By Father Kenneth Borowiak
for the Register
In celebration of the past and with plans for the future, hundreds of current and former parishioners attended a Mass celebrated by Bishop James Conley Sunday, Sept. 15, marking the 100th anniversary of St. Helena Church in Grafton and the 145th anniversary of the parish.
The Mass readings, fittingly, included the story from the Gospel of Mark in Chapter 8, in which Christ summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”
St. Helena, the patroness of the parish, is believed to have discovered the cross on which Christ died, and other relics from his Passion, some of which she brought back with her to Rome. The Sept. 15 Mass was celebrated the day after the feast of the Exaltation of the Cross.
In a year-long celebration of the church’s centennial, St. Helena Parish is embarking on several notable endeavors. On the day of the centennial Mass, Bishop Conley broke ground for a handicap-accessible wheelchair ramp that will provide access for all into the church. The groundbreaking is a culmination of several years of discussion which will bring this project to completion.
Perhaps the most notable undertaking will be the complete redecoration of the interior of St. Helena Church. Last painted at least 40 years ago, the parish has plans to renovate and repaint the interior of the church. Conceptual plans have been drawn up by Conrad Schmitt Studios of New Berlin, Wisc. The goal is to have all projects completed by the 150th anniversary of the parish.
In his homily, Bishop Conley pointed out that many parishes in the Catholic Diocese of Lincoln have undergone restorations in the 12 years he has been bishop.
“They are giving glory to God by giving people beautiful places to come to worship and glorify God together,” he said.
St. Helena Parish, he added, is ready to renovate a church “that’s already very beautiful.” The church’s stained-glass windows, he remarked, are “stunning.” But he said the project to preserve the beauty was very fitting for the “little community of faith.” The town of Grafton has 122 residents, and St. Helena Parish has fewer than two dozen registered families.
The small but faithful group made the day one of celebration for parishioners and guests of all ages. A food truck was available. In honor of the centennial, children played 100-year-old games.
The origins of St. Helena Parish in Grafton date back to a Civil War veteran who was an immigrant from Ireland. Patrick Real, a captain in the Civil War, was one of the first to homestead in northwestern Fillmore County. He started the first store, the first lumberyard, and the first grain elevator in Grafton.
Other Catholics joined Real, and the faith, sacrifice and dedication of pioneer families which made St. Helena Parish a reality is still evident in today’s parishioners. Many have deep ties both to the town and the parish, which was established as a parish in 1879.
Celebrating memories
Among the attendees at the Sept. 15 Mass were Bill and Eloise Timmerman. The Timmermans remembered with fondness and appreciation the many priests and parishioners they have known during 70 years of marriage. They celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary Aug. 4. They were married by Father Thomas Kadlec O.S.C. in St. Helena Church in 1954.
“I took my instructions in the faith from him,” Eloise said. “I was only 20 years old, so I had to get my dad’s permission to marry,” she added.
The Timmermans have spent 69 of their 70 married years together as members of St. Helena Parish. Bill served in the Army, then returned to Grafton where they began farming and feeding cattle. That was their life’s work for 60 years.
The Timmermans said one of their joys was raising their four children in the faith and watching each one receive the sacraments in St. Helena Church.
“Our kids have been really good,” Bill said. “They did not give us any trouble.”
In addition to four children, the Timmermans have nine grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.
The Timmermans still attend Mass regularly. Bill serves as the sacristan, setting up for Mass for pastor Father Michael Zimmer and any visiting priests.
The Timmermans were recognized at the centennial Mass by Bishop Conley for their 70th wedding anniversary. They received a papal blessing from Pope Francis in recognition of their anniversary.
The Timmermans also recognized the parishioners of St. Helena Parish and praised their efforts to keep the church open and the faith life vibrant.
One of those long-time parish families is Dick and Deb Hoarty. Married 51 years, Dick has been a member of St. Helena Parish all of his 77 years.
“My family always sat in the same pew,” he said with a chuckle. “I think they sat in the same pew since they immigrated to the United States.
“A lot has changed in 100 years,” he added. “We made the decision that Deb would stay home and raise the children. Because of economic needs, few people can do that today,” he said.
“In my childhood and younger years, the church was our social life,” Dick said. “We had regular meals at the church and summertime picnics where we met and visited with each other.”
Dick and Deb said that the plans to repaint the interior the church are spectacular.
“The plans are beautiful,” they said. “We need to change to keep moving forward.”
Father Zimmer said parishioners were grateful for the Sept. 15 celebration.
“Celebrations like this are important reminders for us to be grateful to those who came before us,” he said. “Throughout the last 100 years, parishioners sacrificed to give us a legacy, and it is inspiring to see their fidelity and generosity. It is a call to all of us to carry on their example.”
