ST. HELEN CHURCH

St. Helen Parish: A Journey of Faith, Hope, and Gratitude The history of St. Helen Parish is not simply the story of buildings, dates, or milestones. It is the story of a community of believers who answered God's call with faith, generosity, and perseverance. Every generation has contributed to building this parish—not only with bricks and mortar but with prayer, sacrifice, volunteer service, and unwavering trust in God's providence. As we reflect upon our journey, we give thanks for all those who came before us, those who serve today, and those who will continue this mission in the years ahead. Our history reminds us that God has faithfully guided our parish through every season of joy and challenge. The Beginning: A Mission Church The roots of St. Helen Parish reach back to 1938, when a small mission church was built at the cost of $6,500. While modest in size, it represented something far greater than its physical structure. It stood as a visible sign of the Catholic faith taking root in this growing community. The first Mass in the newly built mission church was celebrated by James Cardinal McGuigan, Archbishop of Toronto. His presence underscored the importance of this small but vibrant Catholic community and offered encouragement to the faithful who had worked so hard to establish a place where they could gather to worship God. Those early parishioners faced many sacrifices. Resources were limited, yet their faith was abundant. Through their generosity and determination, they laid a foundation that future generations would continue to build upon. Becoming a Parish Family A significant milestone came in 1986, when Bishop Thomas Fulton officially established the mission church as a new and distinct parish. What had begun as a small mission community became a permanent parish family with its own identity and mission within the Diocese of St. Catharines. With the establishment of the parish came the appointment of its first pastor, Rev. James LeRoy Lee. Father Lee faithfully shepherded the young parish during its formative years, helping the community grow spiritually while fostering a welcoming and family-oriented atmosphere. Under his leadership, parishioners deepened their commitment to prayer, the celebration of the sacraments, religious education, and service to one another. Those early years were marked by enthusiasm and hope as families continued to make St. Helen their spiritual home. A New Pastor Continues the Mission In 1994, Father James LeRoy Lee retired after faithfully serving the parish. While saying farewell to a beloved pastor was bittersweet, the parish welcomed Rev. Brian Bevan as its new shepherd. Father Bevan continued the work of building a strong parish community. As the Catholic population in the region continued to grow, it became increasingly clear that additional space for worship would soon be needed. Recognizing this pastoral need, an important opportunity arose. Reaching Out to the Community In 1996, with the permission of Bishop Thomas Fulton, St. Alban's Anglican Church in Beamsville was rented to accommodate two additional celebrations of the Eucharist each weekend. This arrangement reflected both practical necessity and the spirit of Christian cooperation between churches. It allowed more parishioners to participate in Sunday Mass while plans for the future gradually took shape. The use of St. Alban's became an important chapter in the parish's history, demonstrating that the Church is ultimately not defined by buildings but by the people who gather in faith around the altar of Christ. A Vision for the Future As the parish continued to flourish, the dream of building a new church in Beamsville became increasingly compelling. In 2011, the parishioners of St. Helen launched an ambitious initiative to construct a new church. It was a bold undertaking that required tremendous faith, careful planning, generous financial support, and countless volunteer hours. Many wondered whether such an ambitious project could become reality. Yet the people of St. Helen trusted that, if God desired this work, He would provide. Families contributed according to their means. Volunteers dedicated countless hours to fundraising events, planning meetings, and community outreach. Every contribution, large or small, became part of a shared vision for future generations. Blessing the Land A memorable day arrived in 2013, when Most Rev. Gerard Bergie, Bishop of the Diocese of St. Catharines, celebrated the Eucharist and blessed the land upon which the future church would be built. Joining him was the pastor of St. Helen Parish, Rev. Philip English. The blessing of the land was much more than a ceremonial event. It represented the beginning of a new chapter in the life of the parish. Standing together on what was then open ground, parishioners envisioned a future church where children would be baptized, couples married, sins forgiven, vocations nurtured, and generations gathered around the Eucharistic table. It was a day filled with hope and excitement. Breaking Ground The following year, 2014, construction officially began as the parish broke ground for its new church. Watching heavy machinery prepare the site and seeing walls gradually rise from the earth filled parishioners with gratitude and anticipation. What had once been only a dream slowly became visible reality. Every stage of construction reminded the community that God continues to build His Church through the faith and generosity of His people. A New Church Dedicated to God Perhaps one of the most joyful moments in parish history came on Sunday, December 6, 2015, when the Rite of Consecration of the new church was celebrated by Bishop Gerard Bergie. Together with Father Philip English and Father Ed Jankowski, parishioners witnessed the solemn dedication of their beautiful new church to the glory of God. The Rite of Dedication is one of the most beautiful liturgical celebrations in the Catholic Church. The altar was anointed with sacred chrism, the