Parish Community of Saint Helen
All In
This Together
20
From Our Pastor
Dear Parishioners of Saint Helen,
When we began the past fiscal year, the “normal” we had become used to was in full force. One of the most engaged and lively parish communities of the
Archdiocese of Newark, the Parish Community of Saint Helen continued striving to fulfill what our mission statement crystalized for us time and time again by Worshipping God, Serving Others and Making Disciples. This was carried out intentionally on so many levels by so many: clergy, staff, lay leadership, and
volunteers alike. Father Michael was our pastor. Construction on our Church was progressing. The myriad of programs and efforts so characteristic of Saint Helen engaged the youngest to the most senior members of our community. Little did we know what the year would hold for us.
In February, we learned the wonderful news that Father Michael was named an Auxiliary Bishop of Newark. We gathered, filling Meaney Hall to capacity, to celebrate this momentous designation, both for Bishop Michael and for our parish community. While still in the midst of our euphoria, a pandemic shut us down, shut down our ability to gather, shut down our construction and shut down our lives in ways we could never have imagined. Like many communities, some members of our parish family got very sick; some members of our parish family died. Life changed for everyone.
While so much has happened and has changed for us as individuals and as a
community in this past year, it has been readily apparent to me that no shut down could ever keep us down. As you read this Community Report you will see the compelling reality that the Church “goes on” here at Saint Helen and nothing will ever keep us from Worshipping God, Serving Others and Making Disciples. This is because we are a community of faith that has encountered the risen Christ. Filled with the Spirit, we seek to bring His Kingdom more fully to ourselves, each other and all those who so desperately need to know that God loves them, cares for them and will provide for them. This report only begins to capture all the grace and miracles that the Lord is working among us, in us and through us. It reminds us of how, even in the midst of the most serious of deterrents, God is with us.
I recognize all of you for the stewardship of your time, talent and treasure that you have exercised for our parish, especially through this pandemic. It is an incredible witness to your faith that has kept us going against unprecedented circumstances, continuing to advance our mission in Jesus Christ, by celebrating the sacraments and bringing us all together.
I thank Bishop Michael, for his incredible leadership, love, and support in his ten-year tenure as pastor of Saint Helen. I thank the talented staff whose leadership, dedication and commitment has advanced the mission of the Church here in Westfield. I thank all those whose expertise and countless hours and efforts have enabled us to come together virtually. I thank the hundreds of lay leaders and volunteers who give tirelessly to so many. I thank our Parish Trustees and our Pastoral and Finance Council members whose experience, wisdom and guidance have helped immeasurably in continuing the mission. I thank Carolyn Colonna and Matt Boyle who spent many hours preparing this report.
Finally, I remember all of those who have died in the past year, those from the pandemic as well as those who have died and were not able to celebrate the Rite of Christian Burial in our customary way. May they rest in peace and may their loved ones experience the consolation of the Risen Christ. We will never forget them.
I have loved being a part of this parish for many years. Now, Saint Helen is my family and I am so very grateful.
We can never know what the future will hold. However, whatever it holds for us, let us never let anything keep us from proclaiming and living the Kingdom of God in our midst. May God continue to bless our Parish Community of Saint Helen.
T A K I N G O U R C O M M U N I T Y O N L I N E
Going Virtual
30+
Countries have viewed content from Saint Helen
220K+
Views on YouTube
1700
Subscribers to Saint Helen's ChannelSunday Worship at Saint Helen extends a special thank you to the 250+ ministry volunteers of
Hospitality, Eucharistic Ministers, Sacristans, Lectors, Music, Kids Corner, Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Message Series Team and Media.
The parish launched a new website in October, a new database in November and a mobile app in the spring. These technology advances permitted us to connect and communicate with each other promptly when we were unable to be together in person.
In March, following directives from both New Jersey and the Archdiocese, Saint Helen moved to an all virtual platform. This platform began to grow into a thriving online community, which has reached well beyond New Jersey.
We now stream daily and weekend Mass and special events, including our Wednesdays at Saint Helen series. We are grateful to our community for connecting with us on our virtual platforms!
