Helen was a secretary for the Nicholas County Board of Education. But she was so much more than that! She became the President of the state Service Personnel Organization. She quickly became the local authority on West Virginia school law and stood ready at all times to listen to the members of that organization and to seek solutions to their grievances.

 

She became deeply concerned about the literacy rates in Nicholas County and devoted a good deal of her time to the county Literacy Program. Before moving to the Board of Education, Helen served as the R.O.T.C. secretary at Nicholas County High School. Even after her move to the Board, the R.O.T.C. students remained her “children”.

 

She was equally, if not more involved in parish life at St. John’s. Helen was the 8th grade catechist for a number of years, until she gave up that volunteer job for another parishioner who wanted to get involved. She was part of the team of catechists who prepared teenagers for the sacrament of Confirmation. She served as President of the Ladies of St. John and volunteered her time at nearly every parish function. During the 9th Diocesan Synod, Helen served as St. John’s representative, making several trips throughout the state.

 

Helen was also involved in the activities of the Knights of Columbus, both at St. John’s in Summersville and Holy Family in Richwood. In fact, one year in particular, Helen had help with so many of the Knights activities that the financial secretary in Summersville sent her a membership dues notice. Helen, never one to pass up a good joke, promptly sent a check for the dues and asked for her membership card. She will be remembered as the most willing volunteer.

 

Helen was also passionately pro-life. When she was first diagnosed with cancer, she set aside some of her retirement funds to be used after her death to purchase a statue to be dedicated to the victims of abortion. One of Helen’s favorite places was Franciscan University, where St. John’s catechists took a yearly trip for a retreat. On campus, Franciscan University has a small grave outside the Portiuncula Chapel where the bodies of eight little babies killed by abortion are buried. It was one of Helen’s first stops every time she got to campus. She wanted a memorial like that for St. John’s.

 

 

 

For the past year, there has been a silent, but active group in our parish. It is the Helen Simons Memorial Rosary Makers Guild. The group was named after the late Helen Simons who loved the Rosary and essentially brought the devotion back to St. John’s.

 

In the beginning, the need for mission rosaries was brought to the attention of Beth Frontino who was at home with a leg injury. She sent for the information and a beginner’s kit. She continued alone for about a year making rosaries. She sent them with the youth group to Steubenville and gave several to Bishop Schmitt when he came to bless the youth house, The Upper Room. Shortly after that, Beth contacted a few ladies and officially began the Guild. Since then, the group has made and given away approximately 2500 rosaries. They have gone out to India, the military, the Gabriel Project, Youth Conferences, The Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (Fr. Groschel’s order), and the TOR sisters just to name a few. It seems that a need will pop up at about the time a supply has been built up. Funny how the Blessed Mother works!

 

Membership

 

It’s time to renew membership (page 6 of the "Evangelist" Newsletter). The cost is $2.00 (two dollars) per year. If you would like to become a member of the Guild, please contact Beth Frontino.

 

There are several ways you can be a member. The obvious way is to make rosaries. Other ways include financial support, either by donation of funds or supplies (see form for a list), Xeroxing, cutting out and folding the Promise and Divine Mercy cards, praying for the Guild and those who receive the rosaries.

 

The Guild would like to thank the Knights of Columbus who have been supplying the “How to say the Rosary” cards that are included in the packets.

 

Membership Form

Rosary Guild Membership Form

Please return to:

 

Beth Frontino

724 Foxfield Farms Road

Summersville, WV 26651

304-872-4434

 

Name

 

Address

 

Phone Number

 

______ I wish to become a member of the Helen Simons Memorial Rosary Makers Guild. I have included $2.00 (______renewing present membership)

 

______ I wish to order a beginner’s kit and learn to make rosaries. I have included my dues plus the ______ fee for the kit.

 

______ I wish to assist the group financially with the attached donation to help with buying supplies and paying postage.

 

______ I am sending in other needed supplies such as

_____ white tag board

_____ snack-sized baggies

 

_____ I wish to assist by Xeroxing, cutting and folding the “Promises” and "Divine Mercy” cards.

 

______ I wish to assist by praying for those involved in this pursuit and for all those who receive our rosaries.

 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

An example of shipping fees: 1 small 10”x15” to India: 2wk delivery = $55.00 or 6wk delivery = $28.00.

 

An example of the for 100 rosaries is approx: $14, 2 kits, $2, 1 box of snack baggies, $ 5.00 a ream of tag board. Total is approximately $21.00.