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

SS PETER AND
PAUL - JUNE 29th
2008

Dear Friends,

The commemoration of
Peter and Paul today, like every other Christian feast, is a proclamation of
freedom and the possibility of freedom.

Steve McQueen’s
attempt on the motorbike to leap the barbed-wire border fence towards the
mountains of Switzerland
is an inspiring vision of the human need for liberation, but physical
liberation is, of course, only one form of freedom.  The prisons in which we find ourselves
are many and varied: apart from the deprivation of liberty for criminal
conviction, there are the prisons of domestic violence and broken homes, the
mental torture which people inflict on one another and the emotional
disturbance and heartbreak which hold people hostage for long periods of
time. St Paul
always had to struggle to prove himself an authentic apostle, not a spy
planted by his former employers.
Perhaps that agony was his cross.

For preaching the new
faith, Christian leaders often found themselves in trouble and in gaol
because the Gospel challenged the existing order of things.  Proclaiming a God who was greater than
Caesar and who practised a love of others - even of enemies –
threatened the control exerted by Rome
which operated a system based on fear and favour.  Both apostles were martyred in Rome under the
persecution of Nero.  In their
final witness there is nothing doubtful about their love.  Both of them had a love without
reserve.  Both men had fallen and
both had risen to new heights. Peter was Jesus’ choice to head the
Christian community and be its source of unity and Paul was Jesus’
choice to take his message to the Gentiles.  No matter what threatens us or tries to
enchain us, we can never be deprived of our personal liberty again if we are
in Christ and to be part of his kingdom is to be free.  No motorbikes needed.

God
bless

EVENTS
THIS WEEK

N.B. Variations to Mass Schedule on Monday,
Tuesday and Thursday

SECOND COLLECTION: This weekend there is a
Diocesan second collection – Day for Life   The proceeds of the collection
will go the Linacre Centre and other life-related activities supported by the
Church.  There are specially
printed Gift Aid envelopes in the porch or donate on line www.dayforlife.org

THANK YOU: From the SVP on their
annual collection.  £847 was
raised. It is very much appreciated and will be used for many good causes.

THANK YOU: thank you to everyone
who turned up, helped, baked cakes and provided
raffle prizes. The same few - BUT - the sum of £293 was raised for
parish funds.

RECENLTY DECEASED:
Please pray for the repose of the soul of Kevin
Elliottt who has recently died.
May he rest in peace.

YOUTH NEWS:  Just two and a half weeks from now
– on July 8th - 72 young people from our Diocese will be
leaving for Australia.
On 2nd
July at 8pm in the Cathedral the Bishop will commission the group as
part of the monthly Youth Mass.
All are invited to attend, especially as this parish has helped to
support our 3 young parishioners travelling to Sydney.   Also, a letter of thanks from Fr
Dominic for the generosity of parishioners to the Walsingham House
Appeal.  In 18 months £153,000 has been raised, with a further
£47,000 to find, but the refurbished House provides a homely, welcoming
atmosphere which sets the right context for retreats as well as lighthearted,
group bonding activities.

AYLESFORD
YOUTH DAY - 5TH JULY:  In addition to the Clacton Parish
Coach, transport will be provided from St Benedict’s [leaving at 8:15am]. For more details phone the
College on 549222

MERSEA COFFEE MORNINGS:  The
next Coffee Morning takes place on Tuesday, July 8th at the
home of Jane Brennan, 7 Shears Crescent, Tel. 384160 from 10.30 –
12.  All are very welcome.

BRENTWOOD CATHOLIC
CHILDREN’S SOCIETY: based in Rayleigh, has
a vacancy for an experienced part-time Administrative Assistant, 15 hours per
week, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 12
– 5pm, £8.00 per hour.  The successful applicant
will be computer literate, organised and enthusiastic.  If you are
interested in joining our small friendly team and would like more
information, please contact Theresa on 01268 784544.  Closing date 11th July 2008.

UNION
OF CATHOLIC MOTHERS: An inaugural meeting has now been arranged for
Thursday, 17th July at 7pm
in the Crypt.  All are welcome.

BRENTWOOD DIOCESAN PILGRIMAGE TO LOURDES (July 26th-August 1st 2008):  A Senior Medical Practitioner/General
Practitioner who would be willing to assist another Doctor in providing
medical cover to registered sick/disabled Pilgrims whilst on Pilgrimage is
being actively sought. You would be joining a team of volunteers who consist
of Registered nurses and helpers who provide care and assistance as necessary,
to pilgrims in their hotel/s. Those people who require assistance are
accommodated with the main body of the Pilgrimage predominantly between two
designated hotels close to the Grotto.
If you would like further information please contact Phyllis Keating
(Chief Nursing Officer) on 07900918039

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.

HYMN
BOOK AMNESTY:  Please search your
cupboards etc., and see if you have a hymn book[s] lurking at home,
particularly any Melody and Organist editions.  Return them to the church and no
questions will be asked!

DIARY DATE – SCRIPTURE COURSE:  The Wednesday Scripture Course, led by
Sr Angela, has now come to a close but will re-commence in the autumn –
on
Wednesday, 17th September, studying the Gospel according
to Mark.  Reminders will be given
nearer to that date.

DIARY
DATE - BCYS TRAINING & RESOURCE DAY:  Saturday 20th September at
Our Lady of Lourdes
Parish Centre, Wanstead from 10am to 4pm.
The Youth Service invite both parish volunteers working with young people and
those wanting to see more done for young people to their annual training and
resource day.  For more
information or to book: www.bcys.net/youcan
; Youth Office 01277 265286; email
[email-masked] and Diana has a supply
of booking forms in the parish office.

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.

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 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 us know in writing.

LITURGY FOR SS.
PETER AND PAUL, Apostles –

HOLYDAY OF OBLIGATION

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

Saturday  June 28th

Sunday
June 29th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30 am

6:30
pm

Norah Owen RIP

D/Rels:Herbert &
Richards Families RIP

For Vocations [Catenian
Association]

Frederick, Elizabeth &
Angelo Lucas RIP

West
Mersea

8:30
am

John Kelly RIP [A]

Mile
End

9:15
am

Damian and Sheila Lu RIP

Monkwick

10:15 am

Parishioners

Monday
30th

Feria

Church      9:30
am   REQUIEM
– MARGARET TUCKWELL RIP

Tuesday
July 1st

Feria

Church
NO  MASS

Wednesday
2nd

Feria

Church
12:15 pm   Helen Lydon RIP

Phil Treby RIP

Thursday
3rd

N.B.

St Thomas, Apostle

Church      8:00 am   Deirdre Kehoe RIP [KK]

Friday
4th

Year 3   STM

Feria

Church      9:15
am   Sarah Ruane
RIP

Saturday 5th          Feria

Church      9:15
am   Intentions of the Jay Family

LITURGY FOR THE
FOURTEENTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [A]

July 6th 2008 A.D.

Saturday July 5th

Sunday   July 6th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30
am

6:30 pm

Mr, Mrs & Angela
Bochan RIP

Margaret Parkinson RIP

Irene Stageman RIP

Deirdre Kehoe RIP [ER]

West
Mersea

8:30
am

Edward, Madeleine &
Jessica [FHC]

Mile
End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15
am

Intentions of
Sr Anne McGuinness

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