Ministries
CHURCH MINISTRIES AND YOUTH MINISTRIES AND ACTIVITIES
We are called by our Baptism to be “Missionaries” and to spread the Good News. Our parish offers a wide variety of ministries and apostolates that provide opportunities for you to minister as a “missionary” of the Good News.
ADORATION: Adoration of the Most Blessed Sacrament begins immediately following the 9:00 AM daily Mass Monday through Friday and continues until 7:30 PM in the St. Theresa Chapel. There will be no adoration on civil holidays or when school is closed or dismissed early due to inclement weather.
ADULT CHOIR: The Adult Choir is made up of men and women in the parish who lift their voices in Sacred Choral Music as they enhance our liturgies on Sundays and at Christmas, Holy Week, Forty Hours and other special occasions.
ALTAR SERVICES: The altar servers are children in grades 6 through 12, who are members of the parish. The girls and boys volunteer with their parents; permission to assist at regular weekend Masses and at special liturgical services. Please encourage your children to participate in this wonderful spiritual experience and to respond positively when Father asks for new Altar Server Candidates.
BELL CHOIR: This is a beautiful way for our young adults and adults to make a joyful unto the Lord using hand bells.
BROWNIES/GIRL SCOUTS: The Brownies/Girl Scouts are open to all girls in first grade or older and involve a range of troop, group and individual experiences facilitated by qualified adults and community support. Troop level meetings vary according to the age group. Scouting will inspire themn with a sense of self-worth and ethics and empower them to achieve a sense of responsibility in the community.
CANTORS: The cantors lead our congregation in song at weekend Masses and at many special liturgies. They meet twice a month to practice.
CATHOLIC YOUTH ORGANIZATION: CYO is a parish-based program involving youth in grades two through twelve. The ministry includes athletic, social, cultural, service and spiritual activities. This is a great program whose success is based largely on the help and dedication of our adult volunteers in each of these areas.
CHAPEL REPOSERS: They repose the Blessed Sacrament to the Tabernacle when Adoration is completed.
CHAPLET OF DIVINE MERCY: Say this chaplet and you will receive great mercy at the hour of death. The chaplet is recited every Monday at 3:00 PM in the Chapel.
CHILDREN’S CHIME CHOIR: These children add their own joyful sound unto the Lord using hand chimes.
COMMUNITY SERVICE CORP: This is a group of fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth graders who belong to the parish and do service-oriented projects such as rakeing leaves, collecting coats for our community, and preparing food for the needy. This is a great way for our young people to practice the works of mercy.
CUB/BOY SCOUTS: The Cub Scouts include first to fifth grade boys from St. Helena and Stony Creek Elementary Schools. The dens are boys from the same grade who meet twice a month. The pack, which includes all the dens, mees monthly. Fifth grade boys are phased into various Boy Scout Troops in the local area.
EXTRAORDINARY MINISTERS OF HOLY COMMUNION: The Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are appointed by the Archbishop to assist the priests and deacons in distributing Holy Communion during Mass and in bringing Holy Communion to the sick at home, Blue Bell, Place, and Mercy Suburban Hospital.
GREETERS: If you would like to help someone feel at home when they arrive for Mass, then this ministry would be wonderful for you. The only requirements are that you bring a friendly face and greeting and are willing to come to Sunday Mass fifteen minutes early and stay for ten minutes after Mass. We are always looking for a welcoming smile.
HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH GROUP: Youth ministry for high school age teens is to create a positive experience of the Catholic Church for teenagers. In this ministry teens come together in a fun and casual way to discuss their faith and issues relevant to teens today. The teens are also involved in doing service projects and socials.
LECTORS: Proclaiming the Word of the Lord during Mass and other liturgical or para-liturgical celebrations is a very important ministry to the worshipping community.
LITURGICAL DANCE: Dance is one of the most ancient forms of prayer, expressing with one’s entire body the simple and intimate devotion to God. This is open to Saint Helena School children
LITURGY COMMITTEE: The Liturgy Committee consists of members from the Altar Servers, the Art and Environment Committee, the Cantors, the Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, the Music Ministry, Ushers, and Greeters. The committee meets regularly.
