday 24th        St Francis de Sales, Bp.D.

Church       9:15 am     Dominic Peters RIP [A]

LITURGY FOR THE
THIRD SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [B]

25th January 2009 A.D.

Saturday   January 24th

Sunday     January  25th

6:15
pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

6:30 pm

Carmel, Don Tinch, Kevin Weldon RIP

Jean Hirst
RIP

Lil McEntee
& John Donovan RIP

Intentions of Bill Weston

West Mersea

8:30
am

Parishioners

Mile
End

9:15
am

Rose Ann Foley RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Intns Joan Norman & Family

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