Church of ST. HELENA'S

Roman Catholic

FROM HIS EMINENCE

On June 15, the governor announced that COVID-19 restrictions are lifted throughout New York State. This was met with great enthusiasm, and the Governor lifted the State of Emergency in New York on June 24. New York States’ health guidance and industry-specific guidelines – including social gathering limits, capacity restrictions, physical distancing, cleaning and disinfection, health screening, and contact information for tracing – are now optional for houses of worship. There are no capacity restrictions on houses of worship. Masks are no longer required to be worn during church services for those who are vaccinated. Churches should continue to maintain a “physical distance section” for those individuals who wish to utilize such accommodations regardless of their vaccination status. Holy water fonts should continue to remain empty. Altar servers who are vaccinated may resume serving, and choirs may resume. The lifting of these restrictions is a much welcome sign that we have returned to a normal way of life while still recognizing that it will take time for all in our community to feel comfortable to resume pre-pandemic activities. We hope and pray that our folks will feel safe to return to the church life they knew before these unfortunate circumstances befell us. His Eminence is grateful for the extraordinary efforts undertaken by our pastors to see our parishes through an unprecedented and perilous experience.

IMPORTANT FEMA FUNERAL PROGRAM UPDATE

FEMA is currently covering COVID and COVID-related deaths between January 20-May 16, 2020.

One requirement is that the Death Certificate must have the word COVID on it as being a cause or a contributing cause of death.  IF your death certificate does not have the word COVID on it, the certificate does NOT have to be formally changed.  INSTEAD, you can submit a letter from either the death certificate certifier or the local medical examiner or the New York City coroner, ON OFFICIAL LETTERHEAD stating that either the cause of death was COVID or that COVID was at least a CONTRIBUTING CAUSE of the death.  There must also be a statement that links this letter to the original death certificate.

Brief Corpus Christi Procession

 

Mass Intentions – S=Mass will be live-streamed     +=Deceased        *Not a Public Mass

Mass Intentions – S=Mass will be live-streamed     +=Deceased        *Not a Public Mass

July 25 –Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00 +Mr. Eugene Vadaro;   Prayer of the Faithful:  Marcella Baumann-Intentions

10:00 S +Raymond Aromi;     Prayer of the Faithful: +Oscar Martinez;

              +Lawrence Florencio & Healing Intention for Anna Arraya Colon

12:00 S (Sp)  +Jacqueline French;   +Lamberto Cedeño and Birthday Intention for

Santiago Yael De la Rosa;  +Domingo, Pedro, Julio and Marianyeli Figuerora, Maximina Santiago & Julia Ferrer;   +Mercedes Rosa, Francisco Berton, Adolgisa Martinez and

Elba Martinez;    +Enriquillo Sanchez

5:00           For Fr. Luis’ Health and Happiness as principal of Colegio Ponceño in Puerto Rico

6:30 S (Fr)  +Margaret Bongyii and Raphael Mbinkar

July 26 – Monday — Sts. Joachim and Anne

6:30*      In Thanksgiving for Favors Granted to Fr Luis

8:30 S    +Ramona and Jose Aviles

12:15      +Kathleen Rooney

July 27  – Tuesday – St. Pantaleon

6:30*   In Thanksgiving for Favors Granted to Joanne Savino

8:30 S  +Kathleen Rooney

12:15  +Mary Falkowska

July 28 – Wednesday—Pope St. Victor I

6:30*      In Honor of the Most Precious Blood for Graces, Blessings and Intentions of

Fr. Thomas B. Derivan

8:30 S    +Marie Denise Antoine

12:15     Rosemarie Ortiz-Birthday Intention;

              Prayer of the Faithful:  Marie Sheehan-Birthday Intention

7:00 S (Sp)  +Alina Hernandez

July 29 – Thursday – St. Martha

6:30*   In Honor of the Most Precious Blood for Graces, Blessings and Intentions of

Fr. Thomas B. Derivan

8:30 S    For David and Sandra Savino’s Understanding that God Wills Them to Practice Their Faith and for a Good Attitude Towards David’s Mother

12:15    +Francis and Mary Plascyk and Family

July 30 – Friday — Blessed Solanus Casey

6:30*   In Honor of the Most Precious Blood for Graces, Blessings and Intentions of

Fr. Thomas B. Derivan

8:30 S Atsu Michel and Family-Special Intention

12:15 Missionaries of Charity, Washington, D.C.

