A Shrine is Born on Centre Square Farmland
St. Helena Parish traces its beginning to October 3, 1919, when Cardinal Dennis Dougherty summoned a young priest, Father Francis Higgins, and named him founding pastor of a new parish in Montgomery County. The boundaries - east of Norristown, west of Ambler, and north of Chestnut Hill - covered roughly fifty square miles and included only twenty-five to thirty Catholic families. Father Higgins celebrated his first parish Mass in a farmhouse once used as a respite by Washington's Continental forces, then moved worship to a larger farmhouse owned by a parishioner named Ellen Duddy, who gave him two acres of land for a church. After her death in 1922, Father Higgins inherited the Duddy farmhouse and used it as a rectory.
From those two acres grew a small rustic chapel with leaded glass windows and a marble altar. Father Higgins had a deep devotion to St. Theresa of Lisieux, the Little Flower, and planted roses on the property in her memory. He began Sunday afternoon novena devotions in her honor, and word of the eloquent young pastor with the down-to-earth sermons and the lovely rural setting spread quickly. Pilgrims arrived by car, train, and trolley, hundreds at a time, and the chapel became known across the region as the Shrine of the Little Flower. That legacy continues today in the daily Mass chapel that carries her name.
Father Higgins led the parish for twenty-nine years until his death in April 1948. Father Thomas P. Kelly, who had served as Administrator since 1946, was named Pastor and quickly moved to provide a parish school. He sold some of the land to fund a building, enlisted the Sisters of Mercy to teach, and opened St. Helena School in 1949 inside a convent farmhouse. A new school was completed in 1950, followed by a second church in 1952. Even then, parishioners recognized that what was built as their worship space was meant to be temporary; it was eventually integrated into the school floor plan, where its strategic placement is still visible.
Through the mid-century, the parish expanded so steadily that five new parishes eventually grew out of it. Pastors James J. Kearney, John T. Coates, and Joseph A. Vadino each carried the work forward, and Father Coates - Pastor Emeritus - remained a familiar presence at parish celebrations for years after his tenure. In January 2002, Father Joseph J. Nicolo, now Pastor Emeritus, set out the vision for what would become the present church and an expanded campus. Phase I produced the Social and Recreation Center in 2004, the present church dedicated by Cardinal Justin Rigali on October 31, 2004, and the St. Theresa Chapel, blessed November 22, 2004. Phase II from 2006 to 2008 wove the former church building into the Education Center, added a Pre-K program, an elevator for full accessibility, and finished offices for the school and parish. Today, Father Joseph W. Bongard serves as Pastor of St. Helena and Parochial Administrator of the related St. Titus parish.
Mass at St. Helena and at St. Titus
The Mass schedule at St. Helena centers on St. Theresa Chapel on weekdays and the main church on weekends. Daily Mass is celebrated Monday through Saturday at 9:00 AM in St. Theresa Chapel. The Saturday Vigil Mass is at 4:00 PM in the main church, and three Sunday Masses follow at 7:30, 9:00, and 11:00 AM. Holy Day Vigils are offered at 7:00 PM in the church, with Holy Day Masses at 9:00 AM and 12:15 PM. Confessions are heard Saturday at 3:00 PM in the church.
The related St. Titus parish, also pastored by Father Bongard, offers its own rhythm: Daily Mass Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday at 8:00 AM; a Saturday Vigil at 4:30 PM; and one Sunday Mass at 10:00 AM. Confessions are heard Saturday at 3:30 PM at St. Titus.
Adoration and a Rhythm of Daily Prayer
St. Theresa Chapel is at the heart of the parish's daily prayer life. Eucharistic Adoration begins immediately after the 9:00 AM Mass and continues until 7:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except on civil holidays or when the school closes early for weather. The chapel also hosts a layered set of devotions throughout the day: the Chaplet of St. Michael the Archangel at 8:00 AM, the Rosary at 8:15 AM (or 8:20 AM on Saturdays), and the Divine Mercy Chaplet at 3:00 PM, followed by the Rosary. On Wednesdays, the Rosary moves outdoors to the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto at 11:30 AM from spring through fall - with cement benches set along a red stone path - and back indoors for the colder months.
