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 SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY OF
THE YEAR [A]

JULY 27th   2008

Dear Friends,

How often would we like
God’s presence to be much more cut and dried; for him to show us the
way through life, make all our problems and anxieties disappear?  The problem with that is that it does
not allow us to grow.  Like Harry
Potter in The Philospher’s
Stone when he looks into the mirror and sees his parents standing behind
him, we want to step out of life and hold onto an image of comfort.  But God wants us to win our
spurs.  We are to be involved in
the maelstrom of life in all its challenging mixture of good and evil. Like
Solomon in the first reading, we need the gift of discerning judgement to be able to sift through our life experiences
to try and see which reflect God’s presence and which do not.  We can also take confidence from St Paul’s words to
the Romans that God turns everything to our good.  We are not lost in a maze; we have
been specially chosen.  Jesus had
what Solomon prayed for – a heart to discern the ways of the people and
the ways of God. But more than this, Jesus had the determination to close the
gap between the two ways and we know he had to give up everything he valued
to do his Father’s will and preach the kingdom of God.  But there was a purpose in it: even in
death Jesus kept hold of his treasure.
None of us can gain anything of value without renouncing
something.  Both men in
today’s Gospel appreciated the value of what they had discovered and
were willing to pay the cost. Perhaps what we have to renounce first is our
perception of what real treasure is in this daily life. Like the two Bedouin
boys who stumbled on the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1947 we may have problems
appreciating our find wrapped in the ordinary stuff of life; the treasure
under our noses – the people we share life with, the opportunities we
face daily to exercise the values of Jesus.  He is the authentic article, hidden in
the common-place, hoping we’ll stumble on that truth before long.
God bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

NO PRAYER GROUP -  MONDAY
28TH JULY

EVENING PRAYER 28TH JULY – 1ST AUGUST AT 48 PRIORY STREET

[All are welcome]

Wednesday
30th  July   7pm
Monkwick Committee Meeting

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

BAPTISM TODAY: Ethan Jack Sutcliffe.  God bless this child and congratulations
to his family.

AID TO THE CHURCH IN NEED NEWSLETTER: The July issue is
available in boxes at the back of the Church or at the Mass Centres.
Please take one.

HELP URGENTLY NEEDED: With the
Repository on a Sunday morning.
If you are able to lend a hand, please see Simon Chaplin in the Hall
after the 10.30 Mass on a Sunday.

LOOKING FOR A NEW JOB: The Canonesses of the Holy Sepulchre
are looking for a part time [15-18 hours per week] admin person based in Colchester. Flexible hours – for ALL information and application forms email [email-masked]
completed applications by 31 July.

WALSINGHAM HOUSE CATERING SUPERVISOR: Are
you able to cook for groups of 40 – 50 people? Do you like working with
young people in a friendly and supportive environment? Are you available to
work evenings and

weekends
in term time, with most school holidays free? Salary £10,500 p.a. for a
23 hour week. Job based at Walsingham House, Canvey Island.
Job details from Fr Dominic Howarth, 01268 696610 or
[email-masked] Closing date 10th August, interview
22nd August, start early September.

FAMILY BBQ
AND FUN DAY:  On August 16th from
3:30pm – 6pm in the Church garden and the Cardinal Bourne Hall.  Lots of good stalls and games for the
children.    For more
information contact Frances
on 369568.

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, BBQ, Family Events. See poster in the porch or contact Myra
Dolamore.

The New Neighbour Project:
At a Parish Meeting on the 24th February it was agreed that the
Parish Community would support and befriend a family who are to be brought
to England
by the UNHCR and the Home Office in the near future.  Our friendship and
practical support will be needed for anything up to the end of their
first year in Colchester.  As soon as
we have details of the family and their arrival we will be asking for
volunteers to offer this practical example of Christian neighbourliness to
this needy family.

SVP HEALING MASS AND TEA PARTY:
On
the 27th September.
Mass will be celebrated at 2pm
followed by a Senior Citizens Tea Party.
{I’m hoping for more details after Wednesday’s meeting].

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.

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE:  For 8
days from Tuesday 21st October to 28th October
inclusive.  Cost: £599
half-board including flights and some excursions.  Excludes Insurance and single room
supplement.  For further details,
contact Carmen on 07754 163007; 07738 595534; 01277 821886 [land line].

