July 14, 2010

Fort Morgan church turns 100

By John Gleason

Parishioners at St. Helena Church in Fort Morgan have a lot to be proud of—this year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of their parish. To mark the event, a special bilingual Mass will be held at 5:30 p.m. July 17 with Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., as the main celebrant.

Father Jason Thuerauf, pastor of St. Helena’s, said the Mass will start the evening’s festivities to pay tribute to the parish. 

“We’ll be dedicating a centennial icon after the Mass called ‘The Divine Mercy,’” he said.

“This will honor the pioneers, parishioners, priests and religious who’ve been part of the family at St. Helena’s and are responsible for it being what it is today.  The icon will then be put on display in Dinan Hall.”

The July 17 event is part of a yearlong observance of the parish’s anniversary.  In April, Father Thuerauf led a pilgrimage to Italy to view the Shroud of Turin.  While there, parishioners purchased a new processional cross for the church, which Archbishop Chaput will bless.

After the bilingual Mass, a potluck dinner, organized by the Ladies Altar Society, will be held in the parish hall followed by a dance, according to Father Thuerauf.

“Don’t forget that this is beef country and the folks here really know how to do prime rib like nowhere else,” he said with pride. “It’ll be a great dinner for all who come and after that, we’ll continue the party with music and dancing into the night.”

Founded in 1910, a 154-seat frame building was constructed that served as the first St. Helena’s.  It was blessed by Bishop Nicholas Matz the following year.  It wasn’t until 1952 that then-pastor Father Herman Leite wrote Archbishop Urban Vehr, asking permission to build a bigger church to accommodate the 200 families who called St. Helena’s home.  Seven acres were purchased on the western side of Fort Morgan and a new 600-seat church was built, which featured an adjacent parish hall, kitchen and basement. In 2001, a new parish hall, named for former pastor, Msgr. Edward Dinan, was blessed and dedicated by Auxiliary Bishop José Gomez (now coadjutor bishop for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles).
Today the parish is made up of 1,000 families, many of whom are second- and third- generation parishioners.  The word “family” is one you hear a lot when talking with longtime parishioners like Harold Bohm, who has been attending St. Helena’s for 44 years.

“I grew up in a small town in Kansas and moved here in 1966,” he said, “and I can tell you there’s a special feeling about a rural parish, a place where you know everyone. That’s what St. Helena’s is all about—being a family.  Today a large portion of that family speaks Spanish and the church continues to serve the diverse needs of each and every member.”

Rita Coates agrees.  A parishioner since 1970, she said that while the parish is much the same as it was when she first arrived there, she has witnessed changes as well.

“You meet people and make new friends here, and one day you’re talking with their grandchildren,” she said.  “It’s a hallmark of community, watching the next generation grow up.  I don’t think you get that feeling in a larger church.”

Although she can’t claim the crown as the longest parishioner, 92-year-old Mary Kammer has been worshiping at St. Helena’s since she moved to Colorado 48 years ago.  She remembers how the parish was a hive of social activity, which often put parishioners’ industry to work to raise money for the church.

“We had an active Altar and Rosary Society for many years and had bake sales and would hold weekly card parties,” she said.  “One of our members would donate a cedar chest and parishioners would fill it with tea towels and sheets and embroidered goods, then we’d hold a raffle and that was our money maker.”

The parishioners of St. Helena’s are proud of their parish and its history and want to share their joy on July 17.  Father Thuerauf said anyone who can make it is more than welcome.

“But for those who won’t be able to attend,” he added with a chuckle, “we’ll do it again in another hundred years.”