About St. Helen · Oracle, Arizona
St. Helen Roman Catholic Parish is a small Roman Rite parish in the village of Oracle, Arizona, nestled at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains. The parish was established as a mission in 1927, was elevated to parish status in 2005, and was formally incorporated in 2010. It belongs to the Diocese of Tucson and is currently part of a tri-community grouping that also includes St. Bartholomew in San Manuel and Blessed Sacrament in Mammoth, served by a single priest. The parish is known for its Spanish-style church building, distinctive stained-glass windows, and a tight-knit, multi-generational Catholic community in the Oracle area.
- Established
- 1927
- Patron
- Saint Helena (Helen) of Constantinople
- Rector
- Rev. Fr. Bala Korn
- Diocese
- Diocese of Tucson
Why belong here
St. Helen is a small, multigenerational Catholic community in a stunning Santa Catalina Mountain setting, where the same Spanish-style church built in 1927 still serves as the spiritual home for Oracle's Catholic families. Worshippers experience a tight-knit parish life with weekly Mass, Saturday confession, Eucharistic adoration on First Fridays, faith formation (catechism) for children, a parish bereavement committee, and a tri-community fellowship that links Oracle, San Manuel, and Mammoth. The parish also offers opportunities to volunteer, share old parish photos for a community archive, and gather for the liturgies of the sacraments that have marked generations of local families.
Mass times at St. Helen
Weekly Mass schedule
Confession times
- Saturday 4:00–4:30 PM
Adoration times
- First Friday 9:00 AM (with Adoration and Anointing of the Sick)
Parish History
St. Helen's story begins in the 1890s, when Catholic families in Oracle gathered for Mass in the ballroom of the old Mountain View Hotel. The brick-and-mortar parish was built in 1927 through the generosity of Charles and Helen Gilliland, on land donated by John Lawson. Architect Henry O. Jaastad designed the Spanish-style church and contractor John P. Steffes built it; Bishop Daniel James Gercke of Tucson dedicated it in April 1927. Mass was originally celebrated only twice a month by the priest from Florence until 1954, when Bishop Gercke founded St. Bartholomew in San Manuel and appointed Father Francis I. O'Reilley as its first pastor — at which point Sunday Mass became a regular fixture at St. Helen.
- 1890s — First Masses celebrated in the Mountain View Hotel ballroom by Father Basilio Delgado, a Carmelite priest from Florence.
- 1927 — St. Helen Catholic Mission built and dedicated; land donated by John Lawson; designed by Henry O. Jaastad; built by John P. Steffes; funded by Charles and Helen Gilliland.
- 1954 — Father Francis I. O'Reilley begins celebrating Sunday Mass at St. Helen every week.
- 1963 — Meeting hall and catechetical center added in matching Spanish style.
- 2005 — Mission elevated to parish status.
- 2006–2007 — Parish and priests' office built (designed by Manny Trujillo).
- 2010 — Parish formally incorporated.
- August 2017 — Parish celebrates 90 years as a Catholic church.
Patron: Saint Helena of Constantinople
The parish is named for Saint Helena (Helen), mother of Emperor Constantine I, who is venerated for her虔诚 Christian faith, her care for the poor, and the traditional account of her discovery of the True Cross during a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Her feast day is celebrated on August 18 in the Western liturgical calendar. The parish in Oracle carries her name through the devotion of its founding benefactors, Charles and Helen Gilliland.
- Saint Helena (c. 250–330 AD), mother of Emperor Constantine the Great.
- Feast day: August 18.
- Patron of new discoveries, converts, difficult marriages, divorced people, and empresses.
- Traditionally credited with the discovery of the relics of the True Cross in the Holy Land.
