ST. JAMES THE LESS AND ST. HELEN

CATHOLIC CHURCH, Colchester

with

Mersea, Mile End and Monkwick

Fr  Anthony  McKentey

Fr  Neil Brett

Fr  Philip Willenbrock

51 Priory Street , Colchester, Essex, CO1 2QB

Tel:           01206 866317;   Fax  01206 791213

E-Mail      [email-masked]

www.stjamesthelessandsthelen.org

THE  THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT [A]

March 24th 2011

My dear friends

At the heart of the season of Lent is the theme of conversion.  This is a time of final preparation for those to be received into the Church at Easter and thereby, hopefully, a refresher course for all of us.  We remember those in our community and Diocese who are preparing to be received into the Church through the RCIA [Rite for the Christian Initiation of Adults].  We also remember those in the Anglian communion who will be received into full communion with the Catholic Church through the Ordinariate.  We pray that they will all find new life through their faith in Jesus.

Today’s Gospel about Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman is a classic example of conversion. As she comes not only to believe in Christ, but also to be his witness in the community to which she belongs.

I hope you have all completed your Census forms.  They will give a clear idea where all of us are on the 27th March 2011.  March 27th is the anniversary of my Ordination to the Priesthood, which took place on that day in 1976 at Blessed Sacrament, Chelmsford.  This weekend is my thirty fifth anniversary as a priest which I believe is a Coral anniversary.  The dictionary definition of coral is; tough and durable; flesh coloured and attractive on the outside.  Any similarity with your Parish Priest is purely coincidental.

May God bless you all.

Fr Tony McKentey

EVENTS THIS WEEK

See Schedule for Changes or Extra Masses

Wednesday 30th March          12:45pm approx Lenten Lunch           Crypt

“                         6:45-8:45  Scripture Group                              Crypt

Thursday 31st                  7:30pm  RCIA

Friday Apl 1                     7:30pm Stations of the Cross                 Church

Saturday 2nd                 10 am     FHC Reconciliation Service*       Church

“                                  5-6pm    Lectio Divina                                  Crypt

`DAILY:   Morning Prayer 8:15am; Rosary/Divine Mercy 8:35am. [Wed. 11:15am]

PRAYER GROUP                                            Mondays @ 8pm in the Crypt

MEDITATION GROUP:                                   Tuesdays @ 8pm in the Crypt

EXPOSITION:    *Not on 2nd April because of the children’s Confessions

SICK:  Please remember in your prayers: May Banks, June Bickersteth, Joan Boyden, Frank Campbell, Nancy Drummond, Charlie George, Cara Maude, Bridie Murphy, Denis Nolan, Leah Patterson, Hector Silva, Ellen Woodley.  Please also remember Canon Peter Walker and his wife, Caroline.

GIFT AID: Sets of envelopes for the new financial year will be available as follows : Priory Street and Mersea – 26 March onwards. Mile End and Monkwick – 3 April onwards. Please collect your supply as appropriate.  There will also be the usual supply of un-numbered boxed sets for those that have previously used this method of giving.

CONGRATULATIONS to Sr Mary Thérèse Bamford on the Diamond Anniversary of her Religious Profession on the 25th March.

THANK YOU FROM PERNILLE: “To all the WRAP volunteers, thank you so much for volunteering to keep homeless people off the streets this winter.  All in all, the Project helped 21 different individuals for a total of 55 bed nights.  Even if you were not called out, remember that without the continuity provided by you setting time aside for this, the WRAP could not have run and much hardship would have resulted.  WELL DONE AND GOD BLESS”.

THANK YOU from Frances and friends to all for your help and support at the St Patrick’s Dance on March 19th.  It was an enjoyable night and we raised £438.

BAPTISM: Bryony May Doyle.  God bless this child and congratulations to her family.

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

EASTER LILIES:  If you would like to donate a bloom in memory of a loved one, please enclose whatever you can afford in an envelope marked “Easter Lily” and deliver to the Priests’ House.

CHOIR LOFT: Please note that the Choir Loft is now out of bounds for Health & Safety reasons.

LENTEN LUNCHES ON WEDNESDAYS IN CRYPT:  After 12:15 Mass. Homemade soup and a roll for 50p. So far, £40 has been collected for  Childcare.