July 31 – Saturday — St. Ignatius of Loyola

6:30 In Honor of the Most Precious Blood for Graces, Blessings and Intentions of

Fr. Thomas B. Derivan

8:30S +Alberto Brinz

12:15 Thanksgiving for Birthday for Therese Diallo

5:30 S +Pat Torres

August 1 –Eighteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00 +Elizabeth Seerm

10:00 S +Katherine Callaghan

12:00 S (Sp)  +Asia Morales;  +Jacqueline French;  +Juan Vallejo;  +Antonio Nicolas Santana;  +Alejo Martinez, Celenia Martinez, Morales Martinez and Francisco Antonio Martinez;

+Frank Santana-Veterano;   +Pablo Mojica-14 Aniversario

5:00 +Elizabeth Seeram

6:30 S (Fr)    +Margaret Bongyii and Raphael Mbinkar

July 18 –Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00 In Thanksgiving for Favors Granted to Joanne Savino

10:00 S Intentions of Anupa Mancheril In Thanks;

Prayer of the Faithful: +Juana Rodriguez

12:00 S (Sp)  +Jacqueline French; +Domingo Loja & Leonidas Lemas;

+Joseph Lidia Bastone, Marino Mota and Librado Geraldo;    +Luis Salas;

+Josefina Almanzar, Pionos Perez and Carmela Pilchuela;

+Elena Aurora Martinez Vda de Inturias;    +Daisy Gomez;     +Eduardo Nieves

5:00           +Sabina Zugar

6:30 S (Fr)   +Margaret Bongyii and Raphael Mbinkar

July 19 – Monday — St. Macrina the Younger

6:30*      Joanne Savino Intentions

8:30 S    +Eduardo Brue

12:15      +Donald Finucune;   

Prayer of the Faithful: +Lydia Ayala;   +Edgar Victy

July 20  – Tuesday – St. Apollinaris

6:30*   For Alessandra Mia Savino’s Utmost Facility to Achieve Salvation and for a Close and Loving Relationship with Her Paternal Grandmother    

8:30 S  In Thanksgiving for Favors Granted to Joanne Savino

12:15  +Felicita Espina

July 21 – Wednesday—St. Lawrence of Brindisi

6:30*      Anne Labuda-Birthday Intention

8:30 S    +Catherine Carolan

12:15     Daniel Cherico-Health Intention

7:00 S (Sp)   Luis R. Ruiz-por Salud

July 22 – Thursday – St. Mary Magdalene

6:30*   In Thanksgiving for Favors Granted To A. Savino

8:30 S   Joanne Savino’s Intentions

12:15    +Carlos Flores

July 23 – Friday — St. Bridget of Sweden

6:30*   In Thanksgiving for Favors Granted to Joanne Savino

8:30 S +Justina Ramos

12:15 +Ralph A. Cerbone, Jr.

July 24 – Saturday — St. Sharbel

6:30 Joanne Savino’s Intentions

8:30S Vincent McDonnell-Intentions

12:15 +Luis M. Capellan;

Prayer of the Faithful: +Edwin Rivera

5:30 S +Teresa Morales

July 25 –Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

8:00 +Mr. Eugene Vadaro

10:00 S +Raymond Aromi;   

             Prayer of the Faithful:  +Lawrence Florencio & Healing Intention for Anna Arraya Colon

12:00 S (Sp)  +Jacqueline French;   +Lamberto Cedeño and Birthday Intention for Santiago Yael De la Rosa;  +Domingo, Pedro, Julio and Marianyeli Figuerora, Maximina Santiago and Julia Ferrer; Mercedes Rosa, Francisco Berton, Adolgisa Martinez and Elba Martinez;  +Enriquillo Sanchez

5:00         For Fr. Luis’ Health and Happiness as principal of Colegio Ponceño in Puerto Rico

6:30 S (Fr)    +Margaret Bongyii and Raphael Mbinkar

Next St. Helena Food Pantry on Tuesday, August 10 at 12PM.

