ST. JAMES
THE LESS AND ST. HELEN

CATHOLIC CHURCH, Colchester

with

Mersea, Mile End and Monkwick

Fr
Joseph Whisstock

Fr
Paul
Dynan

Fr
Philip Willenbrock

51 Priory
Street , Colchester, Essex,
CO1 2QB

Tel:
01206 866317;   Fax  01206 791213

E-Mail      [email-masked]

www.stjamesthelessandsthelen.org

THE BIRTHDAY OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST

June 24th 2007 A.D.

Dear Friends

Because he is such an important figure, John the
Baptist is the only person outside the Holy Family to have two days set aside
for him in the Church’s universal calendar.  His birthday today,
and his beheading on the 29th August.  He links the two Testaments; born in
the Old to prepare the way for the New.

Today we look at John the baby. It’s a pity
that the gospel is cut short because, after the drama of the naming,
Zechariah regains his speech and is overcome with wonder and praises
God’s faithfulness.  In the
middle of his prayer he pauses, looks down on his only child, the son of his
old age and speaks to him.
“As for you little child… you shall go ahead of the Lord
to prepare his ways before him”.

In his later life, John comes over as rather a
fierce character.  Films, plays,
opera even, portray him as a wild man, a fanatic.  It makes for good theatre.  There are people who preach religion
but for all their fine words, reveal only themselves and not God.  There are others who never get in the
way but point beyond themselves.
John was caught up by his love for God and his desire to bring the
hearts of God’s people back to their Lord. John was humble and when he recognised Jesus, John knew his work was nearly
over.  “He must grow
greater, I must grow less.”
He knew when to let go. Luke tells us that “the hand of the Lord
was with him”.  God was not
controlling him, but guiding him; supporting him but not forcing him.

“Loving Lord, thank you for the way I am. Forgive me for wanting
to be different.

Enable me to co-operate with you, that I may fulfil
the potential you have given me and do it for your honour
and kingdom, and for Jesus’ sake.
Amen.”

God bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Sunday
24th June
7.45 pm  Annual Parish Council Meeting         Hall

Monday
25th June
7:30 pm  Mercy Associates Meeting     See below

Wednesday
27th June
7-9pm
Scripture Course – Final Session     Crypt

Thursday
28th June
7:30pm   Vigil Mass for SS Peter &
Paul
Mersea

Friday
29th June
Holiday of Obligation
– Mass Times as over   Church

Saturday
30th June
6:15 pm  Youth Mass then pizzas
Church/Hall

DAMESFONTEIN: There will be a second collection this weekend for our twin Parish of Damesfontein in South Africa.  Our annual collection here is long
overdue but Frs Hector, Carlos and Cassiano are always very grateful for our financial help
in their work of running: an Orphanage, many of the children HIV/AIDS
positive; an Old People’s Home; several Creches;
a Hospice for those dying of HIV/AIDS; Soup Kitchens and Bursaries for both
primary and secondary schoolchildren.   Thank you.

EVENING
PRAYER:  During this month of
June, Evening Prayer from Monday to Friday will be at 48 Priory Street at 5:45pm and not in the Church.  Everyone is welcome to come.

PARISH PASTORAL COUNCIL:  The Annual Parish Council meeting will
take place today, Sunday 24th June at 7.45 p.m. in the Hall.  The latest reports from the Finance
and Pastoral Committees will be given, together with discussion of plans for
the forthcoming year.  It is hoped
that the meeting will end by 9.15
p.m All are invited, and light refreshments will be available. The
annual Financial Report and Statement of Accounts is
enclosed.

Fr Joseph

MERCY ASSOCIATES: The next meeting will be at 7.30 pm on Monday 25th June at Christ  Church Court ( tel.
763049).

SCRIPTURE COURSE:  This Wednesday, 27th June
sees the final session of the Scripture Course run by Sr Angela.  It is hoped to continue to meet in the
autumn and further details will follow in due course.

HOSPITAL
MASS:  There will not be a
Hospital Mass this month as Friday is the Feast of SS Peter and Paul, a
Holiday of Obligation.  The times
of Mass can be found on the front of this Newsletter.

YOUTH NEWS:  A Youth Mass [age 11 upwards] will be
held on Saturday 30th June at the 6:15pm Mass.
Young members of the congregation are needed as readers, musicians and
altar servers.  Please contact
Caroline Higgins on 797411 or 523501.
This will be followed by pizza and other refreshments in the Cardinal
Bourne Hall and will be your chance to make known what activities young
people would like to see in the parish.

If you are planning to go
to the World Youth Day, please
contact Theresa or Caroline Higgins to discuss fundraising activities.  The parish will be contributing to the
costs on a match funding basis.  Email Theresa.higgins203@ntlworld,com
or text 07971 270477 or phone 523501.Aylesford
Youth Festival Saturday 7th July 10.30am-8pm. Year 8 and
above.  A day of sport, drama,
music, street-dance, sign language, drumming and art!  Cost £8 + £10 coach fare. Coach will pick up at St Benedicts at 8.30am [returning approx.10pm]. To
book, phone John or Carolyn Dobner, Renee Augier at
St Benedicts or at home 01255 880509.  Training
and Resource Day for parishioners working with young people Saturday 22nd
September.  A long way off but
the Youth Office will be in touch next month for names and numbers.

