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 TWELFTH
SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

JUNE 22nd   2008

Dear Friends,

In the teaching of the
Koran it is the serpent who is to blame for the
downfall of Adam and Eve.  As the
old joke puts it:  “After
the Fall, Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed the serpent and the serpent did not
have a leg to stand on”.
However you interpret the story of the garden of Eden, it is a
powerful tale, vividly expressing our experience of evil in this world.  It can be very frightening to realise just how
attracted to evil we can be, how capable we are of doing great damage
to other people yet knowing ourselves to be very weak and vulnerable.  We become disappointed in ourselves
and our self worth suffers.  St Paul today teaches
the power of sin and the greater power of the goodness of God when he tells
the Romans that if the Fall was a crash bringing the world down, then the
life and love of Jesus Christ is the restoration and promise of life to
all.  When Jesus says “Do
not be afraid” his words are not uttered as mere fancy.  They are based on a rock solid
foundation – God’s unfailing love for each one of us. Jesus warns
his disciples of the opposition they will face but the point he is making is
very important: your own sense of worth is strong enough to overcome your
sense of fear.  He uses the
example of a sparrow.  Sparrows
were sold in the market as food for the poor – 2 for a penny, 5 for 2 pennies…almost
worthless. “Yet not one falls to the ground without your father
knowing……. You are worth more than hundreds of
sparrows”.  We may not
experience the terror and persecution of Jeremiah but the intimidation can
still be felt when we meet opposition to the Gospel and Christian values –
raised eyebrows and scornful silence.
We can face that kind of intimidation only when we believe in our
worth before God.  The Father
offers us his everlasting love.
When we keep that offer in mind, all the other offers begin to look
very tacky indeed.

God
bless

EVENTS
THIS WEEK

Wednesday
25th June  7-9pm Scripture Course [final
session]  Crypt

“
“
“
7pm   SVP Meeting                          Presbytery

N.B. Variations to Mass time on Friday

SECOND COLLECTION:  Next
weekend there will be a Diocesan second collection – Day for Life -  which this
year will focus on mental health and the aim of the Day is to help raise
awareness of the needs of those affected by mental ill-health, their friends,
family and carers and the support which the parish community and professional
services can bring.  The proceeds
of the collection will go the Linacre Centre and other life-related
activities supported by the Church.
There are specially printed Gift Aid envelopes in the porch or donate
on line www.dayforlife.org

BAPTISMS TODAY:
Sally Elizabeth Alford, Louis Antoine Claydon and Kai Harry
Critchley.    God
bless these children and congratulations to their families.

RECENTLY DECEASED: Please
pray for the repose of the soul of  Jean Richards and Margaret
Tuckell who have recently died.  May
they rest in peace.

ST BENEDICT’S SUMMER FAIR:  Saturday 28th June 12noon
to 3pm.  Grand Raffle Prize Draw, cake stalls,
bouncy castles, coconut shy, bottle stall, stalls by each Year Group plus
many others, and a BBQ.  Proceeds
to School funds, so please come along to support the Fair and the School.

UNION
OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS: An inaugural meeting has now been arranged for
Thursday, 17th July at 7pm
in the Crypt.

SUNDAY MORNING COFFEE:  The current rota for the coffee morning
after 10:30 Mass in Priory Street is coming to an end – if you would
like to volunteer for the new rota please
“ask at the hatch” or see Hywel & Pam Edwards – 867325.

AYLESFORD
YOUTH DAY - 5TH JULY:  In addition to the Clacton Parish
Coach, transport will be provided from St Benedict’s [leaving at 8:15am]. For more details phone the
College on 549222

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC
CHILDREN’S SOCIETY: based in Rayleigh, has
a vacancy for an experienced part-time Administrative Assistant, 15 hours per
week, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 12
– 5pm, £8.00 per hour.  The successful applicant
will be computer literate, organised and
enthusiastic.  If you are interested in joining our small friendly team
and would like more information, please contact Theresa on 01268
784544.  Closing date 11th July 2008.