Our Pastor
St. Helen is currently served by Rev. Fr. Bala Korn, who also pastors St. Bartholomew in San Manuel and Blessed Sacrament in Mammoth as part of the tri-community arrangement. Fr. Bala previously served in the Diocese of Tucson through parish ministry at St. Margaret Mary, Sts. Peter and Paul, and St. Francis Cabrini, as well as Director of the Charismatic Diocesan Ministry Group (Alive in Christ), spiritual director roles for Vine of Grace Ministry and Rachel's Vineyard, instructor for Faith Formation classes, and Hospital Ministry. He succeeded the longtime pastor, Rev. Msgr. Ambrose Nwohu, who retired with the parish's gratitude for his years of faithful service.
- Rev. Fr. Bala Korn — current pastor (tri-community: St. Helen / St. Bartholomew / Blessed Sacrament).
- Rev. Msgr. Ambrose Nwohu — recent predecessor; longtime pastor who retired from St. Helen.
- Tri-community Mass and confession schedule (in effect from July 1, 2023) covers all three parishes.
Parish Staff and Leadership
Day-to-day parish operations are supported by a small staff and lay leadership. The parish secretary and Director of Religious Education handle office and faith-formation duties, while the Parish Pastoral Council and Board of Directors provide governance and pastoral guidance. The Bishop of the Diocese of Tucson, Most Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger, and the Moderator of the Curia, Rev. John P. Arnold, sit on the Board of Directors.
- Pastor: Rev. Fr. Bala Korn
- Parish Secretary: Leane Gomez
- Director of Religious Education: Maria Martinez
- Parish Pastoral Council: Fr. Bala Korn, Ellie Brown (Chairperson), Gerardo Alcaraz, Mary Buzan, Susan Daviess, Sean Mulholland, Manny Navarro, Rob Rizk, Alfred Trejo (Secretary), Carmen Trejo
- Parish Board of Directors: Fr. Bala Korn (President), Manuel Navarro (Treasurer), Carmen Trejo (Secretary), Most Rev. Edward J. Weisenburger, Rev. John P. Arnold
Faith Formation (Catechism)
Religious education for parish children is coordinated by the Director of Religious Education, Maria Martinez. Catechism sign-ups are taken in person at St. Helen Hall after the 11:00 AM Sunday Mass, and additional information is available at the church office during weekday afternoon hours. Families can also contact the office by phone for details about class schedules and sacramental preparation.
- Director of Religious Education: Maria Martinez
- In-person sign-ups at St. Helen Hall after 11:00 AM Sunday Mass
- Office hours for inquiries: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 2:00–5:00 PM
- Office phone: 520-896-2708
Tri-Community Parishes
St. Helen is one of three parishes in the Diocese of Tucson's tri-community grouping for the Oracle / San Manuel / Mammoth area, all currently served by one priest. Coordinated Mass and confession schedules, shared tri-community bulletins, and joint pastoral planning link the three parishes together. Worshippers at each parish can easily find up-to-date schedules for the others through the linked websites and the weekly Tri-Community Bulletin.
- St. Helen Parish — Oracle (this parish)
- St. Bartholomew Parish — San Manuel (Sunday Mass 9:30 AM; Mon/Thu/Fri Mass 9:00 AM)
- Blessed Sacrament Parish — Mammoth (linked from St. Helen's website)
- Weekly Tri-Community Bulletin published jointly
Parish Ministries and Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are the backbone of parish life at St. Helen. The parish actively invites parishioners to share their time and talent in a variety of practical and pastoral roles — from feeding the community through the Kitchen Angels to helping maintain the historic buildings, supporting fundraising, and managing social media. A dedicated Parish Bereavement Committee ministers to families who have lost loved ones, echoing the Beatitude: 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.'
- Parish Bereavement Committee — ministry of consolation; new members welcome.
- Kitchen Angels — parish meal and hospitality ministry.
- Parish clean-up and maintenance volunteers.
- Fundraising volunteers.
- Social media volunteers.
- Open invitation to share a special talent via the Parish Council or parish office.
Sacraments and Pastoral Care
St. Helen celebrates the seven sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church within its historic 1927 church. Generations of Oracle Catholics have been baptized, received First Holy Communion, been confirmed, married, and had their funerals at St. Helen. The Anointing of the Sick is offered on First Fridays in conjunction with Eucharistic Adoration, and Confession is heard every Saturday before the vigil Mass.