MOMMY AND ME: Mommies with newborn to age three children who want to socialize with other mommies should join this dynamic group. They meet on two Friday mornings each month either in the Social and Recreation Center or on the Pre-K playground.
ST HELENA SCHOOL CHOIR & CHORUS: The children of St. Helena School have many choral opportunities open to them beginning in first grade and continuing through the eighth grade. Children may first participate in the choir in grades 1-3. Grades 4-8 may participate in Chorus, Boys Chorus, and Honors Chorus. The choir and chorus perform in weekly class liturgies, as well as special festival liturgies, concerts and a Dinner Theatre.
TIME AND TALENT COORDINATOR: Besides our material bounty, our Lord has given us gifts of time and talent. This aspect of Stewardship is directed in encouraging people to contribute their time and talent to the many ministries sponsored by the Parish. The coordinator is responsible for outreach and encouraging participation in Parish ministries.
TITHING COORDINATORS: Our material bounty is a gift given to us by the Lord. Holy Scripture tells us that we are to give our first fruits back to the Lord. These coordinators help all of us look at our lives in this light.
USHERS: This group is made up of parishioners who serve at each weekend and Holyday Mass by finding seating, helping the disabled and the elderly, taking up the collections, and generally being of assistance wherever needed.
WEDDING REHEARSAL COORDINATORS: Couples or individual adults who assist couples getting married by performing their wedding rehearsal.
YOUTH CHOIR: Any youth or young adult who would like to praise God on Sundays and special occasions by singing or playing a musical instrument would be welcome in the Youth Choir. Their music includes contemporary Christian music as well as traditional hymns.
YOUTH LECTORS: Open to youth in 6th grade and higher who wish to be trained to proclaim the Word of God. Children will be instructed on proclamation, posture, pronunciation, pace and practice. Youth Lectors are assigned to participate in the Liturgy on the third or fourth Sunday of the month from September through June.
MINISTRY /ORGANIZATIONCONTACT PERSONPHONE NO.E-MAIL /WORK NO
AdorationAgnes Ferrara215-699-9419
Art & EnvironmentTheresa Smith215-646-7636theresacsmith@verizon.net
Basketball: AdultMarty Howley215619-0455howleym@comcast.net
Young AdultJohn Oberlies215-756-7194john.oberlies@gmail.com
BereavementMinistryMichele Gerstemeier610-584-0862pgerstemei@verizon.net
Bible StudyDeacon Ken Belanger610-279-8042ken@belangerandcompany.com
Chapel ReposersDeacon Don Kretsch610-539-7365
Charismatic Prayer GroupLinda & Fred Short215-699-4426achangingrose@safeplace.net
Collection CountersGeorge Haly610-831-1490geohaly@comcast.net
Communion and LiberationRebecca Cherico484-231-8807rcherico@comcast.net
Community of DisciplesJo-Ann Belanger610-279-8042jo-ann@belangerandcompany.com
Cross TalkDorothy Barry610-275-3689dotbarry@comcast.net
Divine Mercy ChapletBarbara Souders215-646-3437obarmari@verizon.net
Divine Mercy Support GroupHannah Kiernan610-707-2709
Ecumenical Activities CoordinatorsTim & MaryAnne Seiders215-699-6993equitytims@aol.com
Extraordinary Minister of Holy CommunionMsgr. Nicolo610-275-7711
Church Molly Gatto610-279-3172shadowgato@aol.com
Mercy Suburban. Hospital Dick Stauffer610-272-7585rfstauffer@msn.com
Nursing/Private Home VisitsAntoinette Cannon610584-1287acannon@sainthelenachurch.org
