About St. Helen Catholic Parish · Glendale, Arizona
St. Helen Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic parish in the Diocese of Phoenix, located at 5510 W. Cholla St. in Glendale, Arizona. The parish serves a defined territorial boundary running roughly from 67th Avenue to 43rd Avenue and from Sweetwater Avenue to Olive Avenue. Its mission statement commits the community to building 'a strong, diverse Christian family, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ,' exemplified by the Sacraments, sound teaching, spiritual nourishment, and service, with the explicit note: 'We welcome all.' It is led by Rev. John Ssegawa, A.J., with a parochial vicar, deacons, and a full lay staff.
- Established
- 1974
- Patron
- St. Helen
- Rector
- Rev. John Ssegawa, A.J.
- Diocese
- Diocese of Phoenix
Why belong here
St. Helen's is a community that openly 'welcomes all' and frames itself as a diverse Christian family built on the Sacraments, sound teaching, and service. It offers 24/7 Eucharistic Adoration (doors unlocked 6am–4pm daily), a robust faith-formation program from K–5 through Edge and Life Teen, OCIA for adults, perpetual adoration, and a food-box assistance ministry. Whether you live within the parish boundaries or simply register as an active member, you fall under the pastoral care of Fr. John — a warm signal that newcomers are taken in and looked after.
Mass times at St. Helen Catholic Parish
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM
- By appointment
Adoration times
- Eucharistic Adoration is 24/7 (perpetual)
- Doors unlocked daily 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Parish Identity & Mission
St. Helen Catholic Parish is a Roman Catholic community in Glendale, Arizona, belonging to the Diocese of Phoenix. Its mission statement reads: 'Our Catholic community is committed to building a strong, diverse Christian family, based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. Exemplified by the Sacraments, sound Teachings, spiritual Nourishment, Service and embracing Biblical values. We welcome all.' Every soul living within its territorial boundaries — registered or not, Catholic or not — falls under the pastoral care of its pastor, Fr. John.
- Motto: 'We welcome all.'
- Diocese of Phoenix parish
- Territorial boundaries: 67th Ave. to 43rd Ave. (W–E); Sweetwater Ave. to Olive Ave. (N–S)
- Office: 5510 W. Cholla St., Glendale, AZ 85304
History & 50th Anniversary
St. Helen marked its 50th Anniversary on Saturday, October 19, 2024, with a Jubilee Mass at 4:30 PM celebrated by Most Reverend Eduardo Alanis Nevares of the Diocese of Phoenix, followed by a 'Golden Extravaganza' featuring games, a stroll down memory lane, a beer garden, and food trucks. The event — 'Faith, Family, and Fun' — reflects a community proud of five decades of Catholic life on Glendale's west side and points to a parish founding around 1974.
- 50th Anniversary celebrated October 19, 2024
- Jubilee Mass with Bishop Eduardo Alanis Nevares
- Founding circa 1974
Clergy & Staff
St. Helen is pastored by Rev. John Ssegawa, A.J., a member of the Apostles of Jesus, with Rev. Mark Nyeko, A.J. serving as Parochial Vicar. They are assisted by Deacons Rudy Campas and Stan Gwizdak. A substantial lay staff supports parish operations, including a Parish Manager (Lei Vantuyl), Music Coordinator, Maintenance Supervisor, Bookkeeper/HR (Karen Kennedy), Administrative Assistant and Bulletin Editor, Office Assistant, and Sound Tech (Michael Moore, John Moore).
- Pastor: Rev. John Ssegawa, A.J.
- Parochial Vicar: Rev. Mark Nyeko, A.J.
- Deacon Rudy Campas
- Deacon Stan Gwizdak
- Parish Manager: Lei Vantuyl
- Bookkeeper / HR: Karen Kennedy
- Maintenance Supervisor and Notary Public staff
- Sound Techs: Michael Moore, John Moore, Dan Murphy
Faith Formation & Religious Education
Faith Formation at St. Helen spans children, youth, and adults. Elementary students (K–5) and an 'in-order' track prepare for the sacraments within weekly Sunday classes; a two-year program serves children ages 7–10 preparing for Baptism, Confirmation, and First Eucharist. Youth ministry includes EDGE (Grades 6–8) and Life Teen (Grades 9–12), while Young Adults (Ages 18–29) are served separately. Staff contacts include Deepa Duran (Edge / Life Teen / Sacraments 11–17 / Young Adults / Annulments) and Gerry Barnett (Baptisms K–6 / Elementary / Sacraments 7–10).
- Elementary Faith Formation (K–5)
- Sacraments Preparation Ages 7–10 (two-year program)
- EDGE Middle-School Ministry (Grades 6–8)
- Life Teen High-School Ministry (Grades 9–12)
- Young Adults Ministry (Ages 18–29)
- Contact: Deepa Duran and Gerry Barnett
OCIA & Adult Sacraments
Adults seeking to become Catholic, or baptized adults needing Confirmation or First Communion, journey through OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults). The parish notes that a firm decision to become Catholic is not required to begin the inquiry phase. OCIA involves periods of inquiry and growth; participants are strengthened spiritually and, at the proper time, fully received into the Church. To serve as a godparent, one must have received all three sacraments of initiation. Contact: Deacon Stan Gwizdak.
- OCIA (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults) for 18+
- Adult Confirmation & First Eucharist preparation
- Godparent / Confirmation Sponsor Eligibility Form required
- Contact: Deacon Stan Gwizdak
Sacramental Preparation (All Ages)
St. Helen dedicates itself to preparing people of every age to encounter Christ through the Sacraments. The two-year preparation program implements diocesan guidelines: Year One focuses on Reconciliation, Year Two on Confirmation and First Eucharist. Baptized children in 2nd grade prepare within their regular Faith Formation class; older unbaptized or 'out-of-order' students attend Sunday formation plus a Tuesday/Wednesday evening class with parents. An additional $50 fee applies to 'out-of-order' students.
- Baptism (infant through age 6)
- First Reconciliation / First Eucharist
- Confirmation
- Marriage preparation
- Annulment ministry
Outreach & Parish Life
Beyond liturgy and formation, St. Helen maintains a food-box and assistance ministry for parishioners and neighbors in need. The parish also supports annulment work, a robust music and audio-visual ministry (with multiple sound techs and a Music Coordinator), social-media/website stewardship, bulletin editing, and scheduling teams. The parish explicitly frames itself as 'a Catholic Church that helps the community and our parishioners,' with staff ready to receive calls for assistance.
- Food box / parish assistance (call parish office)
- Annulment ministry (Deepa Duran)
- Music & Audio/Visual teams
- Social media / website stewardship
- Office Assistants handling Sacramental Records
Contact, Location & Visit
The parish office is at 5510 W. Cholla St., Glendale, AZ 85304, phone (623) 979-4202. The site is about a half-mile north of Peoria Avenue and a half-mile west of 51st Avenue. Visitors are welcomed by the parish's open-door policy during the day (doors unlocked 6 AM–4 PM for adoration) and its explicit invitation: 'We welcome all.'
- Address: 5510 W. Cholla St., Glendale, AZ 85304
- Phone: (623) 979-4202
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.sthelenglendale.org
- Facebook: /StHelenCatholicParish
- Twitter: @sthelenglendale