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

PENTECOST SUNDAY – MAY 27TH 2007  A.D.

Dear Friends

A
learned Japanese writer was in discussion with Archbishop Anthony Bloom;
“I think I understand about the Father and the Son, but I can never
understand the significance of the honourable
bird”.  Many may sympathise, for the Holy Spirit has traditionally eluded
the attention of scholars and preachers.
We cannot capture it, allowing it to limp out on special occasions
like baptism and confirmation.
The honourable bird is still in flight.   Like the wind you hear the sound
of it, but you do not know from whence it comes or where it goes but you
certainly know when it’s been around.    When the disciples go
outside, the crowds at first think they are drunk; slurred voices, laughing
uncontrollably – they were obviously high on something.  Every kind of spirit affects the mood,
and that includes the Holy Spirit.
Nothing wrong with that. It is normal for the warmth and security of
fellowship, the release of praise and worship, to become profoundly
mood-altering experiences.  The
problem begins when religious practice degenerates into substance abuse.  At that point, faith becomes not just
intoxicating, but toxic.  An
inebriating religious brew is no real remedy for our souls, nor do the staggerings of those early disciples in the Acts of the
Apostles make a true Pentecost; we also need the firmess,
“If you love me, keep my commandments”.  The continuing gift of the Spirit is
conditional on our behaviour. He is a teacher given
to those who are teachable, mature and willing to be changed.  Later, the crowds realise
the apostles are not drunk but changed by the Holy Spirit; where there was
misunderstanding now there is communion.
How often do we say “Now you’re talking my language”
with a mixture of relief and enthusiasm.
It’s the language of the Spirit; the call of the honourable bird.

God
bless

WEEKDAY
MASSES:  Thank you to all who sent
in written comments concerning the weekday Masses, especially Mass on
Wednesday.  Having taken these
comments into account and after discussion with the parish Clergy, I can
confirm that the 12:15pm
Mass on Wednesday will now be a permanent feature [Mass on the other days of
the week Monday to Saturday will remain at 9:15am].  Please
note that any of the weekday Mass times can change due to meetings,
funerals etc., It is important, therefore, that you always check the
Newsletter.
Fr Joseph

EVENING
PRAYER:  During the 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.

BAPTISMS
TODAY:    Luke Selby, Isabel Amora, Oriana Bazarra.    God bless these children and
congratulations to their families.

BAPTISM
COURSE: The
next Baptism Course has been arranged on the evenings of Thursday 7th June and Thursday 14th June in the
Crypt from 7:30pm to 9pm.  If you wish to present a child for
Baptism, there is no need to make an appointment.  Just turn up.  Both sessions must be attended
and the date of the baptism will be arranged during the Course.

FIRST HOLY
COMMUNIONS:  Congratulations to Lorena
Allen-Mena, Tara Binder, Maddy
Bishop, Chowa Chanda,
Josh Cody, Saskia Cooke, Robyn Cura,
George Fenning, Gabriella Foley, Charlotte Hooper,
Daniel Jones, Jared King, Gillian Magsino, Kirselle Magsino, Maeve MacMillen, Daniel McGauley,
Morgan Moriarty, Catherine Reader, Charlie Reid, Jack Rowbottom-Wright,
Olivia Thorpe and Gina Westby who received their first Holy Communion last
weekend.

K.S.C:  The Knights will be reciting the Rosary on Wednesday 30th May at 7:30pm at St Teresa’s,
Lexden, with Benediction.  Pilgrimage to Aylesford 10th
June: Coach leaves East Hill at 8:45am.  Return from Aylesford at 5pm. Cost £10. Bring a packed
lunch.  To book, call Bill de
Smith on 767597; Joe Mellone on 501592 & 07814
246134 or contact one of the Knights after Mass.

WELCOMERS
MEETING: Will
be held on Monday 4th June at 7:30pm in the Crypt.  [Please note the Prayer Group will
meet in the Presbytery].

NATIONAL
CHILD PROTECTION CHECKS FOR ALL VOLUNTEERS WITHIN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH:  CRB [Criminal Records Bureau] forms have been
left in a prominent place at each of the 4 churches.  Please would each volunteer collect a
form and complete it.  Volunteers
will then need to bring the completed form IN PERSON together with 3 forms of identification [see below] to
the Crypt at Priory Street after the 10.30am Mass on either Sunday 17th June or Sunday, 15th
July. The accepted forms of ID are one
of the following documents: passport, birth certificate or driving licence [both parts if new style licence],
plus two of the following: NI card/number, utility bill with
name and address, addressed correspondence from benefits agency, employment
service or Inland Revenue, statement from credit/store card or bank [less
than 3 months old] marriage
certificate or valid TV licence. All documents must
be original, not copies.  The
forms will be checked and ID verified by parish and diocesan reps.  If you find difficulty providing the
forms of ID above, please bring 7 other documents
which give recent name and address.
All volunteers are required to complete a CRB form in order to carry
on their valuable work in the parish.
Those who find difficulty attending, should
drop a note addressed to James Shaw, Parish Child Protection representative
c/o The Presbytery.

BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL CHORISTER AUDITIONS:  Applications are invited [boys 8-10
years; girls 8-16 years] for the academic year starting September.  Further details, email [email-masked]
or phone 01277 265288.  Closing
date for applications –
8th June 2007.

CAVENDISH
CONSORT will
be giving another of their delightful concerts in the church on Saturday 16th
June at 8pm.  The programme
is called Fiori Musicali and
features music from the 17th century Italy, played on original instruments.
Admission £5 [£3.50 concessions].  A highly entertaining evening with
proceeds to church funds.

HELP!
HUNGRY CHILDREN! -  St Thomas More’s is looking for a new Catering Manager for
September 2007.  Would you be able
to cook for about 90 children a day?
Could you manage an assistant, plan the menu and order in supplies?
Can you work 25 hours a week, term time only?  If you have suitable qualifications or
experience, please call Sue French at the school –  865722.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC CHILDREN’S SOCIETY:  Visit www.buy.at/BCCS
for some great offers on DVDs, Games and Gadgets from over 100 top retailers,
including HMV, Game and Tesco.
For every purchase made the Society will receive a commission.

DAILY:     [Except Wednesdays, then at
11:40am] Rosary -8.40am:
Divine Mercy – 9am

EVENING
PRAYER  [See notice re June]                   Monday to Friday 5:45pm

PRAYERGROUP:    [See notice re 4th
June]             Mondays
in the Crypt 8pm

MEDITATION
GROUP:
Tuesdays at 48 Priory Street      8pm

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, Carole Stover.

FINANCES: March – average weekly collection
£2,090. CAFOD £1,895,

St Patrick’s Night Social £243, donation from Monkwick
£500.  We paid

£2,500 monthly amount to the Diocese and £553 to Anglia
Water.  April –

average weekly collection £2,126. CAFOD £1,017,
St Patrick’s Missionary

Appeal
£1,550 [duly received by them] and we paid £2,500 to the Diocese
&

£529 re gas bills, excluding the Hall.  APF red boxes:  Annual amount donated

last year by the parish - £2,341. Total so far
£539.       Thank you.

THANK YOU to all who helped at and
attended the Spring Coffee Morning on

the 18th May.  £190 was raised for Parish funds.

LITURGY FOR PENTECOST SUNDAY

May 27th 2007 A.D.

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

Saturday  26th May

Sunday
27th May

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30
am

6:30
pm

Una Close RIP

Rev. L. Matthews RIP

Cora Webb RIP

Intentions of Mr and Mrs Guglielmi

West Mersea

8:30 am

Parishioners

Mile
End

9:15
am

Jim England RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Denise Smith RIP [P & GM]

Monday 28th
Feria
BANK HOLIDAY

Tuesday 29th

Church   N.B.    10:00 am  Susan Savage RIP [A]

Baby
Thomas Bone RIP

David Grummitt RIP

Feria

Church                 9:15am  Intentions of Margaret Hilton

Intentions
of Maria and Tide Matiz

Wednesday 30

Thursday 31st

Church

DEDICATION

Church

12:15pm

OF

9:15am

THE VISITATION OF OUR LADY

Lily Heany RIP

Intns: John, Polly, Lucy, Jack,
Joseph Oliver

BRENTWOOD CATHEDRAL

Michael Treby RIP

Friday 1 JUNE

St Justin, M.

Church

Monkwick

9:15am

7:00pm

Intentions of the Jay Family

Fr John McNally RIP

Saturday 2nd

Feria

Church
9:15am   John and Julie
O’Connor RIP

LITURGY FOR THE MOST HOLY TRINITY  - June 3rd 2007
A.D.

Saturday  June 2nd

Sunday    June 3rd

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30
am

6:30
pm

Mr & Mrs Drummond RIP

Patrick and Maureen O’Donnell RIP

Reginald Hammond RIP

Lancelot Milford
RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Mary Gallagher RIP

Mile End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15
am

Ron Lewis RIP [A] & Mary H Davies RIP [A]

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

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Monday 28th May   10:00am    Morning Mass [Bank Holiday] Priory Street

Friday 1st June
7:00pm    Mass at Monkwick –
First Friday

Saturday 2nd June
Diocesan Pilgrimage to Walsingham