MILE END STATIONS OF THE CROSS:  At St Joseph’s at 7:30pm on Wednesday, 30th March and Wednesday, 6th April.

LECTIO DIVINA: On Saturday evenings in Lent in the Crypt 5pm – 6pm.

MERCY ASSOCIATES: Meet next at 7.30 pm on Monday 4 April at Christ Church Court ( tel. 763049)

LENT LECTURE: Sr Helen Costigan, SHCJ- What does it mean to forgive and to be forgiven? Tuesday 5th April Cathedral Conference Centre, 7.30pm.Cost £5 per person. For booking all events please contact the Adult Religious Education office on 01277 265255.

SOUP AND ROLL HUNGER LUNCH:  At St John Payne Parish Hall, Greenstead on Saturday 9th April between 12 noon – 2pm.  Proceeds in aid of Christian Aid.

'GOD'S CALLING IN THE LIGHT OF THE GOSPEL' A Holy Week retreat from Fri 15th -Sun 17th April at Abbotswick  led by Fr Stefan Park OSA for young adults aged 18-38.  For further details and booking forms visit www.abbotswick.org or call Theresa on 01277 373848.

EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS’ DAY; In The Cardinal Bourne Hall, 16th April 10:30am-4pm.  Please bring a packed lunch; teas, coffees will be provided.

SVP TEA PARTY will be held in Cardinal Bourne Hall on Saturday, 7th May, at 2.30pm with entertainment by Colne Harmony. There is no charge, but please phone 07970408707 by 24th April to book your place.

VACANCY: HEADTEACHER – ST FRANCIS CATHOLIC PRIMARY SCHOOL, MALDON, ESSEX: Closing date for receipt of applications: Tuesday 26 April 2011 at Noon. Short-listing date: Wednesday 27April 2011. Interviews will be held on Friday 6 May 2011. For an application pack, contact Keren Prior, Essex County Council, Schools Workforce Development Team, PO Box 47, County Hall, Chelmsford CM2 6WN. Tel No: 01245 434031 or email: [email-masked].

MISSION TODAY SPRING 2011 Newsletter available at the rear of the Church.  “Red-Box” holders invited to take one; also others interested in becoming a box-holder or in the work of APF/Mill Hill Missionaries.  Last year our parish collected £1,344.  For further information ring, Ron Griffin - 571590

CHURCH CLEANERS’ ROTA: Thursday, 31st March, Team 4.

LITURGY FOR THE THIRD SUNDAY OF LENT  [A]

27th March  2011

Saturday March 26th

Sunday March 27th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

6:30 pm

Stephen Mooney RIP

P. I. Abraham RIP

Dr Roger Sykes RIP

Parishioners

Mersea

8:30 am

Anne Harper RIP

Mile End

9:15 am

In Thanksgiving [Chato Family]

Monkwick

10:15 am

Harold and Denise Smith RIP

Monday 28th

Feria

Church      7:30 am   Intentions of Netta Caldeira

Church      9:15 am    Frederick Fordham RIP

Tuesday 29th

Feria

N.B. Church 7:30am  Arthur Harper RIP

Church      9:15am    Intentions of Miss Ria and Family

Wednesday 30th

N.B.

Feria

Church      7:30 am   Canon John Bloomfield RIP

Church      9:15 pm   Peggy Byrne RIP

Thursday 31st

Feria

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

Friday April 1st

Feria

Church       9:15 am   Linda Minnis RIP

Church       6:30 pm   Mrs Peggy Kelly RIP

Church       7:30 pm   Stations of the Cross

Saturday 2nd          Feria

Church       9:15 am   Fr Gerald Ryan RIP

LITURGY FOR THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT  [A]

3rd April  2011

Saturday April 2nd

Sunday   April 3rd

6:15 pm

8:00 am

Moira and Dennis Pryke RIP

George Onwuemezi RIP

10:30am

Intentions of the UCM

6:30 pm

Frederick,Elizabeth&Angelo Lucas RIP

West Mersea

8:30 am

Parishioners

Mile End

9:15 am

Jim England RIP [A]

Monkwick

10:15am

D/Rels: Scanlan/Brown Families

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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