St.

Helen Church
4106 Mountain St.
Beamsville, ON L0R 1B7
Ph: 905-562-7427
Fax: 905-563-0003
Email: [email protected]
Opened - October 2, 1938 Est. as a Parish - January 1, 1986
Pastor: Rev. Krzysztof Szczepanik Sunday Masses:
Office Administration: Aggie Agnino Saturday: 5:00pm
Sunday: 9:00am, 11:00am

Office hours:
Tuesday to Friday 9:00am - 12:00pm Weekday Masses:
Closed on Mondays and all Statutory holidays Tuesday to Friday: 9:00am

Website: www.sthelenscatholic.ca 1st Friday of the Month:

Adoration after morning Mass
Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/sthelenscatholic

Sacraments Contacts
Catholic Funeral Rites:
Baptism: When a death occurs in your family, Music Ministry:
1st & 3rd Sunday at 1:00 pm. please call the Parish Office and we Anthony van Engelen
Call parish office. will assist you in making the [email protected]
necessary liturgical arrangements. Ministry Scheduling & RFM:
1st Communion & Confirmation
Contact the Parish Office. Rebecca Williams ~ ministryschedul-
Chronic Care Facilities: [email protected]
Pastoral visits are made monthly.
Reconciliation: Reception of Holy Communion is Fundraising Events:
Every Saturday 4:00pm - 4:30pm or by available to residents. [email protected]
appointment with the priest.
Facility & Grounds Maintenance:
Homebound: Craig Luey
Marriage: Notify the Parish Office when serious [email protected]
Arrangements six months in advance. illness occurs. When the sick, aged or
Marriage preparation is required. incapacitated are confined to home for Catholic Women's League:
an extended time, pastoral visit can be Piera Palmieri ~ contact parish office
RCIA & RCIC: arranged. Knights of Columbus:
Contact the Parish Office. Marcel VanRuyven
Anointing of the Sick: Schools [email protected]
Please let us know when someone has St. Mark School SVDP:
a serious or prolonged illness or is to Principal: Jennifer DeCoff Lorraine Martin ~ contact parish office
have surgery. This sacrament Vice-Principal: Timothy Atkinson Prayer Warriors/Requests:
celebrates the healing of mind and Sandra Mactaggart ~
body and the forgiveness of sins. St. Edward School [email protected]
Principal: John Romano

Kindly complete the following and place in the collection box.

Envelopes will be on the round table in the foyer the following weekend.
☐ New Parishioner* ☐ Change of address ☐ Moving
Name________________________ Phone_________________ E-mail___________________
Address______________________________________________ City_____________________
☐ I would like to use offertory envelopes* Postal Code______________
 Gaudete Sunday - Third Sunday of Advent - Year C
Sunday December 12, 2021
Mass Intentions
December 14 - 19, 2021 This week, the Sanctuary Lamp burns in
As we gather, let us remember and pray for . . . memory of:
JERRY HENDRIKS
Tues. ~ ………..St. John of the Cross………. Dec. 14th The Sanctuary Lamp burns to remind us of Christ’s
9:00 am + Rosalia Di Iorio presence in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.
(by Girolamo & Maria DiLettera) If you wish to sponsor the sanctuary lamp for one
Wed. ~ ……………………….……...………. Dec. 15th week, the stipend is $35.00
9:00 am + Matthew Kubik
(by Connie & Louie Elia) Stewardship of Treasure
Thurs. ~ ………………………………………. Dec. 16th Dec. 5, 2021 ~ Offertory (98) $ 3,109.00
9:00 am + Emmy Geczy, + Lilly Torek &
+ Emerich Borchok Loose 280.35
(by Alex Geczy)
Fri. ~ ……………………….……...………. Dec. 17th Building Fund (10) 2,975.00
10:00 am + Milus Furbacher (by the Family) Facility Maintenance (27) 542.00
Menno Hm