Evangelization MinistryJo-Ann Belanger610-279-8042jo-ann@belangerandcompany.com
Facilities CommitteeAnthony Taormina610-256-0886aataormina@comcast.net
Finance CouncilMsgr. Nicolo610-275-7711
FundraisingMark LaFond610-292-8083mark.lafond@insourcenow.com
Garden ClubTheresa Smith215-646-7636theresacsmith@verizon.net
Governmental AffairsDick Stauffer610-272-7585rfstauffer@msn.com
GreetersHerb Mace610-275-2297macecave@msn.com
Habitat for HumanityRay VanHaute215-641-0356rvhbbpa2@hotmail.com
Home & School AssociationCarolyn Dittrich215-628-2962ditt466k@aol.com
HospitalityGina Malony610-277-4620gmalony@sainthelenachurch.org
Irish DancePatsy Swope610-337-9491patswrabs@verizon.net
Knights of ColumbusJohn Schmidt610-272-3498dms1022@aol.com
Ladies of HelenaNoreen Messmer610-275-0175normez@aol.com
Legion of MaryMary Jo Szczur610-539-7476
Lectors (Scheduling)Angela Walker215-628-2797joesphwalk@comcast.net
Liturgical DanceJackie Spada610-589-4917jspada@sainthelenaschool.org
Liturgy CommitteeMsgr. Nicolo610-275-7711
Mommy & MeBecky Bushner484-684-6118bushners@comcast.net
Music MinistryCheryl Moser610-505-3038cheryl_moser@merck.com or
Adult ChoirCheryl Moser610-505-3038215-652-7507
Bell ChoirCheryl Moser610-505-3038cheryl_moser@merck.com
Cantors (Scheduling)Jim Siewert610-277-6265jesiewert@comcast.net
Children’s Chime ChoirCheryl Moser610-505-3038cheryl_moser@merck.com
Contemporary Music GroupDick Lentz215-822-6751richardlentz1@comcast.net
Youth ChoirCheryl Moser610-505-3038cheryl_moser@merck.com
School ChorusJennifer Lau610-279-3345jlau@sainthelenaschool.org
New Beginnings IIRita Kurek610-279-5897ritakurek@comcast.net
Parish Nurse ProgramTerry Shomberg, R.N.215-699-5024tshomberg@verizon.net
Parish Pastoral CouncilMsgr. Nicolo610-275-7711
Parish Youth Ministry
St. Helena SchoolSr. Cathe Shoulberg610-279-3345cshoulberg@sainthelenaschool.org
ParishReligiousEd.ProgramMadeleine Fitzgerald610-277-3573mfitzgerald@sainthelenachurch.org
Children’s Liturgy of the WordMarie Kushnerickkushnerickjm@verizon.net
Altar ServersMillicent Basile215-661-1378mbasile6@aol.com
Youth LectorsAngela Walker215-628-2797joesphwalk@comcast.net
High School Youth GroupFr. Szparagowski610-275-7711
CYO / Community Service CorpsMarianne Smith610-278-0718maresteve@comcast.net
CYO / Sports -Athletic DirectorDan O’Brien215-806-2281obriend@whiteandwilliams.com
Brownies / Girl ScoutsKathy Petz610-270-0216Kathy@tjpetz.com
Cub / Boy ScoutsAlfred Saah215-233-1525a-saah@comcast.net
Photography ClubTheresa Smith215-646-7636theresacsmith@verizon.net
Prayer Shawl MinistrySr. Francis Reinhardt,O.S.F.610-279-1804
Pre Cana TeamLena & Rob Gelenberg610-292-8359lenag@comcast.net
Pre-Jordan Team Debbie & Corey Furlan610-277-1291debiefurlan@comcast.net
Pro-Life ActivitiesDeacon Don Kretsch610-539-7365
RCIA(Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults)
Deacon Ken Belanger610-279-8042ken@belangerandcompany.com
Sanctuary/Church CleanersAnne Burr610-279-3616a.m.burr@comcast.net
Senior Citizens ClubMarion Novelli610-277-1279
Serving Our Community—SOCMicki Burns610-272-5408mkeanecpa@aol.com
St. Anne Sewing ClubTheresa Smith215-646-7636theresacsmith@verizon.net
Time & Talent CoordinatorJoe Walker215-628-2797joesphwalk@comcast.net
Tithing CoordinatorsElaine & Vince Thompson610-277-5814blubelbear@aol.com
UshersHerb Mace610-275-2297macecave@msn.com
Wedding Rehearsal CoordinatorsMichaeleen & Jim Dougherty610-277-8534iamjimdoc@gmail.com