We, the people of St. Helen Church, are called to embody our motto, “Proud of our Past, we move forward with Faith.” We owe a debt of gratitude to the Catholics of Polish birth and descent who founded our parish more than a century ago and laid the foundation upon which we continue to build today.
Our patron, St. Helen, who found the True Cross, was a builder of churches and a provider for the poor and exiled. We strive to follow the example of her spiritual quest and to strengthen our parish by accepting our diversity, by welcoming those who have lost their way, and by serving those in our community.
We are a diverse community and strive to use our differences to bring the teachings of Christ to all people. We have many riches in our 100-year history and cultural customs, such as the Oplatek, the Corpus Christi procession and the Motorcycle procession on the anniversary of the Canonization of St. John Paul II, and the new celebration of Simbang Gabi. We recognize the importance of a strong union between our diverse and growing school community and our church of mercy that will keep St. Helen’s light burning bright for another 100 years.
Mark 3:24-25
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
Many Catholics in our community are searching for a parish community in which to belong, and others have fallen away from the faith. We would like to welcome them to St. Helen, as the merciful father does in the parable of the prodigal son.
Luke 15:31-32
“My son, the father said “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”
The parable of the Good Samaritan is a reminder to us that we are called to minister to all, no matter their faith. Through the charitable work we do, including the monthly food drive for a local food pantry and our Advent and Lenten projects, may we follow in the footsteps of St. Helen and provide for those in need within our community.
Luke 10:34
“He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.”
We are called to move forward with faith, hope, and love, putting Christ at the center of our lives and sharing Him with others.
In the words of St. John Paul II, whose statue welcomes all to our home at St. Helen parish: “The world you are inheriting is a world which desperately needs a new sense of brotherhood and human solidarity. It is a world which needs to be touched and healed by the beauty and richness of God’s love.” St. John Paul II implores us, “Do not be afraid! Open wide the doors for Christ.”
Participating in the Mission of Christ, the Church of St. Helen proclaims the Good News of salvation and celebrates Holy Sacraments by faith in Jesus, by guiding people to know Jesus and to unite their lives to Him.