Church of ST. HELENA'S

Roman Catholic

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

February 28 – Sunday— Second Sunday of Lent

8:00 +David Barris

10:00 S +Eduardo Perez

12:00 S (Sp)  +Joseph and Lidia Bastone;   +A. Marino Mota;   +Alejandrina Alicea;   

+Raymond Gonzalez;    +America Lebron;   Maria Gomez-Healing Intention

5:00       +Dave Noel-9 Month Anniversary

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

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

February 28 – Sunday— Second Sunday of Lent

8:00 +David Barris

10:00 S +Eduardo Perez

12:00 S (Sp) +Joseph and Lidia Bastone;   +Marino Mota;    +Alejandrina Alicea;      +Raymond Gonzalez;  +America Lebron;   Maria Gomez-Health Intention;

+Carmen Galarza de Valencia;   +Jacqueline French

5:00       +Dave Noel-9 Month Anniversary

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

March 1 – Monday – St. David

6:30*      In Thanksgiving for Favors Received by Joanne Savino;

               Prayer of the Faithful:  Linda LoRusso-Birthday and Health Intention

8:30 S God’s Blessings for Fr. Luis in Puerto Rico

10:00 Funeral Mass-+Mirta Gallego

12:15  +Rachel Rivera

7:00 +Norma Rivera;   +America Lebron;  +Armando Espindola, Petra Garcia, Augustina Posada, Prudencio Espindola and German Garcia

March 2  – Tuesday – St. Chad

6:30*  In Thanksgiving for Favors

Prayer of the Faithful: In Thanksgiving for Victor Santiago-Birthday Intention

8:30 S Deceased Members of the Torrens and Gramlich Families

12:15  Deceased Members of the Retutas and Corciega Families

March 3 – Wednesday – St. Katherine Drexel

6:30* Vincent McDonnell-Intentions

8:30 S +James Hall

12:15     +David Sheehan

7:00 S (Sp) +Lillian Orlan;   +Janet Mundo;   +America Lebron;  Gracias de la Virgen de Guadalupe y Virgin de Nube de la Familia Lojas;  +Marina Mejia, Martha Mejia and Evelio Mejia

March 4– Thursday – St. Casimir

6:30*      In Thanksgiving for Favors Received by Some Women Years Ago

8:30 S  Sr. Mary Bernard, S.C. Donachie and Family

12:15 Souls in Purgatory

March 5 – First Friday – St. John Joseph-of-the-Cross

6:30* +Edelberta Corciega

8:30 S Joanne Savino’s Intentions

12:15 +Eduardo Bruno

March 6 – First Saturday – St. Colette

6:30*      In Thanksgiving for Favors Received by Joanne Savino

8:30 S   Vincent McDonnell-Intentions

10:00 Cremains Mass- +Antonio Morales

12:15   The Cullen Family Intentions

5:30 Sr. Mary Bernard, S.C. Donachie and Family;

Prayer of the Faithful: Agnes Griffith-Health and Recovery Intentions

March 7 – Sunday— Second Sunday of Lent

8:00 For Improvement in Our Country’s Economic Welfare

10:00 S God’s Blessing on Fr. Luis in Puerto Rico

12:00 S (Sp) +Matirde Rivera;   +Asia Morales;   +America Lebron;   +Simon Abulema

+Victor Castro, Rafael Baez and Ramona Baez Herrera;

5:00       Sr. Mary Bernard, S.C. Donachie and Family

Prayer of the Faithful: Agnes Griffith-Health and Recovery Intentions

6:30 S (Fr)   +Christophe Atsou Agblami; +Margaret Bongyii & Raphael Mbinkar

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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

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

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.

 

Religious Education Registration Closes October 31

Now is the time to register your child for Religious Education Classes.  Your child can attend either in-person or virtually or be homeschooled.  You must register your child again even if they were registered last year.  Fr. Richard is at the back of the church after every Mass, or you can call him at 718-892-3232.

Registro de Educación Religiosa

Ahora es el momento de inscribir a su hijo en las clases de educación religiosa.  Su hijo puede asistir en persona o virtualmente o ser educado en casa.  Usted debe registrar a su hijo de nuevo, incluso si se registraron el año pasado.  El Padre Richard está en la parte de atrás de la iglesia después de cada misa, o pueden llamarlo al 718-892-3232.


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.