The parish's prayer intentions are wide-ranging: the parish itself, the country, priests, vocations, the sick and dying, souls in purgatory, an end to abortion, personal intentions, and answered prayers. The Chaplet of St. Michael devotion honors the nine Choirs of Angels described in Scripture - Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Dominations, Powers, Virtues, Principalities, Archangels, and Angels - and tradition promises those who recite it daily the continued assistance of the holy angels and deliverance from purgatory for themselves and their relations.
The 2004 Church and the Art That Fills It
The present church opened in 2004, and its design continues a tradition that goes back to the original Centre Square chapel. The St. Theresa Chapel, connected to the main church, holds the original statue from the earlier Shrine of the Little Flower and is adorned with a ceiling mural depicting Jesus, Mary, and St. Theresa.
The main church was consecrated by Cardinal Rigali in October 2004, with the four consecration candles still standing as a reminder that the building has been dedicated to the greater glory of God. Above the Narthex, four arched symbols mark the four marks of the Church: UNA (One), SANCTA (Holy), CATHOLICA (Catholic/Universal), and APOSTOLICA (Apostolic). The Rose Window over the main entrance depicts St. Helena holding the True Cross, with a lily of purity beside her and a small image of the parish itself. The symbols ringing the outer leaf move through the Lamb of God, the Chi Rho, the Jerusalem Cross, the Rock with the Cross, the Chalice, the Crown and Book, and the Escallop shell of Baptism.
Two major stained glass windows tell the Christian story. The Nativity Window, set with the Annunciation mural above it, gathers symbols of the Old Testament pointing to Christ: Jacob's ladder with its twelve stars, Noah's ark, Abraham's sacrifice, the burning bush, the House of David, the Fleur de Lis of Mary's purity, IHS, the anchor of hope, Alpha and Omega, the Crown and Scepter, the dove of the Holy Spirit, the Christmas star, Mary Queen of Heaven, the Messianic Rose, the Lamb of God, and the hand of Divine Providence. The Resurrection Window, paired with the Coronation of Mary mural, brings together the instruments of the Passion - the veil of Veronica, the dice and garment, the crown of thorns and nails, the spear, the hyssop, INRI, the three crosses of Calvary - with the symbols of victory: the chalice and host, the bursting pomegranate of Resurrection, the Trifoil of the Trinity, the phoenix, the pelican feeding her young, the cross, the rainbow of Noah's covenant, the new cross of new life, and the hand of God the Father.
The Reredos behind the altar holds statues of St. Helena at the top; St. Aloysius Gonzaga and St. Stanislaus Kostka, both Jesuit saints; and St. Peter with his keys and St. Paul with his sword at the bottom, all gathered around the Crucified Christ. The altar itself is decorated with three panels: Christ and the Apostles at the Last Supper, Abraham's willing sacrifice of Isaac, and Melchizedek offering bread and wine. Twelve first-class relics - including Sts. Peter, Paul, Andrew, James the Greater, John, Jude Thaddeus, Justin, Theresa of Lisieux, Agatha, Maria Goretti, Stanislaus Kostka, John Neumann, Frances Xavier Cabrini, and Elizabeth Ann Seton - are sealed within the altar, in keeping with the ancient Catholic tradition that traces back to the catacombs and the Edict of Milan in 313 A.D.
The Stations of the Cross line the interior, the Baptismal Font is topped with the image of St. John baptizing Jesus, and Holy Water fonts stand at each entrance as a reminder of Baptism. The Ambo holds the Word of God, the Presider Chair marks the priest's teaching authority, the Tabernacle holds the Eucharist, and the Sanctuary Light burns in its red globe whenever the Eucharist is present. Outside, the Bavarian Wayside Shrine, the Stations of the Cross along the internal roads, the Sacred Heart statue, the Blessed Mother statue, the St. Theresa and St. Joseph statues, and the Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto extend the prayer environment into the campus. Many of these elements, including the Reredos, the altar, the Pulpit, the Stations of the Cross, the Baptismal Font, the side altar in the Narthex, and the Chapel Altar, were rescued from St. Ladislaus Catholic Church in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia, which closed in 2003.
