Thursday's Good News
Our Weekly Newsletter: March 4, 2021
Feast of Saint Casimir
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Dear Saint Helena Parish Family & Friends,
Praise and thanks to God for His many blessings and favors on us and our Parish. Let us continue to ask Jesus, the Divine Physician and Healer of Souls to bless us, comfort us, heal us, and give us strength and peace.
Love & Prayers,
Monsignor Nicolo
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It seems a good time to remind you—our faithful parishioners—that it is now time for those who are in good health to consider coming back to Holy Mass! If you have been somewhat comfortable of late going to a restaurant and eating, why not consider coming back to the church for the celebration of Holy Mass? If you have been going or have gone to your children’s or your grandchildren’s sports activities and feel somewhat comfortable, why not consider coming back to Holy Mass? If you have been going or have gone to family gatherings and feel somewhat comfortable, why not come back to Holy Mass? If you have been going or have gone to birthday parties, anniversary parties, etc. and feel somewhat comfortable, why not consider coming back to Holy Mass? If you have been traveling on a bus, train or plane and feel somewhat comfortable, why not consider coming back to Holy Mass? If you have gone for an in-person doctor’s visit or test and feel somewhat comfortable, why not return to Holy Mass? If you have gone back or are going back to in-person work and feel somewhat comfortable, why not consider coming back to Holy Mass? If you are sending or have sent your children back to school and feel somewhat comfortable, why not consider coming back to Holy Mass?
You may think or say to yourself or to one another: I’m not all that comfortable, however you’ve moved forward and onward. Realize, sooner or later we are going to have to move forward. I realize that there is hesitation on the part of some or many. I have had that feeling of hesitation on a number of firsts that I needed to do since the pandemic began, for example, public celebration of Mass, distribution of Holy Communion, visiting the sick and dying in their homes, nursing homes, and hospitals. The first time that I went to visit my brother and sister-in-law at their home and dining, I felt a little uneasy. The first time I went into a pharmacy, grocery store, gas station, etc., I felt a little uneasy. Any “first outing” at this time is going to seem a little strange and a little uneasy, however, sooner or later you’re going to have to do a “first.”
We have placed a “rack” of white folding chairs in the Narthex. Please take and use them, if you wish, and place them where you feel most comfortable - either in the Narthex or in the Nave.
Please realize all that we have done in the reopening of the Church is over and beyond what we were required and/or asked to do. The safety, health, and, of course, the well-being of all of our parishioners was and remains the priority as we return to out Church for worship.

May God, through the intercession of Saint Helena, bless us!
Love & prayers,
Monsignor Nicolo
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Please Ask Your Senators in Washington to Vote 'No' on "The Equality Act" |
Last week the US House of Representatives voted in favor of "The Equality Act.” The date for the Senate to vote on this measure is yet to be determined. While everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, this act would actually discriminate against the faithful and many groups in our society.
The Equality Act would actually: punish faith-based organizations, such as charities and schools--who serve everyone in their communities--simply because of their beliefs; force girls and women to compete against boys and men for limited opportunities in sports; and force girls and women to share locker rooms and shower spaces with biological males, who identify as women! It would also risk mandating taxpayers to fund abortions; force people in everyday life--and especially health care workers--to support gender transition; and expand what the government considers a “public” place, forcing even some parish halls to host functions that conflict with Catholic beliefs.
How does this promote equality?
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Please Be Aware
New Round of E-Mail/Cellphone Scams
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It has come to our attention that a new e-mail/cellphone message scam is finding it's way to our parishioners.
Someone is fraudulently using Priests name's and sending emails asking parishioners for either money, iTunes cards, etc. These email addresses/cellphone message are disguised and renamed to look legitimate.
Please know that we would never email anyone asking for money or goods in this manner. We are sorry for any inconvenience or distress this may have caused you if you received an email of this kind. We never ask in these ways.
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Upcoming Food Drive
To Benefit: Martha's Choice Marketplace
Tuesday, March 9
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We’ll Pickup Donations at Your Home!
Food Drive to benefit Martha's Choice Marketplace (located at St. Paul's in Norristown)! You may purchase donations & then have them picked up at the curb/porch of your home on Tuesday, March 9. If you would like to donate food, please contact Joe Dempsey by e-mail: Joedemps12@gmail.com
We are also looking for drivers who can assist in picking up food from parishioner’s homes & dropping the donations off at Martha's Pantry in Norristown. Contact Joe for this as well. Thank you in advance for your help with this great Work of Mercy!
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FORMED is available on your Smartphone (Apple & Android), Tablet & Smart TV (Roku, Apple, & Amazon Fire TV)!
Diving into the beauty of the Faith has never been easier: at home, on the go, or from any internet connected device.
Discover thousands of videos, books, audio talks, movies, documentaries, and studies... there is something for every member of the family to help them grow closer to Christ and His Church.
Here's a video on how to Register!
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Refresher on the Procedures for Mass |
During these unusual times as we are moving forward towards the normal, I kindly ask you to make sure that you follow the following procedures:
*All Church doors will be opened for all weekend Masses and Holy Days.
*We ask that you always wear a mask while you are in Church.
*We ask that you socially distance from one another.
*We ask that you kindly come and fill the front of the Church as you move towards the center of the pew, so that we can maximize the number of people at Mass.
*We ask that as you come forward for Holy Communion that you keep a socially acceptable distance from the person before you.
*We asked that when you come forward for Holy Communion that you leave your mask on until after you have received Holy Communion in your hand, then moved to the side, lower your mask and receive our Lord in Holy Communion. If you wish to receive Holy Communion on the tongue, we ask that you come at the end. Please realize that we will sanitize our hand before we would give the next person Holy Communion.