St. Helena hosted the 43rd Precinct Build the Block Community Meeting in our Parking Lot.

The gym floor is getting sanded and repainted.



The church is open for weekday and weekend Masses.  Daily Mass is at 8:30AM and 12:15PM and weekend Masses are on Sat. at 5:30PM and Sunday at 8AM, 10AM, 12:15PM in Spanish, 5PM, and 7PM in French.  We are cleaning the church after every Mass but more cleaners are still needed. If you can help, please contact the rectory.


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).

Fresh Fruits and Vegetables for Older New Yorkers

Good nutrition is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it’s not always easy.  So, to help older adults purchase fresh fruits and vegetables, the NYC Department for the Aging’s annual Senior Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program provides low-income seniors with access to locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs.  Participants receive coupons that can be used to purchase locally grown fruits, vegetables, and fresh-cut herbs for cooking at participating farmer's markets and farm stands.  

Older adults can apply online through the website: nyc.gov/aging.  Coupon booklets are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

For older adults in need of supplemental meals, the City continues to deliver emergency meals through the City’s GetFoodNYC initiative, which continues enrollment for older adults during the pandemic.

Older Adult Technology Services provides online virtual programs through their website:  seniorplanet.org 

To learn more about these and other programs for seniors, call 212-244-6469.

Public Masses at St. Helena have Resumed on a Limited Basis

Only the weekday 8:30AM (live-streamed),  12:15PM, and the 7PM Divine Mercy Chaplet and 7:30PM Wednesday Spanish Mass are open to the public, as are the NEW weekend Masses:  Saturday Vigil 5:30PM, Sunday:  8AM, 10AM (live-streamed), NOON (Spanish and live-streamed), 5PM, 7PM (French and live-streamed).  You must enter through the front door unless you are handicapped, wear a mask or you will not be admitted into the church, and the mask must be worn at all times.  You must either wear gloves or sanitize your hands before entering the church. An usher will escort you to your seat and will guide you to communion and to leave the church at the end of Mass. Here are the new guidelines:

General Guidelines

Our Parish Office hours at St. Helena are 9AM-4:30PM.

Parishes have resumed weekday Mass, baptisms, weddings, and funerals at 25% of the capacity of the church provided that physical distancing and other guidelines are followed.  For us, that number is 125 people. At St. Helena, our weekday public Masses are currently Mon-Sat 8:30AM live-streamed and 12:15PM; Wednesday live-streamed Spanish Mass at 7:30PM with Divine Mercy Novena at 7PM.

Sunday Masses are  5:30PM Saturday Vigil Mass; Sunday Mass at 8AM, 10AM (live-streamed English Mass), NOON (live-streamed Spanish Mass), 5PM, and 7PM (live-streamed French Mass.)  For the time being, there will be NO ALTAR SERVERS.

The church will be open M-Sat for Mass and personal prayer from 8AM - 6:30PM. The church will be open on Sundays from 7:30AM-8:30PM.

Adoration will be every Thursday from 9AM-NOON and on First Friday from 1-6:30PM.

We will have the Miraculous Medal Novena on Mondays following the 12:15PM Mass and the Sacred Heart Novena before the 12:15PM Mass on Thursdays.  The Rosary is prayed after the 12:15PM Mass on Wednesday. We will distribute prayer sheets which CANNOT BE LEFT IN THE PEW but should be taken home and brought back each week.

Until further notice, there will be no fliers, bulletins, or missalettes in the church. Any informational literature must be personally handed to the people only AS THEY ARE LEAVING the church.

Certain precautions must be taken (wearing of masks at all times, maintaining a six-foot distance, no physical contact except for communion, sanitizing of hands, and sanitizing of surfaces).  You WILL NOT be admitted into the church without a face mask.  You should bring a personal hand sanitizer with you to church.

You will enter only through the designated door in the front of the church and will leave through either the side door or the designated front door of the church.  Only the handicapped will be permitted to enter the church through the side door.  The Sacristy bathroom is no longer available for public use.

A greeter will be present to count the people. Once the maximum number of 125 people has been reached, the greeter will not admit anyone else into the church.

The Holy Water fonts will be empty.

For the time being, the priest is not permitted to greet the people after Mass.  Per the direction of the Archdiocese, the celebrant and concelebrants are required to wear masks only when distributing Holy Communion.