Sat. ~ ……………………….……...………. Dec. 18th “May God bless you for your faithful stewardship!”
5:00 pm + Anna Zona & + Angelo DiLettera
(by Viola & Peter Izzo) SANCTUARY LAMP
We have openings for the Sanctuary Lamp in 2022. If
Sun. ~ ……………………………………….. Dec. 19th
9:00 am + Giuseppe Fabbro you would like to book a particular week in memory of
(by Ed & Joyce Fabbro) your loved one, please contact the office. Cost is $35
11:00 am For the People of St. Helen Parish per week.
ST. HELEN’S ANNUAL MEMORIAL
PRAYER TEAM / WARRIORS CHRISTMAS ANGEL TREE
To become a member of this The Memorial Christmas Angel Tree
ministry or to submit your prayer glows with lights in memory of deceased
request, please contact [email protected] loved ones and friends. To honour the
memory of a loved one with an angel,
MASS AT THE MENNO HOME complete a “Memorial Christmas Angel
Looking for 6 to 8 volunteers to assist residents to the Tree” envelope ($5.00 per angel) available
Chapel to attend Mass and after Mass return them at the entrance of the church. Place it in
to their room. For more information, please contact the collection basket or stop in at the
Frances at 289-668-6602. office during office hours.
CWL CHRISTMAS GENERAL MEETING DIOCESAN SEPARATED & DIVORCED
After a long suspension of general meetings due to HEALING MINISTRY SUPPORT GROUP
pandemic restrictions, we can now proceed with a Every second and fourth Monday of the month from
Christmas get-together in the parish hall on Thursday, 7:00-9:00 p.m. at Mt. Carmel Spiritual Centre, 7020
December 9, 2021 @ 7:00 p.m. In keeping with its Stanley Ave., Niagara Falls. Pre-registration is
mission to love God through good works, you are asked required. Next session will be Monday, December 13
to bring a non-perishable food item or toiletries to the - 7:00pm to 9:00pm - Topic - Sadness and
meeting to be given to the less fortunate in our Depression. More info:
community. New members are most welcome to 905-356-4113 or [email protected]
attend.
THE PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY continues to
To receive the weekly bulletin via email, make your create handcrafted shawls for parishioners, their
request by email: [email protected] families and friends who are coping with illness,
loneliness, pain or trouble. They are available to
our parish prayer anyone who needs one. Call the office to request a
Jesus, open our hearts, enabling us to embrace shawl or lap blanket or to join this ministry.
your teachings and to love one another. Holy Spirit,
lift us and lead us, deepening our desire to serve Pray the Rosary daily after Mass
God through serving each other. Amen. during the week.
 THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT 2022 OFFERTORY ENVELOPES
The Lord will rejoice over you with gladness. 2022 envelopes are available in the vestibule; please
(Zephaniah 3) check the label for accuracy. Contact the office to
The Lord is close at hand. (Philippians 1) request a box of envelopes or to register and obtain a
The crowds asked, “What should we do?” (Luke 3) parish ID for those using CAFT or e-transfer.
Like John’s proclamation at the NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
River Jordan, we are called to be December 12 (Our Lady of Guadalupe) is also the
witnesses of God’s love by the love National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous
we extend to others; precursors of Peoples. The 2021 Message for the National Day of
his justice by our unfailing Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous Peoples can be
commitment to what is right and found on the Canadian Conference of Catholic
good; lamps reflecting the light of Bishops’ (CCCB) website at: https://www.cccb.ca/
God’s Christ in our forgiveness, announcement/2021-national-day-of-prayer-in-
mercy and compassion; harvesters of souls through our solidarity-with-indigenous-peoples/. We are asked to
humble and dedicated servanthood. join our Indigenous sisters and brothers in a special way
As John preached at the Jordan, we can only welcome this day through prayer and acts of solidarity.
the Messiah into our lives when we move beyond
ourselves to embrace the hurt and brokenness, the needs SYNOD 2021-2023, JOURNEYING TOGETHER
and hopes of others; we can only realize the “best” of Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has invited the entire
humanity by taking on greed and arrogance and bigotry Church to embark on a journey together in a Synod. As
that diminish our humanity. we begin this synodal journey in the Diocese of St.
Every of act of compassion, justice and reconciliation Catharines, all parishes are asked to conduct small
is a sign of the “expectation” that “fills” every human group listening sessions in February and March,
heart for the coming of God’s kingdom in our time as engaging as many parishioners as we can. At this time
well as in the time to come. of preparation, we are looking for volunteers to
facilitate discussion groups. Discussions will take place
CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE in 3 sessions. Training for facilitators will be given in
Christmas Eve - Friday, Dec. 24: January, and all materials including the discussion
5:00 p.m. & 11:00 p.m. questions will be provided. A facilitator should be
Christmas Day - Saturday, Dec. 25: someone comfortable leading a small group (6-10
9:00 & 11:00 a.m. people) in open and honest discussion. Please call the
Sunday, Dec. 26: 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. parish office if you are interested.
Friday, Dec. 31: 9:00 a.m.
Mary Mother of God (New Year’s Day) - Saturday, Jan. 1: REGARDING MANDATORY USE
10:00 a.m. OF FACE COVERINGS
Epiphany - Sunday, Jan. 2nd: 9:00 & 11:00 a.m. Proof of vaccination is not required however physical
Attendance will be on a first come first serve basis. distancing and face masks are required for the entire
Please come early to get a seat. Doors will close when time during a Mass except to receive Holy Communion.
we reach capacity. Masks MUST be worn. Put your mask on when entering the building and keep
it on and please wear it properly. Wearing the mask
below the nose or chin is not acceptable. This applies
to all; your cooperation is appreciated by your fellow
The parish office will be closed for the holidays on parishioners.
Friday, Dec. 24, 2021 – Monday, Jan. 3, 2022. The -"Any individual...who does not comply with the
office will re-open on Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. diocesan policy and the mandatory face covering law
will be solely responsible for any penalty or fine that
RECONCILIATION DURING ADVENT might be levied by the municipality or county for non-
Wednesday evenings 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. compliance."
Saturdays @ 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. MOUNT CARMEL HOME IS A RETIREMENT
Advent is a wonderful time to celebrate the HOME founded by the Carmelite Sisters; Religious
reconciling love and the healing graces our Lord Order based in a caring, familial atmosphere. Included
offers us. Like all religious experiences, it takes in the affordable monthly fee are meals, medication
preparation. administration, weekly housekeeping, a room all to
POPE FRANCIS’ DECEMBER INTENTIONS yourself including a private washroom, and more.
Evangelization: Catechists - Let us pray for the Mount Carmel also offers a tuck shop and adjoining
catechists, summoned to announce the Word of God: café, movies, crafts, cards, bingo, and various other
may they be its witnesses, with courage and creativity activities for you to enjoy. Contact Mount Carmel at
and in the power of the Holy Spirit. 905-685-9155 today for more information.
 DONATIONS DURING COVID-19
1. Pre-Authorized giving (monthly automatic withdrawal): contact the office