T A K I N G O U R C O M M U N I T Y O N L I N E
Going Virtual
150+
Young People Receiving Sacraments
15+
In-Person and Virtual Sacramental Masses
150+
Teens Taking Part in Virtual Events
We value the youth of our parish! The Kids Corner PreK and Kindergarten Program expanded to include Storytime, Family Small Groups, Family Service Projects, in addition to Music and Worship for our youngest parishioners.
Our grade school students participated in exciting programming including Children’s Liturgy of the Word, Beginnings, Blessed, and Believe programs. They also served our parish in the Altar Server Ministry, Music Ministry, 4 Cs Crochet Ministry and through service projects.
Our Middle School and High School students continue to emerge as parish leaders and serve in ministries including Kids Corner, Hospitality, Music, Peer
Ministry, and many more. These students truly live out our Mission Statement by Serving Others through Shelter Visits, the Sleep Out for the Homeless, Mission Trips and Sr. Pat’s Cancer Camp. The parish
teenagers continued to be engaged and grow as disciples during the pandemic by participating in Project YM, Alpha Youth and Life Teen.
In August and September, we celebrated the
rescheduled sacraments for our First Communicants and Confirmation Students. The sacraments were also livestreamed so the children’s families and friends could take place in these beautiful liturgies.
T A K I N G O U R C O M M U N I T Y O N L I N E
Going Virtual
150+
Virutal Small Group Participants
600+
Parisohoners Called On The Phone
At Saint Helen we recognize we grow as disciples in community with each other. In November, we gathered for a parish mission led by the engaging Fr. Jim Sichko. We met for Vision 2020, Men’s and Women’s
Cornerstone held the 30th annual retreat in 2020, we launched Lifetree Café, and our Prayer and Small Groups met regularly.
Social distancing did not stop our parish family from connecting. Almost immediately Small Groups began meeting over Zoom, FaceTime, and Houseparty. “Not So Small” Virtual groups began to meet weekly over Zoom to keep our community’s bond strong and continue the path to discipleship.
Additionally, a number of volunteers in our community began making regular phone calls to check in on parishioners who were homebound or lived alone.
As we move forward during these challenging times, we again wish to thank all of the amazing volunteer ministers and staff members who were instrumental in helping move our vibrant
community online!
"They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayer." Acts 2:42
Note 1: Helping Hands and Hearts is a service program started in 1981 to meet the spiritual, material and financial needs of our local community, both parishioner and non-parishioner.
This program is funded by two special collections each year as well as memorial donations throughout the year. In addition to the financial distributions reflected above, many volunteers are involved in our Prayer Network, Care Ministry, Nursing Home Ministry, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Immigration Support, Food Deliver, Food Pantry and Soup Kitchen.
This ministry also distributes backpacks to students, Thanksgiving Baskets and Christmas Gifts.
While the pandemic created challenges for all, it only increased the generosity of our parish community. Thank you for stepping up and bringing Christ's love to all!
An endless supply of sandwiches were brought to the parish daily and were distributed to Saint Joseph's Social Service Center and Bridges Outreach.
As a parish, Saint Helen continued to support our neighbors and organizations by donating over $250,000. Thanks so much for your amazing financial support!
Our Team
Parish Staff
Rev. Msgr. Thomas P. Nydegger, Pastor Carolyn Colonna Angela De Ciantis-Whitley Mike Fusco Aida Gabuzda Patti Gardner Nicole Murphy
Rev. Gabriel C. Curtis, Parochial Vicar Denise Revello Marilyn Ryan Adrian Soltys Chris Steiner Terry Vinanskie
Pastoral Council
Bob Albino Joe Altavilla Liz Brancatella Jenn Czarnecki Michele DelCorsano Chris D’Mello Jeff Hamilton Jen Hazard Tony Levorse Sherrie Louison Phil Murphy Dana Nolan Fran Prybylski Kristin StellingwerfFinance Committee
Monica Bergin Michael Guarnuccio John O’Brien Brian Stanley Joe VaszilyThank you to our staff members who have retired: Gail Laughlin and Yolanda Ruiz
Thank you to our staff members who moved on to new employment opportunities: Tricia McGlynn and Mary McGovern
Trustees
Claudia Andreski Jack Sheehan