BRENTWOOD DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES (July 26th-August 1st 2008):  A Senior Medical Practitioner/General
Practitioner who would be willing to assist another Doctor in providing medical
cover to registered sick/disabled Pilgrims whilst on Pilgrimage is being
actively sought. You would be joining a team of volunteers who consist of
Registered nurses and helpers who provide care and assistance as necessary,
to pilgrims in their hotel/s. Those people who require assistance are
accommodated with the main body of the Pilgrimage predominantly between two
designated hotels close to the Grotto.
If you would like further information please contact Phyllis Keating
(Chief Nursing Officer) on 07900918039

DIARY
DATE - BCYS TRAINING & RESOURCE DAY:  Saturday 20th September at
Our Lady of Lourdes
Parish Centre, Wanstead from 10am to 4pm. The Youth Service invite both
parish volunteers working with young people and those wanting to see more done
for young people to their annual training and resource day.  For more information or to book: www.bcys.net/youcan ; Youth Office
01277 265286; email [email-masked] and Diana has a supply of
booking forms in the parish office.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY: are
offering 2 different golf days for all you keen golfers this year, due to
popular demand. Firstly they are holding a Charity Golf Day on Friday 1st
August at Thorndon Park Golf Club, Brentwood, with breakfast, 18 holes and a
2 course lunch only £65 pp.followed by the
Annual Golf Classic on Friday 12th September at Ilford Golf Club,
18 holes and dinner only £45 pp. Full details are on the poster in the
porch which also details the Society’s main upcoming fundraising
events.

SICK
PARISHIONERS: Please pray for Emily Begg, June Bickersteth, Marie Dixon, John Fisher, Anne Gardiner, Denisia Gray, Maria Hanak,
Eileen Head, Michelle Huet, Catherine Libby, Sheila
Parsons, Mary and Harry Pink, John
Rae, Alwyn Stains, Carole Stover, Peggy Wilding.

Please be reminded that, because of the Data
Protection Act, we are not advised by hospital staff of Catholic inpatients.
If you have family or friends who have been admitted to hospital and who
would like a visit, do let one of the priests
know.

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

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 TWELFTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR[ A]

{Ss. John Fisher
and Thomas More, MM  normally
commemorated}

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

Saturday  June 21st

Sunday
June 22nd

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Pierre and Myriam Imbert RIP

Des Fuller RIP

James and baby Sophie
Banks RIP

Roseanna McLoughlin RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Private Intention

Mile
End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15 am

Joseph and Bridget Loftus
RIP

Monday
23rd

Feria

Church      9:15 am    Intentions of May MIranda

Intentions
of Mrs T Matiz &
Family

Tuesday
24th

BIRTHDAY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST

Church
9:15
am
Stephen Hilton RIP

Irene Stageman
RIP

Wednesday
25

Feria

Church
12:15 pm
Intentions of Hugo Roarty

Intentions
of John & Caroline Dobner

Thursday
26th

Feria

Church      9:15 am   D/Rels:
McGrath & Walker Families RIP

Friday
27th

N.B.

Feria

Church     10:00 am   Rosita Fernandes RIP

Saturday 28th        St Irenaeus, Bp.
M.

Church      9:15 am    Michael Piquet-Wicks
RIP

LITURGY FOR SS.
PETER AND PAUL, Apostles – HOLYDAY OF OBLIGATION

June 29th 2008 A.D.

Saturday June 28th

Sunday    June 29th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

6:30 pm

Norah Owen RIP

D/Rels:Herbert
& Richards Families RIP

For Vocations [Catenian Association]

Frederick, Elizabeth &
Angelo Lucas RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

John Kelly RIP [A]

Mile
End

9:15
am

Damian and Sheila Lu RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Parishioners

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]

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

Vocations                                      www.brentwoodvocations.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No.
234092