The Latino Community: On Easter Sunday, 2006, St. Helen held its first Mass in Spanish for a newly formed Latino community called Iglesia de Santa Elena (The chuch of St. Helen). It started off humbly with less then 20 attending. In time there was a Consejo Parochial formed (Latino council) to organize all the efforts of the community. It parallels the St. Helen Parish Council, and now they meet occasionally as a joint body. On the "high feasts" and special events, the Latino community can reach 180. The normal Sunday attendance hs been at 120, with many children and baptisms.
The San Damiano Chapel: This came as an outgrowth of a need for a cleaner/dedicated worship space for daily Mass. To avoid heating the entire church during the winter, and to cool a smaller room during the heat of summer, the former "Gold Room" (multi-purpose room)was totally refurbished to meet the need and to create a necessary, beautiful worship space.
The St. Helen Woman's Group was convinced to underwrite the cost. Initially, the chapel was to be named in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, it was decided however, since we had a beautiful San Damiano Cross, to rename the chapel and highlight the cross.
Check the story of St. Francis' call from the Lord to "rebuild my church for it is in ruins."
Fr. Charles decided to give the parishioners a chance at donating to a Chapel Memorial Fund. This more than met the total renovation, and no monies were needed from the St. Helen Women's fund.
Icons were placed to account for the two parishes and special saints, and the stations of the cross were also put in place.
A paint job, air conditioning , new heating units, new lighting, carpeting, window covering, new pews and other furniture completed the space renovation.
A memorial plaque names the donors. The actual dedication date when the first Mass was celebrated was September 4th 2007.
Many volunteers helped along the way, especially Wayne Dacar who did the finish work. Total cost? About $7000.00.
Sta Rosa de Lima por Claudio Coello
Oleo sobre lienzo, 240 x 160 cm. Claudio Coello (1642-1693): Santa Rosa de Lima (ca. 1684-1685). Museo del Prado, Madrid. This picture is companion of Saint Domingo de Guzman. In the book at her feet, the text reads: ROSA CORDIS MEI TU MIHI SPONSA ESTO ANCILLA TVA SVM DOMINE
Mass Times
St Helen & St Rose Mass Times:
Saturday Vigil St Helen 5:00pm English Sunday Mass St Rose of Lima 8:00am English St Helen 10:30am English St Helen 1:00pm Latino