2. E-transfer: use our business email address with your

bank: [email protected]
If you would like to use this convenient method through your bank, please follow these
instructions (some banks charge a fee):
Go online and log into your bank account. Select Interac e-transfer and select a
recipient – the first time you will have to add recipient by putting in
[email protected] (after the first time it will then stay on your list of
recipients). Input amount to send and complete the transaction. Note in the memo area
what your donation is for; Sunday Offertory (SO), Facility Maintenance (FM) and
Building Fund (BF). (Please include your ID# in the memo - contact the office if you
do not have a parish ID.)
Example - SO $20 One transaction can be made for all three if you wish. Such a
notation could look like this: SO $xx, FM $xx, BF $xx. If your transaction does not
work the first time, please try the next day as the Diocese can only receive a set amount
of donations in a 24-hour period. If you have any questions, please email or call the
office.

3. Regular mail: send your weekly offertory envelope or cheque payable to St. Helen
Church to:
St. Helen Church
4106 Mountain St.
Beamsville, ON L0R 1B7

4. Drop off: If preferable to you, you may drop off your envelope Tuesday to Friday
mornings at the office.

5. Credit card or Paypal (Canada Helps link): https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/49448

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/119109791RR0006-st-helens-parish/
(tax receipt is issued by Canada Helps, they retain a nominal percentage as fee)

COVID 19 pandemic
Thank you for considering the financial needs of our parish during the COVID 19 pandemic. We
understand and appreciate that financial pressure on families is different today than it was even a
few months ago. We are also carefully managing the expenses at the parish and are deeply
grateful for any help you can provide. Thank you and be assured of our continued prayers and
best wishes.