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INDULGENCES FOR THE YEAR OF ST. JOSEPH

The Apostolic Penitentiary has issued a decree granting special indulgences for the duration of the special year of St. Joseph. The plenary indulgence is granted to the faithful under the usual conditions (sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, and prayer for the Pope’s intentions) to Christians who, with a spirit detached from any sin, participate in the Year of St. Joseph on these occasions and manners indicated by the Apostolic Penitentiary:

A. The plenary indulgence is granted to those who will meditate for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer, or take part in a Spiritual Retreat of at least one day that includes a meditation on St. Joseph. B. The indulgence can also be obtained by those who, by following St. Joseph's example will perform a spiritual or corporal work of mercy.  C. Everyone who entrusts their daily activity to the protection of St. Joseph, and every faithful who invokes the intercession of St. Joseph so that those seeking work can find dignifying work can also obtain the plenary indulgence. D. The plenary indulgence is also granted to the faithful who will recite the Litany to St. Joseph or any other prayer to St. Joseph proper to the other liturgical traditions, for the persecuted Church and for the relief of all Christians suffering all forms of persecution. E. The recitation of the Holy Rosary in families and among engaged couples is another way of obtaining indulgences

In addition to these, the Apostolic Penitentiary grants a plenary indulgence to the faithful who will recite any legitimately approved prayer or act of piety in honor of St. Joseph including the one in our church under the relief of St. Joseph, especially on March 19, May 1, the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, on the 19th of each month, and on every Wednesday, which is a day dedicated to the memory of the saint.

Amid the ongoing Covid-19 health crisis, the gift of the plenary indulgence is also extended to the sick, the elderly, the dying, and all those who for legitimate reasons are unable to leave their homes. They too can obtain the plenary indulgences if they are detached from any sin and have the intention of fulfilling, as soon as possible, the three usual conditions and recite an act of piety in honor of St. Joseph, offering to God the pains and hardships of their lives.

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It took just 45 minutes for St. Helena to give away over 200 bags of food on Tuesday, November 24, in front of the Green Building. Thank you to the many volunteers who helped pack the canned goods into bags and who gave out the produce.


Our Lady of the Cloud Mass on November 1 at St. Helena


All Souls Day Food Pantry at St. Helena on November 2


Cardinal Dolan celebrates the 10AM Family Mass at St. Helena


I came to Adoration today to visit God. I didn’t stay long, but He knew I was there. Thank you, St. Helena, for that. Adoration every Thursday from 9AM-12PM.

No, our boiler was not invaded by a huge swarm of African Killer Bees. In preparation for the upcoming heating season, we are replacing and repairing the glass rods that help produce the steam that will keep our church nice and warm.


The church is open for weekday and weekend Masses.  Daily Mass is at 8:30AM and 12:15PM and weekend Masses are now on Sat. at 5:30PM and Sunday at 8AM, 10AM, 12PM in Spanish, 5PM, and 6:30PM in French. 


August 18 is the Feast of St. Helena, and we have a relic of St. Helena and a coin minted in AD 325 that commemorates her being crowned as Augusta (Empress).


THE BLESSING OF PARKCHESTER during the pandemic.

Confessions by Appointment, 718-892-3232. or on Saturdays from 4-5:15PM. 

CUSTOMERS SHOP, AMAZON GIVES AmazonSmile is a website operated by Amazon that lets customers enjoy the same wide selection of products, low prices, and convenient shopping features as on Amazon.com. The difference is that when customers shop on AmazonSmile (smile.amazon.com), the AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the price  of eligible purchases to St. Helena when selected by customers. So, SMILE and shop at smile.amazon.com/ch/13-1740343  and AmazonSmile will donate to St. Helena Parish.

St. Helena is now live-streaming our Daily Mass every weekday at 8:30 am in English and on Sundays at 10 am. 

The Spanish Masses will be live-streamed on Sundays at NOON and on Wednesdays at 7 pm as well as every First Monday at 7 pm.