- Baptism
- First Holy Communion
- Confirmation
- Marriage (Matrimony)
- Anointing of the Sick (First Fridays, 9:00 AM)
- Reconciliation / Confession (Saturdays 4:00–4:30 PM)
Architecture and Campus
The St. Helen campus is a charming ensemble of Spanish-style buildings set against the Santa Catalina Mountains. The original 1927 church by architect Henry O. Jaastad is the heart of the parish, with its distinctive stained-glass windows and traditional Spanish design. Additions have been carefully matched to the original aesthetic: a 1963 meeting hall and catechetical center, and a 2006–2007 parish and priests' office designed by Manny Trujillo, keep the whole complex visually unified.
- Original 1927 church — Spanish style, architect Henry O. Jaastad, builder John P. Steffes.
- Unique stained-glass windows donated by the Gillilands.
- 1963 — Meeting hall and catechetical center in matching Spanish style.
- 2006–2007 — Parish and priests' office (designed by Manny Trujillo).
- Setting: Santa Catalina Mountain foothills, Oracle, Arizona.
Bulletin, Resources, and Links
The parish publishes a weekly Tri-Community Bulletin (covering St. Helen, St. Bartholomew, and Blessed Sacrament) which is available on the parish website. The website also links to a wide range of Catholic resources, including the Diocese of Tucson, USCCB, Vatican, daily readings, the Catechism, Canon Law, and how to pray the Rosary. Immigration resources and a message from Bishop Weisenburger are also featured on the homepage.
- Tri-Community Bulletin (published weekly; available on parish website).
- Links to the Holy See, USCCB, Diocese of Tucson, daily Mass readings.
- Catechism of the Catholic Church and Canon Law.
- How to Pray the Rosary resource.
- Immigration preparedness resources (Step by Step Family Preparedness).
- Messages from Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger.
Community Archive Project
As St. Helen approached and passed its 90th anniversary in 2017, the parish began collecting historic photographs of parish events — weddings, baptisms, First Communions, confirmations, bingos, parties, fiestas, posadas, breakfasts, and other gatherings. The collected images are being used to produce a parish history video, a printed parish book, and an online archive. Parishioners can email photos to Tim Daviess ([email protected]); originals are copied and returned.
- Contact for photo submissions: Tim Daviess, [email protected]
- Looking for: weddings, baptisms, First Communions, confirmations, fiestas, posadas, parish events
- Outputs planned: a parish history video, printed parish book, and website archive
Visit, Contact, and Location
St. Helen Roman Catholic Parish welcomes visitors at its historic campus on East Maplewood Street in the village of Oracle, Arizona. The parish office is open during the week, and the office phone, fax, and email are listed on the parish website. Saturday Mass is also streamed live on Facebook for the homebound and those traveling.
- Address: 66 E. Maplewood St., Oracle, AZ 85623
- Phone: 520-896-2708
- Fax: 520-896-2631
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: http://sthelenparishoracle.org
- Facebook: live-stream of Saturday 4:30 PM Mass
Pastors & rectors through the years
- Father Basilio Delgado1890s–early 1900s
Carmelite priest from Assumption Church, Florence; celebrated Mass in the Mountain View Hotel ballroom for early Oracle Catholics.
- Father Jose Domingo Jaquez
Succeeded Delgado as pastor in Florence; visited Oracle every two weeks to minister to local Catholics.
- Father Francis I. O'Reilley1954–
Appointed by Bishop Gercke as first pastor of St. Bartholomew, San Manuel in 1954; from then on celebrated Mass at St. Helen every Sunday morning.
- Rev. Msgr. Ambrose Nwohu
Longtime pastor of St. Helen; oversaw the tri-community pastoral arrangement; retired with thanks from the parish and Fr. Bala Korn.
- Rev. Fr. Bala Korn2023–
Current pastor; previously served St. Bartholomew (San Manuel) and Blessed Sacrament (Mammoth) for one year before being assigned to also serve St. Helen as part of the tri-community parishes.