*We provide hand sanitizing stations as you come into the Church.
*You can also bring your own hand sanitizer to Mass, to sanitize your hands.
*We have put the Worship Aids (Breaking of Bread) in the Church, if you wish to use them. You can continue to bring your own digital device as a Worship Aid.
*Holy Water is in the Holy Water Fonts, if you wish to use them. According to the guidelines of the Archdiocese which uses the Department of Health guidelines is permissible.
*We respectfully remind you not to congregate in groups before or after Mass without wearing a mask.
*It is most important that we all cooperate so that everyone can be safe.
*We do a sanitizing/disinfecting of the Church regularly.
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Stations of the Cross & Benediction
Thursdays in Lent, Church
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March 4 - Tonight at 7:00 P.M.!
March 11 - 11:30 A.M. & 7:00 P.M.
March 18 - 1:30 P.M. & 7:00 P.M.
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Lenten Evening Prayer
Sunday, March 7
6:00 P.M., Chapel
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Join us in the Chapel on the following Sunday Nights (March 7, 14, 21) for Evening Prayer. Participate in-person or virtual (via our Parish Livestream), your preference. |
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Join Our Daily Devotions!
Attend In-Person or Virtually via Our Parish Livestream
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Here's our schedule (All are livestreamed as well)
Rosary Recitation in the Chapel
- 8:25 A.M., Monday - Saturday
- 11:30 A.M., Wednesdays
- After the 3:00 P.M. Divine Mercy Chaplet, Monday - Friday
Divine Mercy Chaplet Recitation in the Chapel
- 3:00 P.M., Monday - Friday
Chapel Meditation
- 7:00 A.M - 9:00 P.M. (Monday through Friday)
- 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M (Saturdays)
- 7:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. (Sundays)
- Livestreamed everyday - 24 Hours
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Knights of Columbus
In Service to One. In Service to All.
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Become a Knight. Do More. Be More. More Than Ever.
Pick-Up Your Family Fish Dinner on March 5
Curb-side pickup of prepaid orders only is on Friday, March 5 from 5-7:30 p.m. at the entrance of St. Helena's Empress Room. Thank you for your generous support.
The Founder of the Knights, Father Michael McGivney is Beatified!
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Save the Date! Lenten Penance Service
Tuesday, March 23
1:15 & 6:45 P.M., Church
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Please save the date for our Lenten Penance Service: Tuesday, March 23. There will be (2) offerings: 1:15 P.M. & 6:45 P.M. We will have multiple Priests to hear your confession. |
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Calling All Men of Saint Helena: Saint Joseph Wants You!
Begins, Saturday, March 27
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The St. Helena Men's Group invites ALL men of the Parish upon a 33-day preparation program modeled after St. Louis de Montfort's consecration to Mary. As fathers, brothers, protectors and members of this faith community, the consecration to St. Joseph will certainly have a positive impact upon our parish and all of the men who join us in this journey. The first meeting will begin on Saturday, March 27. The program will culminate with a final meeting on the Feast of Saint Joseph the Worker (May 1st), followed by Mass at 9:00 A.M.
Each man consecrating himself to Saint Joseph will be provided with a book [Consecration to Saint Joseph by Father Donald Calloway], and will be required to complete several readings and prayers each day of the 33-day period (approximately 20 minutes/day). The book also lays out several discussion questions for each weekly meeting (six meetings in total). The weekly meetings will
commence at 7:00 A.M. each Saturday between March 27 and May 1. Please consider this consecration in order that Saint Joseph may hold you close, intercede on your behalf, and provide you with added strength, courage and wisdom.
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40 Days for Life: Parish Public Witness
Saturday, March 27
Planned Parenthood, Norristown
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40 Days for Life is a National Organization and the Spring Campaign runs from February 17 thru March 28, 2021.
Public witness consists of prayer and peaceful vigils outside Planned Parenthood locations. The Parish Respect Life Ministry is sponsoring a public witness outside the Planned Parenthood located on Powell Street in Norristown.
Our chapel is open for individual prayer for those who aren’t able to go to Planned Parenthood.
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Job Opportunity at Saint Helena
Share with Family & Friends
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We are currently looking to hire a Full Time Custodian: Monday - Friday, 6:00 A.M. to 2:30 P.M.; start ASAP!
If you are interested, please contact our Maintenance Director, Robert Malony, via e-mail.
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Young Adult Group
March Meeting Schedule
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Our Young Adults gather on Thursday nights from 7-8:15 P.M. in the Convent. Over the next few weeks we will be watching the nationally-acclaimed series by FORMED titled, "The Search". Video runs 30 minutes, then we will have discussion on the theme of the video and end with the rosary. Join us this LENT! All young adults welcome! E-Mail Kurt Zampier to RSVP or call 610-930-0349.
March Meetings: March 4, 11, 18, 25
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Pray More Novenas
St. Joseph Novena begins March 10
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Beginning on March 10, we will pray the Novena to Saint Joseph together. It will be particularly special to pray this Novena together as Pope Francis declared this year - the Year of St. Joseph!
St. Joseph accepted his role as guardian, husband and father in the Holy Family. His intercession has been sought for centuries.
St. Joseph was very close to our Lord and his prayers are powerful! Spread the word about this important novena for the Year of St. Joseph!
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Breaking Open Saint Helena Church: A Virtual Tour
Episode 3: 6 Minutes!
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A video 'Breaking Open' our Church!
Here's our third episode, which focuses on the Sanctuary & Altar. Enjoy!
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