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

THIRTIETH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR [B]

October 29th
2006 A.D.

Dear
Friends

When we think there’s something wrong with
someone we know, we usually ask “What’s the matter with you
today?” That question provides the opportunity for the other person to
express what, if anything, is wrong.  There are some whose suffering is so
extreme that they cannot speak.
People whose families have been killed, whose homes have been
destroyed, who have been left isolated in their suffering. The first step
towards overcoming this suffering is to find a language to lead the sufferer
out of silence, a language for pain, fear and loss.  One great teaching of the biblical
tradition is that people should express their pain in lamentation, not
repress it in brooding silence. “Have mercy on me, Lord, I have no
strength…” [Ps.6]. Remaining silent is remaining hopeless, for
there is no belief in the possibility of change.  Lamentation is not pessimistic; it
refuses to remain powerless and passive, so it expresses its
longing for change and that can be seen vividly portrayed in today’s
Gospel.

Jesus is leaving Jericho with his disciples and a large
crowd, probably pilgrims, when Bartimaeus, a blind
beggar, hears that Jesus is near and shouts his prayer of lamentation:
“Son of David, Jesus, have pity on me”. He is told by the crowd
to keep quiet, but Jesus is near; so stops and calls to him. Bartimaeus throws off his beggar’s cloak, his means
of livelihood, the only thing he has in the world.  Jesus asks him the same question he
asked of James and John: “What do you want me to do for
you”.  When the blind man
finds a language for his loss, Jesus heals him and compliments him for a
faith that saved him.  Saved by
faith, Bartimaeus uses his new sight to follow
Jesus along the road.  The simple
wanderer, despised by the powerful but centred on
Jesus, is recognised as the one closest to
spiritual truth. We, too, are asked to answer the question Jesus puts to Bartimaeus – and hope we can make the right
response.

God bless

EVENTS THIS WEEK

2nd November   7:30pm
Journey In Faith  in the
Church – see below

“
“
7:30pm     Mersea Parish
Meeting

3rd November   Various     St Benedict’s
Form signing – see opposite

“
“
6.30pm – 9.30pm   Youth Service Training - Crypt.  See opposite

4th November  11.30am   Justice & Peace Meeting
– Presbytery

5th November  12.00pm   Social Committee Meeting -
Presbytery

NOVEMBER
1ST is All Saints’ day [All Hallows’
Day], an important Feast of the Church.  The day before is All Saints’
Even [All Hallows’ Eve], often called by its old English name, Hallowe’en. Some people had the fanciful
idea that the damned souls in hell who have not
loved God nor cared about other people, might be let out of their prison for
one night, to haunt the world before being cast down again by the triumphant
Saints on their great Feast Day – hence witch outfits, horrible faces,
etc. When children come knocking on your door on Tuesday, Trick or Treating, ask them to explain
what Hallowe’en actually means.  Chances are they will not know, other
than something to do with pagan observances but certainly nothing to do with
the Saints or the Church.  In an
effort to be more constructive than negative about this American importation
and to reconnect these little ghouls with the Christian Faith, give them an
explanation of the true meaning of Hallowe’en
along with the sweets!  The feast
of All Saints invites us to celebrate Jesus’ folk. The people who have
enlivened the history of the Church with their quiet witness; the people
whose lives are unheralded and whose names are unknown.  But Jesus knows their name –
they are his people, the saints.
And they are among us today. For all these people among us still, we
give thanks.  If you feel thanked
in the process, don’t feel confused.  Be lucky to be part of the same crowd.

HOLY
FATHER’S MISSION INTENTION FOR NOVEMBER: That believers everywhere may
work to remove old and new barriers to Africa’s
development.

WEEKDAY MASSES
QUESTIONNAIRE:  Thank you to all
those who completed the above form.
46 forms were received.  After
consideration with the parish clergy and disseminating the replies, the
following decisions have been made:-

1]  By far the most
popular time was 9.15am  [as at present] and therefore Masses
during the week are to remain at that time.

2a] Again by far the most popular time given was 12.15pm and, with the responses made to
question 2b, the day chosen is Wednesday.

Therefore, for a trial period starting in the first week of Advent and
continuing until Easter, the times of the Masses during the week will be as
follows:-

9.15am Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, 12.15pm
Wednesday.

N.B. It is important
to note that any of the above times can be changed as a result of funerals or
if clergy have to be elsewhere, at meetings etc., It is also important
therefore that the Newsletter is consulted weekly to ensure that there are no
last minute changes.    Thank
you
Fr Joseph

JOURNEY IN FAITH: The sessions for
those interested in knowing more about the Catholic Faith have already
begun.  However, it is not too
late to join.  If interested,
please come along to the Church this Thursday at 7.00pm.

ST BENEDICT’S COLLEGE
APPLICATION FORMS:  There are still
some appointments available with Fr Joseph on Friday, 3rd
November.  Please telephone the
Parish Office on Tuesday or Thursday this
week to arrange.

