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 TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR August 24th  2008

Dear Friends,

It is unusual to think of the first Bishop of Rome as someone called Simon Johnson, who came to be called Rocky by his friends.  The apostle’s full name was Simon Bar-Jonah, meaning Simon Son of John, a Galilean fisherman from a small village, Capernaum.  His new name – Cephas – reveals something of who he has become and it was given to him by Jesus.  It is Aramaic, or Petros in Greek, and taken from the root word for “rock”.  In today’s Gospel, Matthew tells us that the Church was founded on the inspired confession of Simon – “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” - who henceforth will be known as Cephas.  All four Gospels were written after Peter’s lifetime; all of Paul’s letters however were written before Peter died, so they give us the earliest testimony we have about Peter.   Seen as the acknowledged leader, Paul goes to see Cephas first, although Paul opposes him on an issue which could cause a division in the early Church.  Nevertheless, Cephas stands as the figure of authority.

According to the Gospels, not only is Peter the first apostle to be called, Jesus’ mission in Galilee has its base in Peter’s house in Capernaum where he cured Peter’s mother-in-law and the remains of that house can today be seen within the Church which was built over the site.   Realistic memories are found within the Gospels too.  Not only is he the one who confesses who Jesus is, he also denies Jesus; not only does he express faith in Jesus, he also falters in that faith.  He has to be helped by Jesus in all he does, but he is Jesus’ choice to lead the community.  The keys of the kingdom of heaven – that symbol of his authority – can open doors as well as close them; they give access as well as prevent it and many non-Catholics are hoping that the Petrine figure can still become the great symbol of unity in the Church by using his authority in the service of unity and he can still live up to his name; he really is a rock.                                                                             God bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

N.B.  NO EVENING PRAYER THIS WEEK OR NEXT

NO MEDITATION ON TUESDAY 26th AUGUST*

Friday 29th August        10am    Monkwick Coffee Morning       See below

Saturday 30th August                  Hope on the Streets    See poster/& below*

BAPTISM: Lewis Firmin, Cameron Gordon, Patrick and Jacques Hipkin, Scarlett Mallett and Matilda Milgate.   God bless these children and congratulations to their families.

BBQ/FAMILY FUN DAY:  A big hug to all who supported this event in any way.  Your support contributed to all who attended having a wonderful afternoon.  We raised £425 towards improvements in the Cardinal Bourne Hall.  Thank you again.                                      Frances and friends.

HELP URGENTLY NEEDED FOR SATURDAY SOUP RUN: Two more sandwich makers and two more drivers are needed as soon as possible to enable the existing helpers more time between their shifts!  Please contact Claire on 765926 if you can spare some time.

Monday 25 August 2008: Catholic Charismatic retreat and healing service: led by Rev Fr Joseph Kandathiprambil HGN (Director, Goodnews Retreat Centre, Kerala, India) at Our Lady of Light church, Clacton,  from 3-6pm.  Service will be in Malayalam (Indian Language) consisting of adoration of the most blessed Sacrament, praise and worship, healing service, confession, Holy Mass. For further information please contact:  Dr Lissy Damien: 07787 609300 or  [email-masked]

MONKWICK COFFEE MORNING:  Takes place on Friday 29th August at the home of Tony Wright from 10am at No. 52 Fingringhoe Road.  All most welcome.

HOPE ON THE STREETS:  Saturday 30th August.  The Churches in Central Colchester are organizing a day of joint activities which will take place around the town centre and are looking for volunteers to help with various activities, including Prayer Room* at Eld Lane Baptist Church, BBQ, Family Events. See poster in the porch or contact Myra Dolamore. *We have a 1 hr slot at 3pm which will consist of short scripture readings, introduction to Christian meditation and silent meditation.  All welcome. Enquiries to Valerie Quinlivan 560935.

ROAD CLOSURE-RESURFACING WORKS: East Hill junction with Guildford Road and Rosebery Avenue.  Next Sunday, 31st August, East Hill will be closed to through traffic.  Access to Roman Road, Riverside Estate and Rosebery Avenue will be via High Street and East Hill only unless directed otherwise.

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR/EVENT:  Would you be interested in forming a committee to organize a fundraising event for Christmas?  A meeting has been arranged for September 7th in the Priests’ House after the 10.30 Mass.  People with – or without – experience and of all ages most welcome.  The Cardinal Bourne Hall is already booked for Saturday, November 22nd all day.

PRIORY STREET THEATRE GROUP present “Musical Memories”.  In the Cardinal Bourne Hall on Wednesday, 10th, Friday 12th and Saturday 13th September at 7:30pm.  Doors open at 7pm.  Tickets £5 per adult; concessions and children £3.  Tickets available on the door.  For more information, please contact Lesley on 512310.

