The Mary Help of Christian Society-the great lay supporters of the St. Michael's Church Preservation Society and St. Monica Parish- will be celebrating its Feast Day and 80 + years of Service tomorrow Friday, May 24 at St. Michael's Church. A Mass will begin at 6:30 pm followed by a social in Quaremba Hall. The Salesian Sisters of St John Bosco (1815-1888) also known as the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians, are the sister order of the Salesians of Don Bosco faithfully and competently served as teachers and administrators of St. Michael's School from 1912 to its closing in ​the 1980's.​

This Feast dates back to 1571, when the whole of Christendom was saved in the name of Mary Help of Christians when Catholics throughout Europe prayed the Rosary and won several the important battles against the Ottoman Empire. 

Also in 1809, Napoleon's men entered the Vatican, arrested Pius VII and brought him in chains to France. His imprisonment lasted five years. The Holy Father vowed to God that, if he were restored to the Roman See, he would institute a special feast in honor of Mary. Military reverses forced Napoleon to release the Pope, and on May 24th 1814, Pius VII returned in triumph to Rome. Twelve months later, the Pope decreed that the feast of Mary Help of Christians, be kept on the 24th of May.

Later in the 18th century St. John Bosco formed a congregation of both priests and sisters- The Salesians who were "...to promote veneration of the Blessed Sacrament and devotion to Mary Help of Christians..." Fr. Quaremba recruited the Salesian Sisters for St. Michael's Church and School and now Mary Help of Christians Society-our living link to this history-is celebrating its 80+ Years in the community.