Service within the Parish

Home Visitors

Volunteers are needed to visit with our members who can't get to church. Whether it be a one-time or a regular weekly visit, this is a wonderful way to remain connected with members of our faith family.

Communion can be taken to the homes of parishioners who are unable to participate in the Sunday liturgy. If you currently serve as a Eucharistic minister and would like to at this to your ministerial service, please let us know. If you are not currently a Eucharistic minister, but would like to volunteer to take communion to our homebound parishioners, please contact Mel McWilliams in the parish office and training will be provided.

Food for funerals

These volunteers assist by preparing casseroles, side dishes, and desserts for luncheons held after funerals. Volunteers are also needed to offer hospitality and serve food at the luncheons. You may volunteer as you are able, as there is no minimum commitment. Contact: Carol Engel 258-8510

Welcome ministry

This group leads the parish-wide efforts to ensure that all parishioners, new and old, feel welcome through an initial phone call after they register with the parish. This phone call simply welcomes them to the parish and asks if they have any questions. There is no minimum time commitment and calls can be made at your convenience. Contact: Mel McWilliams 254-6233 x302

Service within and beyond the Parish

Prayer chain

Members who are part of the Prayer Chain receive a weekly email with parishioners, family members, and friends for whom we have been asked to pray.

If you would like to add a person to the prayer list, please use the contact form at the bottom of our web-page or contact Mel McWilliams 254-6233 x302.

prayer shawl ministry

If you love to knit or crochet (or have always wanted to learn), would you like to put your skills to good use in the service of others? This group meets twice per month to socialize, pray, and knit/crochet prayer shawls for members of the parish and friends who could use a boost of love, warmth, and compassion. Contact: Sadie Seward 426-9942 

If you prefer to create the shawls at home, that's great too! Drop them by the parish office when you are finished and we will make arrangements to have them blessed.

st. vincent de paul

The Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) is an international Catholic organization of laypersons who seek to grow spiritually by helping Neighbors who are in need. 
The purpose of the St. Helen St. Vincent de Paul Society is to provide temporary or emergency assistance to anyone in the parish neighborhood.  Assistance is obtained by calling to 937-254-6233 where you are asked to leave your name and a phone number on the voicemail system.  Calls are returned daily Monday through Friday and decisions are made in a timely manner.  The Society maintains the Parish food pantry and personally collects, purchases, and distributes food and other grocery items. Help is also offered for utility bills, rent, occasional furniture needs, and other one-time assistance. 

At Christmas, the Vincentians, in collaboration with the Parish, coordinate the Infant Jesus Shower distribution to families in need of Christmas gifts for their children. 
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All work of the Society is confidential.

Service beyond the Parish

catch the building spirit

St. Helen Parish is a member of Catch the Building Spirit (CtBS), a local coalition of Catholic and Presbyterian churches, that partner with Habitat for Humanity. They fund, build, and landscape a home each year, with assistance of a partnering low-income family, that otherwise could not afford their own home. 

Volunteers of all skill levels are needed for carpentry, painting, pouring concrete, installing drywall, electrical wiring, plumbing, planting, preparing and providing meals for workers, clean-up, and more. In addition, financial support is needed to obtain permits and purchase materials. Above all, prayer is needed for the safety of the workers and for the success of the building effort. Contact: Dave Groendyk 426-7190

st. vincent de paul hotel support

Each month, our parish provides support to the Dayton-wide St. Vincent de Paul Hotel, which is a homeless shelter. This is done through two primary initiatives.


A group of parishioners are organized into teams of 5 or 6 to serve meals at the Hotel once per month, typically on Friday evenings.
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There is also a great need for parishioners to provide all the food needed to serve one dinner at the St. Vincent Hotel. If interested, your email will be added to the distribution list and each month an email announces the menu to the volunteer list. Normally we are asked to make a casserole (recipe and pans provided), bake brownies, and canned fruit. Please contact the parish office if you are interested in helping with this ministry. Contact: Tom & Barb Lewis 238-0986