YOUTH NEWS:
Would you like to see more
for young people in your parish? Are you aged 16+ or an interested adult? A
Confirmation Catechist? A youth club leader?  National
Youth Sunday is 26th November  and CAFOD have come
up with a DVD full of great ideas for use in the parish on that day and
beyond.  The Brentwood Catholic
Youth Service want to help you to make the most of
it. There is training across the Diocese and here are the details for Priory Street: Friday
3rd November in the Crypt. 7.30pm to 9.30pm [please arrive at 7:15pm so the session can start at 7:30pm].

THE COMMUNITY OF 48 PRIORY STREET invite you to join with them for a Mass for the Dead at New Hall Chapel, Chelmsford on Saturday, 4th Nov.
– 2pm.

GRAND DRAW & PARISH SOCIAL to be held on Saturday 18th November at 7.30pm in the Cardinal Bourne
Hall.  Please support this fun
evening…………. Cheese and wine, music and prizes.  Grand
Draw prizes are still needed.
Please contact Bernie on 549524 or Ron and Margaret on 797850.  Have you handed in your sold Raffle
Tickets yet?

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY PARADE:  The High
Street will be closed from its junction with Head Street to its junction with
Queen Street between the hours of 10am and 12.15pm on Sunday, 12th
November.

MONKWICK NEWS: At St Theodore’s a Coffee Morning has been arranged to include
the sale of fancy goods and a raffle on Wednesday 15th November
from 10am onwards.  Come and bring your friends; there is
plenty of parking space!

A DATE FOR YOUR DIARY: “Hope in Dark Places” -  SUNDAY 10TH DECEMBER 7:45pm at ST JOHN’S
CHURCH, ST JOHN’S CLOSE, COLCHESTER. Hymns and Readings
for Advent with the Choir of St Peter & St Paul,
West Mersea; Choreography by cre8.  Tickets are FREE but limited to first applicants.
[Collection to cover expenses on the evening]. To book, call Liz Bird on
01206 843383.  Come to watch or
take part!

ARE YOU EXPERIENCING RELATIONSHIP DIFFICULTIES:   Marriage Care can help
you pull together.  Your local
relationship counseling service is now open in Colchester.  This service is not restricted to
Catholics only – it is open to everyone.  Contact Marriage Care – 0800 389
3801 or visit the Website www.marriagecare.org.uk

DAILY:                                                   Rosary
– 8.40am; Divine
Mercy – 9am

EVENING PRAYER:
Monday to Friday 5.45pm

PRAYER GROUP:
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, Tony Bickersteth, Sylvina de Britto, Marie Dixon,
John Fisher, Denisia Gray, Richard Hadcock, Eileen Head, Michelle Huet,
Deirdre Kehoe, Catherine Libby, Luke McShane, Patrick
Quinlivan, John Rae, Sheila Shillingford, Carole Stover.

THE PARISH WEB SITE: For ALL
contact, inclusions etc., -   please contact Donald
Clarke.  His e mail address is [email-masked]  Otherwise Donald may be contacted via
the Presbytery.  Please leave
envelopes for him.

LITURGY
FOR THE THIRTIETH  SUNDAY OF THE
YEAR [B]

October 29th 2006

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

Saturday October 28th

Sunday   October 29th

6:15
pm

8:00
am

10:30
am

6:30 pm

Beryl
and Noel Blanchette RIP

George
De’ath RIP

Jenny
Goddard RIP

Liam
Ennis RIP

West Mersea

8:30 am

Canon
John Bloomfield RIP

Mile End

9:15
am

Michael
and Bridget Brady RIP [A]

Monkwick

10:15
am

Parishioners

Monday 30th          Feria

Church

9:15 am

Seamus Power RIP

Tuesday 31st

Feria

Church                9:15 am       Liam Ennis RIP

Vigil Mass

Wed NOV 1ST School Mass

Thursday 2nd

Mersea

ALL
SAINTS

Church

Church

Church

ALL
SOULS

Church

7:30 pm

9:15 am

12:15 pm

7:30 pm

9:15 am

Canon
John Bloomfield RIP

Holyday
of Obligation

Special
Intention

Holy
Souls RIP

Fr
John Troop RIP

Alan
Walker RIP

Friday 3rd

Class Mass

Church

Feria

Church

Monkwick

7:00 pm

9:15 am

7:00 pm

Holy
Souls RIP

Ints.
of Family of Mary Jay

Mrs Mary Prior RIP

Saturday 4th

St
Charles Borromeo, Bp.

Church

9:15 am

D/Relatives/Friends
of Margaret Barker

LITURGY
FOR THE THIRTY-FIRST SUNDAY OF THE YEAR
[B]

November 5th 2006 A.D.

Saturday
November 4th

Sunday    November 5th

6:15 pm

8:00 am

10:30 am

5:15 pm

6:30 pm

Agnes
McInerney RIP

Jim
Lyons RIP

Intentions
of Lauren Hanson

EXPOSITION AND BENEDICTION

Michael
John Brennan RIP

West Mersea

8:30 am

Intentions
of Paul Galea

Mile End

9:15
am

Parishioners

Monkwick

10:15
am

Mary Prior RIP [O&B]

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:   Alan
Whelan   (549222)

The Brentwood
Diocesan Trust – Registered Charity No. 234092