You must sit only in designated seating.  There are some rows that cannot be used, and there are other pews designated for single individuals, couples, and families.  The church will now only accommodate about 125 people, and once that number has been reached at any given Mass no one else will be allowed into the church.  All present should sit six feet or more away from others.  Couples and families may sit together.

During Holy Communion, the ushers will guide the people to receive communion.  They will begin with the people in the back and work their way forward.  There are blue lines on the floor marking where the people may stand as they progress toward the front in single file down the center aisle, and the people will return to their seats by way of the side aisles.

You are reminded that for now there is no requirement to come back to Mass. Those who are at a greater risk of COVID-19 (those older than 65 or who have underlying health conditions) are cautioned not to come to church for Mass. You may join us only when you feel safe and comfortable to do so. His Eminence has dispensed everyone from the obligation to attend Sunday Mass at this time. As an alternative, Mass may be viewed online or on TV, and the act of spiritual communion may be used instead of receiving the Eucharist. To view the live-streamed Mass in English, Spanish, or French from St. Helena, go to www.facebook.com/St.HelenaBronx and click on the video tab.

Please remember that we rely on your continued support of St. Helena and the archdiocese. You are encouraged to mail in your offertory envelopes, bring them to the rectory, drop them in the offertory box in the church, or contribute by way of online giving, which is the WeShare tab on the right-hand side of our parish website:  www.churchofsthelena.com. 

There is also new information about the virus itself, which will continue to drive decision making. Now we are told the virus can live in the air for three hours, surfaces are less likely to cause transmission, children may be affected, infected people may get re-infected, and masks are more important than originally thought. 

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On June 14, the Church celebrated the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ. St. Helena Church in the Bronx held the traditional Corpus Christi Procession around the church parking lot 

THE BLESSING OF PARKCHESTER

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

New York City is delivering meals to seniors and others who cannot leave their homes. You can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/getfood to learn more.

NYC is opening COVID testing sites citywide.  Call 1-888-ONEMED1 or go to onemedical.com and use code NYCCARE30

Anyone with symptoms or questions about COVID-19 can call 844-NYC-4NYC to connect to a medical provider free of charge 9AM-9PM.
Cualquier persona con síntomas o preguntas sobre COVID-19 puede llamar al 844-NYC-4NYC para conectarse con un proveedor médico de forma gratuita de 9AM a 9PM.

 FROM THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

We hope this letter finds you and your family healthy. The Health and Safety Task Force of the Office of the Superintendent of Schools felt it important to share new information, based upon materials from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.” 

Health experts in New York and across the country are investigating cases of Pediatric Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome (PMIS). This new health condition has been appearing in children in New York City and elsewhere. Investigations are also being conducted into the possible association between PMIS and COVID-19 in children. Some doctors think the condition is related to having COVID-19, but the connection is still not clear. Linked here is a Fact Sheet from the NYC Health Department which I encourage you to review. 

PMIS is a rare condition; however, because it is life-threatening, it is vital to know the signs. Most children have a persistent, high fever lasting several days, along with other symptoms, including: 

• Irritability or sluggishness 

• Abdominal pain without another explanation 

• Diarrhea 

• Vomiting 

• Rash 

• Conjunctivitis, or red or pink eyes 

• Enlarged lymph node (“gland”) on one side of the neck 

• Red, cracked lips or red tongue that looks like a strawberry 

• Swollen hands and feet, which might also be red 

You should call your doctor if your child becomes ill and has had continued fever. Your doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and use that information to recommend the next steps. As always, if your child is severely ill, you should go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately. 

Although it is not yet known whether it is associated with COVID-19, it is essential parents and children take precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. 

For regularly updated information about the coronavirus crisis as it relates to our schools, please continue to visit our website CatholicSchoolsNY.org. 

Our archdiocesan health care ministry, ArchCare, continues to do heroic work caring for our beloved seniors. As a reminder, if you have questions or other health-related concerns, call their hotline at 877-239-1998. If you are experiencing other challenges, our Catholic Charities stands ready to lend assistance wherever possible. Do not hesitate to call them at 888-744-7900.   

Sincerely, 

Mr. Michael J. Deegan Superintendent of Schools Archdiocese of New York

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 Community Mass every weekday at 8:30AM in English and on Sundays at 10AM. 

The Spanish Mass will be live-streamed on Sundays at NOON.

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 11:00AM in the Peralta Rectory Meeting Room.
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 lletter 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.
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 Green Building.
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

 
 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.