Here we are at St Helen’s RC Church. Did you know its story is intertwined with Irish Catholic immigrants? Their arrival in the late 19th century made a new church necessary. Before St Helen’s RC Church was built Catholics belonged to a group in Croy. The mission at Croy served their spiritual needs after 1902.
Let’s rewind to 1955. Priests from Croy started holding Mass in Condorrat Miners’ Welfare hall. Weddings and funerals still took place at Holy Cross church back then. The parish of Our Lady and St Helen was founded in 1974. Fr Joseph Mulhall became the first Parish Priest. St Helen in the name shows its link to Holy Cross.
Construction began in 1976. The first Mass at St Helen’s RC Church was on March 13 1978. Just four years later the debt for the building was cleared.
Now I want to tell you about a special event. Parishioner Graeme Paterson received his first Holy Communion from Pope John Paul II in 1982. It happened at Bellahouston Park. Another highlight was in 1996. Jimmy Bonner received the Bene Merenti Medal. In 1999 Fr David Wallace was the first parishioner to be ordained.
Many groups thrive within St Helen’s RC Church. There is a Parish Council and SVDP. Justice and Peace groups are active. They have a Perpetual Novena in honour of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal. A Novena to St Anthony takes place. Our Lady of Fatima First Saturday of the Month is observed. Other groups include Our Lady of Peace Medjugorie. There is also a Rosary Group and Prayer Group. SPRED Children’s Liturgy and a Youth Group are also active. Don’t forget Helping Hands Altar Flowers and the Church Cleaning Group. A Sunday cafe and the First Friday Coffee Morning are also part of it.
The parish has grown and now includes Westfield and Blackwood. In 2014 St Helen’s RC Church celebrated its 40th anniversary. On June 24 2018 they celebrated the 40th anniversary of the church opening. Archbishop Tartaglia presided over Mass. Fr Mulholland and other former parish priests joined him. Sadly Fr Mulhall had already passed away.
Today St Helen’s RC Church stands as a testament to faith community and history. It is a place of worship and a center for many activities. Remember its past as we continue our tour.