Catholic Association for Racial Justice (CARJ) – 25th Anniversary Development Worker: CARJ seeks to appoint a development worker to organise its 25th Anniversary activities.  Further information from CARJ, 9 Henry Road, London N4 (Tel: 020 8802 8080)  email: [email-masked]. Applications by letter with a brief CV.  Closing date 17th September 2008.

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE REQUIRE 2 KITCHEN ASSISTANTS FOR SEPTEMBER 2008:  12pm – 2pm term time only and 3 non-pupil days.  Full details from the College Office – 549222.

YOUTH NEWS – 2 REMINDERS: [1] BCYS Training and Resource Day at Wanstead Parish Centre: Saturday 20th September from 10am to 4pm.  For more information or to book: www.bcys.net/youcan  01277 265286 or [email-masked] .[2] Youth Gather on Mersea Island:  Saturday/Sunday 11th/12th October.  Open to everyone in school year 9-13.  To book: 01277 265286 or [email-masked]                     [email-masked] -from end August

DAY OF RECONCILATION AND PRAYER: At Clare Priory, Nr Long Melford on Saturday 27th September. Organised by the Knights of St Columba, Colchester.  Cost £12, which includes Soup, Coffee/Teas.  There will be Mass and Benediction. You could also bring a packed lunch.  Start 10am.  Own transport.  To book, contact Bill de Smith on 01206 767597.

SVP HEALING MASS AND TEA PARTY:  This event will take place on the 27th September.  Mass will be celebrated at 2pm followed by a Senior Citizens Tea Party.  To book, please phone Anna on 242170 or Ann on 844914.

THE LONDON COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR will be giving a concert in Brentwood Cathedral on 27th September at 7:30pm.  Tickets Adult £14; Child £8; Family [2adults/2children] £40 available from The Music Office, Cathedral House, Ingrave Rd, Brentwood, CM15 8AT enclosing SAE. Cheques payable to Brentwood Cathedral Music.

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE: For 7 nights – Wednesday 5th November to Wednesday 12th November 2008.  Cost: £625 half-board including flights and some excursions.  Excludes Insurance and single room supplement.  For further details, contact Carmen on 07754 163007; 01277 821886 [landline] or see Fr Joseph.

SICK LIST:  Now is the time to review all on the “Sick List”.  Names which are included in this list should be people who are seriously ill or who have markedly declined recently in their health.  If you know of anyone who you feel qualifies, then please submit their name in writing to me and I will consider their inclusion on the list.  Please also ensure that the person who is sick wishes his or her name in the Newsletter.  Thank you.           FR JOSEPH

DAILY:                          Rosary 8:35am; Divine Mercy 9am [Wednesdays 11:30am]

EVENING PRAYER:      [N.B. Events List] Monday to Friday 5:45pm in the Church

PRAYER GROUP:                                                          Mondays at 8pm in the Crypt

MEDITATION GROUP: [N.B. Events List]  Tuesdays at 8pm at No.48 Priory Street

EXPOSITION:                                                                         Saturdays 10am – 11am

LITURGY FOR THE TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

August 24th 2008 A.D.

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

Saturday  August 23rd

Sunday    August 24th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

6:30 pm

Samuel, Imelda & Ainsley Jackson RIP

Ints. of Madeleine Oberding

Juan Valdemoro RIP

Peter Wypych RIP

West Mersea

8:30 am

Esmé Montaldi RIP

Mile End

9:15 am

Sean O’Connor RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Parishioners

Monday 25th

N.B.

Feria   [BANK HOLIDAY]

Church     10:00 am  Patsy Fitzgerald RIP

Canon John Bloomfield RIP

Mary McGinley RIP [A]

Tuesday 26th

Feria

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

Eamion Crowe RIP

Wednesday 27th

St Monica

Church      12:15 pm  Special Intention  [MH]

Thursday 28th

St Augustine, Bp.D.

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

Friday  29th

Hospital

The Beheading of St John the Baptist, M.

Church      9:15 am   Intentions of Mrs Goodison

Chapel     12:00 pm  Intentions of Jerry Kennedy

Saturday 30th       Feria

Church      9:15 am    Private Intention

Church     12:00pm    WEDDING – Penny and Stuart

LITURGY FOR THE TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

31st August 2008 A.D.

Saturday August 30th

Sunday   August 31st

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

6:30 pm

Lyn and Richard Cooke RIP

Pedro Arrieta RIP

Intentions of Sr Helen

Cecily Sim RIP

West Mersea

8:30 am

Parishioners

Mile End

9:15 am

Bob McLaren RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Intentions of Michael Firmin

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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]

www.marriagecare.org.uk   or 0800 389 3801.             www.brentwoodvocations.org

The Brentwood Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No. 234092