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Building Families in Love, in Faith, and in Celebration

By our baptism, each of us become members of the Catholic family, with responsibilities to use our gifts for the betterment of the Catholic family. This parish can only grow, thrive, or even survive, if each member of this family accepts his or her responsibility as a member of that family. Otherwise, the community suffers, falling far short of what it was called by God to be.

For this reason, the family of St. Helen has dedicated itself to being a stewardship family parish. By doing so, we accept God's calling and challenge to be a community of faith focused on using our time, talents, and treasure to help better the Kingdom of God.

As a family of faith, we recognize our future must be supported wisely by each member, according to the blessings as bestowed upon him or her by God.

Scripture tell us that God expects us to give back 10% from the fruits which He has provided to us. We recognize this percentage might be difficult to attain for some in our expression of thanks to God. In view of this, we suggest the acceptance of a plan of Sacrificial Giving. In this plan, we dedicate a percentage of our annual income to return thanks to God, to enable His work here and now, as well as in the future.

Please consider 2% to start, and then increase by one half or a whole percent each successive year if you are able. Ultimately, your giving to the Lord will arrive at 5% to St. Helen Church, 1% for Diocesan services Appeal, and 4% for other charities you choose to support.

We pray that each member of our parish family will contemplate and accept his or her responsibility to serve and be the best he or she is capable of being. It is up to each of us to do our part, in building a parish family in love, in faith and in celebration.

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The St. Helen Parish Handbook Committee has compiled this guide of parish activities for your use. It is our hope by knowing what is going on in our parish, you will be encouraged to be more active in our community of Christian love.

We work closely with the Parish Council and our Pastor, Reverend Michael W. Edwards, in all matters concerning this guide. Your suggestions and comments are welcome. Please speak to a member of the Parish Council or a member of this committee if you desire to help in any way. Volunteer your help and get involved! It's a great way to serve the Lord, share your talents, and make new friends.

We have enjoyed putting this guide together for you. May it be a source of blessing and joy to you as an important member of our family here at St. Helen Parish.

Sincerely in Christ,
Bonnie Keeney
Robin Hickey
Debbie Bryk

The St. Helen Parish Handbook Committee

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Saint Helen

(c. 248-c. 328)
 

St. Helen was the wife of the Roman emperor Constantius I, and mother of Constantine the Great, emperor of Rome. It is believed she was born in Drepanum, later called Helenopolis in her honor, in the ancient Roman province of Bithynia. When Constantius was named Caesar, or successor to the throne of the Roman Empire, in 293, he divorced her because of her nonpartisan origin. She devoted the rest of her life to religious pilgrimage, visiting Jerusalem about 325 and founding the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Church of the Nativity. According to some legends, she was the discoverer of the True Cross in Palestine. Her feast day is August 18.

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BRIEF HISTORY OF ST. HELEN PARISH

St. Helen was the first Catholic Church established in Indian River County. Father Rupert Gabriel of the Order of St. Benedict celebrated the first Mass in June of 1919 at the home of Louis Schlitt. For six months, Mass was said every other week in Mr. Schlitt's home. A wood frame Chapel was constructed in December of 1919. This chapel is now located just north of the Christian Living Center and currently serves as our kindergarten classroom.

In 1925, the Right Reverend Monsignor Michael Beerhalter, from Fort Pierce, succeeded Father Gabriel, ministering to the needs of the parishioners.

The first resident pastor, Reverend Michael Mullally, was assigned to St. Helen in the fall of 1929. Under his administration St. Helen Catholic School was established. The Sisters of St. Dominic of Adrian, Michigan assigned Sister Immaculate, O.P., (Principal); Sister Anselm, O.P., and Sister William Ann, O.P. to the Parish and the school opened on September 16, 1940 with an enrollment of 27 students.

Reverend Patrick O'Brien was assigned as the second pastor of St. Helen in 1950. It was under Father O'Brien's administration, that the present church was constructed.

Father John F. McKeown became the third pastor at St. Helen in 1954. During his administration, the stained glass windows, the lights and the beautiful Italian statues were added. A new four room classroom building and convent were also constructed. In keeping with the growth of the Catholic population in the northern end of the county, Father McKeown built the mission church of St. William in Sebastian.

Reverend Hugh J. Flynn served as pastor of St. Helen from 1964 to 1969. Under his administration, the St. Helen Harvest Festival was begun and St. Helen's Service Center, a multi-purpose facility, was constructed in Gifford.

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Reverend John B. O'Hare became the pastor of St. Helen in 1969. Under his direction, the present Parish Center became a reality.

In 1976, Monsignor Irvine Nugent, Rector of the Cathedral of St. Charles Borromeo in Orlando, as well as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Orlando, replaced Fr. O'Hare as the pastor of St. Helen Parish. Monsignor created an atmosphere of warmth, care, and comfort among the members of the local community. Under his leadership of Monsignor Nugent, the rapid growth of the parish and the expanding needs of the church community were addressed.

The parish increased the scope and variety of religious instruction for parishioners of all ages. The old convent building was remodeled into the Christian Living Center as a focus for faith enrichment opportunities. The Neighborhood Apostolate program was established to improve parish life and serve the needy. An excellent ministry program for the sick was developed.

St. Helen Parish became part of the Diocese of Palm Beach in October 1984.

Father Michael W. Edwards became our seventh pastor in 1999. Under Father Edwards' direction, St. Helen Parish has dedicated itself to being a Stewardship Community. Father Edwards continues to challenge the parish family to accept God’s calling to be a community of faith focused on using individual time, talents and treasures to help better His Kingdom.

City of God

Awake from your slumber! Arise from your sleep!
A new day is dawning for all those who weep.
The people in darkness have seen a great light.
The Lord of our longing has conquered the night.

Let us build the city of God.
May our tears be turned into dancing!
For the Lord, our light and our love,
has turned the night into day!

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ADMINISTRATION

Reverend Monsignor Irvine Nugent Parochial Emeritus		Reverend Juan Raul Cardenas Parochial Vicar
Reverend Tri Pham Parochial Vicar		Reverend Jean Wesner Boulin Parochial Vicar
Joseph J. Di Mauro          Deacon

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