ST. JAMES THE LESS AND ST. HELEN

CATHOLIC CHURCH, Colchester

with

Mersea, Mile End and Monkwick

Fr  Anthony  McKentey

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

THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [B]

October 25th 2009

My dear friends

During the week I met with the Parish Council and also with representatives from the Finance Committee.  Various concerns were raised about our financial situation which you can read in greater detail in the Annual Financial Report available today.  In the New Year I hope to have an open meeting where we can discuss the needs and priorities of the Parish, both financial and pastoral.

Recently, I have made several visits to the Colchester General Hospital and attended a meeting of Chaplains. I am looking forward to celebrating Mass there on Friday of this week.

I visited Mr O’Hara at St Benedict’s College who gave me a guided tour and told me about the life of the school.  A welcome visitor at the door was Rev. Peter Walker from St James the Great Church who told me of the co-operation between the churches in Colchester.  A lovely surprise, too, was a very generous gift of £250 from the Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre.  We thank them very much for this gift and for all that they do for us still.

As I write these words, I am preparing to go back to my previous parish of Braintree for a presentation on Friday, 23rd October.  We need to arrange a similar event for Fr Joseph Whisstock.  He will be coming to celebrate the Vigil Mass on Saturday, 21st November, at 6:15pm which will be concelebrated with the priests of the parish. A presentation will be made to him in the Cardinal Bourne Hall afterwards.  If you would like to be associated with this gift, then please give to the second collection on the weekend of the 7th/8th November.

May God bless you all

EVENTS THIS WEEK [Please check any changes]

Monday  26th                     7:30pm  Mercy Associates                 See below

Wednesday  28th              6:45pm  Scripture Course                          Crypt

“                   “                7:30pm   Monkwick Committee Meeting

Thursday 29th                  7:30pm   RCIA Course                                Crypt

Friday 30th                       12 noon  Hospital Mass            Hospital Chapel

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

PRAYER GROUP:                                           Mondays  at 8pm in the Crypt

MEDITATION GROUP:                                   Tuesdays at 8pm in the Crypt

EXPOSITION:                                               Saturdays at 9:45am – 10:30am

NOVEMBER DEAD LIST:  A Book of Remembrance for Holy Souls will be in the porch next weekend for you to enter the names of your deceased family and friends to be prayed for during November.  If you wish a Mass to be offered, please complete a Mass Offering envelope, enclose the relevant stipend and deliver to the Parish Office in the normal way.  The Mass will be celebrated in due course and the Book will be placed on the altar throughout November.

RECENTLY DECEASED:  Please pray for the repose of the soul of John Fisher who has recently died.  May he rest in peace.

CHRISTMAS MARKET NOVEMBER 27TH & 28TH:  For the next 6 weeks the Social Committee are requesting items for this event. This week it is   Please leave in the black bins in the Church Porch.

MERCY ASSOCIATES:  Next meeting on Monday, 26th October at 7:30pm at Christ Church Court [tel: 763049].

KNIGHTS OF ST COLUMBA: The Rosary will be said at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 28th at Lexden.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE CATHOLIC FAITH?:  A programme for anyone who may be consider becoming a Catholic or wants to know more about their Catholic faith continues on Thursday at 7:30pm in the Crypt.  All enquiries to Cathy O’Connor on 01206 501146.

BRENTWOOD DIOCESAN TRAINING DAY FOR SECTION 48 INSPECTORS: 20th November 2009 at Cathedral House Conference Centre 10.00a.m. until 3.00p.m. We are looking to extend our Inspection team. If you are a retired Head teacher, Deputy Head teacher, R.E. Co-ordinator, Head of R.E. or R.E. teacher please apply by letter stating whether you would wish to inspect in our primary or secondary schools. Application deadline Friday 30th October. Colette Dawson – Co-ordinator of Inspections, Cathedral House, Ingrave Road, Brentwood, CM4 9BU. Tel: 01277 265285.

ANNUAL REUNION MASS FOR LOURDES PILGRIMS: All pilgrims past and present are reminded of this year's Annual Reunion Mass which will be celebrated at the Cathedral in Brentwood on Saturday 31st October at 3.00pm, followed by refreshments in the Hall.

