What a joy and a privilege it is to share this update with you — the incredible, faithful people of the Diocese of Helena.
We say it often, but we mean it deeply: great things are happening in our Diocese. The Because He First Loved Us campaign was never just about dollars and goals — it was about faith made visible, and the examples that follow are proof of that. Your generosity is at the heart of every single one of these stories.
Thank you. Thank you for your sacrificial giving, your prayers, and your trust. You have made these works of mercy and mission possible, and the Diocese of Helena is richer — in every sense — because of you.
If you have questions about any of these campaign elements or would simply like to talk, please don’t hesitate to reach out. It would be my honor to connect with you. May God bless you and your families in a very special way!
Daniel Thies | Executive Director
(406) 389-7051 | dthies@dohmt.org
CARE FOR OUR RETIRED PRIESTS
One of the campaign’s most sacred goals was the full funding of the Priestly Retirement Trust — and thanks be to God, that goal has been achieved. Because of your generosity, we are now able to provide comprehensive care for our senior priests, not only financially, but personally. We are overjoyed to introduce Maggie Phelan, who serves as the Diocese’s Clergy Wellness Coordinator. In this vital role, Maggie regularly visits with our priests, offers attentive follow-up after medical procedures, and serves as a trusted liaison between them and the Diocesan staff. She is, quite simply, a blessing — and a blessing made possible entirely through your faithful giving.
GROW PRIESTLY VOCATIONS
“We need more priests!” — it is a cry of the faithful that so many of us know well. And thanks be to God, your prayers and generous gifts are bearing fruit. The Diocese of Helena is witnessing a beautiful surge in vocations, with 13 young men currently answering God’s call in seminary. The joy doesn’t stop there: June 2026 will bring the priestly ordination of Dcn. Kaleb Mitchell, and this November, seminarian Riley Helgoe will be ordained a deacon — what a magnificent blessing! Looking ahead, we are hopeful that two more men will enter the seminary this coming fall. Each of these milestones is a testament to the power of your faithfulness. The Church is renewed through sacrificial giving, and these future priests are, in no small part, a gift made possible through yours.
RESTORE OUR DIOCESAN CATHEDRAL
Our Mother Church, the magnificent Cathedral of St. Helena, is being lovingly restored and renewed — and it is your generosity that is making it possible. Thanks be to God, the Cathedral’s iconic spires have been fully rebuilt, and their strength was put to the test this past December when they stood firm against hurricane-force winds. What a powerful testament to the care and craftsmanship your gifts have made possible! And there is more to celebrate: this summer, construction will begin on beautiful new front steps, replacing the worn and crumbling granite with a worthy entrance to our stunning Diocesan cathedral. These steps will be more than stone — they will be a gathering place, a threshold where the faithful come together as they enter and exit the house of God. None of this would be possible without your faithful and generous support. Thank you for caring for this sacred treasure for generations to come.
STRENGTHEN OUR PARISHES
One of the most beautiful fruits of the Because He First Loved Us campaign has been the flowering of evangelization at the parish level — and the story of St. Richard Parish in Columbia Falls is a shining example. Using a portion of their campaign gifts alongside a Dream Big Grant from the Foundation, St. Richard’s brought to life the Little Souls Miscarriage Ministry. This tender, Spirit-led ministry walks alongside families — Catholic and non- Catholic alike — who have suffered the heartbreak of miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss. In their most vulnerable moments, these families are met not with words alone, but with presence, prayer, and genuine accompaniment in faith.
This is the Gospel made tangible. This is evangelization at its most profound.
Thanks be to God for the compassionate hearts at St. Richard Parish who answered this call, and thanks to you, whose generous gifts helped make it possible. To learn more about this healing ministry, we invite you to watch a beautiful six-part video series produced by the Foundation, available on our YouTube channel. And we encourage you — talk to your own parish! Across our Diocese, your gifts are inspiring remarkable works of mercy and mission that are drawing people ever closer to our Savior.
EVANGELIZATION
Evangelize: to preach the Gospel; to proclaim the good news to all. Thanks be to God, the fruits of your generosity are being written in the lives of real people. This Easter season, the Diocese of Helena welcomed an estimated 600 OCIA candidates into the fullness of the faith — nearly triple the number from just three years ago in 2023. Let that sink in. Three times as many souls drawn to the light of Christ, three times as many families changed forever, three times as many voices added to the chorus of the faithful in our Diocese. This is what your sacrificial giving makes possible. This is the Because He First Loved Us campaign at work in the world. May we never cease to be astonished by what God can do when His people respond with open and generous hearts.