CHURCH
CLEANING:  Help desperately required!  There are only 3 cleaners at
present.  If you are able to spare
1 hour every 5 weeks and be part of a team, then please contact
Helena Gibson on 794636 [evenings only].
CRB checks will be required.

DURUFLÉ
REQUIEM – Brentwood Cathedral on Saturday 30th
June 7.30pm.  Programme
will include Vaughan Williams’
London Symphony and two motets by Copland.  Conductor: Eugene Castillo,
Director/Principal Conductor of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra,
together with Brentwood Choral Society and the Cathedral Singers. Tickets
£10 unreserved from the Music Office – 01277 265288 or on the
door.

MONKWICK
COFFEE MORNING:  A coffee morning has been
arranged for Tuesday, 3rd July at 52 Fingringhoe Road,
Colchester.  Parking is available.

BRADWELL
PILGRIMAGE:  The KSC are arranging
transport for this pilgrimage which will be led by Bishop
Thomas and Bishop John of Chelmsford on the 7th July and
Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O’Connor is the special guest.  The minibus will leave at 9.30am from outside the Cardinal
Bourne Hall.  To book, contact
John Sutcliffe on 851838.

FRIENDS OF PERU:  Curry Night – Saturday, 7th
July in
the Cardinal Bourne Hall 7pm
– 11pm. Cost
£10 Adults; £5 children.
Please bring your own drinks, glasses will be provided. For any
further information contact 503410 or 867707.

WALSINGHAM
HOUSE – OPEN HOUSE RETREAT: The Walsingham House team invite young people in
school year 9-13 to relax and unwind at the end of term.  From 13th-15th
July come to Walsingham House and spend the weekend in the company of
friends, centred on the theme “Come, rest in
the Lord”.  The retreat will
be the usual blend of faith, fun and barbecue! Cost £25. Application
forms available at www.bcys.net or call
01268 515970.

HELP!
-  URGENTLY NEEDED AT THE SVP ST
JOHN BOSCO CAMP:  Can you volunteer a week
of your time to help children, especially children who get no other holiday?
Based just up the road, at Aldham, helpers sleep in
tents and need a CRB check, which can be arranged. Helpers must be 18+, but 20+,
30+ especially needed for ALL weeks commencing 28th July.  Contact Fr Dominic 01268 696610 or for
female helpers contact Nic Austin-Pugh
07902 315760.  Please apply by 1st
July.  Diana has application forms
in the Parish Office.  All the
children who have applied cannot yet be accepted because of the shortage of
helpers.

ACCOMMODATION
FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS AND TEACHERS during July and August in the Colchester
environs.  For Rate and Dates
contact Pauline on 01206 211597.

DAILY: Rosary 8.40am; Divine Mercy
9am [Wednesdays 11.40am].

PRAYER GROUP: Mondays 8pm in Crypt;

MEDITATION GROUP: Tuesdays at 8pm at 48 Priory Street.

EXPOSITION: Saturdays 10am-11am.

SICK PARISHIONERS: Please pray for Emily Begg,
June Bickersteth,

Pauline Carter, Ron Collins, Sylvina de Britto, Marie Dixon,
John Fisher, Florence

Fuller, Denisia Gray, Eileen Head, Michelle Huet, Deirdre Kehoe, Catherine Libby,

Luke McShane, Sheila
Parsons, John Rae, Sheila Shillingford,

Colleen Thurlow,
Carole Stover.

LITURGY FOR THE BIRTHDAY OF ST
JOHN THE BAPTIST

June 24th 2007 A.D.

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

Saturday  June 23rd

Sunday
June 24th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Charlie Zammit RIP

Finbar O’Brien RIP

Edith Sadler RIP

Private Intention

West Mersea

8:30
am

John Kelly RIP [A]

Mile
End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15 am

Tony Bickersteth RIP

Monday 25th
Feria

Tuesday 26th

Church                9:15
am  Des
Fuller RIP

Mrs Nina O’Dwyer RIP

Feria

Church                9:15 am  Agnes Chee
RIP

Ian
Bucklitsch RIP

Wednesday 27

Thursday 28th

Vigil Mass

Feria

Church

St Iraneus, Bp.

Church

Mersea

12:15pm

M.

9:15 am

7:30
pm

Intentions of the Barnes Family

Intentions of Anthony Redmile

Holy Souls RIP

Friday 29th

School Mass

SS. PETER

Church

Church

Church

& PAUL,

9:15 am

12:15
pm

7:30 pm

Apostles, Holiday
of Obligation

Mr and Mrs
D Quinn RIP

In Thanksgiving [Mrs
SF]

D/Rels:
Herbert/Richards Families RIP

Saturday 30th

Feria

Church
9:15
am   Marcel Nalletamby RIP

LITURGY FOR THE THIRTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [C]

Day for Life – July 1st 2007 A.D.

Saturday  June 30th

Sunday    July 1st

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30
am

6:30 pm

Tony Bickersteth RIP

Intentions of Josie MacIsaac

Patrick Clark RIP [WH]

P. M. O’Sullivan RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Peter George RIP

Mile End

9:15
am

Holy Souls RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Parishioners

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

The
Brentwood Diocesan Trust – Registered
Charity No. 234092