FRIENDS OF PERU:  Snail Race: Saturday, 31st October unfortunately has had to be cancelled.

OASIS OF PEACE (MARIAN) DAY:  Celebrate All Saints’ Eve (Halloween) with a difference: on Saturday October 31st 2009 at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, 11, Church Hill, Epping, Essex, CM16 4RA, from 10.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Includes Mass, Adoration and Rosary. Bring packed lunch – drinks provided. “In prayer you will find your deepest joy” (Our Lady of Medjugorje)

BCCS Anniversary Dinner:  Brentwood Catholic Children’s Society are delighted to announce that in celebration of their 25th Anniversary,  the Rt Honorable Ann Widdecombe MP will be the guest speaker a special Anniversary Dinner.  The dinner will be held on Thursday 5th November at Stockbrook  Golf & Country Club, Billericay.  Tickets are priced at £45 per person, which will include a drink on arrival and three course meal. To reserve your tickets or for further information please call Julie Abbott 01268 784544 or email [email-masked]

CHORISTER FOR A DAY:  On Saturday 7th November, Westminster Cathedral Choir School are hosting an event for families to find out more about becoming a chorister at Westminster Cathedral, principally for boys considering entry into Year 4 in September 2010 or 2011. All choristers are boarders, supported by very generous scholarships, supplemented by bursaries where needed. Full details are on the poster in the porch.

The next meeting of the Essex Recusant Society will take place on Saturday 7th November at 2.30 p.m. at The Grange, 93 Queens Road, Brentwood. Fr. Brian Croughan,  Portsmouth Diocesan archivist, will give a talk entitled, ' A brief history of devotion to Our Lady Vulnerata.' For further information please contact Miss Isobel Parks on 01268 289678.

INVITATION FROM GREENSTEAD PARISH:  We are invited to join their planned Christmas Shopping Trip to Norwich on Saturday, November 14th.  Leave at 9am PROMPT from St John Payne Church, Greenstead.  Price £12 each.  To book or for more details, contact Jean on 865038.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY has bond places for runners in the 2010 LONDON MARATHON – SUNDAY APRIL 25th .  If you are an experienced runner or someone who would value the opportunity to participate in this renown event please contact Sarah Kendall at the Society’s office – Tel no. 01268 784544- [email-masked] .  It is an excellent way to raise much needed funds for the Diocesan Children’s Society and perhaps achieve an ambition!

SICK:  Please remember in your prayers Claire Cooper, Lisette Graziani, baby Leah Patterson and Mary Roddy.

IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE PARISH: please introduce yourself to one of the priests after Mass.  A registration form [on the table in the porch] 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 THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [B]

October 25th 2009

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

Saturday October 24th

Sunday  October 25th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

6:30 pm

Beryl & Noel Blanchette RIP

Andrew & Mary McAllister RIP

Intentions of Cameron Malseed

Thanksgiving

West Mersea

8:30 am

Parishioners

Mile End

9:15 am

Ann Ryan RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Joseph Hawken RIP

Monday  26th

St Cedd, Bp.  Secondary Co-Patron of the Diocese

Church      9:15 am   Tony Pereira RIP

Tuesday 27th

Feria

Church      9:15 am   Mr T M Sebastian RIP [A]

Wednesday 28

Ss SIMON AND JUDE, App.

Church     12:15 pm   Jan Praztak RIP

Thursday 29th

Feria

Church       9:15 am   Intentions of Mrs Earl & Family

Friday  30th

Colchester Gen.

Feria

Church       9:15 am   Mario de Aguiar RIP

Chapel      12:00        Intentions of Hospital Patients

Saturday  31st       Feria

Church        9:15am   Michael Piquet-Wicks RIP

LITURGY FOR THE SOLEMNITY OF ALL SAINTS

October 31st  2009

Saturday  October 31st

6:15 pm

Betty Furmanger RIP

Sunday    November 1st

8:00 am

Alan Walker RIP

10:30am

Mary and John McGinley RIP

6:30 pm

Special Intention

West Mersea

8:30 am

Colm Power RIP

Mile End

9:15 am

Michael & Bridget Brady RIP

Monkwick

10:15am

Parishioners

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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