St. Helen 2024 Picnic a Smash Hit; Parishioners Invited to Share Ideas for Next Year

 The St. Helen’s 2024 annual picnic, held at Wiegand Lake Park, has been hailed as a resounding success, The event enjoyed perfect weather, a variety of delicious food, and a day packed with enjoyable activities, fostering a strong sense of community amongst parishioners and their families.

 On behalf of Father Jay and the Picnic Committee, a sincere thank you is extended to everyone who played a role in this year’s celebration. Your collective enthusiasm and hard work were evident and contributed significantly to the day’s success.

 Organizing such a large event involves considerable preparation and effort, beginning with the creative ideas contributed by the parishioners themselves. As planning for next year’s picnic gets underway, the committee is eager to hear your suggestions on how to enhance the experience. Feedback from those who attended, as well as those who could not make it is encouraged. The committee is particularly interested in ideas that could address any concerns or improve future events.

 John Bordon, who is coordinating next year’s event, is requesting input via email at [email protected]. Additionally, individuals interested in assisting with the 2025 picnic, whether in a minor or major capacity, are invited to express their willingness to contribute.  The goal is to make next year’s picnic even more memorable than this year's.

 For those who missed this year’s festivities, the committee hopes to see you at the next event and welcomes your suggestions on how to make it better.
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 Thank you to all for your continued support and dedication to the success of St. Helen’s events.

​SCUBA Vacation Bible School was a success! We had 65 children and over 40 volunteers! The week was filled with learning about friendship with God, tasty treats, fun games, music, exciting experiments, and diving into scripture! Thank you to all who volunteered to help out and to all the parents for entrusting your children to us for the week! We look forward to doing it all again next year!

JUNE 20, 2024 BEGINNING AT 1:00 p.m. at St. Mary in Chardon
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Everyone is invited to this special Lake & Geauga District Event. The World Apostolate of Fatima, USA/Our Lady’s Blue Army is launching a tour of the historic National Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Fatima ahead of the Eucharistic Revival walking pilgrimage. This beautiful statue of Our Lady of Fatima was blessed by Pope St. Paul VI and given to our country by the Bishop of Fatima to carry the important message of Fatima to the United States.  It is a message St. Pope John Paul II said is more important today than ever.  
 
On June 20, 2024, they are bringing to St. Mary's the National Pilgrim Virgin Statue for a “Night of Love” offering an evening vigil of Eucharistic reparation for the return of fallen-away and marginal Catholics.  Petitions for these conversions are being gathered from across the diocese to be carried in Our Lady’s Heart to the Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis.


All are invited and encouraged to come see this beautiful statue. We all have family members who have fallen away from the Catholic Faith. Let’s Pray Them Back! Church opens at 1:00 p.m. veneration.  St. Mary Parish, 401 North St. Chardon, OH 44024

On March 23, 2024, St Helen School Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) held its annual auction fundraiser, as well as an in-person Black & White Gala – presented by Preston Chevrolet. This event, formerly known as the Fall Extravaganza, has undergone many changes over the last few years. Most notably, it was held almost exclusively online from 2020 until 2023. Many people voiced their desire to return to an in-person event, so we listened!
 
More than 150 people attended the Black & White Gala! With their support, and the support of our sponsors, donors, and online participants, we raised over $45,000! Included in that total is over $15,000 donated during the live auction Call to Heart donation, which will be used to offset the cost of purchasing 5th through 8th grade Chromebooks.
 
We are most sincerely grateful for everyone who participated in our Gala and Online Auction. PTO and the Athletic Boosters Club rely on these funds to support our school and keep costs for sports and community activities and events to a minimum. St Helen School PTO budgets nearly $20,000 each year, which contributes to teacher appreciation and classroom start-up supplies, DARE, marketing & technology, field trips, as well as family engagement events, like the Christmas dinner, Halloween party, Skating parties, Drive-in Night, and much more.
 
We look forward to next year's Auction & Gala event, which is currently in it's planning stages. Watch the church bulletin and the St. Helen PTO FaceBook page for updates!
 
With comments, questions or suggestions about the Auction & Gala, or other PTO-related event, please contact [email protected].

The St. Helen Unicycle Drill Team Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser returned on April 27, 2024 after a couple years' hiatus. The Spaghetti Dinner has been the team's primary fundraiser, which keeps the fees for participating members low, and helps ensure that anyone who wants to join the team can do so without concern for cost.
 
The Unicycle Team has been a unique source of pride and entertainment since its founding in the 1960s by Father Moran. They perform in parades and events all over Northeast Ohio – and sometimes beyond. They ride to delight audiences, help team members build confidence, and develop their skills.
 
The team of volunteers served 180 meals of pasta & meatballs while guests enjoyed bidding on our great raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle, followed by a special performance by our Drill Team, showcasing their collective skills and creativity in their routines.
 
There was a great turnout this year, raising $4,600! They're sincerely appreciative of the support of this community, and to all the donors and volunteers who helped make it possible. They hope to see even more attendance in years to come!
 
A special thanks to Premier ProduceOne for donating all the food for the event. And they want to recognize the O'Reilly Family, Geauga Feed, Supply One, Chelsea Flower Garden, and Michelle and Gregg Guarniere for their generous support, as well as their sponsors including The Center for Advanced Vein Care, James Martin Contractor Services, Generations Trucking, O'Reilly Equipment, S.K Industries, ToolBold Corporation, Nomad Culinary, and Camp Whitewood.
 
Find up-to-date details and the parade schedule on their website which is now linked in the dropdown menu on St. Helen website under the school tab. Follow them on FaceBook, and watch the church bulletin for upcoming events!