PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL

​Our Lady of Guadalupe, we entrust ourselves to you during the upcoming year of preparation for consecration in the Diocese of Metuchen. You are the patroness of the Americas and we ask you to intercede for our country, our diocese and our families. Draw each one of us to your Son, Jesus, we pray to the Lord.

ORACION DE LOS FIELES

​Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, nos encomendamos a usted durante el próximo año de preparación para la consagración de la Diócesis de Metuchen. Usted es la patrona de las Américas y le pedimos que interceda por nuestro país, nuestra diócesis y nuestras familias. Atrae a cada uno de nosotros a tu Hijo, Jesús, roguemos al Señor.

PRAYER FOR VOCATIONS

God our Father, You made each of us to use our gifts in the Body of Christ. We ask that You inspire young people whom You call to priesthood and consecrated life to courageously follow Your will. Send workers into Your great harvest so that the Gospel is preached, the poor are served with love, The suffering are comforted, and Your people are strengthened by the sacraments. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.

“Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace.”  Ephesians 4:1-3

The family of Saint Helena wishes to express our love and sympathy to Father Anthony for the passing of his mother. We ask that you pray for him and his family.

Livestream will be availble at 10:55AM on May 20th please click here to view

Marie A. Sirianni, age 90, entered into Eternal Life on Thursday, May 12, 2022 surrounded by her sons. Born on November 29, 1931 in Manhattan and grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. Marie graduated from Fort Hamilton High School and Business School in 1949. She worked for GMAC, 57th Street, New York. In 1953, Marie married the love of her life, Anthony “Tut” Sirianni and began her life in Long Branch. Together Marie and Tut owned and operated Sirianni’s Friendly Café on Brighton Ave. in the West End section of Long Branch. Along with raising her family and her involvement in the family business; Marie was involved in various civic and religious organizations. These organizations included the Columbietta of Council 355, the PTA of Holy Trinity School, the New Jersey License Beverage Association, the Saint Peter Apostle Society, the Older & Wiser Club of Saint Michael Parish, the Rosary and Altar Society of Christ the King Parish, The Holy Trinity Senior Citizen Club, the Long Branch Senior Citizen Club, and she volunteered at the Long Branch Senior Center. 

Marie was predeceased by her daughter Mary, her parents Michael and Madeline DeNapoli, and her husband Tut Sirianni. Marie is survived by her 4 sons, Msgr. Sam Sirianni, Freehold Township; Michael Sirianni, Long Branch; the Rev. Anthony Sirianni, Edison and Joseph and his wife Annmarie (Slavin) Sirianni, Oakhurst; her brother Joseph DeNapoli, and his wife Bianca, Georgia; her 3 wonderful grandchildren, Andrea Basone, and her husband Vincent, Alexandria Raneri and her husband, Dominick, and Michael Sirianni, as well as the joy of her later years, her great-grandchildren, Audry and Dominick Raneri, and Christian Basone.  Marie also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and cousins to cherish her memory and share the stories of her love and life. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 19 from 3-7 pm at the Damiano Funeral Home, 191 Franklin Avenue in Long Branch. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, May 20 at 11 am at Star of the Sea Church of Christ the King Parish in Long Branch. Interment will follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in West Long Branch. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to VNA Health Group, 23 Main Street, Suite D1, Holmdel NJ 07733 or St. Helena’s Catholic School, 930 Grove Avenue, Edison, NJ 08820. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence by selecting the Tribute/Guestbook link here.
 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Marie A. Sirianni, please visit our floral store.

 

WHAT’S IN YOUR CLOSET?

     It’s that time of year! Winter cleaning is here and you may be sorting through your closets. Are you left with bags of clothing laying around your home? Put them to good use! St. Helena will be collecting new or gently used men, women & children’s clothing, shoes, purses, belts, bed & bath linens and stuffed animals.  The vendor we work with collects all the donated items from our school and distributes them to local thrift shops and to areas in need of clothing. They DO NOT shred the clothing for rags. All clean wearable clothing and shoes are reused by those in need. The clothing does not end up in landfills thus helping to keep America green and clean.  St. Helena school will receive a donation for the total poundage we collect so every piece helps! Please put items in a well-tied bag. Kindly drop off items by the entrance near the playground & rectory.  At this time, we are NOT accepting pillows, books, toys, furniture, bicycles, baby strollers or household items.  Thank you for your continued support!  Please contact Giovanna Pugliese at gligatopugliese@gmail.com with any questions.
 