Saint Helena School and Religious Education
Saint Helena School sits next door to the church at 1499 DeKalb Pike and has been part of the parish since 1949. The school educates children from Pre-K through eighth grade in a Christ-centered environment, with attention to spiritual, academic, artistic, emotional, and social growth. A Pre-K program for three- and four-year-olds was added in 2006, complete with new classrooms, a state-of-the-art outdoor playground, and an enlarged driveway. The school's principal is Denise Britt.
For families whose children attend public or other non-Catholic schools, the parish offers Continuing Catholic Development (CCD). Directed by Tiffany Terranova, CCD prepares students for the sacraments and grounds them in the doctrine and spiritual life of the Church. New families register through an online form, while returning families receive a registration email from Parish Giving each spring.
Each summer, the parish hosts a Vacation Bible School week for rising kindergartners through fifth graders. Campers rotate through five stations - Faith, Crafts, Games, Music, and Snacks - and learn about the liturgical seasons, feast days, and the lives of the saints. Adult Camp Leaders and Teen Leaders (sixth grade and up) help run the week.
The Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA) is the formal path into full communion for adults who have never been baptized, as well as for already-baptized Christians who wish to complete their initiation by receiving the remaining sacraments. Inquiries are handled individually by the Parish Office.
Youth, Scouting, and the Catholic Youth Organization
The Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) involves students in grades five through twelve in athletic, social, cultural, service, and spiritual activities. It is run largely by parish adult volunteers and is one of the most visible parish presences for older children. (sainthelenaschool.org)
Younger children find their own roles. Altar Servers are children in grades six through twelve who serve at the altar. The Community Service Corps gathers students in grades five through eight for service projects - raking leaves, collecting coats, and preparing food for those in need. The Youth Choir welcomes singers and instrumentalists who want to lead music at Sunday and special Masses, and Youth Lectors (sixth grade and up) are trained to proclaim the Word of God on the third or fourth Sunday of each month from September through June.
A High School Youth Group meets to talk about faith and the issues that matter to teenagers today, with service projects and socials woven in. Scouting has a long history at the parish: Brownies and Girl Scouts are open to all girls in first grade and older, and the Cub Scout Pack includes boys from St. Helena and Stony Creek Elementary Schools, with the fifth graders phased into local Boy Scout Troops.
Outreach, Bereavement, and the Knights of Columbus
Parish Outreach gathers the parish's charitable efforts under one umbrella, with a focus on those who are hungry, grieving, vulnerable, or facing hardship. The ministry meets on the fourth Sunday of each month via Zoom, with periodic in-person gatherings on weekday evenings. Among its partners are Caring for Friends, which provides meals to homebound seniors in Philadelphia, and the Mattie N. Dixon Community Cupboard, a local food pantry. The parish also maintains a relationship with St. Mark's Church in Frankford.
The Bereavement Ministry supports families through the loss of a loved one. Members help prepare and assist at funeral Masses, follow up with families by phone and card each quarter, deliver Easter Lilies on Palm Sunday weekend, and host a candlelight Mass during All Souls week for the deceased. The group meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 PM in Nicolo Hall.
Saint Helena Knights of Columbus Council #14210 meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7 PM in Nicolo Hall. Open to all Catholic men over 18, the council focuses on faith formation, charity, and support to priests and parishes. The annual Blue Mass every September 11 honors first responders, and a Thanksgiving food drive has gathered more than 8,000 pounds of food in a single year along with thousands of dollars in cash donations.
