Saint Helen's Church
	Parish History
	On July 12, 2000, St. Helen Parish celebrated its 50th anniversary. Fifty years of dedicated people, who over those years, sacrificed their time, talent and treasure to make the parish community alive, vibrant and ready for the 21st century. It is a community of over 700 households, a pre-school through eighth grade school with about 250 students, and a religious education program serving preschool - high school and many active commissions and organizations meeting the needs of a Catholic community of today.
	St. Helen Parish was officially established by Bishop Stephen Woznicki on July 12, 1950. The first Mass was celebrated on July 23, 1950, in the old Daniel Theater, by Fr. Ralph M. Richards, who remained pastor for the next twenty years. A multifunction building (church-school-hall) was dedicated on April 13, 1952. The present church building was dedicated on August 15, 1963, and a new rectory-office building was opened in 1968. On July 15, 1970, Fr. Robert G. Navarre became our second pastor. In 1981, under the direction of Frs. Frederick Kawka and Richard Van Mullekom, a major renovation of the church interior, to conform to the guidelines set by the Second Vatican Council, and a parish Activity hall were completed. An outstanding result of this renovation is the chapel, which, along with the reservation of the Eucharist in the tabernacle, holds the original St. Helen mosaic, located in back of the original altar. Several fine pastors and associate pastors have served our parish since up to the present time of Fr. Emmett Marceau.
	On any given day, you can feel the enthusiasm of busy staff members and parishioners who are living out our Parish Mission Statement, which reads: A community of worshipping people, celebrating our unity with Christ and others. We are striving to become more Christ-like, seeking new ways to be of service to others, challenging ourselves and others to grow in our faith commitment. Thus, we direct our energies to meet the threefold goal set forth by the American bishops: to be a living community, teaching God's message; giving service to others.
	In practice, this translates into weekly celebration of the Eucharist, celebrations of other sacraments, retreat days, outreach to the poor, adult catechumenate, Bible sharing, visiting the sick, PenPals of St. Helen School, Christmas Caroling, funeral dinners, as well as social events, as the Parish Appreciation Party, card parties, etc. Statistically, this means that, in fifty years, there have been 4,462 Baptisms, 1,382 marriages, and 1,308 funerals
	The fifty year celebration went on for a full year beginning with a February pancake breakfast by the Scouts, a March Mission, a school reunion and Easter Egg Hunt in April, May Appreciation Dinner, June ice-cream social, July Picnic, August canoe trip, September Harvest Exchange, October making rosaries for the missions, and December Christmas Caroling. Some of these activities will be carried on into the coming years as we continue to celebrate being St. Helen’s Parish, a faith-filled community committed to the honor and glory of God.
	Father Ralph M. Richards buying the first block.
	Father Kroboth blessing the ground for Saint Helen.
	Father Kroboth breaking the ground for Saint Helen.
		St. Helen Parish
		Spring 1995
		Dear members of St. Helen's,
		This is the fourth directory in the history of our parish (others were in 1973, 1980, and 1989). I think it is the best directory yet! (And I'm in a pretty good position to judge, since I have been in three of the four directories!) We forge forward to the future. We look ahead to a new century and a new millennium. St. Helen's is an exciting parish to be part of, and I am honored to be your pastor.
		Putting a directory like this together takes a lot of work. I want to thank those dedicated parishioners who undertook the project, made dozens (hundreds?) of phone calls, acted as hosts/hostesses, did the negotiating and layout, and on and on. Their hard work will bear fruit in the "connection". This is the fourth directory in the history of our parish (others were in 1973, 1980, and 1989). I think it is the best directory yet! (And I'm in a pretty good position to judge, since I have been in three of the four directories!) We forge forward to the future. We look ahead to a new century and a new millennium. St. Helen's is an exciting parish to be part of, and I am honored to be your pastor. that will be made as a result of this directory. We are grateful to them.
		Christianity is a "forward..looking" religion. We know that God is waiting for us in the future. That is where we find our call and destiny. Each day beckons us onward, toward the great kingdom. It's hard to believe we are approaching the year 2000, and perhaps there won't be another parish directory until that date! It's an exciting time to be alive in the Catholic Church. Despite the uncertainty and the challenges we face every day, we believe that the Spirit of God is with and among us, inspiring, directing, coaxing: Set your eyes on the things to come. Renew your hearts and hear God calling. Use what you have been given, every day, to make this a better world.
		St. Helen Parish is a wonderful place to be. There is vitality and energy and drive here, in all of you. You are a welcoming community. Visitors feel at home in our parish. The sense God moving among us. Keep it up!
		This directory is for you and for me. Use it often, as I will. Find out the names of those people you've been seeing in church for years. Introduce yourself to someone who doesn't know your name.
		Together, in faith, let us forge forward to the future!
		Fr. Bob Meissner
	Procession to the new Saint Helen church building.
		Bishop Stephen Woznicki blessing Saint Helen.
	St. Helen Parish celebrated its 45th anniversary on July, 12, 1995. This directory is dedicated to the many people who through the years have sacrificed to make St. Helen's what it is today: a thriving community with some 900 households, a preschool through eighth grade school with some 300 students, a religious education program servicing preschool through high school, and many commissions and organizations meeting the needs of a Catholic community of the '90's.
	St. Helen Parish was officially established by Bishop Stephen Woznicki on July 12, 1950. The first Mass was celebrated on July 23, 1950, in the old Daniel Theater, by Fr. Ralph M. Richards, who remained pastor for the next twenty years. A multi-function building (church - school - hail) was dedicated on April 13, 1952. The present church building was dedicated on August 15, 1963, and a new rectory-office building was opened in 1968. On July 15, 1970, Fr. Robert 0. Navarre became our second pastor. In 1981, under the direction of Frs. Frederick Kawka and Richard Van Mullekom, a major renovation of the church interior, to conform to the guidelines set by the Second Vatican Council, and a parish Activity Hall, were completed. An outstanding result of this renovation is the chapel, which, along with the reservations of the Eucharist in the tabernacle, holds the original St. Helen mosaic, located in back of the original altar. Several fine pastors and associate pastors have served our parish since.
	Father Ralph M. Richards saying a few words.
	On any given day, you can feel the enthusiasm of busy staff and parishioners who are living out our Parish Mission Statement, which reads:
	A community of worshiping people, celebrating our unity with Christ and others... We are striving to become more Christ-like, seeking new ways to be of service to others, challenging ourselves and others to grow in our faith commitment. Thus, we direct our energies to meet the threefold goal set forth by the American bishops: to be a living community, teaching God's message, giving service to others.
	Neva Fobear ringing our new church bell "Big Faith".
	In practice, this translates into weekly celebration of the Eucharist, celebrations of other sacraments, Evening Prayer, retreat days, outreach to the poor, the adult catechumenate, adult education classes, etc., as well as social events - Mardi Gras, the Parish Appreciation Party, bingos, dances, and even planting flowers and trees. Statistically, this means that, in forty-five years, 4,310 baptisms have been celebrated, 1,328 marriages, and 1,119 funerals.
	As we move into the 21st century, we recognize all the more the need for a continuing, faith-filled community committed to sacrificing time, talent, and treasure for the honor and glory of God.