 
Please watch your mailbox for a letter from Bishop Checchio coming to you this week announcing the  2022 Bishop’s Annual Appeal.  Our parish can share in a successful Appeal by earning a rebate of 50% of the amount collected over goal.  Through your support of the Bishop’s Annual Appeal you help those in our diocese whose needs are the greatest—the poor, the homeless, and those struggling with illness or grief.  Among other needed pastoral ministries, your gift also supports the formation of seminarians and enhances the work of the Vicariate for Evangelization and Communication.  The many pastoral, educational and charitable ministries of the Diocese of Metuchen would not be possible without a generous contribution from every household.  Please be as generous as your means allow.      Our diocese has been blessed in recent years with an increased number of vocations and, thanks be to God, we presently have 21 seminarians studying for the priesthood.  A large portion of our seminarians’ education is being funded by the Bishop’s Annual Appeal, for which they are extremely grateful.  Your gift also supports a wide array of diocesan programs that foster vocations and provide ongoing formation for those called to both ordained and lay leadership roles within the Church.  Your generosity also ensures that our retired priests who have served so faithfully receive the care they deserve in their later years. Please be as generous as your means allow.
 

Elizabeth “Gerard” DeSantis upon her reception of the Sacrament of Confirmation at the Easter Vigil on April 16^th.

 

    Every year our school strives to bring the best academic and extracurricular opportunities for the students and every year we have been supported by parents like you.  Thank you for your tireless support of your child in our school. You have shown your commitment to giving your child the best possible education.  As we partner with you here at St. Helena for the education of your child, I want you to know that your commitment does not go unnoticed.

We are happy to announce that the St. Helena School Scrip Program will be used again this year.  We appreciate the support of this program.

Scrip is a word that means “substitute money.” Through the Scrip you purchase gift cards and certificates from national and local retailers.  Participating retailers sell gift cards/certificates from our school at a discount. You and your family members buy Scrip gift cards at their full face value, and redeem them for full face value.  St. Helena School keeps the difference as revenue.

The benefit of the Scrip Program is that you earn money for our school without spending an additional cent.  You spend regular shopping dollars with Scrip (gift cards) at participating retailers.  Scrip can be used for household purchases that include food, clothing, entertaining, travel, gasoline and even dining out.

We are mandating each school family, Contributing and Non-contributing, to pay $600 payable to St. Helena Scrip Account with their first tuition payment or by September 1, 2021.    Every time you buy Scrip gift cards, the percentage will be credited to your “Scrip Bank.”  At the end of the school year, if your percentage reaches more than $600, the difference of over $600 will be split 50/50 with the school.  For example, if your percentage points total $650 at the end of the school year, you will get back $625.

We encourage each family to support this program.  To sign up for the program you may go to https://shop.shopwithscrip.com/GetStarted.  Our organization enrollment code is: FFD4DFCC7L652 .  You may also order in person. Keep in mind that the more Scrip gift cards you purchase, the more percentage will be credited to your account.  At the same time, you are working to earn money back.  More profit earned for the school helps to keep tuition increases at the minimum.

Cash and checks are accepted.  We cannot accept credit or debit cards.  If you have questions about Scrip  Program please call or email: sthelenascrip@gmail.com

Scrip Coordinator: Maryanne Vitagliano – Tel# 908-456-0812

Thank you for your continued support and looking forward to a great school year!

 

Your Place to Connect With God

As a diverse parish, the community of St. Helena's encourages parishioners to be good stewards through the interaction and involvement of all members with respect and dignity to the poor, the sick and those in need, as well as encouraging the youth to participate fully in parish life

Prayer in time of our common need

In response to the s[read of COVID-19 within our Communities 
"Since we cannot face this alone, we are entrusting this whole situation to our blessed Mother, and encourage our faithful to join as in praying this prayer." - Bishop Checchio
 

Our Lady of Guadalupe, mother of God
And of the people of Metuchen
you always shine on our path
As a sign of salvation and hope.
We rely on you, Health of the Sick,
You who, at the cross, united Jesus' pain,
Keeping steadfast your faith.
You, Salvation of God's people,
You knnow what we need and we are sure
that you will provide for us,
As at Cana of Galilee,
After the adversity of these days,
May joy and celebration return.
Help us, Mother of Divine love,
To conform to the will od the Father
And to fo what we are told by Jesus,
Who has taken our suffering upon Himself 
And has burdened HImself with our sorros
to lead us through the cross,
to the joy of resurrection, Amen.
Under your protection, Holy Mother of God,
Our lady of Guadalupe, we seek refuge,
Hear our pryer and intercede for us in the Father