Are you interested in going to see the world famous Passion Play in Oberammergau? If so, there is a group
going from 23-28 May 2010. It is being combined with a few days` holiday in
the Austrian Lake District. Contact Sister Moira
if you would like to see a brochure. 43, Anderson Avenue, Chelmsford,
CM1 2DA –
01245 604108 or [email-masked]

GIFT AID DONATION /TAX LETTERS:  Are available for your collection in
the porch at Priory Street.  The letters are in alphabetical order
and will not be posted.  We cannot
afford the postage!    John Ross, Gift Aid Co-Ordinator.

FOUNDATION DEGREE IN PASTORAL MINISTRY:  It has recently been agreed that,
following consultation with the Theology Dept at St Mary’s University College, Strawberry Hill, the Diocese of Brentwood will be offering this Course to,
probably, start in January 2009.
Briefly, the aims of the programme are:

To provide the academic dimension for
the formation required for those preparing for pastoral ministry, e.g.
catechists, chaplains, readers, lay pastoral leaders.

To enable students to integrate this
theological education with their pastoral experience.

To help students develop practical
skills for the exercise of their ministry.

This is a part-time programme and the course fee for the two year Foundation
Degree is £2,500 per student.
For more information contact Sr Nuala
Gannon on 01277 265219 or [email-masked]

SICK PARISHIONERS: Please pray for Emily Begg,
June Bickersteth, Marie Dixon, John Fisher, Anne
Gardiner, Denisia Gray, Maria Hanak,
Eileen Head, Michelle Huet, Catherine Libby, Sheila
Parsons, Mary and Harry Pink, John
Rae, Alwyn Stains, Carole Stover, Peggy Wilding,
Christine Williams [nee O’Hare].

Please be
reminded that, because of the Data Protection Act, we are not advised by
hospital staff of Catholic inpatients. If you have family or friends who have
been admitted to hospital and who would like a visit, do
let one of the priests know.

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

EVENING PRAYER: Monday 28/7 to Friday 1/8
5:45pm –at 48 Priory St.

PRAYER GROUP:  [Not
28th July]
Mondays at 8pm in the Crypt

MEDITATION GROUP:
Tuesdays at 8pm at
No.48 Priory Street

EXPOSITION:
Saturdays 10am – 11am

IF YOU ARE NEW TO THE
PARISH OR VISITING please introduce yourself to one of the
priests after Mass.  If you are moving within or out of the
parish, please let the Parish Office know.

LITURGY FOR THE
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

July 27th 2008 A.D.

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

Saturday  July 26th

Sunday    July 27th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Angela Jardim RIP

Intentions of Mrs J Pauk

Sarah Ruane RIP

Mariam Bastiampillai/Xavier
Shampillai RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Parishioners

Mile
End

9:15
am

Alfredo Sagnella RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Private Intention

Monday 28th

Feria

Church      9:15
am  Stephen Hilton RIP

Tuesday 29th

St Martha

Church       9:15 am  Phil Treby RIP

Wednesday
30th

Feria

Church    12:15 pm   Deirdre Kehoe RIP [ER]

Sarah Ruane RIP

Caroline Long RIP

Thursday 31st

St Ignatius
Loyola, Pr.

Church      9:15 am   Intentions of Samantha
Hilton

Friday 1st
Aug

St Alphonsus Ligouri, Bp.D.

Church      9:15 am   Mr & Mrs F E Dyer

Deirdre Kehoe RIP [DF]

Saturday 2nd
Feria

Church      9:15
am   Frances Hoare RIP

Church      1:00 pm   WEDDING
– Samantha  and Jonathan

LITURGY FOR THE
EIGHTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

3rd August  2008 A.D.

Saturday August 2nd

Sunday   August 3rd

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

6:30 pm

Jay Family Intentions

Special Intention [SF]

Peta Johnston RIP

Ernest Jardim RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Deceased Relatives – Rafferty Family

Mile End

9:15 am

P J O’Connor RIP

Monkwick

10:15
am

Parishioners

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]

Marriage Care
www.marriagecare.org.uk   0800 389 3801

Vocations                                     www.brentwoodvocations.org

The Brentwood
Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No. 234092