To access the Mass on your computer or smartphone either at the time of live-teaming or at any time of the day go to:  www.facebook.com/St.HelenaBronx and click on the VIDEO tab.

HOLY DAY MASSES:
Vigil:  7:00 PM (Spanish)
Holy Day:  8:30 AM, 12:15 PM,  7:30 PM
STATIONS OF THE CROSS:  
Every Friday during Lent:  following the 12:15 PM Mass (English), 6:00 PM (French), 7:00 PM (Spanish), 8:00 PM (English)
CONFESSION TIMES:
Every Saturday from 4 PM to 5:15 PM , or by appointment in the rectory.
ROSARY:
Every Wednesday, following the 12:15PM Mass.
Legion of Mary Rosary in Spanish every Saturday at 1:00PM in the Peralta Rectory Meeting Room.
Every last Sunday of the month at 6PM in French at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
DIVINE MERCY CHAPLET:
Every Wednesday at 7PM in Spanish in the church.
Every Saturday at 1PM in the Green Bldg.
BAPTISMS:
English: Every Sunday after 1:30 PM Mass
Español: 2 y 4 Sábados en 2:30 PM
BAPTISM PREPARATION CLASS:
Usually meets every second and fourth Thursday of the month at 7 PM in the Church.  Register for the class at the rectory. You MUST bring BOTH a copy of the child's birth certificate as well as a copy of the Confirmation certificate of the godparents or a copy of the godparent's Catholic marriage certificate if a godparent is married.  A letter of suitability from the godparent's Catholic pastor will also be accepted.
SICK AND DECEASED members of the parish are remembered in the Offertory Prayers.  If you know of any current or former parishioners who are seriously ill or have passed, or you know of any sick parishioners who need Holy Communion brought to them, please contact the rectory at 718-892-3232 and let us know about their condition.
Announced and Unannounced Masses as well as Perpetual Mass Enrollment may be arranged at the rectory Mon.-Fri. from 8:30AM - 4:30PM.
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASSES
Every Wednesday from September - June from 3:45 - 5PM, gathering in the Church. Some Sunday classes are also available.
RCIA CLASSES:
  English classes meet every Sunday from 3-4PM or on Monday from 7-8PM in the Rectory Meeting Room from September - April.
  Spanish classes meet every Sunday from 10-11:15AM in the Peralta Retory Meeting Room from September - June.
BIBLE STUDY CLASS meets every Tuesday at either 1PM or 7:30PM and every Sunday at 11:30AM in the Green Building.
BOY SCOUTS meet every Wednesday from 6:30-8:00PM in the cafeteria, while the. CUB SCOUTS meet every Saturday at 9:30AM in the Calasanz Room.
Al-Anon meets every Saturday at 11AM in the Green Building.
AA Big Book Study meets every Saturday at 7PM in the Green Builting. 
CoDA meets every Monday at 7PM in the Peralta Rectory Meeting Room.
English Prayer Group meets every Saturday at 1PM in the Miguez Rectory Meeting Room.
Spanish Prayer Group meets every Monday at 7PM in the church.
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta Group visits the Rebekah Nursing Home every Wednesday at 10AM, leaving from the church.
Calasanz Movement Youth Group meets every Friday at 7PM in the gym.
The Religious Goods Room is open every Sunday from 8:30AM-1:30PM.

Transportation:  Take #6 Train to either Parkchester or Castle Hill or take the following buses: Bx22, Bx39, Bx4, Bx4A, or Q44.
Parish E-mail:  sthelenarc@yahoo.com
Parish Youtube Channel: St. Helena Film Ministries

 
 https://cardinalsappeal.org/

Born in Bithynia, Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), circa 248, St. Helena was married to Roman Emperor Constantius and had a son who would become Constantine I, also known as Constantine the Great, the first Roman emperor to become a Christian. St. Helena, who converted as well, oversaw the construction of churches on Holy Land sites. She would later be credited with discovering the cross upon which Jesus Christ is believed to have been crucified. St. Helena died circa 328 in Nicomedia (present-day Turkey).  Shown below, the door to the St. Helena Chapel in Bethlehem.