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-SIXTH SUNDAY
OF THE YEAR [A]

September 28th  2008

Dear Friends,

One of the interesting points which emerges from the Gospel is how Jesus does so much of his
teaching through storytelling, communicating his most telling truths through the medium of fiction.  In these parables – which show a
marked absence of the supernatural -
we are invited to enter a visual world of dinner parties, sheepfolds,
vineyards and threatening journeys, peopled by rich merchants, mugged travellers, callous judges, awkward neighbours,
searching housewives, broken families etc., etc.,  The point is not that parables make
interesting illustrations but that they tell us that it is at the level of
our eating, drinking, sleeping, forgiving, offering hospitality and listening
to midnight stories, that our happiness and salvation are being worked out.

Today’s parable illustrates the
“yes-men” who make easy promises; the second son who readily
agrees to work in the vineyard and then doesn’t turn up as compared
with the first son who refuses; rethinks and then complies with his
father’s request.  This
latter son identifies the tax collectors and prostitutes who complied with
God’s requests; the other son stands for the priests and scribes who
maintained the outward appearance of piety but without any real devotion to the
Son of God.  The difference
between promise and performance.
In the parables we are invited to make a judgement
and to come to a decision: they invite us to pay attention, come alive and
face things.

The son who initially refused had a real
counterpart in St Augustine,
whose early life was a blunt refusal to follow the Gospel his mother had held
out to him.  He was 32 when he
caught up with the best in himself and his “no”  turned into a committed
“yes”. “Late have I loved thee………Thou
didst touch me, and I was inflamed with desire for Thy peace.”
God
bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

Wednesday
October 1st  6:45-9pm Scripture Course
Crypt

“
“    “ 7pm    SVP Meeting
Presbytery

Thursday
October 2nd   7pm    U.C.M.  Meeting                          See
below

Friday
October 3rd
10-12    Priory St
Coffee Morning
“       “

Friday
October 3rd        7:30pm Baptism Course (2)                     Crypt

Saturday
October 4th   7:30pm  Quiz Night in the CBH
See below

Sunday
October 5th
11:30am Christmas
Market Meeting       See below

FR
FRANCISCO NTANDA:  We welcome Fr Francisco to the parish.  He is a Diocesan priest from Angola, studying psychology at Essex University.  He is staying in the presbytery for
the foreseeable future and I am sure you will make him most welcome into our
Community.
FR JOSEPH

BAPTISM
COURSE FOR OLDER CHILDREN AGED 6 AND ABOVE:  If you
have a child or children aged 6 or above who wish to be baptised as a
Catholic, then please contact Diana, the Parish secretary.  A course is being arranged for older
children, starting sometime in October, so that they understand what the
Sacrament of Baptism entails.
FR. JOSEPH

ST
BENEDICT’S COLLEGE APPLICATION FORMS:   Please be reminded that these
forms will only be signed by Fr Joseph and by appointment.  Dates and times for these appointments
will be given in next week’s Newsletter.

CAFOD
– HARVEST FAST DAY:  Our next CAFOD collection, to be taken
up next Sunday, is the second Family Fast Day of the Year.  Please use the special envelopes,
available in the porch, if you prefer.
Do not forget to complete the Gift Aid section if you are a taxpayer.

RECENTLY
DECEASED:  Please pray for the repose of the soul of
George Parkins, and Mary Jones.  Also Rod Essery,
former head of St Benedict’s, who has died at Chelmsford.  May they rest in peace.

BRES
Termly Lecture – 30th September
2008  7.30pm ‘Praying with Julian of Norwich’ delivered by Rt Rev Thomas McMahon, Bishop of Brentwood,  at
Cathedral House, Brentwood.

ST
TERESA OF LISIEUX:  This Wednesday, 1st October,
is the feast of St Teresa of Lisieux. Her relics
will be visiting England & Wales this time next year and a special
website has been set up – www.catholicrelics.co.uk
giving details of venues around the country etc.,

UNION OF
CATHOLIC MOTHERS (UCM): The next meeting will take place on Thursday 2nd October
at 7.30 pm in the crypt. Many suggestions were made by those at the first
meeting including possible revival of the “Mother & Toddler”
Group. If you would like to know more about UCM (their welfare and national
policies) come along to the meeting and join in.