The Respect Life Ministry, meeting on the second Wednesday of each month from September through May (excluding December and January), dedicates itself to the sanctity of life from conception to natural death. Its calendar includes the Spiritual Adoption Program, an October Baby Shower, two 40 Days for Life campaigns, a Winter Bake Sale, a Spring St. Gianna Baby Bottle Campaign, and a celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Other outreach efforts include the Garden Club, which tends the campus flower beds through the spring, summer, and fall; the Serving Our Community group, which meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM to assemble meals and supplies for area partners; and a Prayer Shawl Ministry that knits and prays for those in need.
Walking with Purpose, the Men's Group, and New Beginnings II
Walking with Purpose is a Catholic Bible study for women that meets in several weekly time slots - Thursday mornings at 9:45 AM, Thursday afternoons at 12:45 PM, Monday evenings at 6:45 PM, and Monday evenings at 7:00 PM on Zoom - from October through May. The program welcomes women of every faith background, age, or marital status and combines at-home Scripture study with weekly small-group discussion and monthly talks. The group also hosts Advent by Candlelight.
The St. Helena Men's Fellowship Group gathers every Saturday morning from 7:00 to 8:00 AM in the convent, with no week off and no exceptions. After an opening prayer, the men read and reflect on the coming Sunday's readings and discuss what it means to lead others to Christ, pray better, lead their families in prayer, and focus on what will bring them and those around them closer to God.
New Beginnings II is a monthly gathering for widowed members of the parish. The group meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM in the St. Helena School Cafeteria for friendship, fellowship, and faith, with a small annual membership and a complimentary first visit for anyone still considering.
Liturgical Ministries and Hospitality
The Mass is supported by an array of liturgical ministers. The Adult Choir sings at Sunday liturgies and special occasions throughout the year, including Christmas, Holy Week, and Forty Hours. The Bell Choir and Children's Chime Choir bring handbells and chimes to worship. Cantors lead the congregation in song at weekend Masses and special liturgies and rehearse twice a month. Lectors proclaim the readings, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, appointed by the Archbishop, assist with distribution at Mass and bring Communion to the sick at home, at Blue Bell Place, and at Mercy Suburban Hospital. Chapel Repositors return the Blessed Sacrament to the Tabernacle when Adoration ends, and the Liturgy Committee brings together the various liturgical ministers for regular coordination.
The Just Ask information table in the Narthex is staffed each weekend by Hospitality Ministers who answer questions from parishioners and visitors. Ushers find places for those arriving after Mass has begun, assist those with mobility devices or small children, and hand out bulletins at the door, while Greeters arrive fifteen minutes before Mass to hold doors open and welcome everyone with a smile.
Baptism is celebrated most Sundays immediately following the 11:00 AM Mass, by one of the parish priests or deacons. The Church encourages baptism within the first three months after birth, and parents are asked to attend a Pre-Jordan Preparation Session on the first Monday of each month before their child is born. Christian Funeral Planning is supported through the parish office, and a Funeral Packet with Music selections is available online.
Clergy and Parish Leadership
St. Helena is pastored by Rev. Joseph W. Bongard, who also serves as Parochial Administrator of the related St. Titus parish. Rev. Samuel A. Verruni serves as Senior Priest, and Rev. Alan Okon as Parochial Vicar. Msgr. Joseph J. Nicolo continues as Pastor Emeritus. Deacon Claude Granese assists in ministry, with Deacon Ken Belanger now retired. Seminarian Paul Boyer is assigned to the parish.
The Director of Religious Education is Tiffany Terranova, who oversees CCD and Vacation Bible School. Denise Britt serves as Principal of Saint Helena School, with Megan Tronoski as School Secretary and April Maxwell as School Nurse. Jay Maiale directs parish facilities, and the Parish Office staff includes Lindy Johnson, Pat Mandrachia, Justin McCormick, Karen Holder, and Diane DeCurtis.
The Parish Pastoral Council, made up of twelve members representing the parish's diversity alongside the pastor and parochial vicars, advises the pastor on pastoral concerns, develops the parish mission statement and pastoral plan, and reviews the effectiveness of existing programs in light of Archdiocesan priorities. The Parish Mission Statement gathers the parish around three commitments: Worship God, Love Others, and Make Disciples.