walls were blessed, incense rose throughout the church as a symbol of the prayers of God's people, and the building became forever a sacred place dedicated to divine worship. For many parishioners, this day represented the fulfillment of years of sacrifice, generosity, and prayer. The new church became more than a beautiful building. It became a spiritual home where Christ continues to meet His people in Word and Sacrament. A New Chapter of Leadership Another important transition came in 2018, when the parish said farewell to Father Philip English, thanking him for his dedicated leadership and especially for guiding the parish through the successful construction of the new church. The parish then welcomed Father Krzysztof Szczepanik as its new pastor. Every pastor leaves his own unique mark upon the life of a parish. Father Krzysztof continued building upon the strong foundations established by his predecessors, encouraging parish growth, strengthening faith formation, supporting families, and fostering a vibrant liturgical life. His ministry has continued to emphasize hospitality, stewardship, and the importance of building a parish community rooted in Christ. The Challenge of the Pandemic No history of St. Helen Parish would be complete without remembering the extraordinary events of 2020. Like countless churches throughout the world, St. Helen Parish was temporarily closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The faithful experienced the pain of being unable to gather publicly for the celebration of the Eucharist. Weddings were postponed, funerals were limited, and many parish traditions came to a temporary halt. Yet even during this difficult period, the parish remained united. Technology allowed parishioners to remain connected through livestreamed liturgies and online communication. Volunteers continued serving those in need whenever possible. Families prayed together in their homes, discovering anew that faith is sustained not only within church walls but also in the domestic church of the family. The pandemic tested everyone, but it also strengthened appreciation for the gift of gathering once again around the altar of the Lord. Celebrating a Silver Jubilee In 2021, despite the continuing effects of the pandemic, the parish celebrated the 25th anniversary of Father Krzysztof Szczepanik's ordination to the priesthood. Because public health restrictions remained in place, the celebration took on a unique drive-through format. Although unusual, the event beautifully demonstrated the affection parishioners held for their pastor. Cars lined up as parishioners offered greetings, prayers, congratulations, and expressions of gratitude while observing necessary health precautions. Even during challenging times, the bonds of faith and community remained strong. Preserving Our Parish Story Looking toward the future also means preserving the past. In 2023, the parish launched its newest project—the updating of the parish directory. Over many months, photographs, family information, and parish records were carefully gathered. Completed in the spring of 2025, the directory became much more than a collection of names and pictures. It serves as a snapshot of the parish family during this chapter of its history and will become a treasured record for future generations. It reminds us that every parishioner contributes to the ongoing story of St. Helen Parish. Celebrating Forty Years Together One of the greatest celebrations in our history came in October 2025, when we joyfully celebrated the 40th anniversary of St. Helen Parish and the 10th anniversary of the consecration of our beautiful church. These anniversaries invited us to pause, remember, and give thanks. We remembered the pioneers who built the original mission church in 1938. We remembered the faithful who established the parish in 1986. We remembered every pastor who served with dedication. We remembered volunteers, benefactors, catechists, musicians, altar servers, Knights of Columbus, Catholic Women's League members, parish staff, ministry leaders, and countless parishioners whose quiet acts of service often went unnoticed but never unseen by God. Above all, we remembered God's enduring faithfulness. Looking Toward Tomorrow As we continue our journey, we recognize that the history of St. Helen Parish is still being written. Each baptism welcomes another member into God's family. Each First Holy Communion deepens a child's friendship with Christ. Each Confirmation strengthens young disciples through the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Each wedding begins another Christian family. Each funeral entrusts our loved ones to the mercy of God while reminding us of the promise of eternal life. Our parish continues to grow—not merely in numbers but in faith, hope, and love. The challenges before us are different from those faced by earlier generations, yet the mission remains unchanged: to proclaim the Gospel, celebrate the sacraments, serve those in need, and lead others into a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. The generations before us sacrificed so that we might worship in this beautiful church today. Now it becomes our responsibility to preserve, strengthen, and pass on this living faith to those who follow us. With gratitude for our past, confidence in God's providence, and hope for the future, we continue forward together as one parish family. May St. Helen, our patroness, continue to intercede for us. May Christ remain at the center of everything we do. Guided by the Holy Spirit, may our parish continue to flourish for many years to come, welcoming new generations into the family of faith and bearing joyful witness to the Gospel. The story of St. Helen Parish began with a small mission church built in 1938. Today, that story continues in every parishioner who gathers around the altar of the Lord. The future is bright because the same God who guided our founders continues to guide us today. To Him be all glory, now and forever. Amen.