COFFEE
MORNING AT 51 PRIORY STREET:
On Friday 3rd October from
10am to 12pm.  In the garden if
fine; in the Hall if wet!  Entry
£5. The proceeds will go towards the cost of repainting the Presbytery
front door.  Please come and
support our latest fundraising enterprise for your parish. (Donations of home
baked cakes would be most welcome)

OASIS OF PEACE (MEDJUGORJE) DAY: On Saturday Oct.4th 2008
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. For more information,
please contact Susan: 01992 575017 or [email-masked]

COLNE
HARMONY QUIZ NIGHT: Saturday October 4th in the CBH.  See poster in the porch for full
details or contact Helena Gibson on 794636

CHRISTMAS
MARKET: There will a Parish Christmas
Market this year on November 22nd 2008. Lots of energy and ideas
but more volunteers needed.  All
ages and talents welcome. Please contact Frances on 369568. The next
Meeting will be on Sunday October 5th after the 10:30 Mass .

KSC –
OCTOBER ROSARY DATES/VENUES:  Tuesday 7th and 14th
October, 7:30pm,  here at Priory
Street; Wednesday 22nd October 7pm at St Teresa’s[ followed
by cheese & wine]; Friday 31st at Greenstead – this
latter date/details are yet to be confirmed.

THE EUCHARIST IN ORTHODOX SPIRITUAL
LIFE:  A talk given by Fr Melchisedec
Toronen from the Community of St John the Baptist
Orthodox Ministry, Tolleshunt Knights, on Tuesday
14th October at the Cathedral Conference Centre from 7:30pm
– 9:15pm.  For more
details/bookings: 01277 265219/257 or email
[email-masked]

CONCERT: We are delighted to welcome back the CAVENDISH CONSORT who will be
giving a performance of their HARVEST HOME programme on Saturday 25 October at 8pm in the Church.   This
promises to be a lively and entertaining event consisting of 18th century
English country songs and dances to celebrate the Autumn season.
Admission £5 (adults) £3.50 (concessions) payable at the door -
don't miss it!

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,
please contact Carmen URGENTLY on 07754 163007; 01277 821886 [landline] or
see Fr Joseph.

Holy Land 2009 – Diocesan
Pilgrimage May 25th – June 1st. The Commission for Justice and Social
Responsibility is organising a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with a difference. Not only will we visit
many of the significant sites we also hope meet with the Palestinian parishes
and families from the now dwindling Christian Community, many of whom live in
a situation where basic human rights are ignored. Places are limited so if
you are interested please contact Phil Butcher, 01277 265290 or e-mail [email-masked]

SICK  PARISHIONER:
Joan Sturgiss.
Please let Fr Joseph know of anyone who is seriously ill or whose
health has recently markedly declined and who is happy for their name to be
included in the Parish Sick List.

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

EVENING
PRAYER:                       Monday
to Friday 5.45pm in the
Church

PRAYER
GROUP:
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
TWENTY-SIXTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

September 28th 2008 A.D.

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

Saturday  September 27th

Sunday September 28th

6:15 pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Mr & Mrs P O’Leary & Family RIP

Herbert Ray RIP

Norman Fletcher RIP

Nina O’Dwyer RIP

West Mersea

8:30
am

Emma Williams RIP [NG]

Mile
End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15 am

Denise Smith RIP

Monday  29th

SS MICHAEL, GABRIEL &
RAPHAEL, ARCHANGELS

Church      9:15 am   D/Rels.
Farrell Family

John Molloy RIP

Tuesday 30th

St Jerome, Pr. D.

Church      9:15 am   Dr E P
Solomon RIP

Wednesday 1st

St Teresa of Lisieux, V. Rel.D.

Church      12:15 pm  Intentions of Sr Helen
[P McE]

Thursday 2nd

The Holy Guardian Angels

Church
9:15 am  Special Intention [JH]

Friday 3rd

[Y4
– STM]

Feria      [CAFOD Harvest
Fast Day]

Church
9:15 am  Intentions of Derry
O’Donovan

Rowland Norfolk

Saturday 4th           St Francis of Assisi,
Rel.

Church      9:15
am   Jay Family
Intentions

LITURGY FOR THE TWENTY-SEVENTH
SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (A)

October 5th 2008 A.D.

Saturday   October 4th

Sunday     October 5th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

6:30 pm

Christina Mooney RIP

Intentions of Sr Helen
[PG]

Cora Allard RIP [A]

Intentions of Sr Helen
[JH]

West Mersea

8:30
am

Lenny Clark RIP  [M&A B]

Mile End

9:15
am

Michael Stammers 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]

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

The Brentwood
Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No. 234092